NEW ORLEANS, May 20 (UPI) -- While oil from the Gulf of Mexico spill has entered the Loop Current, oil volumes should not post a significant threat to the Florida Keys, agencies said.
Oil began lapping onshore in southern Louisiana as the slick from the sunken Deepwater Horizon rig in the gulf expands. So-called tar balls have washed up in various locations along the southern U.S. coast, though scientists suggest that may be unrelated to the Gulf Mexico.
Meanwhile, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials said oil has now entered the Loop Current, which could bring oil near Florida and up the eastern U.S. coast.
NOAA said, however, that by the time currents bring oil near the Florida Straits, evaporation and the use of chemical dispersants would reduce volumes substantially. "However, the oil may get caught in a clockwise eddy in the middle of the Gulf, and not be carried to the Florida Straits at all," the administration added.
For their part, the Minerals Management Service said it was working with rig operator BP to monitor the success of the riser insertion tube tool that is siphoning oil from a leaking riser about a mile underwater.
BP said it is now siphoning oil at a rate of about 3,000 barrel per day from the leaking riser, though oil is flowing at a conservative rate of about 5,000 barrels per day.
