This short video reveals a space-based view of the burning oil rig (from the MODIS instrument on board NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites) and, later, the ensuing oil spill through May 24, 2010.
The oil slick appears grayish-beige in the images and changes due to changing weather, ocean currents, and the use of oil dispersing chemicals.
Images in the video time series were selected that show the spill most clearly.