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Support vessels surround the Q4000, left, in the Gulf of Mexico. The platform operated briefly Thursday during a testing problem, but it stopped collecting and burning off oil from BP's leaking well after the well was sealed for the first time since the disaster began in April.

Oil collection

( Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times )

Support vessels surround the Q4000, left, in the Gulf of Mexico. The platform operated briefly Thursday during a testing problem, but it stopped collecting and burning off oil from BP's leaking well after the well was sealed for the first time since the disaster began in April.

Photos: Progress on oil spill

Oil collection

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