Well Finally Plugged

After more than three months since the April 20 Deepwater oil well explosion, the well is plugged. The government has not yet officially declared the well defunct, since the cement and mud must still be pumped in from the bottom to seal it off for good.

According to the Associated Press, BP PLC said 2,300 barrels of mud forced down the well overnight had pushed the crude back down to its source for the first time since the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded.

President Obama said that the environmental disaster, which killed 11 platform workers was ”finally close to coming to an end.”

A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration report released Wednesday stated that just 30 percent of the spilled oil remains in the Gulf  of Mexico, and what oil does remain is deteriorating at a rapid rate. The report also  said the oil no longer poses a threat to the Florida Keys or the East Coast.

While this is all encouraging news, particularly after months of relief mistakes, setbacks and errors, many who make their livelihood in the Gulf aren’t so excited over the recent developments. Their jobs have been wiped away and there is no indication that they will be returning to their boats anytime soon. The short-term and long-term effects on the health of the aquatic life are still uncertain and consequently, so are thousands of fisherman’s livelihoods.

Tags: deepwater horizon, deepwater horizon oil spill, oil spill, oil well