The government is letting BP keep the valves of the new cap sealed for the time being, or at least one more day, even though oil is seeping into the sea floor.
The seep was detected Sunday evening less than two miles away from the main leak and now the government is demanding that BP step up it’s leak monitoring on the ocean floor.
“When seeps are detected, you are directed to marshal resources, quickly investigate, and report findings to the government in no more than four hours. I direct you to provide me a written procedure for opening the choke valve as quickly as possible without damaging the well should hydrocarbon seepage near the well head be confirmed,” said Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said in a letter to BP Managing Director Bob Dudley.
When asked about the seep and the monitoring, BP spokesman Mark Salt would only say that “we continue to work very closely with all government scientists on this.”
The government is allowing BP to continue testing on the cap by keeping it shut, but only if BP meets their standards for rigorous monitoring of the test, that if is performed haphazardly could worsen the situation.
With AP
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