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Oil Spill

June 22, 2010

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has wide-reaching consequences, for the environment, business, and politics. Deutsche Welle takes a closer look at the different sides to this situation off the coast of the US.

https://p.dw.com/p/NUcU
Image: AP

Oil has been gushing into the Gulf of Mexico for over two months following the oil platform disaster off the southern coast of the United States. Initial attempts to stop the leak failed, and the situation is only growing worse by the day.

Deutsche Welle takes a closer look at the wide-reaching consequences of the worst oil spill in US history.

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Reports & Analysis

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Ölpest

For more than seven weeks crude oil has been gushing from the oil rig "Deepwater Horizon" that exploded and sank in the Gulf of Mexico - killing 11 workers. The energy giant BP has been struggling to stem the flow of crude. It has now successfully placed a containment cap over the oil head - and a portion of the leaking crude is being pumped onto ships. But millions of litres still continues to pour into the ocean everyday. Public anger is growing over the failure to deal with what has has become the worst environmental disaster in US history. It has badly affected the fragile eco-system along the coastline of Gulf of Mexico - affecting marine life, vegetation and the livlihoods of millions of people.
June 14, 201004:17 min

Ölpest

BP has agreed to set aside 20 Bbillion dollars to pay claims from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The British based energy giant also says it will not pay dividends to shareholders this year. The announcement came after BP executives met US president Barack Obama at the White House. Obama has been scathing of BP's role in the worst oil spill in US history.
June 17, 201001:37 min
A lone man in a canoe

Niger Delta

At the far side of the Atlantic, millions of people are suffering the same fate as Louisianans.
June 27, 2010
US President Barack Obama speaks at the White House

Oil spill

Despite Obama's stance against BP, some doubt the company will pay full oil spill compensation.
June 17, 2010
Oil leaking from Deep Horizon swirling through the currents in the Gulf of Mexico.

Oil leak

The BP oil spill must have global consequences, says the UN's former point man on the environment.
June 16, 2010
A fisherman protests against BP

Anger management

The BP spill is the worst eco-disaster in US history. Still, Americans don't take to the streets.
June 15, 2010
U.S. President Obama shakes the hand of an oil spill worker

Oil spill

Critics doubt BP's motives and willingness to compensate as more oil seeps into the Gulf of Mexico
June 15, 2010
A sign protesting BP and the oil spill

BP postpones plans

Frustration is growing as BP prepares for another attempt this week at plugging a deepwater well.
May 25, 2010
Protective booms surround an island near the mouth of the Mississippi River

Oil spill

Flow of oil into Gulf of Mexico slowed but enormous layers of oil have been discovered underwater
May 18, 2010
Members of the U.S. Army National Guard B Company 711 put Hesco containers along the beaches of Dauphin Island, Ala., Sunday, May 2, 2010

Oil leak solutions

Readers provide possible solutions to the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico.
May 17, 2010
oil floats on water

Passing the buck

Oil executives testifying in Washington are shifting the blame for catrophic oil spill in the Gulf.
May 13, 2010
A worker oversees an oil boom collecting oil from a leaking pipeline

Plugging the leak

An oceanographer talks with DW about efforts to clean up and contain the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
May 6, 2010
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