Deepwater Horizon -

On , while drilling an exploration well (Macondo Prospect) in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 41 miles off the coast of Louisiana, a catastrophic blowout occurred. The resulting explosion killed 11 workers and injured 17 others. The rig burned for 36 hours before sinking on April 22, 2010.

: Studies have linked spill exposure to respiratory issues and long-term mental health trauma among cleanup workers and coastal residents. Deepwater Horizon

Before 2010, offshore drilling regulation was a patchwork of voluntary industry standards. After the Deepwater Horizon , the government created the , separating safety oversight from oil leasing. On , while drilling an exploration well (Macondo

One of the most gruesome legacies of the Deepwater Horizon was the use of , a chemical dispersant. BP applied nearly 2 million gallons of Corexit directly at the wellhead—a controversial decision, as it was banned in the UK and rarely used at depth. While it broke up the oil slicks on the surface, it mixed the hydrocarbons into the water column, causing invisible plumes of toxins that devastated plankton and larval fish. : Studies have linked spill exposure to respiratory