I was curious as to how the Deepwater Horizon oil leak compares to our national consumption rates. I looked at the Department of Energy figures to see that we use roughly 18,686,223 barrels of crude oil each day, did a few calculations based on the estimated leak of 60,000 barrels per day, and came up with the conclusion that the leak amounts to about three-tenths of one percent of our total national consumption. Another way of putting it is that every three hundredth barrel gets tossed into the sea.
Actually, that's no longer true, if it ever was, since BP is now managing to collect about 15,000 barrels a day, or one quarter of the estimated total leak. It's more like every four hundredth barrel gets tossed into the sea.
Again, all of this assumes that 60,000 is an accurate number. Some people have estimated the leak to be much larger, and BP has destroyed its credibility by originally making ludicrously low estimates. I can just imagine the boardroom meeting where they decided on that tactic...
"Roight, chaps! We've got a leak in the Gulf!"
"Leaking oil? How uncouth!"
"Well, we've got to put the kabosh on that, I'd say!"
"It's no use! We're done for till August. Better to put the kabosh on the story of the leak."
"Oh, a conspiracy! How exhilarating! What will we say?"
"Let's say the leak is something preposterously low."
"Ah ha! Yes. 'Sorry to bother you, but we accidentally leaked a bit of oil in the Gulf of Mexico!'"
"'And we're right on top of the clean-up, by the way!'"
"'Just a couple of liters; no need to be alarmed.'"
"Liters?"
"Gallons, sorry."
"I should say you are!"
"But won't they notice the massive slicks and underwater plumes?"
"They might notice, but they won't care. They are positive cynics, with no tooth for real opposition."
"They expect us to lie to them!"
"Well, glad that's settled, gentlemen. And now for a bit of a kip!"
