By Eileen Fleming
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wwno/local-wwno-908464.mp3
New Orleans, La. – Stormy summer weather in the Gulf of Mexico is hitting the off-shore equipment diverting oil gushing from the underwater well. The Coast Guard reports one vessel that separates oil from water has been taken off-line for repairs. BP says a mechanical problem stemming from a lightning strike earlier this week triggered more malfunctions. BP says that problem was fixed, but the vessel was kept off line while more lightening storms passed through the area. A second system in place has managed to continue working throughout the storms. It's a vessel that's been burning off the oil and natural gas being pumped up to the surface from the leaking well. The Coast Guard says that when both systems are working, about 25,000 barrels a day can be processed. Experts say as much as 60,000 barrels could be spewing from the blown-out well every day.
For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming in New Orleans.