BP leaks in Gulf of Mexico

"If current estimates for the Deepwater Horizon oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico are correct, the massive spill could eventually dwarf that of Exxon Valdez spill of 1989 -- previously the largest in U.S. history -- by as much as three times. At a rate of 5,000 barrels a day, for an estimated 90 days, well over 20 million gallons of crude could be pumped out onto the Louisiana coastline. Even then, it might only crack the top 15 largest oil spills in world history. "   http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/04/30/the_biggest_oil_spills_in_history

"British Petroleum downplayed the possibility of a catastrophic accident at the offshore rig that exploded.  In its 2009 exploration plan and environmental impact analysis for the well, BP suggested it was unlikely, or virtually impossible, for an accident to occur that would lead to a giant crude oil spill and serious damage to beaches, fish and mammals."  http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9FDULS81.htm

the spread-of-oil map by day
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8648004.stm