Statement:

At first, BP estimated the flow at 1,000 barrels each day. Soon after, the official estimate rose to 5,000 barrels a day based on an analysis by an NOAA scientist, but this number was rapidly called into question by independent scientists who said the flow could be as high as 100,000 barrels per day. The amount of oil spill has been called into question since the spill have begun. Amounts have ranged between BP and other private companies.

The amount of oil believed to be gushing from the spill is 60,000 barrels a day. That's twelve times more than the original estimate of 5,000 barrels a day. In all, 60,000 barrels a day means an estimated 2.5 million gallons a day is leaking into the Gulf.

The distance around the world the current amount of leaked oil would stretch if it was placed in milk jugs lined up side by side is 11,300 miles. That's farther than New York to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and back.