Offshore Oil Production And Transport Poses Threats Flashcards
What is the name of the offshore BP oil rig?
Deepwater Horizon
For how many days did oil gush out on to the sea bed?
87
What was the upper estimate for the amount of oil that leaked on to the sea bed?
4.9 billion barrels (56 million a day)
How many million gallons of oil leak from the sea bed naturally annually?
2 million gallons (47,500 barrels)
How deep was the oil rig?
1500m
Where was the rig?
40 miles off the Louisiana Coast
List at least 3 responses to the spill
Skimming surface oil
Burning surface oil
Beach cleaning
Dispersants
Artificial Barrier Islands
Explain dispersants
chemicals sprayed from air and boat break oil into smaller particles to prevent oil sticks
Explain beach cleaning
Oil mixes making contaminated sand, this is removed and ‘washed’ by very hot water and can then be returned to the beach, oil is taken for processing
How much of the Gulf was affected?
180,000km squared
How much of the coastline was polluted?
1,600km squared
Which animals’ mortality increased?
Birds
Fish
Turtles
Dolphins
What was the estimated cost of human repairs?
$70 billion
How much did British Petroleum have to pay Gulf coast residents and businesses to settle the law suits?
$20 billion
How much money did British Petroleum contribute towards the clean up?
$32 billion