Scientists adjust Gulf leak estimates after watching video, getting new info from BP

Scientists see video, adjust Gulf leak estimates

WASHINGTON — Scientists are altering their estimates of how much oil is spewing into the Gulf of Mexico a day after new live video of the leak was posted online.

Tim Crone of Columbia University says he was saddened because he hoped the video would show his estimate of 840,000 to 4.2 million gallons a day was wrong, but it didn’t.

He upped the lower bounds of his estimates to 1.68 million gallons and is sticking with his upper estimate for the main leak from the well that blew out after a rig explosion.

Purdue University professor Steve Wereley says he’ll likely cut his 3.9 million gallons a day estimate after BP said half of what’s coming out of the pipe is gas, not oil.

BP PLC and the Coast Guard have estimated 210,000 gallons a day, but a government team is revising that.