<Ul> <Li> March 2008--The mineral rights to drill for oil at the Macondo well, located in Mississippi Canyon Block 252 in the United States sector of the Gulf of Mexico about 41 miles (66 km) off the Louisiana coast, were purchased by BP at the Minerals Management Service's (MMS) Lease Sale No. 206, held in New Orleans . </Li> </Ul> <Li> March 2008--The mineral rights to drill for oil at the Macondo well, located in Mississippi Canyon Block 252 in the United States sector of the Gulf of Mexico about 41 miles (66 km) off the Louisiana coast, were purchased by BP at the Minerals Management Service's (MMS) Lease Sale No. 206, held in New Orleans . </Li> <Ul> <Li> February--BP files a 52 - page exploration and environmental impact plan for the Macondo well with the MMS . The plan stated that it was "unlikely that an accidental surface or subsurface oil spill would occur from the proposed activities". In the event an accident did take place the plan stated that due to the well being 48 miles (77 km) from shore and the response capabilities that would be implemented, no significant adverse impacts would be expected . </Li> <Li> April 6--The Department of the Interior exempted BP's Gulf of Mexico drilling operation from a detailed environmental impact study after concluding that a massive oil spill was unlikely . </Li> <Li> June 22--Mark E. Hafle, a senior drilling engineer at BP, warns that the metal casing for the blowout preventer might collapse under high pressure . </Li> <Li> October 7--The Transocean Marianas semi-submersible rig begins drilling the Macondo well . </Li> <Li> November 9--Hurricane Ida damages Transocean Marianas enough that it has to be replaced . </Li> </Ul> <Li> February--BP files a 52 - page exploration and environmental impact plan for the Macondo well with the MMS . The plan stated that it was "unlikely that an accidental surface or subsurface oil spill would occur from the proposed activities". In the event an accident did take place the plan stated that due to the well being 48 miles (77 km) from shore and the response capabilities that would be implemented, no significant adverse impacts would be expected . </Li>

When did bp start drilling in the gulf of mexico
find me the text answering this question