Oil Rig Explosion Lawyer

Transocean Rig Explosion Update:
Major Oil Leak Continues

April 26, 2010

LONDON (Dow Jones) BP PLC (BP) is pursuing several options for shutting off or containing an oil leak of around 1,000 barrels a day in the Gulf Of Mexico following an explosion that sunk a Transocean Ltd. (RIG) drilling rig last week, said a spokesman for the company Monday.

BP is still trying to shut off the oil well at the seabed using remotely operated subsea robots, although, for unknown reasons, this method has so far been unsuccessful, he said.

BP is also looking at deploying a dome immediately above the leaking pipes to capture the oil as it leaks out, although the technology is designed for much shallower waters than the 1,522-meter-deep well that is currently leaking.

If attempts to shut down the well at the seabed continue to be unsuccessful, the first of two rigs will arrive Monday at the location of the leak to drill a relief well that could halt the flow of oil from the seabed, although this approach could take two to three months, the spokesman said.

Oil leaking from pipes close to the seabed attached to the well has formed a slick of light oil 20 miles wide and 30 miles long, the spokesman said. It remains at least 40 miles offshore and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts that prevailing winds and tides mean the slick will remain offshore for at least another 72 hours, he said.

BP said in a statement Sunday afternoon that 100,000 gallons of oil dispersant are ready to be deployed, although rough weather was hampering those operations over the weekend. Thirty-two spill response vessels and five aircraft are ready to deploy the dispersant and skim oil from the surface of the water.

"Given the current conditions and the massive size of our response, we are confident in our ability to tackle this spill offshore," said BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward, who has flown to the U.S. to oversee the operation.

BP doesn't take outside insurance to cover the cost of cleaning up oil spills so will be paying for this large operation from its own pocket. "We've already spent millions," said the spokesman.

Costs and liabilities directly related to the blast aboard the rig Deepwater Horizon will be borne by Transocean. Insurer Hannover Re AG (HNR1.XE) said Friday it expects a large claim related to the accident. The rig alone is worth $600 million, analyst estimate.

Eleven crew members are missing, presumed dead, and several were seriously injured in the blast, which occurred at 0300 GMT Wednesday during the completion of an oil discovery well on the Macondo prospect.

By James Herron, Dow Jones Newswires; +44 (0)20 7842 9317; james.herron@dowjones.com

Safety History

Oil platform workers typically stay on oil platforms for two weeks at a time, followed by two weeks on land. It can be a difficult business. Since 2001, there have been 69 offshore deaths, 1,349 injured and 858 fires and explosions in the Gulf of Mexico according to the federal Minerals Management Service.

Contact Information

Coast Guard hotline for next of kin: 1-832-587-8554
The Ammons Law Firm: 1-866-523-1603

Contact the experienced rig explosion attorneys at the Ammons Law Firm in Houston, Texas, for more information if you have been injured or a family member has been hurt by a rig explosion.  Our experienced rig explosion lawyers have the know-how and experience to pursue the results that will bring your family the relief they need. Call us toll free at 1-866-523-1603 for a free consultation.