BP unswayed in gulf amid stock pressure

NEW ORLEANS, June 10 (UPI) -- British petroleum giant BP said it collected nearly 8,000 barrels of oil from the Gulf of Mexico spill as financial pressure on the company mounts.

BP said it collected 7,920 barrels of oil in its latest underwater containment effort during the first 12 hours of Wednesday. Tuesday totals reached 15,000 barrels of oil.

Estimates of the amount of oil spilling from an underwater riser vary, though BP has offered a conservative estimate of 5,000 barrel per day.

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. James Watson, the on-scene coordinator for the Deepwater Horizon spill, called on BP to develop plans by the end of the week to "put equipment, systems and processes in place to ensure that the remaining oil and gas flowing can be recovered, taking into account safety, environmental and meteorological factors."

The ongoing catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico contributed to a crash in BP stocks overnight to 13-year lows.

BP said Thursday it "noted" the fall in share prices but said there was no justification for the 16 percent overnight crash.

"BP faces this situation as a strong company," the petroleum giant said.

The company faces significant claims from revenue loss in fishing and tourism in the U.S. south.