As people have already pointed out, introducing a single bacteria in the mass quantity that it would take to actually facilitate improvement would probably end up changing the the entire makeup of the gulf. It could have far reaching effects that we couldn't even predict. To a degree, the sad reality of this situation is that with our limited technology, we are going to have to roll up our sleeves and do this by hand as there is no quick fix. BP is using dispersant chemicals only to avoid pictures of sea animals dying of suffocation, but truth be told this area of the gulf is already decimated. I say this all with a heavy heart because it is in my own backyard. Oh and two interesting points. I highly recommend people read Zodiac, by Neal Stephenson, which covers a good deal about this kind of tactic without adequately predicting the outcome in a fictional but well researched context. Also, make note that these oil consuming bugs have been around for quite some time. The first stable version came around in the 70's. In practice, I've understood them to not really be that effective.

I wanted to mention something else that may be of significance in this. I wouldn't doubt that there are many patent holders out there who are paid by companies to keep their patents from being used. Would those companies be liable and could the patent holder be held for criminal intent to increase planned obsolescence? Is personal health and safety the only concern of these new patent reverse-infringements or could it be used in other ways. Oh, and speaking of said possibility, anyone know the history of the Sony AccuCore Technology? (No, really, I want more info.) Scratch resistant polymers could have saved a good number of my CDs from getting torn up over the years.