History of oil spills
History
Thomas W. Lawson oil spill
The first recorded oil spill occurred in 1907 where the Thomas W. Lawson (a US trade ship) carrying 6,000 tons of crude oil set off from Philadelphia, America towards London, England. On the approach to the isles of Sicily in the poor visibility the ships lifted its anchors in attempt to ride out the building storm. The captain refused to abandoned the ship though as the storm got worse the ships mast came down killing all the crew and capsizing. This caused the first known oil spill as the oil the ship was carrying was leaked into the water resulting in the loss of many birds to the surrounding eco-systems. |
Exxon Valadez oil spill
The Exxon Valadez oil spill catastrophe occurred on March 24th, 1989 releasing 10.8 million gallons of oil into Alaska’s Prince William Sound. Shortly after midnight one mile of the usual course in attempt to avoid icebergs the Exxon Valadez (an oil ship) collided with the Bligh Reef in the Prince William Sound, tearing open the hull releasing the oil into the Pacific Ocean. The 10.8 million gallons contaminated 1,300 miles of shoreline and stretched 470 miles from the crash site. Due to the remote location of the reef (it was only accessible by boat or helicopter) a lack of equipment and resources meant a quick response wasn't possible. The clean-up involved more than 11,000 people who skimmed the oil from the water and hosed down the oil covered beach forcing the oil into traps for disposal. The clean-up cost more than $2 billion though much of the oil still remains in the eco system. The spill resulted in over 25,000 seabirds and many seals and otters dying. The ship’s alcoholic captain Joe Hazel wood was found with alcohol in his blood stream at the time of the accident and had left the ships bridge at a crucial moment, though he evaded charges though was faced with a $500 million US dollar fine by the U.S Supreme Court.
The Exxon Valadez oil spill catastrophe occurred on March 24th, 1989 releasing 10.8 million gallons of oil into Alaska’s Prince William Sound. Shortly after midnight one mile of the usual course in attempt to avoid icebergs the Exxon Valadez (an oil ship) collided with the Bligh Reef in the Prince William Sound, tearing open the hull releasing the oil into the Pacific Ocean. The 10.8 million gallons contaminated 1,300 miles of shoreline and stretched 470 miles from the crash site. Due to the remote location of the reef (it was only accessible by boat or helicopter) a lack of equipment and resources meant a quick response wasn't possible. The clean-up involved more than 11,000 people who skimmed the oil from the water and hosed down the oil covered beach forcing the oil into traps for disposal. The clean-up cost more than $2 billion though much of the oil still remains in the eco system. The spill resulted in over 25,000 seabirds and many seals and otters dying. The ship’s alcoholic captain Joe Hazel wood was found with alcohol in his blood stream at the time of the accident and had left the ships bridge at a crucial moment, though he evaded charges though was faced with a $500 million US dollar fine by the U.S Supreme Court.
Deepwater Horizon oil spills (Gulf of Mexico)
On April 22nd, 2010 the Deepwater Horizon (a semi-submersible drilling rig) sank after an explosion occurred on April 20th. As the rig sank a 1.5 kilometre pipe connecting the rig to the wellhead (a peace of equipment that provides structural support) became detached and began to leak oil. The spill occurred in the Gulf of Mexico and the U.S coastguard investigated finding that the there was another leak in the wellhead itself. Each day after the oil spill as much as 60,000 barrels of oil were leaked into the water threating wildlife and the Louisiana Coast of America. BP who controlled the Deepwater Horizon were responsible the clean-up though the U.S navy supplied resources to help contain the leak. The oil reached the Louisiana shore on April 30th effecting over 200 kilometres of coast. By June the oil had reached Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. The spill is the largest in U.S history and has had detrimental effects to the surrounding ecosystems.
On April 22nd, 2010 the Deepwater Horizon (a semi-submersible drilling rig) sank after an explosion occurred on April 20th. As the rig sank a 1.5 kilometre pipe connecting the rig to the wellhead (a peace of equipment that provides structural support) became detached and began to leak oil. The spill occurred in the Gulf of Mexico and the U.S coastguard investigated finding that the there was another leak in the wellhead itself. Each day after the oil spill as much as 60,000 barrels of oil were leaked into the water threating wildlife and the Louisiana Coast of America. BP who controlled the Deepwater Horizon were responsible the clean-up though the U.S navy supplied resources to help contain the leak. The oil reached the Louisiana shore on April 30th effecting over 200 kilometres of coast. By June the oil had reached Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. The spill is the largest in U.S history and has had detrimental effects to the surrounding ecosystems.
Kuwait Oil fires
During 1991 a series of oil fires started by Iraqi military forces affected Kuwait. During the first Gulf War Iraqi forces retreated though opened the valves of Kuwait’s rich oil wells and pipeline in an attempt to slow the American troops. The troops set fire to 605-732 of these oil wells and the oil was released into the Persian gulf 16 kilometers from Kuwait. Around 240 million gallons of the crude oil was released resulting in an oil slick large than Hawaii. American allies (such as Britain and Australia) seal off some of the open pipelines using smart bombs though as the spill occurred during the war clean-up had to wait until after the war. Using skimmers (machines that separate oil from water), booms (an orange rope like tool used to contain oil slicks) and vacuum trucks around 58.8 million gallons of oil was recovered after the war. The spill had little permanent damage on ecosystems and local fishing business though about half was evaporated, one-eighth was recovered and another quarter washed onshore mostly in Saudi Arabia.
During 1991 a series of oil fires started by Iraqi military forces affected Kuwait. During the first Gulf War Iraqi forces retreated though opened the valves of Kuwait’s rich oil wells and pipeline in an attempt to slow the American troops. The troops set fire to 605-732 of these oil wells and the oil was released into the Persian gulf 16 kilometers from Kuwait. Around 240 million gallons of the crude oil was released resulting in an oil slick large than Hawaii. American allies (such as Britain and Australia) seal off some of the open pipelines using smart bombs though as the spill occurred during the war clean-up had to wait until after the war. Using skimmers (machines that separate oil from water), booms (an orange rope like tool used to contain oil slicks) and vacuum trucks around 58.8 million gallons of oil was recovered after the war. The spill had little permanent damage on ecosystems and local fishing business though about half was evaporated, one-eighth was recovered and another quarter washed onshore mostly in Saudi Arabia.