BP Deepwater Horizon Disaster

BP’s Deepwater Horizon disaster remains the largest marine oil spill in history, releasing 4.9 million barrels of oil over 87 days and killing 11 workers directly due to cost-cutting decisions. In total, BP faced over $65 billion in fines, cleanup, and compensation costs, a figure 60% higher than the average major oil spill penalty. Compared to #9 FTX’s $32 billion collapse, BP’s environmental harm was 30% broader in geographic impact, affecting 1,100 miles of Gulf coastline. The spill destroyed marine life at a rate 5 times faster than typical leaks, and BP’s negligence resulted in the largest criminal corporate settlement in U.S. history at $4.5 billion.