James Cameron (pictured) is a 55-year-old Canadian [1]. He’s best known as a film director. The films he’s directed [2] (of which I’ve seen only two, i.e. True Lies and Titanic) have grossed US$5.75B. And he’s directed the two highest grossing films ever, i.e. Titanic and Avatar [3].
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill (aka the BP Oil Spill, the Gulf of Mexico oil spill) began last 20 April (i.e. 47 days ago) [4]. The biggest offshore spill in US history, it’s increasing by 12-19,000 barrels (i.e. 1.9-3.0M litres) per day. The well’s 5,000 feet (i.e. 1.5 km) below the ocean surface. Its slick covers over 2,500 square miles (i.e. 6,500 square km). The remedial activity’s so far cost BP, the well’s owner and developer, around US$1B. And still the oil flows into the Gulf.
Last week the US EPA held a brainstorming session with scientists, academics and bureaucrats – seeking ideas on how to stop the spill and control the slick [5]. Cameron attended. Via his films Titanic and The Abyss, he has vast experience with robot submarines at depths over double the spill’s 1.5 km. Cameron offered to assist BP who declined [6]. He called them morons. I can understand why:
Surely the spill’s environmental cost’s too massive for BP to stand on its dignity. Not to mention that since 20 April BP’s share price’s dropped by over 25% [7] and so it’s now a prime takeover target. I hope BP gets its comeuppance.
Ho hum.
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