List of oil spills

This is a reverse-chronological list of oil spills that have occurred throughout the world and spill(s) that are currently ongoing. Quantities are measured in tonnes of crude oil with one tonne roughly equal to 308 US gallons, 256 Imperial gallons, 7.33 barrels, or 1165 litres. This calculation uses a median value of 0.858 for the specific gravity of light crude oil; actual values can range from 0.816 to 0.893, so the amounts shown below are inexact. They are also estimates, because the actual volume of an oil spill is difficult to measure exactly.

Confirmed spills

Spill or vessel Location Dates Tonnes (min) Tonnes (max) Owner Ref(s)
Gulfstream Bonaire 27 February 2024 4,773
2023 Marco Polo oil spill  Sweden, Karlshamn, Blekinge 22 October 2023 150 180 TT-Line
Poole Harbour oil spill  United Kingdom, Wytch Farm, Poole Harbour, Dorset 26 March 2023 6 Perenco
2023 Princess Empress oil spill  Philippines, Pola, Oriental Mindoro 28 February 2023 881 881 RDC Reield Marine Services
2022 Keystone Pipeline oil spill  United States, Washington County, Kansas 7 December 2022 18,516.94 18,516.94 TC Energy
2022 Cheshire oil truck rollover  United States, Cheshire, Connecticut 11 February 2022 62.98 62.98 Libretti and Sons Fuel
2022 Callao oil spill Peru Ventanilla District, Callao, Peru 15 January 2022 1,626.39 1,861.68 Repsol
2021 New Orleans oil spill  United States, St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana 27 December 2021 944.11 944.11 PBF Energy
2021 Orange County oil spill  United States, Orange County, California shoreline 1 October 2021 424.42 424.42 Amplify Energy
2021 Mediterranean oil spill/Emerald  Israel,  Lebanon, Mediterranean shoreline 11 February 2021 unknown unknown Emerald Marine Ltd
Chevron Richmond Refinery  United States, Richmond, California 9 February 2021 1.9 1.9 Chevron Corporation
2020 Colonial Pipeline oil spill  United States, North Carolina, Huntersville 14 August 2020 63,000 63,000 Colonial Pipeline
El Palito Refinery  Venezuela, Golfo Triste 8 August 2020 2,700 2,700 Petróleos de Venezuela
2020 Pointe D'Esny
MV Wakashio oil spill
 Mauritius, Ile Aux Aigrettes and Mahébourg 25 July 2020 1,300 4,300 Wakashio Suisan Company Limited, Kagoshima, Japan
Trans Mountain oil spill  Canada, British Columbia, Abbotsford 14 June 2020 118.5 184.87 Trans Mountain
Norilsk diesel fuel spill  Russia, Norilsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai 29 May 2020 17,500 17,500 Nornickel
Tanker truck pumping out sludge from a vessel  New Zealand, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty 30 March 2020 1.7 1.7
T. G. Williams Well No. 1 tank battery  United States, Texas, Oakland Creek, Longview 30 March 2020 unknown unknown Fortune Resources
Greka Energy oil facility  United States, California, Santa Maria 30 March 2020 Greka Energy
True Oil pipeline  United States, North Dakota, Red Wing Creek 27 March 2020 unknown unknown True Oil LLC
Tanker truck rollover  United States, California, Santa Maria, Cuyama River 21 March 2020 14.6 19.5
Keystone Pipeline 2019 spill  United States, North Dakota, Walsh County, North Dakota 29 October 2019 1,240 1,240 TransCanada Corporation
Willowton Oil  South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, near Pietermaritzburg and Durban August 2019 unknown unknown Willowton Group
North East Brazil oil spill (suspected source: NM Bouboulina)  Brazil, 733 km from Paraiba 29 July 2019 unknown unknown Delta Tankers Ltd.
Guarello Island iron ore export terminal diesel spill  Chile, Guarello Island, Magallanes Region 27 July 2019 35.4 35.4 Compañía de Acero del Pacífico
MV Chrysanthi S bunkering spill at sea  South Africa, Algoa Bay, Port of Ngqura 6 July 2019 0.2 0.4 SA Marine Fuels (bunkering service company)
MV Solomon Trader fuel oil spill Solomon Islands Solomon Islands, Rennell Island 5 February 2019 75 80 South Express Ltd
SeaRose FPSO production ship spill  Canada, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador 16 November 2018 219 219 Husky Energy
Ulysse-Virginia collision North of Corsica (international waters) October 2018
Port Erin diesel spill (source unknown)  Isle of Man 23 July 2018 unknown unknown unknown
Doon, Iowa derailment  United States, Lyon County, Iowa 22 June 2018 520 520 BNSF Railway
Sanchi oil tanker collision with CF Crystal East China Sea 6 January 2018 138,000 138,000 National Iranian Tanker Company
Keystone Pipeline 2017 spill  United States, Marshall County, South Dakota 16 November 2017 1,322 1,322 TransCanada Corporation
Delta House floating production platform spill  United States, Gulf of Mexico, near Louisiana 11 October 2017 – 12 October 2017 1,080 1,280 LLOG Exploration
Agia Zoni II  Greece, Saronic Gulf, Salamis 10 September 2017 2,500 2,500 Fos Petroleum SA
East River insulating oil spill  United States, New York 7 May 2017 97 101 Con Edison
Energy Transfer Partners Dakota Access Pipeline Leak  United States, North Dakota 4 April 2017 0.27 0.27 Energy Transfer Partners
Ennore oil spill  India, Chennai, Ennore Port 28 January 2017 251 251 Darya Shipping Solutions
Belle Fourche pipeline leak  United States, North Dakota, Billings County, Ash Coulee Creek 5 December 2016 571 571 Belle Fourche Pipeline Company
Fox Creek pipeline leak  Canada, Alberta, Fox Creek 6 October 2016 240 240 Trilogy Energy
BP Clair production platform, North Sea  United Kingdom, Shetland, Clair platform 2 October 2016 105 105 S.McDonald
2016 Colonial Pipeline leak  United States, Shelby County, Alabama 12 September 2016 1,092 1,092 Colonial Pipeline Co
North Battleford pipeline spill  Canada, Saskatchewan, North Battleford 21 July 2016 170 210 Husky Energy
ConocoPhillips Canada pipeline spill  Canada, Alberta, Grande Cache 9 June 2016 323 323 ConocoPhillips
2016 Union Pacific oil train fire  United States, Oregon, Mosier 3 June 2016 152 152 Union Pacific Railroad
Denbury Resources Bowman County Oil SPill  United States, North Dakota Bowman County 18 May 2016 44 44 Denbury Resources
Shell Gulf of Mexico oil spill, Brutus offshore platform  United States, Gulf of Mexico, near Louisiana 12 May 2016 316 316 Royal Dutch Shell
Keystone Pipeline 2016 spill  United States, Menno, South Dakota 2 April 2016 55 55 TransCanada Corporation
Refugio oil spill  United States, California, near Refugio State Beach 19 May 2015 330 330 Plains All American Pipeline
MV Marathassa bunker fuel spill  Canada, British Columbia, English Bay (Vancouver) 13 April 2015 2.3 2.3 Alassia NewShips Management Inc.
Illinois train derailment  United States, Illinois, near Galena 5 March 2015 1,300 1,300 BNSF Railway
2015 Yellowstone River oil spill  United States, Montana, near Glendive 17 January 2015 41 160 Bridger Pipeline LLC
Black Sea oil pipeline spill  Russia, Tuapse, near Black Sea 24 December 2014 unknown unknown Transneft
2014 Israeli oil spill  Israel, Eilat, Trans-Israel pipeline 6 December 2014 1,948 4,300 Eilat Ashkelon Pipeline Company
Mid-Valley Pipeline  United States, Louisiana, Mooringsport 13 October 2014 546 546 Sunoco
Lake Michigan oil spill  United States, Indiana, Whiting refinery 24 March 2014 2 5 BP
MV Miss Susan/MV Summer Wind  United States, Texas, Houston Ship Channel 22 March 2014 546 546 Kirby Corporation
North Dakota pipeline spill  United States, North Dakota, Hiland 21 March 2014 110 110 Hiland Crude LLC
North Dakota train collision  United States, North Dakota, Casselton 30 December 2013 1,300 1,300 BNSF Railway
Bullenbaai  Curaçao, Bullenbaai, Isla refinery 1 November 2013 unknown unknown Petróleos de Venezuela
North Dakota pipeline spill  United States, North Dakota, Tioga 25 September 2013 – 29 September 2013 2,810 2,810 Tesoro
Rayong oil spill  Thailand, Rayong/Ko Samet, Gulf of Thailand 27 July 2013 43 163 PTT Global Chemical
Lac-Mégantic derailment  Canada, Québec, Lac-Mégantic 6 July 2013 4,830 4,830
Cushing storage terminal  United States, Oklahoma, Cushing 18 May 2013 340 340 Enbridge Energy Partners
Mayflower  United States, Arkansas, Mayflower 30 March 2013 680 950 ExxonMobil
Magnolia refinery  United States, Arkansas, Magnolia 9 March 2013 680 760 Delek Logistics
Bullenbaai  Curaçao, Bullenbaai 7 November 2012 unknown unknown Petróleos de Venezuela
Arthur Kill storage tank diesel spill (Hurricane Sandy)  United States, New Jersey, Sewaren 29 October 2012 1,090 1,130 Exxon
Curaçao  Curaçao, Isla refinery and Jan Kok nature preserve 17 August 2012 unknown unknown Petróleos de Venezuela
Sundre, Alberta  Canada, Sundre 8 June 2012 410 410
Guarapiche River  Venezuela, Maturín, Monagas 4 February 2012 680 41,000 PDVSA
Nigeria  Nigeria, Bonga Field 21 December 2011 5,500 5,500 Royal Dutch Shell
TK Bremen  France, Brittany, Erdeven 16 December 2011 220 220 Blue Atlantic Shipping
Campos Basin  Brazil, Campos Basin, Frade Field 7 November 2011 – 15 November 2011 89 400 Chevron Corporation
Rena oil spill  New Zealand, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty 5 October 2011 – August 2012 350 350 Costamare
Gannet Alpha platform, North Sea  United Kingdom, North Sea, Gannet Alpha platform 10 August 2011 – 13 August 2011 216 216 Royal Dutch Shell
Yellowstone River  United States, Billings, Montana, Yellowstone River 1 July 2011 105 140 ExxonMobil
Bohai Bay oil spill  China, Bohai Bay 4 June 2011 – 19 June 2011 204 204 ConocoPhillips
Little Buffalo oil spill  Canada, Alberta 29 April 2011 3,800 3,800 Plains All American Pipeline
Mumbai-Uran pipeline spill  India, Mumbai, Arabian Sea 21 January 2011 40 55
Fiume Santo power station  Italy, Sardinia, Porto Torres 11 January 2011 15 15
Mumbai oil spill / MV MSC Chitra and MV Khalijia 3  India, Mumbai, Arabian Sea 7 August 2010 – 9 August 2010 400 800
Barataria Bay oil spill  United States, Barataria Bay, Gulf of Mexico 27 July 2010 – 1 August 2010 23 45 Cedyco Corp.
Kalamazoo River oil spill  United States, Kalamazoo River, Calhoun County, Michigan 26 July 2010 2,800 3,250 Enbridge
Xingang Port oil spill  China, Yellow Sea 16 July 2010 – 21 July 2010 1,500 90,000
Jebel al-Zayt oil spill  Egypt, Red Sea 16 June 2010 – 23 June 2010 unknown unknown
Red Butte Creek oil spill  United States, Salt Lake City, Utah 11 June 2010 – 12 June 2010 65 107
Trans-Alaska Pipeline  United States, Anchorage, Alaska 25 May 2010 400 1,200
MT Bunga Kelana 3  Singapore, Singapore Strait 25 May 2010 2,000 2,500
ExxonMobil  Nigeria, Niger Delta 1 May 2010 3,246 95,500 ExxonMobil
Deepwater Horizon  United States, Gulf of Mexico 20 April 2010 – 15 July 2010 492,000 627,000 BP
Great Barrier Reef / MV Shen Neng 1  Australia, Great Keppel Island 3 April 2010 3 4 Shenzhen Energy
Lambro and Po rivers  Italy, Lombardy, Monza 23 February 2010 15 15
Port Arthur oil spill  United States, Port Arthur, Texas 23 January 2010 1,500 1,500 ExxonMobil
Yellow River oil spill  China, Chishui River (Shaanxi) 5 January 2010 130 130 China National Petroleum Corporation
Montara oil spill  Australia, Timor Sea 21 August 2009 4,000 30,000 PTT Exploration and Production
Full City  Norway, Rognsfjorden near Såstein south of Langesund 31 July 2009 200 200 COSCO
Lüderitz oil spill  Namibia, Southern coast 8 April 2009 unknown unknown unknown
Pacific Adventurer  Australia, Queensland 10 March 2009 230 260 Swire Shipping
West Cork oil spill  Ireland, Southern coast February 2009 300 300
Shell Bodo pipeline oil spill  Nigeria 1 August 2008 1,000 1,000 Royal Dutch Shell
2008 New Orleans oil spill  United States, Mississippi River from New Orleans, Louisiana 100 miles downstream to Head of Passes 28 July 2008 8,800 8,800 American Commercial Barge Line LLC
Syros / Seabird collision  Uruguay, near the Rio de la Plata, Montevideo 4 June 2008 140 140
Supe  Peru, off Zorritos 31 January 2008 35 35
Statfjord oil spill  Norway, Norwegian Sea 12 December 2007 4,000 4,000 Statoil Petroleum, ExxonMobil, Centrica
Korea oil spill  South Korea, Yellow Sea 7 December 2007 10,800 10,800
Kerch Strait oil spill  Ukraine
 Russia, Strait of Kerch
11 November 2007 1,000 1,000
COSCO Busan oil spill  United States, San Francisco, California 7 November 2007 188 188
Kab 101  Mexico, Bay of Campeche 23 October 2007 – 17 December 2007 1,869 1,869
Genmar Progress Spill  Puerto Rico, Guayanilla, Puerto Rico 30 August 2007 151 151 General Maritime Corporation (GMC) Progress LLC
Burnaby spill  Canada, Burnaby, British Columbia 24 July 2007 201 201 Kinder Morgan Energy Partners
Guimaras oil spill  Philippines, Guimaras Strait 11 August 2006 172 1,540
Jiyeh power station oil spill  Lebanon 14 July 2006 – 15 July 2006 20,000 30,000
Citgo refinery  United States, Lake Charles, Louisiana 19 June 2006 6,500 6,500
Prudhoe Bay oil spill  United States, Alaska North Slope, Alaska 2 March 2006 653 689
Eider  Chile, Antofagasta 31 October 2005 200 200
Bass Enterprises Oil Spill (Hurricane Katrina)  United States, Cox Bay, Louisiana 30 August 2005 12,000 12,000
Shell (Hurricane Katrina)  United States, Pilottown, Louisiana 30 August 2005 3,400 3,400 Royal Dutch Shell
Chevron (Hurricane Katrina)  United States, Empire, Louisiana 30 August 2005 3,200 3,200
Murphy Oil USA refinery spill (Hurricane Katrina)  United States, Meraux and Chalmette, Louisiana 30 August 2005 2,660 3,410
Bass Enterprises (Hurricane Katrina)  United States, Pointe à la Hache, Louisiana 30 August 2005 1,500 1,500
Chevron (Hurricane Katrina)  United States, Port Fourchon, Louisiana 30 August 2005 170 170
Venice Energy Services Company (Hurricane Katrina)  United States, Venice, Louisiana 30 August 2005 81 81
Shell Pipeline Oil (Hurricane Katrina)  United States, Nairn, Louisiana 30 August 2005 44 44 Royal Dutch Shell
Sundown Energy (Hurricane Katrina)  United States, West Potash, Louisiana 30 August 2005 42 42
MV Selendang Ayu  United States, Unalaska Island, Alaska 8 December 2004 1,560 1,560
Athos 1  United States, Delaware River, Paulsboro, New Jersey 26 November 2004 831 860
Taylor oil spill  United States, Gulf of Mexico near Louisiana 16 September 2004 – present 970 490,000 Taylor Energy
MP-69 Nakika 18" & MP-151 Nakika 18" pipeline (Hurricane Ivan)  United States, Louisiana 16 September 2004 – 6 October 2004 618 618
MP-80 Delta 20" pipeline (Hurricane Ivan)  United States, Louisiana 16 September 2004 – 19 September 2004 963 963
Chevron-Texaco tank collapse (Hurricane Ivan)  United States, Louisiana 16 September 2004 – 17 September 2004 423 423
Berge Nice  Chile, 5 miles east of Punta Delgada, Strait of Magellan 14 May 2004 160 160
Tasman Spirit  Pakistan, Karachi 28 July 2003 28,000 30,000 Polembros Shipping
Bouchard No. 120  United States, Buzzards Bay, Bourne, Massachusetts 27 April 2003 320 320
Prestige  Spain, Galicia 13 November 2002 63,000 63,000 Mare Shipping Inc.
Limburg (bombing)  Yemen, Gulf of Aden 6 October 2002 12,200 12,200
Manguinhos refinery  Brazil, Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro 23 November 2001 34 97 Peixoto de Castro, Repsol YPF
Trans-Alaska Pipeline gunshot spill  United States, Alaska 4 October 2001 932 932 Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
Shell Ogbodo  Nigeria 25 June 2001 9,500 9,500 Royal Dutch Shell
Jose Fuchs  Chile, Moraleda Channel 25 May 2001 150 150
2001 Shell Ogoniland oil spill  Nigeria May 2001 unknown unknown Royal Dutch Shell
Petrobras 36  Brazil, Roncador Oil Field, Campos Basin 15 March 2001 274 274
Amorgos oil spill  Taiwan, Southern coast 14 January 2001 1,150 1,150
Jessica  Ecuador, Galapagos Islands 20 January 2001 568 568
Pine River  Canada, Chetwynd, British Columbia 1 August 2000 850 850
Project Deep Spill  Norway, Helland Hansen ridge June 2000 100 100
Treasure  South Africa, Cape Town June 2000 1,400 1,400
Petrobras pipeline  Brazil, Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro January 2000 1,100 1,100
Erika  France, Bay of Biscay 12 December 1999 15,000 25,000 Total S.A.
Chanda Australia Port Stanvac, South Australia 28 June 1999 220 230 Essar Shipping
MV New Carissa  United States, Coos Bay, Oregon 4 February 1999 – 9 March 1999 230 230
Mobil Nigeria oil spill  Nigeria 12 January 1998 5,500 5,500
Nakhodka  Japan, Sea of Japan December 1997 6,240 6,240
Julie N.  United States, Portland, Maine 27 September 1996 586 586
San Jorge oil spill  Uruguay, near Punta del Este, Maldonado 8 February 1997 200 200 Oil Sud Corporation
Sea Empress  United Kingdom, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire 15 February 1996 40,000 72,000 Seatankers Management
North Cape  United States, Rhode Island 19 January 1996 2,500 2,500
MV Iron Baron (1985) Australia Hebe Reef, Tasmania 10 July 1995 – 30 July 1995 300 325 BHP Shipping
Irene  Namibia, near Walvis Bay 1995 700 700
Komi oil pipeline  Russia, Usinsk, Komi Republic June 1994 - October 1994 100,000 251,763 Lukoil
Apollo Sea  South Africa, Cape Town June 1994 2,400 2,400
Seki  United Arab Emirates 31 March 1994 15,900 15,900 World-Wide Shipping Agency
Morris J. Berman  Puerto Rico 7 January 1994 2,600 2,600 New England Marine Services
MV Braer  United Kingdom, Shetland 5 January 1993 85,000 85,000
Aegean Sea  Spain, A Coruña 3 December 1992 74,000 74,000 Coulouthros Ltd
Port Bonython oil spill, Era  Australia, Spencer Gulf, South Australia 30 August 1992 296 296 BP
Katina P  Mozambique, Maputo 26 April 1992 72,000 72,000
Fergana Valley  Uzbekistan 2 March 1992 285,000 285,000
Kirki  Australia, Indian Ocean, off the coast of Western Australia 21 July 1991 17,280 17,280 BP
ABT Summer  Angola, 700 nmi (1,300 km; 810 mi) offshore 28 May 1991 260,000 260,000 National Iranian Tanker Company
MT Haven  Italy, Mediterranean Sea near Genoa 11 April 1991 144,000 144,000 Amoco
MB Vesta Bella Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Nevis, 12 miles northeast of island 6 March 1991 1,762 1,814 Offshore Marine Ltd
Sanko Harvest  Australia, Western Australia, near Hood Island, 33 km from Esperance 14 February 1991 717 717 Sanko Steamship Co
Gulf War oil spill  Iraq, Persian Gulf 23 January 1991 270,000 820,000
Star Enterprise Terminal Leak  United States, Virginia, Mantua September 1990 324 974 Star Enterprise : 9 
Apex barges oil spill  United States, Texas, Houston Ship Channel near Galveston 28 July 1990 2,200 2,200 Apex Towing Company
Mega Borg oil spill  United States, Gulf of Mexico, 57 mi (92 km) SE of Galveston, Texas 8 June 1990 16,499 16,501
American Trader  United States, Bolsa Chica State Beach, California 7 February 1990 979 981
Arthur Kill pipeline  United States, Sewaren, New Jersey 1 January 1990 1,840 1,840
Khark 5  Spain, 350 nmi (650 km; 400 mi) off Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 19 December 1989 70,000 80,000
Pacificos  South Africa, East London 4 October 1989 10,000 10,000
Presidente Rivera  United States, Delaware River, Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania 24 June 1989 993 993
World Prodigy  United States, Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island 23 June 1989 974 3,246
Exxon Valdez  United States, Prince William Sound, Alaska 24 March 1989 37,000 104,000 Exxon Shipping Company
Bahía Paraíso Antarctica, Bismarck Strait 28 January 1989 1,200 1,200 Argentine Navy
Odyssey  Canada, 700 nmi (1,300 km; 810 mi) off Nova Scotia 10 November 1988 132,000 132,000
Piper Alpha disaster  United Kingdom, 120 miles (190 km) north-east of Aberdeen, Scotland 6 July 1988 670 670 Occidental Petroleum (Caledonia) Limited (OPCAL)
Ashland oil spill  United States, Floreffe, Pennsylvania 2 January 1988 10,000 10,000 Ashland Oil Company
MT Vector  Philippines, Tablas Strait, Oriental Mindoro 20 December 1987 370 370 Vector Shipping Inc. (Francisco Soriano), Manila
Cabo Pilar  Chile, Punta Davis, Strait of Magellan 8 October 1987 4,900 7,500
Ship grounding  United States, St Johns River mouth, Florida February 1987 346 346
Amazon Venture oil spill  United States, Port of Savannah, Georgia 4 December 1986 1,623.38 1,623.38 Calluna Maritime Corporation
Tanker Barge Apex Houston  United States, California Coast from Marin County to Big Sur, San Francisco, California 28 January 1986 98 98 Apex Towing Company
Nova  Iran, Gulf of Iran, Kharg Island 6 December 1985 70,000 70,000
Grand Eagle  United States, Delaware River, Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania 28 September 1985 1,400 1,400
Coral Sea / Napo collision Cuba 11 April 1985
Puerto Rican  United States, Golden Gate, San Francisco, California 31 October 1984 3,411 4,775
Alvenus  United States, Calcasieu Channel, Louisiana 30 July 1984 9,160 9,160
SS Mobil Oil  United States, Columbia River, Longview, Washington 19 March 1984 550 650
Castillo de Bellver  South Africa, Saldanha Bay 6 August 1983 252,000 252,000
Nowruz Field Platform  Iran, Persian Gulf 4 February 1983 260,000 260,000
Globe Asimi [lt]  Soviet Union, Lithuanian SSR, Klaipėda 21 November 1981 17,000 17,000 Cantabria Shipping Ltd
Druzhba pipeline  Czechoslovakia, Bartoušov 3 November 1980 6,000 6,000
Production Well D-103  Libya, Tripoli 1 August 1980 140,000 140,000
Tanio oil spill  France, Brittany 7 March 1980 13,500 13,500
Irenes Serenade  Greece, Pylos 23 February 1980 100,000 100,000
MT Independenţa  Turkey, Bosphorus 15 November 1979 95,000 95,000
Burmah Agate  United States, Galveston Bay, Texas 1 November 1979 8,440 8,440
Aphrodite Australia Port Stanvac, South Australia 20 July 1979 unknown unknown
Atlantic Empress / Aegean Captain  Trinidad and Tobago 19 July 1979 287,000 287,000
Ixtoc I oil spill  Mexico, Bay of Campeche, Gulf of Mexico 3 June 1979 – 23 March 1980 454,000 480,000 Pemex
Betelgeuse  Ireland, Bantry Bay 8 January 1979 64,000 64,000
Peck Slip Spill  Puerto Rico, Cabo San Juan, Puerto Rico 19 December 1978 1,550 1,550 Sun Oil Company
Cabo Tamar  Chile, San Vincente Bay 7 June 1978 12,500 12,500
Amoco Cadiz  France, Brittany 16 March 1978 223,000 227,000 Amoco
Trans-Alaska Pipeline sabotage by explosives  United States, Alaska 15 February 1978 2,162 2,162
Brazilian Marina  Brazil, Sao Sebastiao Channel, São Paulo 9 January 1978 10,039 10,039
Venpet-Venoil collision  South Africa, Cape St. Francis 16 December 1977 26,600 30,500 Bethlehem Steel Corporation
Unknown ship  United States, Key Largo, Florida 1 May 1977
Ekofisk oil field  Norway, North Sea 22 April 1977 27,600 27,600
MV Hawaiian Patriot  United States, 300 nmi (560 km; 350 mi) off Honolulu, Hawaii 26 February 1977 95,000 95,000
Borag  Taiwan, Northern coast 7 February 1977 34,000 34,000
Argo Merchant  United States, Nantucket Island, Massachusetts 15 December 1976 25,000 28,000
NEPCO 140  United States, Saint Lawrence River 23 June 1976 1,000 1,000
Urquiola  Spain, A Coruña 12 May 1976 100,000 100,000
St. Peter  Colombia, Cabo Manglares 5 February–November 1976 38,056 38,056
Niger Delta  Nigeria, Niger Delta 1976 – 1996 258,000 328,000 Royal Dutch Shell
Olympic Bravery  France, Ushant 24 January 1976 900 900 Onassis
Epic Colocotronis Spill  Puerto Rico, Rincon, Puerto Rico 13 May 1975 61,000 61,000 Colocotronis brothers of Greece and Great Britain
Tarik Ibn Ziyad  Brazil, Sao Sebastiao terminal, Santos 26 March 1975 10,000 20,000
Liberian tanker  United States, Florida 1975 135 135
Corinthos  United States, Delaware River, Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania 31 January 1975 36,000 36,000
Jakob Maersk  Portugal, Oporto 29 January 1975 88,000 88,000
Afran Zodiac  Ireland, Bantry Bay 10 January 1975 451 451
VLCC Metula  Chile, Strait of Magellan 9 August 1974 50,000 51,000
Oriental Pioneer  South Africa, Struisbaai 22 July 1974 200 200
Jawachta  Sweden, Smygehuk 20 December 1973 3,000 16,000
Trinimar Marine Well 327  Venezuela, Gulf of Paria 8 August 1973 1,091 1,091
Napier  Chile, Guamblin Island June 1973 30,000 30,000
S.S. Zoe Colocotronis Spill  Puerto Rico, Lajas, Puerto Rico 18 March 1973 5,170 5,170 Colocotronis brothers of Greece and Great Britain
Irish Stardust  Canada, Vancouver Island, British Columbia January 1973 450 450
Sea Star  Iran, Gulf of Oman 19 December 1972 115,000 115,000 Samyang Navigation
Oswego-Guardian – Texanita collision  South Africa, Stilbaai 21 August 1972 10,000 10,000
Texaco Denmark  Belgium, North Sea 7 December 1971 107,000 107,000
Navy tanker Towle  United States, New York City, New York, Gravesend Bay 14 July 1971 123 123
Texaco Oklahoma  United States 27 March 1971 25,700 31,500
Trinity Navigator  United Kingdom, Devon 2 March 1971 unknown unknown
Wafra  South Africa, Cape Agulhas 21 February 1971 27,000 27,000
Arizona Standard / Oregon Standard collision  United States, San Francisco Bay 17 January 1971 2,700 2,700
Othello  Sweden, Trälhavet Bay 20 March 1970 50,000 60,000
Platform Charlie  United States, Louisiana 10 February 1970 unknown unknown
SS Arrow  Canada, Chedabucto Bay, Nova Scotia 4 February 1970 10,330 10,330
Hamilton Trader  United Kingdom, Liverpool Bay, Irish Sea 30 April 1969 546 546
Santa Barbara  United States, Santa Barbara, California 28 January 1969 6,000 14,000
Witwater  Panama, Canal Zone, Galeta Island 13 December 1968 1,910 1,910
World Glory  South Africa, 65 miles ENE of Durban 13 June 1968 44,058 46,000 World Tankers Co. Inc.
Genevieve  United States, Corpus Christi, Texas 25 April 1968 unknown unknown Lykes Brothers Steamship Co. Ltd.
Andron  Namibia, between Luderitz and Walvis Bay 8 May 1968
Esso Essen  South Africa April 1968 4,092 4,092
General Colocotronis  Bahamas, Eleuthera 7 March 1968 5,047 5,047
Ocean Eagle  Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico 3 March 1968 12,000 12,500 Transocean Tankers Inc.
R.C. Stoner  United States, Pacific Ocean, Wake Island 1967 20,000 20,000
Torrey Canyon  United Kingdom, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 18 March 1967 80,000 119,000
Mississippi River oil spill (1962–1963)  United States, Savage and Mankato, Minnesota 8 December 1962 – 23 January 1963 11,000 15,000
African Queen  United States, Ocean City, Maryland 30 December 1958 21,000 21,000
Avila Beach pipeline  United States, Avila Beach, California 1950's – 1996 1,300 1,300
Guadalupe Oil Field  United States, Guadalupe, California 1950's – 1994 29,000 29,000
Sliedrecht  South Africa, Cape Town, Table Bay November 1953 1,000 1,000
SS Jacob Luckenbach  United States, Gulf of the Farallons National Marine Sanctuary, San Francisco, California 14 July 1953 – present 1,484 1,484
Esso Wheeling  South Africa, Quoin Point near Cape Town 4 November 1948
Berth 157  United States, Wilmington 2 June 1948
SS Douglas Victory  United States, Wilmington, California 27 March 1948
SS River Raisin  United States 1948
Lincoln  South Africa, Quoin Point near Cape Town 1946
Greenpoint, Brooklyn  United States, Newtown Creek, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York 1940s – 1950s 55,200 97,400
Seria Field 14 wells  Brunei 12 June 1945 – September 1945 unknown unknown
Scuttled tanker El Grillo Iceland, Seyðisfjörður February 1944 – present unknown unknown
SS Frank H. Buck / SS President Coolidge collision  United States, San Francisco Bay, California 6 March 1937 8,870 8,870
Lakeview Gusher  United States, Kern County, California 14 March 1910 – 10 September 1911 1,230,000 1,230,000
Thomas W. Lawson  United Kingdom, Isles of Scilly 14 December 1907 7,400 7,400
SS Petriana  Australia, Port Phillip, Victoria 30 November 1903 1,300 1,300 Asiatic Petroleum Company
Louisiana's coast  United States, Port Eads, Louisiana, Louisiana 16 November 2023 3,500 3,500 Main Pass Oil Gathering company

Investigation underway

Spill or vessel Location Dates Estimated flow rate (tonnes/day) Full cargo (tonnes) Spilled (min tonnes) Spilled (max tonnes) Link Notes
Northeast Brazil oil spill  Brazil September 2019 – present n/a n/a 1,000 unknown
Lizama River oil spill  Colombia, Barrancabermeja 2 March 2018 - n/a n/a 3,690 unknown Lizama 158 oil well spilled into Lizama River, contaminating Sogamoso River, a tributary to Colombia's largest river, the Magdalena.
OT Southern Star 7  Bangladesh, Sundarbans, Khulna Division 9 December 2014 n/a 350 300 300 Leak caused by collision of the oil tanker with a cargo vessel.
Napocor
Power Barge 103
 Philippines, Estancia, Iloilo 8 November 2013 n/a 1200 170 520 Leaks caused by Typhoon Haiyan.
Taylor Energy wells
Platform 23051
 United States, Gulf of Mexico 16 September 2004 to present (19 years) 0.03–0.05 n/a unknown unknown Leaks resulting from Hurricane Ivan have been largely contained, but not entirely. Ocean Saratoga is periodically onsite servicing and attempting to seal the leaks.

Note: The "flow rate" column applies to leaking wells, pipelines, etc., and is often used to estimate the total amount of oil spilled. The "full cargo" column applies to vessels, vehicles, etc., and represents the maximum amount of oil that could be spilled. The "spilled" columns indicate the total amount of oil that has been released to the environment so far, and should be based on official estimates found in referenced sources whenever possible. When official estimates vary, use the "min tonnes" and "max tonnes" columns to show the range of estimates (minimum and maximum) in metric tonnes (i.e. 1 tonne = 1,000 kg).

Oil spills in the United States

This graphic is limited to oil spills that occurred between 1969 and 2015 (graphic has not been updated for newer spills) and that affected US waters (land-based spills are not depicted). Unlike the units of tonnes used on the rest of this page, the graphic's numbers are presented in millions of US gallons (abbreviated as "MG" in the graphic), where 1 MG is roughly equal to 3,250 tonnes of crude oil.

Largest Oil Spills Affecting U.S. Waters Since 1969

See also


This page was last updated at 2024-03-24 23:45 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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