Cleaning Up the Catastrophe

Smoke billows into the sky from an oil burn about 65 miles off the coast of Louisiana. One such fire burned for more than 12 hours.
Complete Coverage: Disaster in the Gulf

Gulf Coast Oil Spill: Cleaning Up the Catastrophe

Shrimp boats tow boom through the oily water. Once the oil is pooled, it can be burned off. I Promise Gulf Coast Will Recover
Complete Coverage: Disaster in the Gulf

Gulf Coast Oil Spill: Cleaning Up the Catastrophe

An aerial look at the source of the spewing oil. The Deepwater Horizon rig that once occupied these waters collapsed after an explosion on April 20, 2010. BP's Survival Guide: Past Crises Offer Lessons
Complete Coverage: Disaster in the Gulf

Gulf Coast Oil Spill: Cleaning Up the Catastrophe

Al Allen, an oil spill expert from BP's Controlled Burn Unit, surveys a 100 square mile area known as the "burn box." Surface oil in this area can be pooled and ignited.
Complete Coverage: Disaster in the Gulf

Gulf Coast Oil Spill: Cleaning Up the Catastrophe

Shrimp boats pull fire-retardant boom through the oily water as the surface oil burn sends plumes of smoke into the sky.
Complete Coverage: Disaster in the Gulf

Gulf Coast Oil Spill: Cleaning Up the Catastrophe

Oil burns on the water's surface about 8 miles from source of the gushing oil. Temperatures can reach 2000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Complete Coverage: Disaster in the Gulf

Gulf Coast Oil Spill: Cleaning Up the Catastrophe

The Gulf Storm, a transport vessel, carries boom and supplies to other vessels anchored in the Gulf.
Complete Coverage: Disaster in the Gulf