Experts double estimate of BP oil spill

As many as 40,000 barrels of oil a day may have been gushing from a blown-out Gulf of Mexico well, doubling many estimates.



The US Geological Survey says the outflow rate of 40,000 barrels a day could have been reached before a cap was put on the well on June 3.



BP, the company, which is responsible for the well, has been asked to meet US president Barack Obama next week.



In the meantime, there have been assurances from the UK and the US that bilateral ties will not be affected by the crisis.



Oil has been leaking into the Gulf since the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded on April 20 and sank off the coast of the US state of Louisiana, killing 11 workers.



BP says the device placed on the well, collected 15,800 barrels of oil on Wednesday.



This is slightly more than the 15,010 barrels collected in the previous 24-hour period.