FAIL An American story of BP’s failure and our suffering

By: James Long

On April 20th, 2010 Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling

platform had a blowout.

The GusherThe Guilty The Mess

SourceExit

History of Violence

On April 20th, 2010, A series of decisions and a safety malfunction led to the death of 11 workers, the injury of 19, and the largest oil spill

in U.S history.

On March 23rd, 2005, Poorly maintained safety equipment failed.

15 workers died and 170 where injured.

Texas City BP Oil Refinery ExplosionDeepwater Horizon Drilling

Platform Explosion

Recent Violations

From 2 large refineries in the U.S., BP has accumulated in the past 3 year an incredible amount of citations. “…97 percent of all flagrant violations found in the refining industry by government safety inspectors over the past three years, a Center for Public Integrity analysis shows. Most of BP’s citations were classified as “egregious willful” by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and reflect alleged violations of a rule designed to prevent catastrophic events at refineries. “

Course of EventsA timeline of events leading to the April 20 explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, according to documents from congressional investigators and testimony from witnesses to the disaster:• 12:35 a.m.: Oilfield services contractor Halliburton completes cementing on BP's

Mississippi Canyon 252 well. In the hours leading up to midafternoon, crews conduct three positive pressure tests, in which fluid weight is placed on the seal.

• 11 a.m.: BP and Transocean executives argue over changes in the drill plan for the well at a meeting aboard the rig.

• 5:05 p.m.: An unexpected loss of fluid is observed in the riser pipe, suggesting there are leaks in the blowout preventer, a critical piece of equipment designed to shut down the well in the event of an emergency.

• 5-7 p.m.: Negative pressure tests, in which crews reduce fluid pressure to test for leaks through the cement or well casing, show unexpected results. One draws 15 barrels of liquid out of the well instead of the expected five, raising more concerns about leaks. In a second, pressure on the rig's "kill line" -- a high-pressure pipe used to cut off the flow of oil -- falls to zero, while rising to 1,400 pounds per square inch in the drill line, indicating a buildup of natural gas.

• 8 p.m.: BP ends testing and proceeds to replace remaining drill fluids with seawater. A BP investigator later suggests this is a "fundamental mistake."

• 9:00 p.m.: More fluid is reported flowing out of the well than is being pumped in.• 9:10 p.m.: Well pump is shut down for a "sheen" test, but the well continues to flow.

Drill pipe pressure unexpectedly increases.• 9:30 p.m. Abnormal pressures and more fluid returns are observed. The well pump is

abruptly shut down.• 9:50 p.m.: Gas surges from the well and up the riser. The supply ship Damon B.

Bankston, which is tied up alongside Deepwater Horizon, reports drilling fluid spilling onto its deck and is told to move back 500 meters from the rig. Seconds later, the first explosion occurs.

• 9:52 p.m.: Deepwater Horizon issues distress call. The order is given to abandon the rig. Eleven of the 126 on board are lost at sea when the platform sinks two days later.

Source: CNN.com

Blowout Preventer

Current InvestigationThe Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation into the massive oil spill spreading through the Gulf of Mexico, examining possible violations of the Clean Water Act, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the Migratory Bird Treaty and Endangered Species Acts.

The OilIn an age of Instant information, BP tried to play down the amount of oil coming out. But thanks public and government pressure to put live video of the underwater leaks, independent scientists deducted that the 1,000 barrels a day was wrong. 5,000 barrels a day was wrong.

US Dept. of Interior and USGS Director Dr. Marcia McNutt announced on May 27th, that their current estimates range from 12,000 -> 19,000 barrels of oil per day.

Source: DOI.gov

The Blow Out Unprevented

Attempt to activate Blow Out Preventor

Oil Spill Forecast

Source : NOAA

Amount of Oil Released into the Gulf

Due to the increased estimated flow rate, the amount of oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico is estimated to be between 18 and 28 million gallons and the spill is growing by 146 gallons every minute.

The OceanWe already know there are millions of gallons of oil in the Gulf, with millions more to come. But the oil doesn’t just float to shore or puddle up. It moves. Its dynamic. And with the currents, it could be taken around Florida and through the Caribbean. Causing damage to the delicate eco systems that surround the islands and beaches.

Loop Current in white

The IslandsAfter Hurricane Katrina, we all got an important lesson on barrier islands. Those important strips of land, close to shore, that buffers the hurricanes, storms, and large waves. These islands are also acting as barriers to the oil. The Oil kills the plants, which lets the soil wash away.

The Economic Impact

It is to early to say the total cost of the spill. The oil is still coming. But as of 20% of federal fishing waters are closed. The Federal government has spent $87 Million to so far. BP has spent near $1 billion.

The Impact on Wildlife• The oil in the water depletes oxygen levels• The chemicals in the oil and dispersants kills

plankton, the basis of the oceanic food chain• Birds that dive through the oil get coated in oil. If

not cleaned they die.• Marine mammals like whales and dolphins can oil

up their blow holes, choking them to death• Larvae from fish, oysters, shrimp, and most sea

animals can not survive the oil, killing the next generation.

• The de-oxygenated water can choke the life out of fish that swim through it.

Conclusion

The spill Is huge and growing. The only thing we can do is wait and put pressure on BP to resolve this mess. But we still need oil. And as long as we do, this kind of disaster is always possible.