2010 BP Gulf Oil Disaster

Media estimates of 5,000 barrels/day are extremely low.

Steven Wereley, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue University, analyzed videotape of the leak using particle image velocimetry and estimated oil flow rates at between 56,000 barrels to 84,000 barrels per day, or equivalent to one Exxon Valdez spill every 3.5 to 2.4 days.

A second, smaller leak has been estimated to be releasing 25,000 barrels per day by itself , suggesting that the total size of the leak may well be in excess of 100,000 barrels per day and could possibly be one of the largest oil spills in history and the worst man-made disaster recorded.