Deepwater Horizon (oil rig)

The Deepwater Horizon was a massive offshore oil drilling rig operated by BP in the Gulf of Mexico. In 2010, a blowout caused a surge of oil and gas to escape uncontrollably, leading to a catastrophic explosion that resulted in 11 worker deaths and the largest oil spill in U.S. history. The spill released millions of barrels of crude into the ocean over 87 days, harming marine life, coastal ecosystems, and local economies. The disaster highlighted risks in deepwater drilling and spurred changes in safety regulations and response strategies for offshore oil production.