BP Oil Gusher: Oil from the sea floor gusher and leaking from ships streams west from the site of doomed Deepwater Horizon drill rig, called "The Source," by air traffic controllers. After the rig exploded and killed 11 workers on April 20, the flow of crude oil reaching the surface covered a total of more than 68,000 sq miles of ocean at various times during the 3 months, and spewed 4.9 million barrels of crude oil. (oil extent estimate from SkyTruth, Jophn Amos)

Relief well and service vessels -- more than 80 ships at one time -- surround the site of doomed Deepwater Horizon drill rig. The spill covered more than 68,000 sq miles of ocean during the 3 months, and spewed 4.9 million barrels of crude oil.

BP Oil Gusher: At site of doomed Deepwater Horizon drill rig, now called "The Source," the Q4000 rig burns oil directly from the broken pipe 5000 feet below, cooled by water from the Monica Ann. About 800,000 barrels of oil were claimed by BP to have been collected or burnt in this way or on the surface of the Gulf.

BP Gulf oil gusher response by BP while efforts to stem the flow permanently continued into July. Pipes fitted to the top of the well passed a small part of the crude to this ship, Discoverer Enterprise, which separated the methane, burning it, and transferred oil to ships nearby.

Overhead view of a pipe and hose supply ship near the BP Deepwater Horizon well blow-out and explosion site.

The relief well rig Development Driller III at work near the BP Deepwater Horizon accident site, drilling to reach the Macondo formation a mile down, and cut into the original pipe. This was accomplished and the well was sealed Sept 19 -- almost exactly five months after the explosion.

View from small plane flying for Southwings by pilot Tom Hutchings, with expanse of support vessels around well site and source of 4.9 million barrels of oil -- the largest oil spill in US history and largest accidental spill into any ocean.

BP Gulf oil disaster. After the rig exploded and killed 11 workers on April 20, the flow of crude oil reaching the surface covered a total of more than 68,000 sq miles of ocean at various times during the 3 months, and spewed 4.9 million barrels of crude oil. (oil extent estimate from SkyTruth, John Amos). Oil here is red rather than black because it is believed treated with dispersant, a controversial and possibly deadly compound used extensively both on the surface and at the well leak underwater.

Map of total surface covered by oil or sheen during the three months rampant release from Macondo well: estimated at more than 68,000 sq miles ocean various times 3 months. Crude and gas discharged is 4.9 million barrels (oil extent estimate SkyTruth, John Amos).

BP Oil Gusher: Aerial view of oil flowing through wetlands of Chandeleur Islands between the well site and the mainland of the Louisiana coast.

Crude oil and mousse in the surf at Gulf Shores Alabama, which was hit hard by dark oil in late June and early July.

BP Oil Gusher: OIl coming ashore at Gulf Shores AL as tar, mousse, oily foam, which confronts Fourth of July weekend tourists.

Crude oil in surf leaves scalloped mark for miles along Gulf Shores beach, Alabama, July 3, 2010. Hotel bookings were said to be off by half or more.

BP Oil Gusher: Oil and tar in pool of water on Gulf Shores AL beach cooks in blazing sun, creating bubbling chemical soup.

Photo Reports Intro

1. The BP Deepwater Horizon oil well gushes crude across the Gulf to beaches and marsh.
2. Crude comes ashore from Gulf Shores to Grand Isle.
3. Clean up workers and local people react to the oil.
4. Oil in the marshes greases up birds and sedges; fishing and shrimping are closed.
5. Shrimping and fishing begin to return but long term effects of oil remain.
5A. The toll on animals and birds continues; rescuers take action.
6. Indians Face Oil Spill
7. Indians Face Oil Spill 2
8. The most endangered sea turtle and the Gulf oil spill 1
9. The most endangered sea turtle and the Gulf oil spill 2