BP raises estimate of Lake Michigan oil spill

WHITING, Indiana (AP) — Oil giant BP has raised its estimate of how much crude oil spilled into Lake Michigan during a malfunction at its northwestern Indiana refinery.

BP said Thursday a preliminary estimate shows between 15 and 39 barrels of oil have been recovered from the lake at its Whiting refinery. That's between 630 and 1,638 gallons. (2,385-6,200 liters),

The new figure is up from BP's initial estimate that nine to 18 barrels of oil entered the lake.

BP says its crews have recovered "the vast majority" of oil visible along the shoreline.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says EPA and U.S. Coast Guard staffers oversaw cleanup work at the spill site again Thursday, but bad weather prevented them from deploying boats into the lake.

BP reported the spill Monday.