On Atlantis specifically, BP said it identified a problem with vibration in certain pumps but decided it "was not in itself a cause for safety or environmental concern, " and deferred repairing some pumps until the following budget year.

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It exploits the minute variations in vibration frequency that cause the problem in isotopically impure diamonds in the first place.

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It could be a simply physical problem, possibly even vibration from use or keypressing causing it.

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If left unchecked, the problem could lead to failure of the bearing assembly, although related noise and vibration would make this easily detectable by the driver, the company said.

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