BP (NYSE:BP) Argues Spill 50 Percent Lower than Estimates

BP (NYSE:BP) is fighting back against the numbers thrown out as to how much oil actually spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, saying it could be up to 50 percent less than estimated.

"BP has not offered its own numbers yet, but BP has told us that it thinks the government's numbers are too high," said Priya Aiyar, deputy chief counsel at the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling commission. It thinks the actual flow rate could be 20% to 50% lower."

It is interesting to note that the original amount of oil left in the ocean as reported by NOAA was confirmed as accurate after the big hoopla and accusations made against them.

Now it generates the question, obviously being exploited by BP, on whether or not the estimates on the oil flow were accurate as well; something BP obviously believes isn't.

Some are already saying this is an attempt by BP to bypass being labeled as having been grossly negligent in the event, which would be a difference of close to $16 billion, with $21 billion being the most they would pay, and $4.9 billion the least.

BP wrote the commission saying the "reservoir properties are more consistent with a lower daily flow rate during the duration of the flow."

BP (NYSE:BP): More Fishing Waters Opened in Gulf

Now that NOAA reopened another 7,000 square miles of Gulf of Mexico fishing waters, 96 percent of all waters are opened to be fished in, with only the immediate area around the formerly leaking Macondo oil well, which accounts for the 4 percent of the waters still closed, remaining off limits to fisherman.

The newly reopened waters are about 60 miles east of the Macondo well location.

Exhaustive testing of 155 finfish in the area, including chemical analysis and smell tests, found no taint of oil or oil dispersants.

Fish are resilient, and if they ever did contact oil, they are able to process it within a two-day period, according to scientists at NOAA and FDA.

Other testing continuing to be done is in processing plants around the Gulf coast region and shallow-water areas around docks.

Obama Blocked BP (NYSE:BP) Worst-case Scenario Estimates Release

A report from the presidential commission looking into the BP (NYSE:BP) oil spill found the Obama administration blocked the release of worst-case scenario estimates on how much oil was flowing into the Gulf of Mexico.

Reportedly the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) wanted to publicize what some of the models describing the worst-case scenarios which could happen over the long term, and the White House's Office of Management and Budget denied the request.

The commission said, "Staff was told that the Office of Management and Budget denied NOAA's request."

Is Missing BP (NYSE:BP) Oil Really a Mystery?

The assertions by some "independent" scientists that there is all sorts of BP (NYSE:BP) oil in the Gulf of Mexico has continued to be unproven, and the longer it is searched for the more it looks like it may have been asserted from fear and disbelief over the ability of the Gulf of Mexico to heal itself, than from any type of science.

Bordering on science fiction is the alleged 22-mile-long underwater oil plume "found" by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, but reported two months after the supposed finding, and that only after a report released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which stated about 75 percent of the oil at that time had either been cleaned by the Gulf itself, mostly through evaporation and oil-eating microbes, or to a small degree, the skimming boats.

That didn't fit the narrative wanted by activist scientists and those looking to get a piece of the research pie, and so they continue to make other assertions that have yet to be confirmed. That's why I mentioned fear above, as they fear not getting the millions that inevitably comes from companies in these types of accidents.

The latest assertion is there has been a bunch of oil found on the floor of the ocean, supposedly from the BP oil spill.

But my question is why should NOAA go out and search for every story about hidden oil lingering somewhere in the Gulf using taxpayer dollars.

NOAA is now going off to find oil based on findings of University of Georgia biologist Samantha Joye, who asserts she has found oil on the ocean floor that appears to be from the BP oil well. Supposedly it's about 16 nautical miles from the well.

Joye asserts the oil looks like it settled in a way that would appear to make it look like it came from the well rather than the millions of gallons of oil which naturally leak into the Gulf every year.

It's not that there couldn't be oil, but what's happening here is efforts by institutions and individual scientists to make a name for themselves by finding something that contradicts government studies. That could set them up for life.

That's not to say there may not be some oil out in the Gulf somewhere, but so far original findings of NOAA that the Gulf is rapidly cleaning itself up has been confirmed by followup studies.

Scientists with agendas just don't want to hear that, and their refusal to believe it even in light of prove shows they have an agenda beyond finding the truth about the oil.

The agenda is about garnering funds by making a name for themselves. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has already lost a lot of credibility from their claims, and those who continue to try to contradict the oil findings better be doing it based on real data found, rather than fictitious gigantic plumes or other science fiction stories.

No BP (NYSE:BP) Oil Plume Says Government

The alleged gigantic oil plume asserted to roam the Gulf by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts has never been proven, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said they aren't able to find any such thing beneath the Gulf waters.

As a matter of fact, according to NOAA scientist Sam Walker, "We are continuing to find lower and lower concentrations," confirming the original story the majority of the oil was gone from the Gulf through a variety of means, including oil-eating microbes.

The government report stated almost 75 percent of the oil had disappeared, primarily through natural means, although a small portion was attributed to oil skimming vessels. Evaporation also played a large part in the Gulf cleaning itself up.

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for some unknown reason didn't even make their assertions until after the government report, which was about two months after they allegedly found the giant oil plume monster.

Some so-called scientists just don't like the fact that the Gulf can largely clean itself, as it doesn't fit their narrative, and it doesn't bring in research money.

BP (NYSE:BP) Spill Cleanup, Wildlife Fatalities

As BP (NYSE:BP) continues on with spill cleanup attempts, the pollution caused by oil and chemicals is proving fatal to wildlife. This is just the beginning as oil is hitting our shore lines.

Kim Hubbard, a Audubon photo editor just arrived in Louisiana. She's already seeing the effects of the oil spill on animals, one of her photos include an oiled Kemp's Ridley sea turtle. This is a daily occurrence and collection of oiled wildlife.

On a conference call today with several NOAA officials and U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials, it was reported that eight turtles have been collected, two later died. Of the 66 birds that have come in, 43 have died and 23 are alive and being rehabbed. There is much concern for marine animals as well like manatees, whales, and dolphins.

Robert Weisberg, a physical oceanographer and modeler from the University of South Florida, reported that once the oil hit the loop current it was only a matter of a week before it was carried to Florida's straits and then just another week after that before reaching Miami's straits. The NOAA reported Wednesday that the oil slick had already reached the loop current.