Feds Grow Tired of BP Stalling Flow Rate Measurements And Call In WHOI To Get Accurate Flow Rate Measurements
Posted by Alexander Higgins - June 22, 2010 at 3:33 pm - Permalink - Source via Alexander Higgins Blog
Loading ...I ran across an article at Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine which brought to light the fact that after over 2 months the Government is just now issuing authorization for accurate flow rate readings to be conducted.
The Coast Guard released what the government calls a “justification and approval” notice to award a sole-source contract to Woods Hole to collect and analyze data to measure the flow rate of the continuing spill in the Gulf. This isn’t saying that Woods Hole scientists are deployed and on their way to the spill; it means the Coast Guard is still just talking about it.
The contract is being issued to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI), the same organization that is working to create 3-D models of the huge underwater plumes of oil and methane floating beneath the surface of the Gulf of Mexico that BP denies exist.
The authorization for the independent measurements calls for:
a comprehensive analysis of the oil flow releasing at the site. The scope of this contract is to 1) conduct on-site data collection of the available oil spill flow characteristics with specific attention to rate estimation, 2) analyze the data gathered, and 3) provide a comprehensive analysis report. The estimated cost of this acquisition is $190,100 with a period of performance of thirty days.
The authorization also directly states that BP has given the Federal Government flow rate measurements that are inconsistent with independent scientists.
The explosion and sinking of the BP- Leased DEEPWATER HORIZON oil rig resulted in a major oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Presently, the Unified Incident Command Post is directing the response effort in the vicinity of the release. BP is the responsible party for the stoppage and cleanup of the spill. BP has provided flow rate estimates but they are not consistent with other estimations in the scientific community. It is apparent that there are no agreed-upon estimates of the flow rate.
The authorization also states that “The CEO of BP America stated at a congressional spill inquiry, This leak is not measurable through technology we know.”
Tet the authorization points out that WHOI submitted to BP a technology in May which could be used to perform an accurate measurement.
Instead of taking the institutes suggestion BP asserted that it would soon be successful in implementing containment measurements and now that over a month has passed the Coast Guard is finally issue a contract to have the flow rate measurements taken.
Specifically the authorization states:
The USCG R&DC seeks to provide accurate assessments of the oil flow characteristics and hydrocarbon releases into the water column, with emphasis on rate of flow. This information is critical for the present and long-term response, recovery, and investigations.
At the beginning of May 2010, WHOI submitted proposed technology to BP to provide an accurate measure of the flow rate. BP did not proceed with any action on WHOI’s proposal under the premise that BP would soon implement successful recovery techniques. At present, the oil at the site continues to be released into the Gulf of Mexico.
Previous efforts to apply sensors to the site for determination of flow rate have been delayed under the assumptions that the oil leak would be stopped by pending mitigation efforts, which have not been successful to date. Delays in measuring the flow rate and other available characteristics are having a detrimental effect on the estimation of oil released into the Gulf of Mexico. Delays in measurement of the oil flow are no longer acceptable and require urgent response.
Testing the oil flows and characteristics at the site will provide the USCG R&DC with an independent analysis performed by one of the world’s leading oceanographic research institutions. Resulting reports will provide data for long-term use in assessments of the oil well loss in terms of volume, pressure, and plume characteristics. The contractor will deploy to the site with sonar, optical, Doppler, and mass spectrometer sensors. These sensors are uniquely configured to measure speed, volume, and elemental composition of the oil in the near vicinity of the blowout preventer; with additional opportunity to gather data in the mid-water column. The contractor has a specific configuration of sensors that when operated under their design will yield data for use in analysis performed at their facilities.
Meanwhile Thad Allen told the press in yesterday’s press conference that it has ordered BP to place the sensors on the leaking well in July when they plan on unbolting the current riser flange that has been sheared off and bolting on a new containment system what will increase capacity to up to 80,000 barrels per day.
Meanwhile the official government Estimates currently remain at 35,000-60,000 barrels per day but the move to increase capacity to 80,000 barrels per day seems to indicate the Government estimates of the amount of oil leaking in the BP Gulf Oil Spill will once again be revised upwards.
There has been no mention of the issuance of the contract to WHOI in the main stream media.
I will post updates as more information becomes available.
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Keep up the great work Mr. Higgins. I've sent you blog to other countries because it's the best one I have seen. Thank you for all your hard work.
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It's like the White House in March '42 still waiting for a report of how many ships were sunk at Pearl Harbor.
Meanwhile, we hear daily updates of how many barrels of oil are sequestered on the surface and how much gas flared, always way in excess of earlier total flow "estimates."
You can only claim a pint contains a quart for so long. Jon Stewart, call your office.
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