Last report I saw were that there was 70+ vessels attempting to contain the spill. That would include 'skimmers' designed to collect oil from the surface of the water. Trouble is, the scale of this leak makes it rather like pissing in the wind.

More here: http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/site/2931/

BP has said they take full responsibility and will pay for all the costs.
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/0...oil-spill.html

BP has vowed to pay "all necessary and appropriate clean-up costs" resulting from the blown-out oil well that has caused a massive slick that continues to swell in the Gulf of Mexico.

In a fact sheet posted to the company's website on Monday, BP PLC said it accepts responsibility for the response to the Deepwater Horizon spill and "we will clean it up."

The document says that in addition to clean-up costs, the British-based multinational company will pay compensation for "legitimate and objectively verifiable" property damage, personal injury and commercial losses.

I was sent this today. I have no idea how true it is

Do try to keep up, AC...!!!

Apologies. I am usually the last to find out about most things

Not wanting to scare everyone, but this guy does have a rather pessimistic stance (backed up with some numbers). Admittedly he's got a very clear VI.

http://pesn.com/2010/05/02/9501643_M...Earths_oceans/

I'm not saying the gulf situation isn't very serious, but pesn are a bunch of nutjobs,

http://www.theoildrum.com/node/6424#more

(which is probably more credible than a site that promotes anti-gravity and perpetual motion)

Yes - they are total crack pots. But I got sent the link and thought I'd post it.

I've been reading some of the articles on this disaster on 'rigzone', an industry website. One editorial makes interesting if chilling reading:

http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=92780

...unless the drill crew never had time to press the close button. The seawater and drilling mud is roaring out of the hole and has covered the rig floor lights; the noise is so loud you cannot hear yourself scream. You are effectively blind and deaf, covered in oil-based mud...now go close the BOPs

The BOP (Blow Out Preventor) being the piece of equipment that should have closed off the well in the event of a problem. (I hasten to add I am no expert on this subject, I'm sure others such as Jings can comment better than I).

More first hand accounts of what happened that night here:

http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=92823

If the USA does stop coastal drilling in its own waters here is another possible location to where it can export its pollution .........

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/10100769.stm

Love how BP words it, anyhow, legally the liability on a spill for a company is only 75 million dollars.

Some democrats want the cap raised to 10 billion.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0520909320100505

About the Exxon Valdez spill? If so do you mean 20 years, only ask because it happened in 1989, so 21 years ago.