http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BP_Gulf_of_Mexico_oil_spill

The oil slick as seen from space by NASA's Terra satellite on May 17, 2010
Location Gulf of Mexico near Mississippi River Delta
Coordinates 28.73667°N 88.38716°WCoordinates: 28.73667°N 88.38716°W
Date April 20, 2010, to ongoing
Cause
Cause Wellhead blowout
Casualties 17 injured
11 missing, presumed dead
Operator Transocean under lease for BP [1]
Spill characteristics
Volume up to 70,000 barrels (2,900,000 USgal) per day
Area 2,500 to 9,100 sq mi (6,500 to 24,000 km2) [2]