The American people have breathed a collective sigh of relief since BP managed to cap the gushing oil spill on the floor of the Gulf of Mexico. The spill, caused by the explosion of an oil rig on April 20, poured tens of millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf, harming wildlife and the many businesses along the Gulf Coast that rely on tourism, fishing and so forth. Most tragically of all, the explosion claimed the lives of 11 workers.
The capping of the well in the Gulf is obviously good news. But now other questions have arisen. BP wants to keep the well sealed until it can be plugged permanently. That is desirable, of course, because it would mean the spill is truly over and the focus can turn to cleaning up the mess.
But the federal government has detected an unspecified substance seeping up from the sea floor not far from the well. Nobody is sure, but that could possibly be a sign that underground pipes leading to the well head are cracked and that other harmful leaks could come up through the sea floor. If leaks should spring up elsewhere, BP would have to reopen the well quickly to relieve the pressure, although that would again allow oil to gush into the Gulf.
There are plenty of “ifs,” “ands” and “buts” right now, and there is not very much certainty. We hope we have seen the last of the oil pouring into the deep waters of the Gulf, but only time will tell.