Over a month has passed since the initial explosion that claimed the lives of 11 British Petroleum workers, and created possibly the single greatest disaster in the history of oil exploration.  The initial response of the companies involved was to placate the citizenry by assuring that the damage and impact would be minimal, estimating that about 1,000 barrels a day is what was spewing into the gulf.  However, a month later, it has become clear that the initial estimate missed the mark by an order of the magnitude of 40.  Then there was the blame game as BP, Transocean, and Halliburton sought to deflect responsibility from what could potentially be a huge long-term liability.

Early in the wake of the disaster, several industry experts asserted that controlling the crisis would rely primarily on BP’s, who has led the efforts, ability to determine the best method by which to plug the hole.  Efforts to control the spill have been unsuccessful up until this point, despite varied attempts at utilizing a multitude of techniques to curb the spill.  The lack of progress has led to increased frustration and calls for President Obama and the administration to take over the efforts to control the spill. The administration, however, has taken no formal position on whether or not they intend to take control of the situation with the spill.  Last week Interior Secretary Ken Salazar went as far as saying that BP had to either control the situation or prepare to get out of the way, but he has since had to backtrack from his earlier statements.

The growing calls for the federal government to take charge are now being uttered by several lawmakers including Ben Nelson (D) of Florida, who think that the oversight of the response and cleanup can be handled by the military.  The question as to whether or not the administration ought to take over is one that most people are split over, and the response depends in large part on who you talk to.  Residents of the gulf coast boiled over with frustration are urging that the administration needs to step in and take over the process, as do a host of legislators including members of the President’s party.  Industry experts and observers, however, continue to insist that the only option is to let BP continue with its ongoing efforts in hopes that it comes up with a solution.

Neutral observers like myself are more inclined to believe that the best path forward is to let BP continue to spear head the efforts.  It is no secret that the US government has no expertise in oil exploration, and as a result is not equipped with the technology, knowledge, or tools that it takes to operate an oil rig, much less contain a catastrophe such as this.  The administration’s main focus going forward has to be on monitoring the effort to control the spill, ensuring that the affected areas receive the appropriate assistance, and that the accountable parties own up to their social and financial responsibilities.  Most importantly, the administration needs to step in and give the public a sense that they are taking charge of the situation, and will protect the public’s interest.