The news was confirmed today (August 3) by scientists working for the US’ green watchdog the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said 62,000 barrels of crude poured out everyday from the explosion to the capping of the pipe.
That means around 4.9million barrels of crude hit the sea, before the spill was capped two weeks ago, and washed up on land around the Gulf throughout the duration of the leak, less than was poured out during the first Iraq war but the worst accidental leak in World history.
The new comes as BP today (August 3) begins work to completely close the well through the static kill method.
Work was stopped yesterday when a hydraulic leak was discovered in a capping stack used to block the broken pipe.
A spokesman for BP said: “It is anticipated that the injectivity test and possibly the static kill will take place today.”
Luke Walsh