Coast Guard commandant: Exact estimate of what’s leaking from sunken gulf rig is impossible

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Commandant: Estimate of gulf leak is impossible

NEW ORLEANS — The commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard says it’s impossible to give an exact estimate of how much oil is leaking from a sunken rig in the Gulf of Mexico.

Adm. Thad Allen, who also is overseeing the national effort to contain the devastating spill, made the remarks Saturday afternoon during a teleconference.

One expert has said the spill’s surface area has at least tripled in size in just a day or so.

Experts also have cautioned that if the spill continues growing unchecked, sea currents could suck the sheen down past the Florida Keys and then up the Eastern Seaboard.

The sheen already has reached into precious shoreline habitat and remains unstopped. That has raised fears that the ruptured well could be pouring more oil into the gulf than the 200,000 gallons per day initially estimated.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard says it’s impossible to give an exact estimate of how much oil is leaking from a sunken rig in the Gulf of Mexico.

Adm. Thad Allen, who also is overseeing the national effort to contain the devastating spill, made the remarks Saturday afternoon during a teleconference.

One expert has said the spill’s surface area has at least tripled in size in just a day or so.

Experts also have cautioned that if the spill continues growing unchecked, sea currents could suck the sheen down past the Florida Keys and then up the Eastern Seaboard.

The sheen already has reached into precious shoreline habitat and remains unstopped. That has raised fears that the ruptured well could be pouring more oil into the gulf than the 200,000 gallons per day initially estimated.