Calm seas Tuesday helped efforts to fight the massive oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico. The oil is still spewing from the ocean floor at an estimated rate of more than 5 thousand barrels a day.

The latest satellite image found oil covering more than 5 thousand square kilometers of the sea. So far, only sheen has reached some coastal waters in the southeastern United States, allowing crews and volunteers time to lay boom in front of shorelines.

Officials, say that rig operator BP, is still trying to cap the leak. US President Barack Obama says the government is committed to containing the economic damage from the spill.

Barack Obama, U.S. Obama, said, "We are committed to preventing as much of the economic damage as possible by working to contain the impact of this potentially devastating spill. In addition, wherever possible, I would like to see the people most affected by the disaster in helping in the cleanup. And we will continue to explore every possible option to create jobs and support local economies in the Gulf, while continuing to monitor any potential effects on the national economy."