Ice crystals crush dome hopes

The best hope for sharply cutting back the amount of oil spewing into the Gulf of Mexico has hit a major problem. The 100-ton containment dome had to be removed from its resting spot atop the oil leak when ice crystals formed and began clogging the opening that would have brought the oil to ships on the surface. BP officials are working on a solution, but say it will be Monday before a decision is made on the next step. (Sources: Multiple, including AP, New York Times, 05/08/10) BP operated the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico which sank April 20 after an explosion that left 11 people missing and presumed dead. The underwater well has been spewing oil since, threatening sensitive beaches and marsh lands along the Gulf Coast. Some of the oil has washed ashore in Louisiana and Alabama.