ABSTRACT
As the BP oil spill was the worst environmental disaster in US history, releasing about 5 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico with significant consequences on the environment, economy, and offshore production plans, this chapter is devoted to a review of such impacts on society, industry, and policy makers. The spill affected five southern states with great impacts on sea birds and sea fish as well as on the lives of people living in the area, contaminating shores, closing recreational areas, and huge costs for the operating company BP. Environmental impacts on the sea surface, in water below the surface, in the air, and on land have been discussed in detail as the spill was advancing. In addition, its impacts on human health and workers are also reviewed. The US president visited the area four times during the time of crisis and assigned a special commission to study the impacts of the oil spill on the region and the industry. The methods used and tried by the operating company to stop the oil spill are also reviewed until the Macondo well was completely and permanently sealed off. The crisis costs for the operating company BP, more than $60 billion as the US government, US Congress, and US courts along with the British government and public opinion were all involved in shaping the events. This chapter describes the events as they developed during 2010. A brief history of the operating company BP is also reviewed in this chapter.
