Scientists from NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) have calculated a new estimate of flow rates of oil leaking at the site of the former Taylor Energy Mississippi Canyon 20 (MC20) drilling platform at between nine and 108 barrels (378 to 4,536 gallons) a day. This new estimate exceeds the previous estimate made by Taylor Energy Company of three to five gallons per day. Oil has been leaking from the site’s wells since the platform was toppled during Hurricane Ivan in 2004, over 14 years ago.
The flow rate estimates were published today in a NOAA technical report.
The team used the latest acoustic technology and, in partnership with Florida State University, created a new device called a bubblometer to assess the flow rates. The researchers also characterized the composition of the oil and gas discharge, and conclusively established that active releases from multiple wells at the site, rather than from contaminated sediments, are the primary source of oil and gas entering the marine environment at the site.
Continue reading at NOAA.
Image via NOAA.