GULF COAST–(ENEWSPF)–August 21, 2010.  Today, at 6:40am CDT, the forty-eight hour ambient pressure test was deemed successful. Under the guidance and approval of the National Incident Commander (NIC) and Unified Area Command, BP has been authorized to begin open water fishing operations from the MC252 Blow Out Preventer (BOP). The[Read More…]

WASHINGTON—(ENEWSPF)—August 21, 2010.  National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen late last night issued a directive to BP authorizing the BOP fishing procedure – a preparation procedure for the removal and replacement of the current BOP on the Deepwater Horizon/Macondo 252 well -provided that certain specific steps are taken to preserve[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–August 20, 2010. PAST 24 HOURS  Rehabilitated Wildlife Released at Atchafalaya National Refuge 89 rehabilitated birds including 55 laughing gulls and 34 brown pelicans were released at the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge. FWS Personnel Continue Wildlife Rescue and Recovery Missions Across the Region From the Mobile, Ala., Incident Command[Read More…]

  Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–August 19, 2010. PAST 24 HOURS  Admiral Thad Allen Issues Directive to BP Providing Authorization and Conditions for BOP Replacement Prior to Completion of the Relief Well Today, National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen issued a directive to BP providing authorization to replace the BOP on the Deepwater Horizon/Macondo[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–August 19, 2010 – 12 p.m. EDT Thad Allen:  Thanks, Jeff.  Good afternoon.  I’d like to update you on the current planning and the future intentions regarding the – a bottom kill of the well.                  Let me start with a couple of contextual remarks. Over the last week or[Read More…]

NEW ORLEANS, La.–(ENEWSPF)–August 19, 2010.  Top federal officials met today with the trustees overseeing the natural resource damage assessment for the Gulf of Mexico to discuss the on-going response efforts to the BP oil spill and to reiterate the Administration’s commitment to long-term Gulf Coast restoration and recovery. The Administration[Read More…]

WASHINGTON—(ENEWSPF)—August 19, 2010.  Today, National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen issued a directive to BP providing authorization to replace the BOP on the Deepwater Horizon/Macondo 252 well, including the specific conditions required for the replacement to take place. If conditions are satisfied, this action will occur before Admiral Allen provides[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–August 17, 2010. PAST 24 HOURS FWS Personnel Continue Wildlife Rescue and Recovery Missions Across the Region From the Houma, La., Incident Command Post, 269 field personnel, 84 vessels, four helicopters and one float plane participated in reconnaissance and wildlife rescue and recovery missions. From the Mobile, Ala., Incident[Read More…]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.–(ENEWSPF)–August 17, 2010.  The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Venturous is scheduled to return from their patrol Wednesday at 9:15 a.m., following a 49-day deployment to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response and the Caribbean Sea. After arriving off the coast of Pensacola, Fla., the Venturous crew[Read More…]

HOUSTON—(ENEWSPF)—August 17, 2010.  BP’s claims team, which has paid $368 million to individuals and businesses, is in the final stages of preparing to transfer responsibility for individual and business claims related to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) on August 23.[Read More…]