Deep Water Horizon, BP Macondo Well Oil Spill – Gulf of Mexico

On April 20 2010 the offshore drilling rig Deep Water Horizon exploded after a blow out from the oil well one mile below the surface of the water. 11 people were killed and oil spilled at a phenomenal rate into the Gulf of Mexico threatening the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas and Florida and causing widespread environmental damage.


BP was named the responsible party and was held accountable for response measures, clean up costs and other damage. There was much debate about the rate of oil release and secondary concern about gas release. A number of attempts were made to cap the well, stop the flow and retrieve and disperse the oil.

On July 12, 53 days after the explosion flow of oil from the well was successfully capped and static kill operations to kill and isolate the well were completed on August 5, 2010.

For more information on the oil spill response and recovery efforts go to the website for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or visit the BP Website for their reports on the Gulf of Mexico response.

In recent weeks, BP has prepared a report to provide a preliminary outcome of lessons learnt from the oil spill at the Deep Water Horizon, Macondo Well in the Gulf of Mexico. They are currently in discussions with authorities and regulators about its final release.