More bad news from the recently proclaimed “worst eco-disaster in U.S. history”: BP’s top kill and junk shot techniques have failed to stymie the underwater oil leak, and BP engineers were reportedly concerned about the Gulf rig months before the company initially admitted. –JCL

The Guardian:

BP has failed to stop the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico using so-called top kill and junk shot techniques, prompting an exasperated response from Barack Obama.

After three days of pumping drilling mud over the leak and an attempt to plug the flow by blasting tyres, golf balls and other debris at it, BP admitted defeat last night. In its latest attempt to contain the worst oil spill in US history, it is to launch a four- to seven-day operation that will involve more oil leaking into the Gulf even if it works.

Obama described the setback as “enraging” and “heartbreaking”, as documents emerged showing that BP engineers were concerned about the safety of the Deepwater Horizon rig months earlier than the company has admitted.

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