Deepwater Horizon (Drilling rig)

The Deepwater Horizon was a massive oil drilling rig operating in the Gulf of Mexico, designed to extract oil from deep beneath the ocean floor. In 2010, a blowout occurred—meaning an uncontrolled release of oil and gas—leading to a catastrophic explosion, fire, and the rig sinking. This disaster caused the largest marine oil spill in history, severely impacting the environment, marine life, and local economies. The incident highlighted the risks associated with deepwater drilling and led to widespread changes in safety regulations for offshore oil operations.