Gulf oil spill: US begins criminal investigations

The U.S. government has begun criminal and civil investigations into the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, Attorney General Eric Holder announced.

He would not say which companies or individuals were targeted.

Previously, BP launched a new effort to contain the leakage from the well using underwater robots to cut off the broken pipe and end with a cap.

BP said the spill - the largest in U.S. history - could be limited within 24 hours, but success is not guaranteed.

BP shares fell sharply on Tuesday after the failure of its earlier efforts to "top kill" the leak by pumping mud into the water.

At one point the share price hit its lowest level in 15 months as stock markets digested the news that the U.S. was "prepared for the worst scenario that the leak can not be stopped by August.
'Strong response'

Notice of criminal investigations, Mr. Holder said: "We will work closely with the actions of those involved in the leak test.
"If we have evidence of illegal behavior, we will be very strong in our response."

Mr. Holder, who on his first visit to the stricken region, said the companies had been ordered to keep their records.

"We shall ensure that every cent, every penny of taxpayer money will be repaid and that damage to the environment and nature will be repaid," he said.

Reuters quoted BP naturally in a statement that they "cooperate with an investigation by the Ministry of Justice undertakes.

Speaking in Washington on Tuesday President Barack Obama described the leak as "the greatest environmental disaster of its kind in our history" and promised those responsible to justice.

He said it was time for a comprehensive look at how the oil industry and how the U.S. government was monitoring their activities.

Other companies involved in the Deepwater Horizon rig, which exploded on April 20 with the loss of 11 lives, including rig operator Transocean and oil service companies Halliburton and Cameron International.
Cautious note

In a final attempt to cap containment, remote-controlled robots on the seabed saw the damaged riser fits in to the CAP and the pipe of oil leaking to the surface.
Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles said: "If all goes well, within the next 24 hours we were able to have this included."

However, finding a note of caution, he stressed that success was not guaranteed and urged people "Remember this is done in 5,000 feet of water, and very small matters take a long time to establish."

BP says the process will take the whole week and it does not expect to reduce the bus will be considerably more oil to escape.

But government scientists suggest the procedure was 20% more oil in the first release and the White House says it believes BP is not forthcoming about the risks, the BBC's Richard Lister reports from Washington.

Previous attempts by BP to the flow of oil cells all have failed.

Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned that winds expected later this week, the leakage in the direction of the Mississippi and Alabama coasts, which are less affected than the coasts of Louisiana to move.

An oil sheen was observed that approximately nine miles (14.5 km) off the coast of Florida, with officials warning Pensacola Beach could be reached on Wednesday, the Associated Press news agency.

Tuesday also marked the beginning of hurricane season, NOAA predicted up to 14 hurricanes, of which between three to seven will be "major" storm, packing winds of over 110 mph.

At least 20 million gallons (76 million liters) spilled in the Gulf now, more than 70 miles (110 kilometers) of coastline of Louisiana.

BP has more than $ 940m (£ 645m) so far in trying to contain the disaster.