The spill also threatens billions of fish eggs and larvae coating the Gulf's surface this time of year.

If the well cannot be closed, almost 100,000 barrels of oil, or 4.2 million gallons, could spill into the Gulf before crews can drill a relief well to alleviate the pressure. By comparison, the Exxon Valdez, the worst oil spill in U.S. history, leaked 11 million gallons into Alaska's Prince William Sound in 1989.

BP said Tuesday that it planned to begin drilling a relief well to redirect the leaking oil in a $100-million (U.S.) effort to take the pressure off the blown-out well.

The company said it would begin the drilling by Thursday even if crews can shut off oil leaking from the pipe 5,000 feet underground. Robot subs have tried to activate a shut-off device, but so far that has not worked.

In Washington, meanwhile, the Obama administration launched a full investigation of the explosion, promising every available resource. 아마도 자연적으로 압력이 떨어지지는 않으니 구멍을 막는 방법을  머리를 맞대고 고심 중이나 큰 방법이 없어 큰 걱정 거리다 시추구멍 옆을 뚫어 압력을 낮추는 방법 등 미국 오바마 정부도 설왕설래 중이다. 혹시 우리 UDT가 가서 Hot Tapping  바다속에서 용접을 한다면 가능 할 텐데....