Published May 5, 2010 12:00AM
BP has sealed one of the three leaks spewing oil into the Gulf of Mexico, according to the New York Times. It doesn't fix the problem – and apparently doesn't do much to help – but at least it's a step.
The efforts were made possible due to the lack of rough waters and weather, which have hampered containment.
“Submersible robots, controlled remotely from a ship on the surface,were able to place a specially designed valve over the end of a leakingdrill pipe lying on the sea floor in water about 5,000 feet deep,” the Times said.
Unfortunately, most of the estimated 210,000 gallons released each day is coming from a different leak, one of two remaining. BP will now focus their efforts on the major leak. The company is reportedly towing a 98-ton containment structure into the Gulf. That structure will be lowered over the leak, allowing BP to pump the oil up to a rig on the Gulf surface. That's the way it will work in theory, anyways. Here's hoping it's a success.
— Jonah