WWNO skyline header graphic
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Local Newscast
Hear the latest from the WWNO/WRKF Newsroom.

Support local, independent journalism on WWNO with your Member Fest gift now! Click the donate button or Call 844-790-1094.

BP's Containment Dome at Spill Site

By Eileen Fleming

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wwno/local-wwno-900734.mp3

New Orleans, La. – Crane operators lowering the 100-ton concrete and steel box over the leaking well pipes have to be precise, and it's never been done before. The container could cap the leak, or smash it wide open. So far, about 210,000 gallons of crude are pouring out every day.
BP executive Doug Suttles says one option being reviewed calls for plugging the leak with rubber and other materials.

"We don't want to do anything that could make the situation worse. The second option is to find a way to actually put another blow-out preventor on top of the existing blow-out preventor. That's also a very, very complicated task and also brings risk with it."

It's still unclear why the original blowout preventor failed.
For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming in New Orleans

👋 Looks like you could use more news. Sign up for our newsletters.

* indicates required
New Orleans Public Radio News
New Orleans Public Radio Info