BP and the Deepwater Horizon Disaster

On April 20, 2010, the BP oil company’s Macondo blew out in mile-deep water in the Gulf of Mexico, causing the Deepwater Horizon drill rig to explode, killing 11 workers, injuring 17 others, and initiating one of the worst environmental disasters in American history. When the flow finally stopped 87 days later, an estimated 171 million gallons of oil had leaked into the Gulf of Mexico. The study touches on the environmental damages caused by the spill as well as the economic challenges brought onto the company in fines. In addition, the case discussed the decisions within the company that caused the spill to happen, and the choices that could have been made to stop it. These included inexperienced leaders, machinery that wasn't tested, and poor coordination between areas of specialty within the rig. During this meeting we challenged the mistakes made and analyzed the critical decisions made allowing the company to save itself.