Fifteen years after the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion, the impact of the disaster is still evident along the Gulf Coast. The explosion, which occurred on April 20, 2010, resulted in the deaths of 11 workers and unleashed 134 million gallons of crude oil into the ocean, marking it as the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history.
In the aftermath, BP, the company behind the rig, paid billions in damages, funding numerous coastal restoration projects across five states. However, many cleanup workers and local residents who claim to have suffered health issues linked to the spill have found it difficult to seek justice in court. Most have not received meaningful compensation for their struggles.
Conservation groups highlight that the spill led to significant restoration efforts in the Gulf, yet they express concern over a recent pause in a major land-building project in Louisiana. As the Trump administration pushes for more offshore drilling, these groups fear that valuable chances to rebuild the Gulf Coast are being lost.
In Lafitte, Louisiana, Tammy Gremillion reflects on the loss of her daughter, Jennifer, who worked on the cleanup. Gremillion warned Jennifer about the dangers, but the promise of good pay was too tempting. After months of working in contaminated waters, Jennifer returned home with rashes and headaches, and she was exposed to Corexit, a chemical used to disperse oil that has been linked to health issues. Tragically, Jennifer died from leukemia in 2020, a cancer associated with oil exposure.
Gremillion is certain that the toxins from the cleanup caused her daughter’s illness. She filed a lawsuit against BP in 2022, but proving such claims in court has been challenging. Most of the nearly 4,800 lawsuits related to health problems stemming from the spill have been dismissed, with only one case settled. In a 2012 settlement, BP compensated affected workers and residents a mere $1,300 on average, which many consider inadequate.
Environmental damage from the spill was severe. PJ Hahn, a coastal management official in Louisiana, witnessed the destruction firsthand. Oil devastated barrier islands and suffocated oyster beds, leading to a decline in the local fishing industry. The spill killed tens of thousands of seabirds and sea turtles.
Despite the tragedy, some progress has been made in restoring Gulf habitats. More than 300 restoration projects, funded by penalties against BP, have been approved, totaling over $5.38 billion. These projects aim to protect nesting areas for birds and rebuild reefs. However, a key project to divert sediment from the Mississippi River to restore land has been stalled due to concerns about its impact on local fisheries and communities.
Amidst these developments, the Trump administration is moving forward with plans to sell more offshore oil and gas leases. BP recently announced new oil discoveries in the Gulf and plans to drill more than 40 new wells over the next three years, claiming improvements in safety standards.
Yet, advocates warn that the legacy of the Deepwater Horizon disaster should serve as a warning against expanding offshore drilling. The ongoing struggles of those affected by the spill highlight the need for accountability and continued efforts to protect the Gulf Coast.