The explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20 left 13 dead and 17 injured, leading to a massive oil spill and environmental disaster. The event caused scrutiny of the risk management practices of energy giant British Petroleum and ultimately led to the removal of its chief executive officer.
More recently, it prompted the U.S. Department of Justice to file a lawsuit against BP and other companies involved in the Deepwater Horizon joint venture, including rig owner Transocean and QBE Underwriting Ltd., Lloyd's Syndicate 1036, one of Transocean's insurers. BP leased the semi-submersible rig Deepwater Horizon from Transocean and held majority ownership in the drilling project.
The spill, which wasn't capped until July 15, released nearly five million barrels of crude oil. Many residents along the Louisiana and Florida coasts were left jobless as a result.
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