Coast Guard reports progress in cleanup of oil sheen near site of sunken drilling rig

Officials make progress in oil cleanup after blast

NEW ORLEANS — Authorities say they are making progress in the cleanup of oil floating in the Gulf of Mexico in the aftermath of an oil rig disaster.

The offshore drilling rig Deepwater Horizon exploded Tuesday night and burned until it sank on Thursday. The Coast Guard estimates about 200 barrels of oil are still floating on the water. Another 180 gallons of oil and water mixed have been skimmed from the water and the Coast Guard believes a significant amount has evaporated.

A light sheen of oil was visible over approximately 100 square miles Friday morning. By afternoon, the Coast Guard said that area appeared to be much smaller.

Meanwhile, an airplane, a helicopter and a Coast Guard cutter are continuing to search for 11 missing workers amid diminishing hopes that they survived.