The Environmental impacts of offshore oil drilling : the case of BP oil spill

Abstract

oil exploration, whether land-based or offshore drilling, can cause severe environmental degradation and damage. This is why the oil sector has been among the leading industries in the implementation of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Since 1896, oil exploration has started off continental coasts using offshore oil rigs. This operation can be dangerous and risky. Even though technology has improved, oil spills happen frequently, and can be catastrophic in bad weather conditions and natural disasters. The best example is the BP (British Petroleum) oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that occurred in 2010, which is considered the biggest accidental marine oil spill in the history of US petroleum industry. This terrible accident has caused major environmental damage to people, communities, and especially to wildlife. The aim of this paper is to gain insight into the social responsibility of offshore oil drilling by investigating the real risks and environmental issues surrounding this activity, with the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill as an illustrative example of the potential risks associated to offshore drilling for oil.