Drilling Too Close For Comfort

(2 of 2)

Scientists reveal that they have discovered huge underwater oil plumes, some up to 10 miles (16 km) long

May 19

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar restructures the Minerals Management Service (MMS), which manages and collects revenue from offshore energy operations, to separate its "conflicting missions." MMS director S. Elizabeth Birnbaum resigns on May 27

MAY 22

Obama establishes an independent commission, chaired by former EPA head William Reilly and former Florida Senator Bob Graham, to investigate the spill

MAY 26

BP begins a "top kill" maneuver, which involves pumping heavy mud into the well to reduce the pressure and flow and then sealing it with cement. It also tries a "junk shot," adding material like rubber balls and shredded tires to make the mud stick better. Three days later, BP says that this too has failed

MAY 27

Scientists confirm that the spill is the worst in U.S. history, surpassing the Exxon Valdez total of about 262,000 bbl. (11 million gal.) with a leak rate of up to 19,000 bbl. per day. Obama halts all deepwater drilling in the Gulf and announces a six-month moratorium on new deepwater drilling in the Gulf and Pacific

May 31

BP prepares for a new effort to contain the gusher by cutting the riser pipe and sealing it with a fitted dome

JUNE 1

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder says the government has launched criminal and civil investigations into the spill. The slick reaches barrier islands off Mississippi and Alabama and is 10 miles (16 km) off the Florida coast