April 20, 2010:
- An explosion occurs on the Deepwater Horizon, an oil rig located approximately 41 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana.
- The cause of the explosion is ultimately attributed to a series of failures in the drilling operation, including a failure to properly cement the wellbore and inadequate pressure control measures.
- The rig catches fire and eventually sinks two days later on April 22, resulting in the loss of 11 lives and extensive damage to the environment.
May 2, 2010:
- Oil begins to flow from the damaged well at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. This marks the beginning of the worst oil spill in U.S. history.
May 22, 2010:
- President Barack Obama declares a national emergency in response to the spill.
July 15, 2010:
- BP, the company responsible for the oil rig, manages to temporarily cap the well, stopping the flow of oil.
September 19, 2010:
- After several more unsuccessful attempts, BP finally achieves a permanent seal on the well.
The Long-Term Impact:
- The Deepwater Horizon oil spill released millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, affecting wildlife, fisheries, coastal communities, and the tourism industry. The environmental and economic damages are extensive and linger to this day.
- The event spurred significant changes in safety regulations and industry practices to prevent similar disasters in the future.
