Deepwater Horizon oil spill

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill (also referred to as the "BP oil spill") was an industrial disaster which began on April 20, 2010, off of the coast of the United States in the Gulf of Mexico on the BP-operated Macondo Prospect, considered the largest marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry and estimated to be 8 to 31 percent larger in volume than the previous largest, the Ixtoc I oil spill, also in the Gulf of Mexico. Caused in the aftermath of a blowout and explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil platform, the United States federal government estimated the total discharge at 4.9 MMbbl (210,000,000 US gal; 780,000 m³). Reports in early 2012 indicated that the well site was still leaking. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is regarded as one of the largest environmental disasters in world history.

Quotes

 * Like all of you, and the world out there, I have suffered a huge sense of frustration at not being able to stop the loss. (Tony Hayward)
 * The Gulf disaster is worse than a terrible oil leak. It is the product of a failed energy policy that looked at profits before people and environment. (Robert Redford)
 * Divine intervention is needed to solve the disaster in the gulf, as man's efforts have been futile. Politicians should call for a day of prayer for a miracle to happen. (Sarah Palin)