Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill (Deepwater Horizon) - April 2010

Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill (Deepwater Horizon) - April 2010

In April 2010, an explosion on a BP drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico caused an environmental disaster that spilled approximately 4.9 million barrels of oil. The cause was poor safety management and cost-cutting priorities, which also involved problems with the drilling rig and cement. The spill contaminated coastal areas in the southern U.S. and had an enormous impact on the ecosystem and the lives of local residents; BP spent approximately $65 billion to compensate and repair the damage, but was unable to fully restore the site. The U.S. government tightened regulations, and safety standards were reviewed throughout the industry. The accident served as an opportunity to remind the oil industry of the importance of improving safety and protecting the environment, and ecological restoration remains an issue in the Gulf of Mexico.