BP: The Problem with the Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico

Running head: BP: THE PROBLEM WITH THE OIL SPILL IN THE GULF OF MEXICO
BP: The Problem with the Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico
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1THE PROBLEM WITH THE OIL SPILL IN THE GULF OF MEXICO
Table of Contents
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................2
About the Explosion...................................................................................................................2
Ethical issues and Consequences:..............................................................................................3
Review of the decisions taken....................................................................................................4
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................6

2THE PROBLEM WITH THE OIL SPILL IN THE GULF OF MEXICO
Introduction:
The Gulf of Mexico oil spill, better known as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill or the
BP oil spill is the biggest industrial disaster that not only killed 11 workers, injured 17 and
jeopardized marine life, but also capsized the Deepwater Horizon oil rig. The accidental
explosion led to the release of 134 to 206 million gallons of oil into the Gulf Coast, Gulf of
Mexico and Louisiana. Even though the 20% of the oil have settled down into the ocean
floor, it has damaged the marine ecosystem badly, spreading air and water pollution to a great
extent (Heflin & Wallace, 2017). This ethical essay aims to draw an overview of the situation
that had occurred back in 2010 and discuss the ethical issues intertwined with the matter. The
paper strives to review the decisions that were taken at that point in time and the most
appropriate remedy that could have been taken, hence drawing a contrast.
About the Explosion
The BP oil spill or the Gulf of Mexico oil spill is regarded as the largest marine oil
spill in the history of petroleum industry, leaking around 134 to 206 million gallons of crude
oil. The accident occurred on April 20, 2010 and the rig was finally announced to be sealed in
September 2010, yet in early 2012 it was reported that the oil well was found to be leaking
again (Heflin & Wallace, 2017). This months-long oil leak led to extensive adverse effects
on the marine and wildlife ecosystem along with fishing and tourism industry. Oil cleaning
crew worked hard for four days every week throughout 2013 on a stretch of 55 miles of
Louisiana coastline (Bishop, 2017). It is anticipated that high-pressure methane gas
expanded, spread into the drilling riser and moved into the drilling rig; igniting, exploding
and engulfing the entire platform. 11 workers went missing and their corpses were not found
despite the three-day search operation carried out by U.S. coast guard. While 17 workers