Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: The months-long maritime disaster that spread panic across the world
Considered to be one of the worst oil spills in history, the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (or BP oil spill) was also the largest accidental marine oil spill in the world.
The fateful day, April 20, 2010, first saw a massive explosion and subsequent fire, followed by the sinking of the drilling rig 'Deepwater Horizon' in the Gulf of Mexico. The accident led to the deaths of 11 workers and left 17 sea men injured, while causing the largest environmental disaster of US history.
What happened?
Three words - Oil well fire.
Following the explosion, an estimated 134 million gallons of oil (which was reportedly 8-31% higher in volume than the second largest - the Ixtoc 1 oil spill) leaked into the Gulf over a period of five months, causing environmental damage.
The Deepwater Horizon was a semi-submersible mobile offshore drilling unit, built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2001 and operated by Transocean, under a contract with the oil company BP. Measuring about 396 feet in length and 256 feet in width, the rig was designed for deep water drilling, capable of operating in depths up to 8,000 feet and drilling to depths of 30,000 feet.
Where?
Map credit: Wikimedia
About 41 miles (or 64 kms) off the coast of Louisiana, in the Gulf of Mexico. The spill originated from the Macondo well, which was being drilled by the Deepwater Horizon rig at the time of the disaster.
How did it happen?
Two words - Wellhead blowout.
On April 20, the rig suffered a catastrophic blowout while drilling the Macondo well, leading to a massive explosion and subsequent fire that ultimately caused the rig to sink two days later.
Further, the uncontrolled release of oil from the well resulted in the largest marine oil spill in history, with severe environmental and economic impacts.
What went wrong?
Later investigations into the catastrophe revealed that a combination of engineering failures, inadequate safety measures, and flawed risk assessments led to the blowout. The drilling team encountered problems while cementing the well, which was supposed to create a seal to prevent oil from escaping. However, the cement job failed to properly secure the well, allowing oil and gas to leak.
Aggravating the issue, the blowout preventer (BOP), a crucial safety device designed to seal the well in emergencies, malfunctioned. The BOP’s failure was partly due to design flaws and maintenance issues that rendered it ineffective when it was needed most. Additionally, there were lapses in risk assessment and safety protocols, which failed to adequately address the signs of potential failure.
The Aftermath
Numerous attempts were made to contain the spill, but in vain. Ultimately, after five months, the Macondo well was sealed shut on September 19, 2010. However, reports from 2012 mentioned alarming news on the well site still sinking. Despite widespread clean-up efforts and damage control operations, the months-long spill caused considerable damage marine habitats and wildlife. This also, in turned, harmed tourism and fishing industries.
Blame was passed to one another, with BP and the US government criticized heavily for the disaster.
What is the situation like today?
Image Credit: Office of Governor Jindal/Louisiana GOHSEP
Even 14 years after the tragedy, both human and marine life continue to face the effects. Innumerable people, who were involved in the cleanup activities, experienced chronic respiratory issues, severe rashes, and diarrhea. These symptoms were commonly addressed by the locals as the “BP syndrome” or the “Gulf coast syndrome”. However, in a more serious turn of events, some of these people have, in the recent years, been diagnosed with forms of cancer.
Moreover, studies indicate that some species, such as dolphins and sea turtles, still suffer from health problems linked to the oil contamination. The Gulf of Mexico's ecosystems have shown signs of slow recovery, with ongoing monitoring needed to fully assess the long-term ecological consequences.
