5. The ABT Summer Spill

Angola coast - May 1991

Explosion and sinking of a tanker, killing five of the 32 crew members. The spill occurred 1.287 km shore, reducing the enviromental impact.

4. Atlantic Empress/Aegean Captain

Caribbean Sea - July 1979

Collision of two crude oil tankers. 26 sailors were killed It was the largest shipbased oil spill but no enviromental impact study was carried out.

3. Ixtoc I Spill

Bay of Campeche - June 1979

Oil eruption at an offshore drilling rig. The oil spill was only stopped after 295 days and caused catastrophic damage to marine and bird life. Plugged after 152 days.

2.The Deepwater Horizon Spill

LocaGulf of Mexico - April 2010

Explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig, killing 11 people and causing an unprecedented ecological disaster in the United States.

1. Gulf War Spill

Persian Gulf - January 1991

Iraqi forces deliberately released oil during the gulf war to hinder a possible water landing. Consequently damaging coastlines, marine species and ecosystems.