full containment of the leak could cost upwards of $ 1 billion , according to taylor energy .
this webpage provides information and materials on epa ’s enforcement response to the deepwater horizon oil spill , settlements with several of the defendants , including the record - setting settlement with bp exploration & production for an unprecedented $ 5.5 billion clean water act penalty and up to $ 8.8 billion in natural resource damages .
taylor energy platform , known as mc-20 saratoga , was destroyed by hurricane ivan on sept. 15 , 2004 .
last week , the coast guard directed taylor energy to decide on a new containment plan and a contractor to do the work .
the u.s. district court for the eastern district of louisiana has established the deepwater horizon oil spill website for this purpose .
according to scientists employed by taylor energy , the sheens are caused by oil and gas bubbling up from the oil - saturated seafloor , and not from leaky wells .
this webpage is limited to epa ’s enforcement - related activities only , and does not cover all legal or other actions against bp exploration & production and other parties for the spill , such as private party class action settlements for medical claims and economic damages , or other actions against those responsible for the spill .
on december 15 , 2010 , the united states filed a complaint in district court against bp exploration & production and several other defendants alleged to be responsible for the spill .
the storm triggered an underwater mudslide that snapped the 550 - foot - tall platform ’s legs and buried a cluster on april 20 , 2010 , the oil drilling rig deepwater horizon , operating in the macondo prospect in the gulf of mexico , exploded and sank resulting in the death of 11 workers on the deepwater horizon and the largest spill of oil in the history of marine oil drilling operations .