Government New Flow Estimates at 60,000 Barrels a Day

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – Government and independent scientists say more oil is gushing from the well than estimates taken before BP cut pipes to fit a cap over the main leak. Experts are basing the new estimate on high-resolution underwater video taken at the site and pressure readings taken inside the cap. Scientists say the current containment system is capturing about 18,000 barrels a day. The government says BP is required to develop a system to contain up to 53,000 barrels a day by the end of this month, and up to 80,000 barrels per day by mid-July.
For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming in New Orleans