The state Department of Health has offered to provide 20,000 gallons of oil dispersant to aid efforts in the Gulf Coast to clean up oil leaking from an underwater well.

The Hawai'i Clean Islands Council requested the transfer of the oil spill dispersant COREX 95.

A Health Department statement yesterday said British Petroleum, which leased the oil rig that exploded and sank recently, will be responsible for all costs associated with the dispersant's transfer.

The statement said the dispersant will be shipped to the mainland in the next 48 to 72 hours. It then will be driven to the Gulf Coast area.

The Clean Islands Council is comprised of petroleum-related industry representatives.