Environmentalists, scientists say real figure must be far larger than 5,000 barrels a day

[Contrary1]

"NEW YORK - Two weeks ago, the government put out a round estimate of the size of the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico: 5,000 barrels a day. Repeated endlessly in news reports, it has become conventional wisdom.

But scientists and environmental groups are raising sharp questions about that estimate, declaring that the leak must be far larger. They also criticize BP for refusing to use well-known scientific techniques that would give a more precise figure.

The criticism escalated on Thursday, a day after the release of a video that showed a huge black plume of oil gushing from the broken well at a seemingly high rate. BP has repeatedly claimed that measuring the plume would be impossible.

The figure of 5,000 barrels a day was hastily produced by government scientists in Seattle. It appears to have been calculated using a method that is specifically not recommended for major oil spills..."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37141752/ns/us_news-the_new_york_times/

[ShortnFiery]

1. What? They had the Keystone Kops of Government Scientists doing all the vital calculations ...

OR were these basically competent one's ordered to LOW-BALL this estimate?

"The figure of 5,000 barrels a day was hastily produced by government scientists in Seattle. It appears to have been calculated using a method that is specifically not recommended for major oil spills..." :wtf:

[bobthedrummer]

2. And, no coincidence imo, there's the "missing" data related to Halliburton's "tests" 20 hrs prior

to the "explosion" that led to this horrifying, CONTINUING disaster
:nuke:

[HughMoran]

3. Interesting article

It's tough to estimate how much is flowing from that pipe - my best guestimate is perhaps 3 - 5 gallons per second or 260,000 - 430,000 gallons per day from that one pipe.