Gulf Oil Spill Blowout Preventer Testing Delayed Again

NEW ORLEANS — Forensic testing of a key piece of evidence in the Gulf oil spill investigation could take twice as long as expected.

An investigator with the U.S. Chemical Safety Board – one of the groups monitoring the testing – said Friday his agency has been advised the examination may not finish until March 20.

The Interior Department had said testing of the 300-ton blowout preventer that failed to stop oil from spewing into the Gulf of Mexico following last year's rig explosion would take two months once it started Nov. 16.

That timeframe passed on Sunday.

The device, raised from the seafloor Sept. 4, sat at a NASA facility in New Orleans for two months before testing started.

A federal investigative team overseeing the testing isn't commenting.

Comments

[ThinkCreeps]

05:09 PM on 01/25/2011

I really hope the manufacturers have had chance to see if there's anything amiss.

It's not like it's the only one in existence, and should modifications be necessary, it would be sensible to make sure the information is available. If the rumor that the batteries were flat is true, then why not announce that to avoid ongoing concern?

There doesn't seem to be anything like an NTSB factual statement or interim report in this kind of process.

[DanoX]

07:01 AM on 01/25/2011

takes time to destroy and falsify evidence.

[BannedNBoston]

06:02 PM on 01/24/2011

Check this out

http://www.floridaoilspilllaw.com/alert-louisiana-senator-concerned-corexit-being

http://www.floridaoilspilllaw.com/family-describes-being-sprayed-corexit-dispersant-video

[Insightful]

04:07 PM on 01/24/2011

It's all just stonewalling to avoid letting us know the truth about the disaster the oil industry caused. We can never reclaim the gulf. It has been destroyed by greed. The wonderful wildlife and the people who live there have all been poisoned.

[Floridaval]

02:36 PM on 01/24/2011

Why do we have to continue deep well oil recovery? I bet there still is not a feasible plan to deal with the next disaster, because at those depths, who knows what cracks next. Are there plans in place for all contingencies, and are they practiced over and over again?

Let's just leave the Gulf alone and concentrate especially on alternative, earth-friendly power. I realize we probably will always need oil, but we can reduce its use tremendously by developing and USING more efficient solar power for homes and businesses, wind power in the midwest or something we haven't even thought of. Somebody will, and that's why we can't give up.

We also have to use fewer articles that come in containers made by petroleum products and use more cotton or natural fabrics for clothing. It can be done,, but BIG OIL doesn't want to and we still sit on the fence. And as along as we, the consumer, don't take a stance, BIG OIL will do what it always does : help destroy the planet.

[nevernot]

04:28 PM on 01/24/2011

You would be wrong... They developed a new top secret method for averting the next disaster, the "Cross your fingers and wish really hard" method. In case that doesn't work they'll use their new disaster recovery plan, consisting of putting their now uncrossed fingers firmly into their ears, and lying about whats going on. And yes, they've been practicing quite hard.

[Floridaval]

05:29 PM on 01/24/2011

Thanks for the laugh, I needed that this afternoon.
But you are right, I bet they are practicing this top secret method a lot. (chuckle)

I have to fan you for this "serious" answer.

Hahhahahahahahahahahahaha - I can't stop laughing, nevernot.

[Kitwanga]

08:27 AM on 01/25/2011

Fanned, you are about right except about the part about practicing quite hard, it is actually just business as usual.

[Protect the Environment]

01:29 PM on 01/24/2011

we bet there will be a further delay in March?
Maybe they found something that's much to "hot" to be let out of Pandora's box?
That BP and those who in various ways have facilitated the disaster are responsible for the catastrophe goes beyond saying, but they'd better tell us where did the oil go and how much of it is still leaking!
And how far did it reach and how "oily"the Gulf Stream possibly is?
http://make-sustainable-choices.com/2011/01/23/gulf-oil-spill-kills-gulf-stream/