Lessons from marine-based oil spill and gas leak accidents

Abstract

This chapter first describes past major marine-based oil spill and gas leak accidents around the world. The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill that occurred on April 20, 2010, in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) is considered the largest in the history of the petroleum industry. Second, the investigations into the subsea environmental effects by the DWH oil spill accident are described from the viewpoints of tools, structure of subsurface plumes, and the effect of ocean circulation in the GOM on subsea hydrocarbon compound drifting. Third, surface oil slick behavior after the DWH oil spill accident is discussed from the viewpoints of satellite remote sensing and the effect of the GOM loop current. Finally, the impact of the DWH oil spill accident on contingency plan, preparedness, and regulations is explained.