Place these Images on front ofPOST IT #2
Place these Images/Info onback ofPOST IT #2
TheDeepwater Horizonoil spill(also referred to as theBP oil spill, theBP oil disaster, theGulf of Mexico oil spill, and theMacondo blowout) began on 20 April 2010 in theGulf of Mexicoon theBP-ownedTransocean-operatedMacondo Prospect. Eleven people were never found[6][7][8][9]and it is considered the largest accidental marineoil spillin the history of the petroleum industry, an estimated 8% to 31% larger in volume than the previously largest, theIxtoc I oil spill. Following theexplosion and sinking of theDeepwater Horizonoil rig, a sea-flooroil gusherflowed for 87 days, until it was capped on 15 July 2010.[8][10]The US Government estimated the total discharge at 4.9 million barrels (210million USgal; 780,000m3).[3]After several failed efforts to contain the flow, the well was declared sealed on 19 September 2010.[11]Some reports indicate the well site continues to leak.[12][13]
A massive response ensued to protect beaches,wetlandsandestuariesfrom the spreading oil utilizing skimmer ships, floatingbooms, controlled burns and 1.84million US gallons (7,000m3) ofCorexitoil dispersant.[14]Due to the months-long spill, along with adverse effects from the response and cleanup activities, extensive damage to marine and wildlife habitats and fishing and tourism industries was reported.[15][16]In Louisiana, 4.6 million pounds of oily material was removed from the beaches in 2013, over double the amount collected in 2012. Oil cleanup crews worked four days a week on 55 miles of Louisiana shoreline throughout 2013.[17]Oil continued to be found as far from the Macondo site as the waters off the Florida Panhandle and Tampa Bay, where scientists said the oil and dispersant mixture is embedded in the sand.[18]In 2013 it was reported that dolphins and other marine life continued to die in record numbers with infant dolphins dying at six times the normal rate.[19]One study released in 2014 reported that tuna andamberjackthat were exposed to oil from the spill developed deformities of the heart and other organs that would be expected to be fatal or at least life-shortening and another study found thatcardiotoxicitymight have been widespread in animal life exposed to the spill.[20][21]
Numerous investigations explored the causes of the explosion and record-setting spill. Notably, the U.S. government's September 2011 report pointed to defective cement on the well, faulting mostly BP, but also rig operatorTransoceanand contractorHalliburton.[22][23]Earlier in 2011, a White House commission likewise blamed BP and its partners for a series of cost-cutting decisions and an insufficient safety system, but also concluded that the spill resulted from "systemic" root causes and "absent significant reform in both industry practices and government policies, might well recur".[24]
In November 2012, BP and the United States Department of Justice settled federal criminal charges with BP pleading guilty to 11 counts ofmanslaughter, two misdemeanors, and a felony count of lying to Congress. BP also agreed to four years of government monitoring of its safety practices and ethics, and the Environmental Protection Agency announced that BP would be temporarily banned from new contracts with the US government. BP and the Department of Justice agreed to a record-setting $4.525billion in fines and other payments[25][26][27]but further legal proceedings not expected to conclude until 2014 are ongoing to determine payouts and fines under theClean Water Actand theNatural Resources Damage Assessment.[28][29]As of February 2013, criminal and civil settlements and payments to a trust fund had cost the company $42.2 billion.[30]
In September 2014, a U.S. District Court judge ruled that BP was primarily responsible for the oil spill because of its gross negligence and reckless conduct. The ruling could result in additional penalties as high as $18 billion, with grave implications for BP's future.[31]
Deepwater Horizonoil spillThe oil slick as seen from space byNASA'sTerrasatellite on 24 May 2010
Location / Gulf of MexiconearMississippi River Delta, United States
Coordinates / 28°44′17.30″N88°21′57.40″WCoordinates:28°44′17.30″N88°21′57.40″W[1]
Date / Spill date: 20 April – 15 July 2010
Well officially sealed: 19 September 2010
Cause
Cause / Wellheadblowout
Casualties / 11 dead
Operator / Transoceanunder contract forBP[2]
Spill characteristics
Volume / 4.9 million barrels (210,000,000 U.S. gallons; 780,000 cubic meters) ±10%[3]
Area / 2,500 to 68,000sqmi (6,500 to 176,100km2)[4]