Deep Water Horizon Facts

[0:00]Ever heard of the Deepwater Horizon? It was a massive oil rig, but its story is more than just about drilling. Here are five surprising facts you might not know. First, this wasn't some old rusty rig. It was an advanced semi-submersible platform that could operate in water up to 8,000 ft deep. It was one of the best of its time. Second, the rig itself didn't belong to BP. It was owned and operated by Transocean, the world's largest offshore drilling contractor. Third, the well it was drilling, the Macondo Prospect, was incredibly deep. The total length of the well was over 35,000 ft, that's more than 6.6 miles straight down into the Earth's crust! Fourth, the explosion on April 20, 2010 was catastrophic, leading to the largest marine oil spill in history. And finally, the effort to cap the well was a huge technological challenge, involving everything from containment domes to robotic submarines. The well was finally sealed nearly three months later. Thanks for watching! If you found this interesting, hit that like button and subscribe for more fascinating facts. See you next time.