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Workers Struggle to Contain Massive Oil Spill

   VOA News 07 May 2010
   The  containment vessel is lowered into the Gulf of Mexico at the site
   of the Deepwater Horizon rig collapse, 06 May 2010

Photo: AP

   The  containment vessel is lowered into the Gulf of Mexico at the site
   of the Deepwater Horizon rig collapse, 06 May 2010

   Workers  in the Gulf of Mexico are struggling to contain a massive oil
   spill  as crude has begun to reach animal habitats along southern U.S.
   shores.
   Engineers  from  oil  giant  BP  on  Thursday lowered an enormous dome
   designed  to  remove  petroleum  from an underwater well that has been
   leaking thousands of liters per day since a BP rig exploded last week.
   BP  officials  say by next week, the dome could be ready to funnel oil
   to a boat on the surface of the Gulf.
   This  is  the  first time the technique has been used so far below the
   water's  surface  -  about  1.5  kilometers deep.  BP spokesman David
   Nicholas says the company cannot guarantee the dome will work.
   Among BP's other efforts to contain the spill, the company is drilling
   a  relief  well  to pump the leaking reservoir.  But BP says the well
   will take about three months to prepare.
   Oil  reached  barrier islands off southern Louisiana's coast Thursday,
   and began to cover wildlife there.
   The  Reuters news agency quoted U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar as
   saying  Thursday  that  BP  and  its  partners  made  "some very major
   mistakes,"  and that the company's "life is on the line."Â  He did not
   elaborate on the comments.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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