A Review of the Article “Obama Presses BP to Recover More Oil”

Containment of oil from the recent spill at the Gulf of Mexico, estimated to be 60,000 barrels a day, has been delayed by the presence of high winds and waves from Hurricane Alex (Broder, para.2). However, according to Broder, there is a period of seven days of predicted calm weather in which President Obama has pressed BP to recover more oil.In response, BP will attach an oil recovery ship known as the Helix Producer to the gushing well capturing up to 25,000 barrels a day (Broder, para. 2). This will be done simultaneously with deployment of a new, tighter-fitting cap for the well. The combination will capture up to 50,000 barrels and another 30,000 barrels a day from additional ships before the well is killed by mid-August (Broder, para.12)The author’s bias is depicted via his efforts in bringing out the attempts of BP in managing the oil spill. For instance the article states that work is going on in two separate relief wells that may permanently kill the gushing well (Bro der, para.7). Moreover, he cites high winds and waves from Hurricane Alex as an explanation for the delays in capturing the spew and capping the well (Broder, para. 2).The purpose of this article is to inform the public on the status of the crisis and the actions being taken to control the oil spill. For example, the author reports that the delayed control of the oil spill from the gulf is as a result of unfavorable weather conditions (Broder, para.3). He also explains that BP will replace the cap with a new, tight-fitting one in a bid to contain the spill. Additionally, BP will use recovery ships to collect 80,000 barrels a day (Broder, para.13).The target audience of this article is the general public. This is evident as the article reports on the communication that takes place between BP and the Obama administration. For instance, the author notes that the administration sent BP a letter seeking clarification on how it planned to minimize the oil flow during the capping of the we ll (Broder, para.5).The author gives an insight into the latest developments in the management of the oil spill disaster. The concerned authorities in Latin American countries for example Mexico and Cuba are made aware of the magnitude of the problem.The author states that there is an oil spill of about 60,000 barrels a day into the Gulf waters (Broder, para.13). It implies that the oil spill may reach Latin American shores causing serious damage. This has prompted the Latin American countries to offer assistance in tackling the oil spill. For instance, Mexico has offered two vessels equipped for oil skimming and 2.6 miles of boom. Further south, Brazil has helped in the crisis through technical expertise (Jordan, para.2).The oil spill of this magnitude requires cooperation between the Government and BP. It is important that the crisis is resolved quickly to avert more losses. BP should exploit every positive opportunity such as the duration of the calm weather to complete capping t he well. In addition, support offered to the Government by the Latin American countries for example Mexico and Cuba is welcome. This is because they have vested interests in seeing this problem tackled or else they too would be adversely affected if the spill reached their shores.Works Cited Broder, John M. Obama Presses BP to Recover More Oil. July 2010. 28 July 2010 . Jordan, Levi J. Oil Spill Diplomacy: The Response from the Americas. 2010. 28 July 2010 .