Environment

By Eileen Fleming

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – National Incident Commander Thad Allen says the 300-ton device was clogged with icy slush as it was slowly lifted off the sea floor a mile under the surface. Crews have been making sure the equipment subpoenaed as evidence is flushed out and preserved. Allen says the well remains plugged from the top with mud and cement, and the new blowout preventer is secured.

By Eileen Fleming

By Eileen Fleming

By Eileen Fleming

By Eileen Fleming

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – Mariner says the fire was on the upper deck of the two-story platform. The Coast Guard says Mariner initially reported an oil sheen a mile long and 100 feet wide, but the government can't find it. Captain Peter Troedsson says the Coast Guard will use vessels and aircraft to check for leaks. He says he's not sure if oil is leaking underwater from the seven wells connected to the platform.

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – National Incident Commander Thad Allen says vessels and equipment are at the well site to replace the blowout preventer now that storms have subsided.

"We are making preparations right now to take advantage of that weather window which we believe will last Thursday, Friday, Saturday and potentially into Sunday to remove the blowout preventer."

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – Weather conditions at the well site are calming down enough to allow surface ships to begin taking off the capping stack. National Incident Commander Thad Allen says the first step is removing the device that's kept oil from gushing into the Gulf since mid-July.

"At that point, the blowout preventer will be open, basically, and we'll be relying on the cement plug - about 5,000 feet of cement was put in during the static kill."

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – Jindal says the moratorium could be disastrous for an economy that depends on
supporting deepwater drilling. He made the point directly to two panel members visiting New Orleans.

"Many of these smaller businesses are seeing reduced business, They're seeing their employees having to have fewer hours and take pay cuts to survive, and the uncertainty is what's driving a lot of their fears."