Gulf Restoration Network

Bonnie and BP's oil Blog - BPs Oil Drilling Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico Friday, 23 July 2010 14:43

Tropical storm/depression Bonnie has shut down drilling operation which aim to permanently shut-off BP's Deepwater Horizon's well, but the storm will also impact the oil that is off of Louisiana's coast and in Louisiana's wetlands. The National Oceanic and Atmosperic Administration, or NOAA, released a fact sheet on how a tropical weather system can effect oil.

Fortunatly, Bonnie may help the clean up efforts.  For example, the winds from Bonnie may further disperse and biodegrade the oil before it reaches the coast and before it harms any wildlife.

However, Bonnie may hamper the clean up efforts. Higher winds could push oil further into the marshland. Also, storm surge may bring the oil further inland, as far as the storm surge reaches. NOAA states that it is difficult to predict exactly where oil will travel during a storm.

The trajectory of the storm will also effect where the oil will head. Because a tropical weather system rotates counter-clockwise, oil will be pushed away from the coast if Bonnie passes to the east of the oil, but oil will be pushed towards the coast if Bonnie passes to the west of the oil. Current projections have Bonnie passing just east of the site of the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

CNN is reporting that, for at least 10 days, work will be halted on the Deepwater Horizon's relief well. Crews and response vessles at the site of the sealed well cap, which is currently preventing oil from coming out of the well, are in the process of leaving. The cap will likely be left unattended for 48 hours because of the storm.