BP Oil Spill

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, national incident commander for the Gulf oil spill, participates in a BP Oil Spill Commission panel discussion on September 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. The commission is hearing testimony on the decision making within the unified command in dealing with the April 20 explosion and fire killed 11 workers, sunk the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig and unleashed 206 million gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico.

WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 2: Former EPA Administrator William Reilly (L) and former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, co-chairs of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, speak during a break in hearings on December, 2, 2010, in Washington, DC. The presidential commission probing the BP oil spill and drilling reforms is meeting to review draft findings ahead of its report to the White House in January.

WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 2: Journalists watch former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, co-chair of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, speak on a television monitor during a hearing on December, 2, 2010, in Washington, DC. The presidential commission probing the BP oil spill and drilling reforms is meeting to review draft findings ahead of its report to the White House in January.

BARATARIA BAY, LA - DECEMBER 05: Marsh grasses battered by oil (SEEN AT CENTER) from the BP oil spill are seen December 5, 2010 in Barataria Bay, Louisiana. Nearly eight months after the spill, oil remains along the shoreline of some of the barrier islands in the area and has killed off sections of marsh grass. Some of the islands are nesting areas for birds. BP lawyers said that government estimates of the size of the oil spill are too large in a dispute that will mark how many billions of dollars in fines the oil giant will have to pay.

PASS CHRISTIAN, MS - DECEMBER 06: An oyster fisherman unloads his catch December 6, 2010 in Pass Christian, Mississippi. The oyster industry has been crippled by the BP oil spill, dock workers said they used to receive about 2,500 sacks of oysters per day, now they take in around 300. The workers believe oil and dispersants have killed off much of the oyster population. BP lawyers said that government estimates of the size of the oil spill are too large in a dispute that will mark how many billions of dollars in fines the oil giant will have to pay.

PASS CHRISTIAN, MS - DECEMBER 06: An oyster fisherman unloads his catch December 6, 2010 in Pass Christian, Mississippi. The oyster industry has been crippled by the BP oil spill, dock workers said they used to receive about 2,500 sacks of oysters per day, now they take in around 300. The workers believe oil and dispersants have killed off much of the oyster population. BP lawyers said that government estimates of the size of the oil spill are too large in a dispute that will mark how many billions of dollars in fines the oil giant will have to pay.

PASS CHRISTIAN, MS - DECEMBER 06: An oyster fisherman unloads his catch December 6, 2010 in Pass Christian, Mississippi. The oyster industry has been crippled by the BP oil spill, dock workers said they used to receive about 2,500 sacks of oysters per day, now they take in around 300. The workers believe oil and dispersants have killed off much of the oyster population. BP lawyers said that government estimates of the size of the oil spill are too large in a dispute that will mark how many billions of dollars in fines the oil giant will have to pay.

BARATARIA BAY, LA - DECEMBER 05: Marsh grasses covered in oil from the BP oil spill are seen December 5, 2010 in Barataria Bay, Louisiana. Nearly eight months after the spill, oil remains along the shoreline of some of the barrier islands in the area and has killed off sections of marsh grass. Some of the islands are nesting areas for birds. BP lawyers said that government estimates of the size of the oil spill are too large in a dispute that will mark how many billions of dollars in fines the oil giant will have to pay.

PASS CHRISTIAN, MS - DECEMBER 06: An oyster fisherman unloads his catch December 6, 2010 in Pass Christian, Mississippi. The oyster industry has been crippled by the BP oil spill, dock workers said they used to receive about 2,500 sacks of oysters per day, now they take in around 300. The workers believe oil and dispersants have killed off much of the oyster population. BP lawyers said that government estimates of the size of the oil spill are too large in a dispute that will mark how many billions of dollars in fines the oil giant will have to pay.

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Members of the Oil Spill Commission listen to Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, national incident commander for the Gulf oil spill, speak during a BP Oil Spill Commission panel discussion on September 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. The commission is hearing testimony on the decision making within the unified command in dealing with the April 20 explosion and fire killed 11 workers, sunk the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig and unleashed 206 million gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico.

VENICE, LA - DECEMBER 05: Migratory white pelicans take off from the shorline of an island battered by oil from the BP oil spill December 5, 2010 in Barataria Bay, Louisiana. Nearly eight months after the spill, oil remains along the shoreline of some of the barrier islands in the area and has killed off sections of marsh grass. Some of the islands are nesting areas for birds. BP lawyers said that government estimates of the size of the oil spill are too large in a dispute that will mark how many billions of dollars in fines the oil giant will have to pay.

BARATARIA BAY, LA - DECEMBER 05: Marsh grasses battered by oil (SEEN AT CENTER) from the BP oil spill are seen with oil boom December 5, 2010 in Barataria Bay, Louisiana. Nearly eight months after the spill, oil remains along the shoreline of some of the barrier islands in the area and has killed off sections of marsh grass. Some of the islands are nesting areas for birds. BP lawyers said that government estimates of the size of the oil spill are too large in a dispute that will mark how many billions of dollars in fines the oil giant will have to pay.

PASS CHRISTIAN, MS - DECEMBER 06: Freshly caught oysters are seen on a dock December 6, 2010 in Pass Christian, Mississippi. The oyster industry has been crippled by the BP oil spill, dock workers said they used to receive about 2,500 sacks of oysters per day, now they take in around 300. The workers believe oil and dispersants have killed off much of the oyster population. BP lawyers said that government estimates of the size of the oil spill are too large in a dispute that will mark how many billions of dollars in fines the oil giant will have to pay.

PASS CHRISTIAN, MS - DECEMBER 06: Workers offload oysters December 6, 2010 in Pass Christian, Mississippi. The oyster industry has been crippled by the BP oil spill, dock workers said they used to receive about 2,500 sacks of oysters per day, now they take in around 300. The workers believe oil and dispersants have killed off much of the oyster population. BP lawyers said that government estimates of the size of the oil spill are too large in a dispute that will mark how many billions of dollars in fines the oil giant will have to pay.

WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 2: Former EPA Administrator William Reilly (L) and former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, co-chairs of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, speak during a break in hearings on December, 2, 2010, in Washington, DC. The presidential commission probing the BP oil spill and drilling reforms is meeting to review draft findings ahead of its report to the White House in January.

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, national incident commander for the Gulf oil spill, participates in a BP Oil Spill Commission panel discussion on September 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. The commission is hearing testimony on the decision making within the unified command in dealing with the April 20 explosion and fire killed 11 workers, sunk the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig and unleashed 206 million gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico.

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, national incident commander for the Gulf oil spill, participates in a BP Oil Spill Commission panel discussion on September 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. The commission is hearing testimony on the decision making within the unified command in dealing with the April 20 explosion and fire killed 11 workers, sunk the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig and unleashed 206 million gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico.

WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 2: Former EPA Administrator William Reilly (L) and former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, co-chairs of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, speak during a break in hearings on December, 2, 2010, in Washington, DC. The presidential commission probing the BP oil spill and drilling reforms is meeting to review draft findings ahead of its report to the White House in January.

BARATARIA BAY, LA - DECEMBER 05: An air gun (L), used to keep birds away from oil remaining on the island, is seen behind marsh grasses battered by oil from the BP oil spill December 5, 2010 in Barataria Bay, Louisiana. Nearly eight months after the spill, oil remains along the shoreline of some of the barrier islands in the area and has killed off sections of marsh grass. Some of the islands are nesting areas for birds. BP lawyers said that government estimates of the size of the oil spill are too large in a dispute that will mark how many billions of dollars in fines the oil giant will have to pay.

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Members of the Oil Spill Commission listen to Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, national incident commander for the Gulf oil spill, speak during a BP Oil Spill Commission panel discussion on September 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. The commission is hearing testimony on the decision making within the unified command in dealing with the April 20 explosion and fire killed 11 workers, sunk the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig and unleashed 206 million gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico.

BARATARIA BAY, LA - DECEMBER 05: A hawk flies over marsh grasses battered by oil from the BP oil spill December 5, 2010 in Barataria Bay, Louisiana. Nearly eight months after the spill, oil remains along the shoreline of some of the barrier islands in the area and has killed off sections of marsh grass. Some of the islands are nesting areas for birds. BP lawyers said that government estimates of the size of the oil spill are too large in a dispute that will mark how many billions of dollars in fines the oil giant will have to pay.

BARATARIA BAY, LA - DECEMBER 05: A bird flies over marsh grasses battered by oil from the BP oil spill December 5, 2010 in Barataria Bay, Louisiana. Nearly eight months after the spill, oil remains along the shoreline of some of the barrier islands in the area and has killed off sections of marsh grass. Some of the islands are nesting areas for birds. BP lawyers said that government estimates of the size of the oil spill are too large in a dispute that will mark how many billions of dollars in fines the oil giant will have to pay.

WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 2: Former EPA Administrator William Reilly (L) and former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, co-chairs of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, speak during a break in hearings on December, 2, 2010, in Washington, DC. The presidential commission probing the BP oil spill and drilling reforms is meeting to review draft findings ahead of its report to the White House in January.

VENICE, LA - DECEMBER 05: Migratory white pelicans sit on the battered shorline of an island damaged by oil from the BP oil spill December 5, 2010 in Barataria Bay, Louisiana. Nearly eight months after the spill, oil remains along the shoreline of some of the barrier islands in the area and has killed off sections of marsh grass. Some of the islands are nesting areas for birds. BP lawyers said that government estimates of the size of the oil spill are too large in a dispute that will mark how many billions of dollars in fines the oil giant will have to pay.

US President Barack Obama speaks after meeting with Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen (L) and local officials on efforts to fight the BP oil spill June 14, 2010 at Coast Guard Station Gulfport in Gulfport, Mississippi. Obama arrived Monday in the Gulf of Mexico region at the start of a two-day visit to the oil-hit southern states.

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson speaks during an Oil Spill Commission panel discussion on September 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Commission is hearing testimony from Administrator Jackson on the decision to use dispersants in dealing with the oil Gulf spill.

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Former Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fl) participates in a Oil Spill Commission panel discussion on September 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Commission is hearing testimony on the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill and its environmental impact.

BARATARIA BAY, LA - DECEMBER 05: A shrimper works as birds fly overhead December 5, 2010 in Barataria Bay, Louisiana. Shrimping has been reopened in the area although 4,200 square miles of the Gulf of Mexico remains closed to shrimping after tarballs were found in a shrimpers net. Nearly eight months after the spill, oil remains along the shoreline of some of the barrier islands in the area and has killed off sections of marsh grass. BP lawyers said that government estimates of the size of the oil spill are too large in a dispute that will mark how many billions of dollars in fines the oil giant will have to pay.

BARATARIA BAY, LA - DECEMBER 05: A dog looks on a shrimper works in a shrimp boat (R) December 5, 2010 in Barataria Bay, Louisiana. Shrimping has been reopened in the area although 4,200 square miles of the Gulf of Mexico remains closed to shrimping after tarballs were found in a shrimpers net. Nearly eight months after the spill, oil remains along the shoreline of some of the barrier islands in the area and has killed off sections of marsh grass. BP lawyers said that government estimates of the size of the oil spill are too large in a dispute that will mark how many billions of dollars in fines the oil giant will have to pay.

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, participates in a Oil Spill Commission panel discussion on September 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Commission is hearing testimony from Secretary Salazar on the future of offshore drilling.

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, participates in a Oil Spill Commission panel discussion on September 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Commission is hearing testimony from Secretary Salazar on the future of offshore drilling.

BARATARIA BAY, LA - DECEMBER 05: Shrimp boats are seen December 5, 2010 in Barataria Bay, Louisiana. Shrimping has been reopened in the area although 4,200 square miles of the Gulf of Mexico remains closed to shrimping after tarballs were found in a shrimpers net. Nearly eight months after the spill, oil remains along the shoreline of some of the barrier islands in the area and has killed off sections of marsh grass. BP lawyers said that government estimates of the size of the oil spill are too large in a dispute that will mark how many billions of dollars in fines the oil giant will have to pay.

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson participates in a Oil Spill Commission panel discussion on September 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Commission is hearing testimony from Administrator Jackson on the decision to use dispersants in dealing with the oil Gulf spill.

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson participates in a Oil Spill Commission panel discussion on September 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Commission is hearing testimony from Administrator Jackson on the decision to use dispersants in dealing with the oil Gulf spill.

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, participates in a Oil Spill Commission panel discussion on September 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Commission is hearing testimony from Secretary Salazar on the future of offshore drilling.

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson speaks during an Oil Spill Commission panel discussion on September 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Commission is hearing testimony from Administrator Jackson on the decision to use dispersants in dealing with the oil Gulf spill.

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Former Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fl) (L) and former EPA Administrator William Reilly participate in a Oil Spill Commission panel discussion on September 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Commission is hearing testimony on the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill and its environmental impact.

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, participates in a Oil Spill Commission panel discussion on September 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Commission is hearing testimony from Secretary Salazar on the future of offshore drilling.

BARATARIA BAY, LA - DECEMBER 05: Shrimp boats are seen December 5, 2010 in Barataria Bay, Louisiana. Shrimping has been reopened in the area although 4,200 square miles of the Gulf of Mexico remains closed to shrimping after tarballs were found in a shrimpers net. Nearly eight months after the spill, oil remains along the shoreline of some of the barrier islands in the area and has killed off sections of marsh grass. BP lawyers said that government estimates of the size of the oil spill are too large in a dispute that will mark how many billions of dollars in fines the oil giant will have to pay.

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, participates in a Oil Spill Commission panel discussion on September 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Commission is hearing testimony from Secretary Salazar on the future of offshore drilling.

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, participates in a Oil Spill Commission panel discussion on September 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Commission is hearing testimony from Secretary Salazar on the future of offshore drilling.

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson speaks during an Oil Spill Commission panel discussion on September 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Commission is hearing testimony from Administrator Jackson on the decision to use dispersants in dealing with the oil Gulf spill.

US President Barack Obama (R) and Florida Governor Charlie Crist walk to the shoreline of the Casi Beach section of Pensacola Beach before a briefing with local officials on the BP oil spill June 15, 2010 in Pensacola, Florida.