Each lecture will be followed by a question and answer period. While Tulane law students may participate in this series for academic credit with the satisfactory completion of additional work, the series is intended equally for all students and the interested general public. Additional information will be available in August. In the meantime, questions can be directed to Forest Wootten, fwootten@tulane.edu.
Lecture Schedule (PDF)
Lectures will be streamed live through this webpage. Additionally, lectures are digitally archived for public access throughout the fall semester, available at the link below:
Lecture Video Archives
Best Papers, BP Lecture Course
Lecture Reading Materials
- Suggested Readings For Lecture 1: Orientation and a Litigator's Perspective
The Deepwater Horizon Catastrophe
Overview of Deepwater Horizon Incident: A course long reading
Production Trends - Gulf of Mexico
Overview of Production trends and contribution from deepwater drilling
Have We Peaked
Powerpoint Presentation on Global Oil & Gas supply
Oil spills. Poverty. Corruption. Why Louisiana is America's petro-state
A look into Louisiana's history with oil industries
Additional Materials
Who Will Pay to Fix Louisiana
Description of deleterious oil and gas impacts on coastal Louisiana and challenges facing the region
Can We Save the Gulf of Mexico
Article provides brief overview of economic landscape of Gulf industries and calls for a national ocean policy
Deepwater Horizon Major Accident Risk Assessment
2004 Deepwater Horizon risk assessment for major accidents
For BP, a History of Spills and Safety Lapses
History of BP's safety record and systemmic failures of BP to mitigate risk
As Oil Industry Fights a Tax, It Reaps Subsidies
Overview of taxes and subsidies for oil companies and the extraction industry
Fed Predicted Minimal Risk to Gulf Wildlife
Article on federal agency review of spill risk assessment
Federal records show steady stream of oil spills in gulf since 1964
Article on the frequency of oil spills in gulf in last 40 years
U.S. Offshore Oil and Gas Resources: Prospects and Processes
Government Report on US OCS oil reserves, demand, production
Gulf of Mexico Fact Sheet
Gulf Oil and Gas Resources
Lost Ecosytem Goods and Services as a Measure of Marine Oil Pollution Damages
Overview of regulatory framework for recovering natural resource damages
- Suggested Readings For Lecture 2: Blowout: What Happened and What Went Wrong
BP decision Set Stage for Disaster
Play by play of what happened leading up to on on April 20
Minerals Service Had a Mandate to Produce Results
Relationship of oil industry with regulatory oversite
The Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill: An Accident Waiting to Happen
Article detailing inherent risk in the industry
Recommended/Additional Reading
Gas Surge shut well a couple of weeks before Gulf oil spill
Article on Gas kicks and debate to replace heavy drilling mud with lighter seawater
Safety fluid was removed before oil rig exploded in Gulf
Article discussing possible causes for explosion
Deepwater Horizon alarms were switched off 'to help workers sleep'
Alarm systems on Horizon were disabled according to testimony
Costly, time-consuming test of cement linings in Deepwater Horizon rig was omitted, spokesman says
Tests of casing cement not conducted, testing contractor sent home hours before explosion
Deepwater Horizon glitches before explosion in Gulf of Mexico get House panel's attention
Leak in BOP and dead battery in control panel point exposed in investigation
Investigating the Cause of the Deepwater Horizon Blowout
Graphics explaining the blowout
What Happened on the Deepwater Horizon
Graphic on failure of BOP
In the Gulf of Mexico, what went wrong with the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig?
General article on went happened on the DWH
DWH Incident Internal Investigation Interim Report
Transocean draft presentation on interim findings into possible causes
MMS 2007 BOP reliability study
2007 MMS report on BOP function, failure and testing
Absence of fatalities in blowouts encouraging in MMS study of OCS incidents
Summary of Oil Blowouts from 1992-2006
The legacy of the Gulf spill: What to expect for the future
Comparison of Ixtoc Blowout with the DWH blowout
Minerals Management Service's complicity in Gulf oil disaster challenged in court
Press Release on Lawsuit brought against MMS for agency failures
NOAA comments on OCS 2010-2015 Oil and Gas Leasing Program
Noaa agency comments on MMS OCS leasing plan 2010-2015
Three of every four oil and gas lobbyists worked for federal government
Article detailing agency ties with lobbyist groups
History of Oil and Gas in Louisiana
A look at the development of Oil and Gas in Louisiana over the last 100 years
Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Drilling Report 2008
MMS report on the state of GOM development as of 2008
Will there ever be a depth limit
Paper discussing the increased risks of drilling as drill depth is increased
EPA weighs sanctions against BP
Article discussing possible civil fines and criminal penalties for BP
Notice to Lessees Waiver Stream-lining worst case response planning
April 1, 2008 Notice to GOM operators on changes to reporting requirements
OCS Lease Program
Overview of the MMS lease program and development on the OCS
- Suggested Readings For Lecture 3: The Gulf Ecosystem: Diversity and Threats
2010 Dead Zone may be biggest ever
Article on size of 2010 dead zone
Louisiana Coastal Erosion
Oil and Gas impact on Coastal Erosion
Gulf of Mexico Large Marine Ecosystem
Overview of Gulf ecosystem and health
Recommended/Additional Reading
Natural Oil Seeps
Natural Oil seeps support marine ecosystems
While Oil Gently Seeps
Oil seeps provide natural test site for oil breakdown in marine environment
Rise and Disapperance of Southeast Louisiana
Interactive Video on Coastal Erosion
Fishery Production in Gulf
Overview of Gulf Fisheries with discussion of impact of river flow in shaping system productivity
Hypoxia in the Gulf
Overview of Hypoxia, the causes location and trends
Algal Blooms in Breton Sound
Algal blooms discovered in brenton sound, however no link with oil suggested
Dispersants from the Mississippi River
Ms River is vast source of water pollution
Socio-economics of Gulf natural resources
Socio Economics of Gulf Fisheries
- Suggested Readings For Lecture 4: Oil on Water
Comparative Toxicity of Louisiana Sweet Crude Oil
Comparative Toxicity of Louisiana Sweet Crude Oil (LSC) and Chemically Dispersed LSC to Two Gulf of Mexico Aquatic Test Species
Comparative Toxicity of Dispersant Products
Comparative Toxicity of Eight Oil Dispersant Products on Two Gulf of Mexico Aquatic Test Species
EPA's Dispersant Test Results
Nalco Statement on EPA Dispersant Test Results
EPA's Second Round of Dispersant Test Results
Nalco Statement on EPA's Second Round of Dispersant Test Results
Coastal Marshes Oil Spill Response Strategies
Oil Spill Response Strategies for Coastal Marshes during the Deepwater Horizon MC252 Spill
PAH Benchmark Calculations
Explanation of PAH benchmark calculations using EPA PAH ESB approach. Originally developed by Dave Mount, ORD Duluth
Overton Testimony on Dispersant Use
Ed Overton Congressional Testimony on Dispersant Use in the Gulf of Mexico
Oil Budget, What Happened to the Oil
Breakdown of the fate of spilled oil
Fate of Marine Oil Spills
Fate of Oil in marine environment
Plume of Oil Below Surface Raise New Concerns
Underwater Oil Plumes found
Plumes of Oil Below Surface Raise New Concerns
Article estimating size of oil spill
Tracking the Gulf Oil
Simple breakdown of what has happened to the oil
Fate of Oil in Marine Waters
Long API produced pamphlet for oil spill responders
Heavy Oil Detection Methods Report
Report on effectiveness of methods at detecting oil in marine environments
Technical Assessment of Dispersant use on oil spills
Study on dispersant use in Gulf of Mexico
Historical Oil Spill Trends
Look at oil spill trends worldwide
Christopher Reddy Testimony for Congress on Toxicity
Expert Testimony on BP oil spill toxicity issues
Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Drilling Report 2008
MMS report on the state of GOM development as of 2008
Will there ever be a depth limit
Paper discussing the increased risks of drilling as drill depth is increased
Corexit Tox Test Overview
Summary of Corexit Toxicity Testing
Less Toxic Dispersants continue to lose out
Report on less-toxic dispersant alternatives
Corexit Fact Sheet
CDC fact sheet on dispersants used in the response to the BP oil spill
- Suggested Readings For Lecture 6: Responses: Cleanup and Barriers
Oil Cleaning Technology
Overview of Basic Oil Spill Cleaning technology/Approach
Under Pressure to Block Oil, A rush to dubious projects
Review of the construction of sand berms and other unproven responses
Criticism of in-situ burning
Article discussing complications and effectiveness of burns
Barataria Bay Devestation
Impact of Diversions on Oyster Reefs
Is using dispersants appropriate
Overview of Corexit and Corexit use in the Gulf of Mexico
Overview of methods used to stop oil
Graphical article showing attempts to cap the well
State, Scientists argue over how to stop the oil
Rock Berm Debate among scientists
USGS report on Sand Berms
Government report on feasibility of sand/rock berms in coastal louisiana
Sand Berms a dubious proposition
Picayune Op-Ed by coastal scientists strongly protesting sand berm construction
Recovery effort falls short of BP's promises
Assessment of scimming/recovery efforts compared with expected responses
A Whale' deemed a bust for scimming oil
Massive "A Whale" scimming vessel deemed a failure
BP keeping dispersants ingrediants secret
BP refuses to disclose ingrediants
EPA stands by use of dispersants
EPA says dispersant correct decision
National Contingency Plan Product Schedule
National contingency portal for dispersants/surfactants
River diversions
Scientist arguing to increase flow down mississippi "bird foot" to flush out oil
Rivers Diversons to keep back the oil
Article on State's use of diversions to dispell oil from coast
State of oil spill cleanup technology
Overview of Basic Oil Spill Cleaning technology/Approach
Can microbes help clean up the oil
Article detailing bioremedation options and comparisons with Exxon Valdez
Gulf damaged by several toxins
Article detailing concerns with in situ burning
Dispersant Information Portal
Dispersant fact sheets/data
Construction of Sand Berms
Army Corps to reconsider Berm permit if emergency declaration ends
Sand Berms Eroding
Blog articles with pics showing erosion of sand berms
Experts doubt sand berms
Berm controversy
- Suggested Readings For Lecture 7: Impacts and Evaluation
Panel: Gov't Blocked Scientists On Spill Estimate
Government Panel report on information kept from independent scientists concerning the oil spill
Comprehensive GIS map of fishing closures, testing sites, etc
Interactive map displaying variety of data in visual format
Gulf Seafood Testing
Small anecdotal study on Gulf Seafood
Call for more testing
Short blurb on need for more testing
Don't Kid Yourself, Oil isn't Gone
Local perspective on oil impact
Oil impacts on Oil and Pelican Nesting Grounds
Impacts of Oil on Pelican Nesting Grounds
Legacy of Past oil spills on biological resources
Legacy of past oil spills on biological resources
Impact of oil on micro-organisms and food chain
Impact of Oil on micro-organisms and potential impact on Food Chain
Threatas to Roosevelt Wildlife Refuge
Threat and History of Roosevelt Wildlife Refuge
Fiddler Crab study showing long term impacts of oil
Great Article about a creative study demonstrating the impacts of oil on fiddler crabs 40 years after an oil spill event
Role of Marsh Grass in the spill
Role of marsh grasses for the gulf biological resources
Impact to migratory birds
Impact of Oil on migratory bird species
Impact on sea cucumbers
Short article on impact to sea cucumbers
Wetland Foundation Video
The Wetland Foundation
Louisiana Impact Maps
Map of Affected areas in Louisiana, Updated daily
Gulf Impact Maps
Home Page of USFWS maps updated daily
Oysterman leaving his lease
Article on Oysterman closing because his lease crop is dead
Future of Fishing Industry
Article on Future of Fishing Industry
Federally listed species threatened by oil spill
Federal listing species threatened by the oil
- Suggested Readings For Lecture 8: Panel Discussion: Beyond BP
Disaster Plans Lacking at Deep Rigs
Disaster Plans lacking for BP and oil companies
Global Compensation for Oil Pollution Damages
Article advocating innovations of OPA
Louisiana Afraid to turn its back on Big Oil
Louisiana afraid to shun oil and gas industry
Gulf Ecosystems and Climate Change
Assessment of climate change impacts on coastal erosion
Voices of the gulf, a lost culture
Cost of lost culture
Regulators move from industry to government
Relationship of regulators and industry
Oil Spill regulators missed their chance
Failure of EIS and review process
Everglades offers model for restoration
Obama vows integrated coastal restoration plan
Liability Policy and Toxic Pollution
Investigation of effect of strict liability on toxic waste discharges
Compensation for Oil Pollution
Article advocating innovations of OPA
Post Katrina Diversion Plan
Freshwater diversion assessment plan
Research Topics & Guidelines
Relevant Databases
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
This on-line resource provides information on health risks for individuals exposed to oil, dispersants and other hazardous materials associated with the BP oil Spill. The web-site includes protocols for minimizing risk for cleanup workers and information on the human health impacts of past oil spills
Environmental Protection Agency Response
Information includes toxicity testing and water, sediment and air sampling data collected throughout the gulf. Transcripts of Congressional hearings, testimony and investigations related to the spill and spill response are also available.
Occupational Safety & Health Administration
This resource provides MSDS profiles, training information for responders and an overview of health risks. Web page also provides information on various protocols and relevant statutes aimed at protecting working safety and industrial hygiene
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration
A resource for maps of oil spill coverage, fishing closures, and impaired wildlife. NOAA's website also includes information and protocols for chemical and oil spill response throughout US coastal waters
NOAA
NOAA web page with specific data from testing vessels deployed in response. Access to sampling locations and metadata
Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Response
Federal Government's Unified Command webpage for all things oil spill related
Official US Government Web Portal
Federal Government Website
NASA
NASA aerial Imagery
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Information on previous oil spill research and links to a variety of expert testimonies and publications related to the BP oil spill
University of California Berkeley Law Library
A collection of major reports and documents covering the legal and regulatory framework of the BP oil spill and extraction industries in general.
Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science Oil Spill
Images from CSTAR collection and gulf modeling.
Society of Wetland Scientists Response
Reports on the impact of oil on coastal systems and observed impacts to date.
Hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Web page dedicated to the Gulf deadzone and near shore coastal science
Louisiana State Oil Spill Media Center
LSU Earth Scan Laboratory
Images of Gulf and Oil spill impacts
Southeastern Louisiana Environmental Research
Collection of data and efforts of Southeastern's Turtle Cove Research Facility
Houston Chronicle
The Houston Chronicle collection of materials on the Oil Spill.
New York Times
New York Times web page for BP related content
The Times Picayune
Time Picayune web page for BP related content
LSU Earth Scan Laboratory
Images of Gulf and Oil spill impacts
Encyclopedia of EarthWho's Watching
Provides a general overview of the Deepwater Horizon accident including well development, the explosion and spill response
Resources for the Future
Resources for the Future Oil research, economic and legal analysis papers
Society of Environmental Journalists
Collection of news reports from government and private sources