欧博Deepwater Horizon oil spill
When did the Deepwater Horizon oil spill happen?
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill began on April 20, 2010, when an explosion damaged the Deepwater Horizon oil rig. The rig’s sinking on April 22 began the discharge of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.
Who owned the rig responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill?
The oil rig involved in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill was owned and operated by offshore oil-drilling company Transocean and leased by the oil company BP.
What caused the Deepwater Horizon oil spill?
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill occurred after a surge of natural gas blasted through a concrete core recently installed to seal an oil well for later use. Once released, the natural gas traveled up a riser to the platform of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that was over the well, where it ignited, killing 11 workers and injuring 17.
How did the Deepwater Horizon oil spill affect birds?
Birds were particularly vulnerable to the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Many died from ingesting oil or because it interfered with their ability to regulate their body temperatures. Brown pelicans and laughing gulls were among the species most affected. A study showed that up to 800,000 birds were thought to have died.