Seabed Leaks?

Not good.
via AssPress


NEW ORLEANS — A federal official says scientists are concerned about a seep and possible methane near BP's busted oil well in the Gulf of Mexico



Both could be signs there are leaks in the well that's been capped off for three days.



The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday because an announcement about the next steps had not been made yet.



The official is familiar with the spill oversight but would not clarify what is seeping near the well. The official says BP is not complying with the government's demand for more monitoring.


And from Bloomberg:

July 19 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. government officials demanded to see BP Plc’s plans for reopening its sealed Gulf of Mexico well after tests found a suspected leak seeping from the seabed.



In a letter addressed to Bob Dudley, BP managing director, National Incident Commander Thad Allen said tests had detected a “seep a distance from the well and undetermined anomalies at the well head.” The letter was posted yesterday on the website of the joint information center for the spill.



No decision was announced as to whether BP will be ordered to open the valves sealing the well, which would allow oil to resume flowing. BP would restart efforts to capture the oil and funnel it to vessels at the surface after the well is opened.



“I direct you to provide me a written procedure for opening the choke valve as quickly as possible without damaging the well should hydrocarbon seepage near the well head be confirmed,” Allen wrote in the letter.