Rice experts available to discuss massive Gulf oil spill

CONTACT: David Ruth
PHONE: 713-348-6327
E-MAIL: druth@rice.edu

Rice experts available to discuss massive Gulf oil spill
Environmental, political repercussions possible from well spewing 42,000 gallons a day

Rice University has faculty experts available to comment on the Deepwater Horizon rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico and is now the cause of an oil spill approximately the size of the state of Rhode Island. The spill, which is emanating from a broken well 5,000 feet below the surface of the water, is spewing 1,000 barrels of oil a day and threatening wildlife and beaches from Louisiana to Florida. The Coast Guard is considering a rarely used method of burning the top-of-the-water “pancake.”

Walter Chapman, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, is available to discuss the burn method.

“There are limited options for containing the oil spill and minimizing environmental damage,” Chapman said. “Burning the oil slick is an option that should be considered. If the slick can be burned, the fire will remove the lighter components, but the heavier components of the oil can still pose a problem.”

Chapman is available today (all times CDT) from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. and from 2 to 5:30 p.m.; Thursday from 1 to 4:30 p.m.; and Friday from 1 to 6 p.m.

Ken Medlock, a fellow in energy and resource economics at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is available to discuss how BP PLC, the operator of the Deepwater Horizon rig, is handling the situation and the possible political and economic repercussions of the spill.

To schedule an interview with Chapman or Medlock, contact David Ruth, director of national media relations, at 713-348-6327 or druth@rice.edu.