Thad "Hard to Estimate" Allen

AFP reported:

Thad Allen told journalists he was reviewing plans from BP to build the system's capacity so it can collect 40,000 to 50,000 barrels of oil a day by July once a more permanent cap has been placed over the well.

It's odd how estimates of the oil spill grow in close proximity to BP's maxed out capability to process captured oil. The track record shows:

Estimated flow:
April 20 - Deepwater Horizon blowout
April 23 - No apparent leak
April 26- 1,000 barrels per day (bpd)
April 29 - 5,000 bpd
May 27 - 12,000 - 19,000 bpd
June 10 - 25,000 - 30,000 bpd, with it possibly 40,000 bpd
June 15- 35,000 - 60,000 bpd

BP capture:
May 16 - riser insertion tube tool (RITT) installed
May 19 - monitor flow from the riser insertion tube tool
May 20 - RITT continues to capture a varying rate of leaking oil
May 21 - 2,200 bpd
May 25 - 8,000 bpd (which is now above the 5,000 bpd estimate)
May 27 - Government supplies new estimate of 12,000 to 19,000 bpd
June 3 - Containment cap installed
June 5 - 10,500 bpd
June 6 - 11,100 bpd
June 7 - 14,800 bpd
June 10 - Government supplies new estimate of 25,000 to 30,000 bpd

It's hard to estimate, yet BP is planning to process up to 50,000 bpd in July. Thad covers well. Will a fine private sector award await this public servant?

Update 6-15: BP plans to develop expanded containment capacity to 40,000-53,000 barrels per day by the end of June and 60,000-80,000 barrels per day by mid-July.

Update 6-20: BP documents show unrestricted flow from the well could be from 55,000 to 100,000 bpd. This information was given to Congress in early May.