Environmental experts double oil spill predictions

Over 40,000 barrels (1.7 million gallons) of oil may be leaking from the BP oil spill every day, environmental experts have claimed.

This recent prediction by a team of scientists doubles previous estimates, which indicated that since the oil rig exploded on April 20th, 20,000 barrels (850,000 gallons) had been leaking daily.

Executive director of the environmental organisation Sierra Club Michael Burne said: "We're finding out more and more information about the extent of the damage ... Clearly we can't trust BP's estimates of how much oil is coming out."

His comments follow last week's data from the US Geological Survey which indicated that the amount of spilled oil was far more than what BP had first suggested.

The oil giant will be disappointed with this announcement, having spent over $1.25 million (£826,865) on measures to contain the leak, including the lower marine riser package which was launched earlier this month.

These vessels have helped to collect over 475,000 barrels (19.9 million gallons) of oil from the sea since the explosion.

Posted by Claire Manning