Mississippi Canyon - Deepwater Horizon Explosion

Deepwater Horizon Explosion

On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil platform, located in the MMS Mississippi Canyon block 252, which is about 40 miles (64 km) off the Louisiana coast, suffered a catastrophic explosion; it sank a day-and-a-half later. Although initial reports indicated that relatively little oil had leaked, by April 27 it was stated by BP that approximately 5,000 barrels (790 m3) of oil per day were issuing from the wellhead, 1-mile (1.6 km) below the surface on the ocean floor. The resulting oil slick quickly expanded to cover hundreds of square miles of ocean surface, posing a threat to marine life and adjacent coastal wetlands. On June 10, the Flow Rate Group from the Deepwater Horizon Incident Joint Information Center reported that they have determined that the estimated flow rate from the out of control well head has been 20,000 barrels (3,200 m3) to 40,000 barrels (6,400 m3) per day.