The Deepwater Horizon oil spill (also called the BP oil spill, the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the BP oil disaster or the Macondo blowout)[1][2][3] is an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It is the largest marine oil spill in history.[4][5] The spill was caused by an oil gusher that resulted from the drilling rig explosion on April 20, 2010. The explosion killed 11 platform workers and injured 17 others.[6] On July 15, the leak was stopped by capping the gushing wellhead[7] after letting out about 4.9 million barrels (780×103 m3) of crude oil.[8] About 53,000 barrels per day (8,400 m3/d) were escaping from the well just before it was capped. It is believed that the daily flow rate decreased over time, starting at about 62,000 barrels per day (9,900 m3/d).[8]
The spill is causing great environmental damage to marine and wildlife habitats as well as the Gulf's fishing and tourism industries.[9][10] Scientists have also reported large underwater plumes of dissolved oil not visible from the top.[11] Workers have been working to protect hundreds of miles of beaches, wetlands, and estuaries along the northern Gulf coast. The U.S. Government has named BP as responsible, and officials have decided to hold the company accountable for all cleanup costs and other damage.[12]
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