Chief executive Tony Hayward also visited the scene of the environmental disaster in Port Fourchon in southern Louisiana, admitting that the British energy company's reputation was on the line over the spill.

"I think this is clearly a major reputational issue for BP," Hayward told journalists, days after a top US official suggested the company faced an "existential crisis" because of the disaster.

BP is preparing to perform a make-or-break "top kill" operation on Wednesday to inject heavy drilling fluids into the well 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) down on the seabed and hopefully seal it with cement.

Hayward issued an emotional rebuttal to charges his company had tried to hide the truth about the amount of oil leaking into the sea and said he was "absolutely gutted" that crude had started washing ashore.

"As I said, it's clear that the defense of the shoreline, at this point, has not been successful," Hayward said. "I feel devastated by that, absolutely gutted. What I can tell you is that we are here for the long haul. We are going to clean every drop of oil off the shore."

The 10-year research programme announced on Monday will study topics including how oil and the chemicals used to disperse it were affected by ocean currents, and how they were dispersed in the sea and on shore.

"BP has made a commitment to doing everything we can to lessen the impact of this tragic incident on the people and environment of the Gulf Coast," Hayward said in a statement issued in London, announcing the 405-million-euro pledge.

"We must make every effort to understand that impact. This will be a key part of the process of restoration, and for improving the industry response capability for the future."

The research programme would also examine how accidental oil spills compare to natural seepage from the seabed, whether chemicals used to disperse the oil helped or hindered biodegradation, and what can be done to improve technology.

The BP-leased Deepwater Horizon rig exploded on April 20, killing 11 workers, and sank two days later. Ever since, hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil, perhaps even millions, have spewed each day into the sea, threatening marine and shore-based wildlife, fishing industries and tourism.

In the United States, BP -- struggling to convince Americans it can be trusted to stop and clean up the oil spill -- has started taking out ads in major US newspapers.

First appearing in The New York Times and then again in The Wall Street Journal and USA Today on Monday, the full-page ad is headlined in bold "Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Response. What we're doing. How to get more information."

Below BP tries to reassure readers it is doing everything possible to stem a slick that is now washing up on Louisiana's shores, providing ugly pictures of oiled marshlands and rare birds that are a publicity nightmare.

"Since the tragic accident on the Transocean Deepwater Horizon rig first occurred, we have been committed to doing everything possible to stop the flow of oil at the seabed and keep it away from the shore," the ad says.

"BP has taken full responsibility for dealing with the spill. We are determined to do everything we can to minimize any impact. We will honor all legitimate claims."

BP's funding pledge statement said it already has ongoing marine research programmes in the Gulf of Mexico.

"Building on these, BP will appoint an independent advisory panel to construct the long term research program. Where appropriate, the studies may be coordinated with the ongoing natural resources damages assessment," it said.

Initially a grant to Louisiana State University (LSU) will help kick start the work, BP said.

burs-mt-ag/mdl

del.icio.us	Digg	Reddit
YahooMyWeb	Google	Facebook

Memory Foam Mattress Review

SPACE MEDIA NETWORK PROMOTIONS Solar Energy Solutions Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison ... Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News