The BP oil spill lasted for three months in 2010. It occurred after an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon, which was located in the Gulf of Mexico. It is the largest known oil spill to date. The total estimate of oil that was released was nearly 5 million barrels. There was an estimated 53,000 barrels of oil being leaked per day just before the well was capped on July 15. This figure was down from when the leak first started. Federal scientists and engineering teams estimated that at the beginning of the spill, 62,000 barrels were flowing per day. All of these figures are believed to be accurate within 10 percent.
The spill occurred because the blowout preventer failed to fully engage. A blowout preventer is a large steel cap with “ram” valves designed to eliminate any flow of oil if a blowout was to occur. Before the blowout preventer failed, however, there were many other questionable practices taking place. The cementing process is said to have not fully occurred. This process is one of the final touches of completing a well. It fills critical gaps between the pipe and surrounding rock. A cement plug was supposed to be the final step before the well would be able to fully function. This step not being fully completed to its full capacity is said to be the leading cause as to why the spill occurred.
The oil spill caused mass damage to the environment of the Gulf of Mexico. There are thousands of species that inhabit that area. Species that would mostly be harmed from the spill include the North Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, whales, dolphins, pelicans, oysters, shrimp and blue crab. Marine animals have been hit hard due to having to surface in order to breathe. Many have been inhaling the oil toxins. It has also put Brown Pelican back at risk for becoming extinct. The seafood industry took a major hit due to the spill, as well as many other economic functions that spurn from the region.
Szabo, Patrick. “BP Gulf Oil Spill – Impact on America’s Environment and Economy.” Suite101.com: Online Magazine and Writers’ Network. 7 June 2010. Web. 29 Jan. 2011. <http://www.suite101.com/content/bp-gulf-oil-spill–impact-on-americas-environment-and-economy-a246061>.
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Blame game ensues as executives testify on cause of BP oil spill; Blowout preventer . Cementing operations. Design flaws. Top executives from BP America, Halliburton, and Transocean testified Tuesday about possible causes of the BP oil spill. |
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U.S. Puts Oil Spill Total at Nearly 5 Million Barrels |
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The New York Times, 2010, Pg |