BP & Causes of the Oil Spill

Dina Cappiello


AP WASHINGTON (Oct. 28) -- Tests performed before the deadly blowout of BP's oil well in the Gulf of Mexico should have raised doubts about the cement used to seal the well, but the company and its cementing contractor used it anyway, investigators with the president's oil spill commission said Thursday.

It's the first finding from the commission looking into the causes of the April 20 explosion that killed 11 workers and led to the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history. And it appears to conflict with statements made by Halliburton Co., which has said its tests showed the cement mix was stable. The company instead has said BP's well design and operations are responsible for the disaster.

The cement mix's failure to prevent oil and gas from entering the well has been identified by BP and others as one of the causes of the accident.

BP and Halliburton decided to use a foam slurry created by injecting nitrogen into cement to secure the bottom of the well, a decision outside experts have criticized.

The panel says that of four tests done in February and April by Halliburton, only one - the last - showed the mix would hold. But the results of that single successful test were not shared with BP, and may not have reached Halliburton, before the cement was pumped, according to a letter sent to commissioners Thursday by chief investigative counsel Fred H. Bartlit, Jr.
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Gulf Oil Information

Today the British Petroleum Commission charged with exploring what happened that lead to the explosion of the Macondo well deep in the Gulf of Mexico, released its preliminary report. The important conclusion of the report is that the federal government could have done a better job of informing the american public about exactly what was happening and how much oil was being leaked at the outset of the oil leak. Also, the idea that 75% of the oil had disappeared by the end of August was ridiculous. Most people knew right away that this was crazy--it doesn't just disappear!



Let's hope that we get a straight report that we can all believe and that tells us the truth going forward.

Latest Information on Gulf Oil Spill

Approximately 112 miles of Gulf Coast shoreline is currently experiencing moderate to heavy oil impacts—approximately 101 miles in Louisiana, 9 miles in Mississippi and 2 miles in Florida. Approximately 497 miles of shoreline are experiencing light to trace oil impacts—approximately 231 miles in Louisiana, 90 miles in Mississippi, 62 miles in Alabama, and 114 miles in Florida. These numbers reflect a daily snapshot so that planning and field operations can more quickly respond to new impacts; they do not include cumulative impacts to date, or shoreline that has already been cleared.

Latest Update on BP Oil Leak In Gulf of Mexico

Subsea operational update:

The MC252 well has been shut-in since July 15; there is currently no oil flowing into the Gulf.

The DDII continues to conduct diagnostic tests on the MC252 well, and plans are being developed for final plugging and abandonment procedures as overseen by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).

A lock down sleeve to secure the well MC252 well casing hangar and the annulus was successfully installed and tested Saturday, Sept. 11.

The DD III relief well drilling operations re-started today at 1:40 p.m. CDT.

Updated Sept. 13 at 2:30 p.m. CDT --for up to the minute information, go to http://www.destinhomerealtor.com/ or http://www.oilslickdestin.com/ or send email to MykeSaysSold@aol.com

EFFECTS OF BP OIL IN DESTIN FLORIDA SEPT 5

Unfortunately this was the appearance of the water at Henderson Beach in Destin Florida on Sunday, Sept 5 2010.  It is apparent that the problems created by the oil leak of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Disaster has not faded away, despite stories from BP and the Federal Government trying to convince us that all is well and that nature has taken care of the oil.  Thousands of Dead Sea Slugs, creating a horrible stench, also appeared today were also observed.  For more links and live information, continue to go to http://www.destinhomerealtor.com/

Oil Rig Explosion In Gulf

There has been an explosion of an oil rig off the Louisana coast this morning, September 2.  No one was killed, and all are accounted for.  This is not a deep well--340 Feet deep, which will make it much easier to deal with than the Deepwater Horizon  Explosion that released a huge amount of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.  The exploded rig is still on fire, but Coast Guard is on scene.  The workers were doing maintenance activities at the time.

For updated information, you can connect with live links through http://www.destinhomerealtor.com/.

Oil Spill Information for August 27, 2010

British Petroleum is conducting yet another pressure test on the blow-out preventer. This time they have filled the blow-out preventer with seawater to match the conditions outside so they can get an idea of what will happen when they remove the preventer. They are looking for leaking gases and hydrocarbons. The test, which began Thursday morning, will take 48 hours to complete.  For more information and live links, go to http://www.destinhomerealtor.com/.

Oil Spill Not "Gone!"

Some scientists are now saying that there is an oil slick the size of Manhattan Island sitting below the surface in the Gulf of Mexico. When the government and other organizations are saying the oil is 75% gone, we who live here are hard pressed to believe that all that oil has disappeared. I know everyone else would love to believe that the work is done and everyone can go home and save BP a whole lot of money. In Pensacola Beach, if you dig down in the sand a foot or more, there is a layer of black oil! I was told this by someone didn't believe it but saw it for herself!! Everyone needs to stay on BP until there is clear scientific evidence that the oil is cleaned up.  For up to the minute information, visit the links on http://www.destinhomerealtor.com/ or contact MykeSaysSold@aol.com

Gulf Oil Spill for August 15

The crippled undersea well has not spewed oil since July 15, when it was sealed with a temporary cap. In the coming days, BP will intersect the original well deep underground with a relief well, injecting mud and concrete to ensure the well is dead. Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, the federal spill response chief, said Saturday he was ordering BP to conduct more tests and offer more-detailed plans for dealing with potential complications before giving the go-ahead to complete the relief well.

For more information and live links, go to http://www.destinhomerealtor.com/ or http://www.myketriebold.com/ or contact MykeSaysSold@aol.com

Rock the Beach Concert August 15

Tonight, August 15, there will be a "rock the beach" free concert, featuring Lynryd Skynyrd and Josh Thompson at the Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island. It's being sponsored by the Tourism Development Council with money from BP--in an attempt to boost tourism in the area and bring some people into local hotels and restaurants.




Also in the news from the tourism council--there is a search underway for a new "brand" for the area that aptly describes the Destin/Okaloosa/Fort Walton Beach area. Since there are other "emerald coast" places, an effort to re-identify the area appropriately. If you have ideas, feel free to contact the tourism council or me and I would be happy to pass the suggestion along.

Well, it looks as though the beautiful Gulf Coast has escaped what could have been the economic death of the area.  We have a lot of ground to make up for all the losses suffered this summer by all the businesses in Destin and Santa Rosa Beach, but at least we still have our white sand and beautiful water.  For links and live information, go to http://www.destinhomerealtor.com/

Gulf Oil Spill Comment

Well, well, there is how many millions of gallons of oil leaked into the gulf of Mexico, and how many gallons of corexant to break it up and turn it into orange goo instead of black goo?


Now people would have us believe that it has all disappeared magically almost seemingly overnight. I don't believe it. Just because we can't see it, doesn't mean it isn't still with us. My question is, how come the "junegrass" that normally comes for a week or maybe two in June is still with us in August? I don't see oil in the water here in Destin, but I sure see more seaweed than ever before. Has the oil warmed the Gulf? I don't have the answers.

I hope just because the deepwater horizon tragedy is not as volatile at the moment as it was a few short weeks ago, that we don't forget what has happened here in the Gulf. A tragedy has occured, and our Gulf is changed probably for my lifetime. Only time will tell what the effect is on the entire ecological system in the Gulf of Mexico. For now, I just hope that people who have vacationed here and loved the area return here again and again to support the local economy!

The catastrophe could still be worse if the static kill doesn't work, but we will count on the "kill" working. We can't imagine anything else. Just remember that because the "emergency" has passed, the tragedy and long term problems caused by the leak has not.

For more information and live links, go to http://www.destinhomerealtor.com/ or http://www.oilslickdestin.com/ or email MykeSaysSold@aol.com

Gulf Oil Spill--More Lies

The  US Coast Guard has routinely approved BP's requests to override a federal directive to ban the use of toxic dispersant to break up the spill. The coastguard granted 74 exemptions over 48 days, according to documents obtained by Rep Ed Markey, chairman of the House Energy and Environment Subcommittee.  Rep. Markey was instrumental in leading the fight to have cameras on the leak made public.  According to BP, 1.8m gallons of dispersant have been pumped into the Gulf. Scientists say that the resulting high toxicity levels could harm marine life for years to come.  On Friday night, the House of Representatives passed legislation that would block BP from winning future drilling permits in the US because of its safety record.
For more information and live links, go to http://www.destinhomerealtor.com/ or http://www.oilslickdestin.com/ or email MykeSaysSold@aol.com

Destin Oil Conditions--News Organizations Don't Tell Truth!

"About 60,000 square miles of gulf waters remain closed to fishing, and more than 600 miles of coastline across four U.S. states have been smeared with oil." This is a quote taken from this mornings news report on the internet and exactly what's wrong with the news!!  Looking for sensationalism.  The facts are these--from Pensacola on the western end of the Florida panhandle to the rest of the Florida coastline touched by the Gulf of Mexico, the beaches are white, clean, and the water is beautiful.  Business is down about 50% and many people are missing out on their summer vacation in Destin because the news organizations have frightened them--people have visions of beaches covered with black oil.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  If you were planning a visit to the Gulf Coast, come ahead, conditions are great as usual.  Go to http://www.destinhomerealtor.com/ or http://www.oilslickdestin.com/ for a live web cam and many other live feeds and factual reports.  If you have any other doubts, feel free to send a question to MykeSaysSold@aol.com.

Gulf Oil Spill Latest Location

The NOAA Oil Spill Trajectory shows the oil plume 60 miles from Pensacola, and 140
miles from Panama City. While NOAA oil trajectories forecast oil patches to remain well
south and west of Florida, with no direct oil impacts through at least Friday, scattered
tarball fields already nearshore may continue to be carried onshore along the Panhandle
coast. Winds and currents may also push pockets of light sheen or tarmats eastward and
the uncertainty line for possible oil extends east to around 25 miles south of Perdido Key
by Friday. Offshore, no oil has been observed within or moving towards Eddy Franklin for
over 4 weeks and there is no clear path for oil to enter the Florida Straits.
For more information and live links, go to http://www.destinhomerealtor.com/ or http://www.oilslickdestin.com/ or send question to MykeSaysSold@aol.com

.I have checked the Reconnaisance reports for July 25, 2010, and the three county area is an all clear for any evidence of any oil product. On the ERMA map, there is also no indication of oil product present. Beaches are open, vacationers are enjoying a VERY warm Gulf of Mexico free of any contaminants. I was at the beach on Sunday, and there was some "seaweed" present, but otherwise the beaches were beautiful. The waves were rough, and there were double red flags on Sunday from Tropical Storm Bonnie, which is now passed. So, if you were thinking about coming to Destin or Santa Rosa Beach or Navarre on vacation, don't change your plans, because you will be looking forward to a wonderful time.

For more information, go to http://www.destinhomerealtor.com/ or http://www.oilslickdestin.com/ or send questions to MykeSaysSold@aol.com

Aircraft are having difficulty finding oil sheen from the air, however there is little known about where or when the oil and damage will show up. For now, the weather is great, the water is great, and the beaches are white as they have always been, so do not hesitate to come for a visit or a vacation. For more information and live links, go to www.DestinHomeRealtor.com or www.OilSlickDestin.com or send any questions to MykeSaysSold@aol.com

Florida Gulf Coast Free from Oil

News is good for the Gulf Coast of Alabama and Florida through July 25. This picture illustrates that there is no oil near the coast, so vacationers are pretty well assured a good week of clean water, clean beaches and good fun. For updated information and live links, go to www.DestinHomeRealtor.com or www.OilSlickDestin.com or send any questions to MykeSaysSold@aol.com.

Destin Oil Spill thru July 22 2010

Don't miss a great summer vacation here in Destin, Florida.  The weather is great, the beach is white, and the water is clear and its usual beautiful blue green color.  There is no oil and there are no tarballs and swimming is perfectly enjoyable.  Fishing is active, and the harbor is a bustle of activity.

for live links and updated information, go to http://www.destinhomerealtor.com/ or http://www.oilslickdestin.com/ or send questions to MykeSaysSold@aol.com

Destin Oil Conditions

These are the current conditions in Destin--there are no signs of oil or tarballs on the Florida Gulf Coast, so come on down and enjoy your vacation as planned.  For more information and live links, go to http://www.destinhomerealtor.com/ or http://www.oilslickdestin.com/ or send questions to MykeSaysSold@aol.com