Report: Natural gas in leak increasing

In the last few days, the spill from the well in the Gulf of Mexico has changed. Sources told ABC News the amount of natural gas coming out of the well is increasing, which could mean less oil spewing into the water. BP confirmed the report. Satellite images of the oil slick from May 1 compared with the slick today show it appears smaller. (Source: ABC News, 05/11/10) The problem began April 20 with the explosion of a drilling rig. Eleven workers died. Since then oil has gushed from the well. Efforts to cap it with a dome failed when ice crystals formed on the dome. A smaller one was lowered onto the ocean floor Tuesday and will be placed over the leak Thursday. Work also continues on a relief well. BP may also try injecting pieces of tires, golf balls and rubber debris into the top of the well to plug it. BP is now using oil dispersing chemicals near the leak, but the ecological effects are not fully known.