BP promises to restore environment in the Gulf

Oil giant BP has pledged to restore the Gulf of Mexico to its original state by continuing its efforts to contain the oil spill.

Chief executive of BP Tony Hayward expressed the company's intentions to reduce the damage on the environment caused by the explosion of an oil rig on April 20th.

Speaking to the BBC, he said: "We're going to clean up the oil, we're going to remediate any environmental damage and we are going to return the Gulf coast to the position it was in prior to this event."

Mr Hayward added that the lower marine riser package containment cap, installed last week, collects 10,000 barrels of oil each day from the sea.

The additional device was intended to increase the amount of oil and gas that can be captured and prevent it from spreading further.

Around 368,000 barrels (15.5 million gallons) of oily liquid have been gathered by the cap and other vessels since the rig's explosion, costing the oil company over $1.25 million (£862,865).

Posted by Lauren Steadman