BP oil collection ramps up; so do claims questions

NEW ORLEANS (AP):

BP plans to bring in an oil-burning device and a tanker from the North Sea as it tries to contain the crude spewing into the Gulf of Mexico, a disaster creating headaches for people who make money off the sea and those processing their claims of financial loss.

The current containment system is catching 630,000 gallons (2.4 million litres) of oil daily, Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen said at a news briefing in Washington. Officials had previously cited that figure as the system's general capacity, but Allen said officials now believe it can handle 756,000 gallons (2.9 million litres).

Even so, there's still more oil eluding capture. BP is bringing in a second vessel that will increase capacity, as well as the North Sea shuttle tanker, which will assist in the transport of the oil, and a device that will burn off some of it. The company previously said it plans to switch out the current containment cap with a slightly larger one that will seal better and trap more oil.

Reimbursing

The government is also keeping an eye on how BP is reimbursing people for their losses. Allen has written to BP Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward demanding "more detail and openness" about how the company is handling mounting damage claims, reminding the beleaguered executive that his company "is accountable to the American public for the economic loss caused by the oil spill".

Allen has noted that "working claims is not something that's part of BP's organisational competence".

Among the frustrated is fishing guide Mike Helmer, who worries about paying his bills now that Louisiana's Barataria Bay, one of the richest fishing grounds along the Gulf, is largely shut down by oil taking the form of a widespread sheen complemented by gooey patches of crude.

Helmer said he filed a personal claim with BP several weeks ago and was told recently the company had not even begun on it. He filed a claim on his business just this week.