New York (Platts)--1Jun2010/521 pm EDT/2121 GMT

The US Department of Justice has opened a criminal and civil investigation into BP's Macondo well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico, Attorney General Eric Holder announced Tuesday, vowing to prosecute the US' largest oil spill "to the full extent" of the law.

Holder announced the probe in New Orleans after touring part of the Louisiana Delta to view damage from the spill and meeting with attorneys general and US attorneys from affected Gulf states.

"Yes, we have begun both a criminal and civil investigation, as is our obligation under the law," Holder told reporters during a briefing in New Orleans, according to a partial transcript provided by the Justice Department. "Our environmental laws are very clear, and we have a responsibility to enforce them.

"At the same time, we are mindful of the government's first priority, which is to stop the spill and clean up the oil," he added. "We are taking the steps necessary to enforce our laws while guaranteeing that we do nothing to jeopardize the response effort."

Holder, without identifying BP, Transocean or Halliburton by name, said in the statement his office had already instructed "relevant parties" to preserve any documents "that may shed light on the facts surrounding this disaster."

DOJ attorneys are reviewing several federal statutes for possible violations, Holder said, including The Clean Water Act, The Oil Pollution Act of 1990, The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and The Endangered Species Act.

"There are a wide range of possible violations under these statutes, and we will closely examine the actions of those involved in this spill," Holder said. "If we find evidence of illegal behavior, we will be forceful in our response."

Holder's statement echoed familiar get-tough themes from the Obama administration. He vowed "every cent" of taxpayer money spent on the spill response would be repaid and said those responsible for the disaster would be made to clean up "the mess" and restore any natural resources lost or damaged.

"While the federal government continues to focus on stopping the leak and responding to the environmental disaster, the Department of Justice will ensure the American people do not foot the bill for this disaster and that our laws are enforced to the full extent," Holder said. "That is our responsibility, and we will do nothing less."

--Kevin Saville, kevin_saville@platts.com

--Robert DiNardo, robert_dinardo@platts.com