[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by glatt

According to Wikipedia, a barrel of oil is 42 gallons or about 159 liters. Other liquids measured in barrels are 55 gallons, but oil is 42.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrel#For_storage_of_oil

That sounds like a good reason to use gallons (or liters) when mentioning it in the news. We're not talking about the wholesale market; we're talking about liquid dumping into the sea. Best to use a measurement that is more commonly understood. However many people know the 55 gallon number, I would guess that fewer know the special case for oil.

I don't care how many barrels BP won't be able to sell; I care how many gallons are being spewed into the sea.