Louisiana oil spill - PHOTOS

BP was considering its next move to contain the spill after its most promising short-term remedy struck a snag over the weekend. Its shares fell about 1 percent in early trade in London against a 2.5 percent rise in the European oil sector index. BP's value has been savaged by investors since the crisis erupted last month.

Above, oil from the leaking Deep Horizon oil rig swirls through the currents in the Gulf of Mexico on May 6. The uncontrolled spill, which could become the worst in U.S. history, is expected to drift farther west, away from Florida's popular beaches but into the important shipping channels and rich seafood areas off the central Louisiana coast, west of the Mississippi Delta.

The environmental group Greenpeace issued an unconfirmed report late on May 9 that traces of oil had been found onshore at Port Eads, the southernmost point of Louisiana, which is accessible only by boat or helicopter.

he spill threatens economic and ecological disaster on Gulf Coast tourist beaches, wildlife refuges and fishing grounds across four states. It has forced President Barack Obama to rethink plans to open more waters to drilling.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration projects that, with brisk onshore winds expected from the southeast, the points of potential contact of the spill with the mainland will multiply between May 10 and May 12.

Above, a pod of Bottle Nose dolphins swim under the oily water of Chandeleur Sound, La. on May 6.


/NY Daily News/

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