update: BP Robot May Have Nothing to Do with Cap Removal

According to the Deep Water Horizon Response website:

This morning at approximately 8:45 a.m., "a discharge of liquids was observed from a diverter valve on the drill ship Discoverer Enterprise,which is on station at the MC252 well-site. As a precautionary measure, the lower marine riser package (LMRP) containment cap system, attached to the Discover Enterprise, has been moved off the Deepwater Horizon's failed blow-out preventer to ensure the safety of operations and allow the unexpected release of liquids to be analyzed."

While capture of oil and gas "through the BOP's choke line to the Q4000 vessel on the surface continues," the cap at the site of the blown preventer has been temporarily removed. If this happened at 8:45am, why the story about the robots? Yet again, it seems BP and those involved may not be 100% forthright in the matter of the spill. Was it too much bad publicity to tell the truth, that BP had to intentionally allow more oil to flow into the ocean for a short period of time for safety's sake?

Just when I thought this thing couldn't get uglier. By the way BP, what is the status of the relief well. Your company has gone on record saying it will be complete by early to mid August. What happens if its not done until September or October?

Breaking News: BP Robots Collide, Forcing Removal of Cap: Oil Gushing at Fastest Pace Yet

Within the past hour, BP has been forced to remove the cap that was the center of much drama earlier this month when they initially cut the tube wide open to fit the cap, which as is the case now, left the gaping hole free to pump out oil at maximum speed without the possibility of any containment whatsoever.

Coast Guard Adm Thad Allen explains that the underwater robot slammed into the venting system damaging key evidence. The collision sent gas rising through the vent, which carries warm water down so that ice-like crystals do not form on the cap. The damage caused by the colliding robot has made the vent ineffective raising the likelihood of an explosion.

Separately, according to Fox: Admiral Allen said two people have been killed in a clean-up effort. More to come as soon as we learn additional details.

Remember you can always view the live PBS video of the Oil Spill on the right hand side of any page on our blog, or at the link above.