Deepwater Horizon oil spill

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Deepwater Horizon oil spill

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill, also referred to as the BP oil spill, was a catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that began on April 20, 2010. It is considered the largest marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry. The spill was caused by an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling rig, which was operated by Transocean and owned by BP.

Background

The Deepwater Horizon rig was drilling an exploratory well at the Macondo Prospect, located approximately 41 miles off the coast of Louisiana. On April 20, 2010, a blowout caused by a surge of natural gas led to an explosion and fire on the rig, resulting in the deaths of 11 workers and the sinking of the rig two days later.

Environmental Impact

The spill released an estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico over a period of 87 days. The oil spill had devastating effects on marine and wildlife habitats, as well as on the fishing and tourism industries in the Gulf Coast region. The spill affected hundreds of miles of coastline in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

Response and Cleanup

The response to the spill involved multiple efforts to contain and clean up the oil. BP, along with various government agencies, deployed a range of techniques including skimming, controlled burns, and the use of dispersants. The well was finally capped on July 15, 2010, and a relief well was completed on September 19, 2010, to permanently seal the well.

Legal and Financial Consequences

BP faced significant legal and financial repercussions as a result of the spill. The company established a $20 billion compensation fund to address claims from individuals and businesses affected by the spill. In 2012, BP agreed to a $4.5 billion settlement with the United States Department of Justice to resolve criminal charges. Additionally, BP and its partners faced numerous civil lawsuits and fines under the Clean Water Act.

Long-term Effects

The long-term environmental and economic impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill are still being studied. The spill has had lasting effects on marine life, including fish, birds, and marine mammals. The full extent of the damage to the ecosystem and the recovery process remains a subject of ongoing research.

Related Pages

• BP
• Transocean
• Gulf of Mexico
• Louisiana
• Clean Water Act
• United States Department of Justice

See Also

• Exxon Valdez oil spill
• Oil spill
• Environmental disaster
• Offshore drilling