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Costner's Waterworld Machines Sent to Save the Gulf
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Jun 19, 2010
Modified Jun 19, 2010
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By
Jaya Saxena
Published Jun 19, 2010
Modified Jun 19, 2010
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This weekend, BP is rolling out the first of 32 machines sponsored by Kevin Costner that will use centrifugal force to separate the spilled oil from water. The "Ocean Therapy" machines can process up to 600,000 gallons a day (about 14,285 barrels). One government scientist estimates the current oil flow at about 100,000 barrels a day.
Costner told reporters at Port Fourchon yesterday, "At its core, my dream, this machine, was designed...to give us a fighting chance to fight back the oil that's got us by the throat. When you are in a fight, anybody knows you go to confront it right where it is. You don't wait for it to come to your door."Three of the devices are being taken into the Gulf by barge this weekend, most likely to be joined by the other 29 if they are successful.
BP needs all the help it can get since an "equipment malfunction" suspended oil suctioning aboard the Discoverer Enterprise last night. The flame arrestor, which keeps oil from igniting, became blocked at 8:23 p.m., and engineers have not restarted it after repairs because of concerns over lightning strikes in the area. The ship can capture about 28,000 barrels daily.
On the other side of the world, BP CEO Tony Hayward is working on getting his life back by attending the "posh" J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island yacht race off the Isle of Wight. BP spokesman Robert Wine defended Hayward's vacation, saying, "He's continuing to work hard. You don't have to be physically in a location to remain in charge of the response. At some point in the near future, he'll be back in the U.S." Just sending a check would suffice.
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gulf oil spill
kevin costner
ocean therapy
oil spill
waterworld
Jaya Saxena
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