Ask CBS News: What Stops Oil Flow on Other Rigs?
In our ongoing "Ask CBS News" segment, we've answered your questions about the Gulf oil spill. Viewers can leave questions on "CBS Evening News" Anchor Katie Couric's Twitter page or the CBS News Facebook page.
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Special Section: Disaster in the Gulf
Tonight we answered another one of your questions.
A viewer writes: "Please ask BP if the Atlantis oil rig is using the same 'Blow Out Preventer' as the Deep Water Horizon."
CBS News Investigative Correspondent Sharyl Attkisson answers: "We did ask BP and they said a blow out preventer is not at play with the Atlantis because the blow out preventers are only used when the well is being drilled before it's actually producing the oil. The Atlantis is in the oil production stage and BP says there's a different system now that controls the oil flow. It's a system of valves inside the well and also a system of valves on top of the well head called a Christmas tree because it looks like sort of a busy Christmas tree."
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