The Deepwater Horizon Disaster
Show Map
The Deepwater Horizon rig was in the final phases of drilling a well in which casing is cemented in place, reinforcing the well. At approximately 10 p.m. CDT on April 20, 2010, an explosion and fire occurred on the rig. Eleven people were missing after the incident. Seven workers were airlifted to the Naval Air Station in New Orleans and were then taken to hospital. Support ships sprayed the rig with water in an unsuccessful bid to douse the flames. Deepwater Horizon sank on April 22, 2010, in water approximately 5,000 feet deep, and has been located resting on the seafloor approximately 1,300 northwest of the well. The oil slick spreading from the Deepwater Horizon disaster threatens fisheries, tourism and the habitat of hundreds of bird species.