BP workers in the Gulf of Mexico are trying level the company's an oil platform, left tilting by Hurricane Dennis, before another storm arrives.
Thunder Horse, the largest semi-submersible oil platform in the world, became more secure overnight, BP said yesterday.
A team of engineers on board is inspecting the damage and working to start pumps in an attempt to level the platform, which is listing 20 degrees, with its lower deck almost touching the water.
But work could be hindered by Tropical Storm Emily, which is moving westward from the Atlantic.
The tilting was discovered Monday, after the facility was evacuated Friday due to the approach of Hurricane Dennis.
BP has said it does not know what caused the problem. The US Minerals Management Service said on Wednesday it was looking into the matter.
A researcher said the platform probably was smacked with "very large waves." Vijay Panchang, department head of maritime systems engineering at Texas A&M-Galveston, said his buoy analysis showed Dennis mustered 60-foot waves on Sunday afternoon.