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Large oil spills from wells and tankers have been a problem for at least 40 years (1970 - 2010). Certainly in the last 20 years, we have improved our ability to handle spills, but also face new problems with deep water and hostile environment drilling. Super tankers being common in the 1980's lead to spills. Large spills go as far back as 61 years.
Warfare produced the greatest oil spills, particularly the German attack on US tankers and bunkers (1939- 42) and the purposeful release of oil from Kuwait during the first Iraq War (1991).
The size of the problem is not always tied to the size of the spill. I've included a list of spills and some big ones that you probably never heard of, because they did not occur near a shore line.
One link shows graphically that oil spills from tankers reached a peak in the 1980's after which improved safety measures and vessel construction apparently reduced the number of accidents.
Answer:
Shortly after the first commercial oil well as drilled in North America in Oil Springs Ontario (James Miller Williams 1858) a gusher was drilled in 1862 by Hugh Nixon Shaw. The flow of oil reached what is now called Black Creek and Lake St. Clair.
What else can I help you with?
How many oil spills have there been in the world?
About 125 known major oil spills.
How many oil spills have there been in 2010?
There have been at least 13 news worthy industrial oil spills in 2010, and many minor spills. See related questions:
How long do oil spills occur?
A long time
What could be the problems of fish?
pollution could be one problem. Another problem is oil spills. That happens a lot when getting oil from the ocean bottom.
How many oil spills have there been at Fraser island?
23
What are examples of mammals that have been affected by oil spills?
ABOUT 50
How long has oil pollution been a problem?
since people started burning oil
How long has the BP oil spill been a problem?
The oil spill began April 20.
Why are oil spills a problem to the environment?
Oil spills are huge problems to the environment. The obvious one is that the oil and slick can harm marine life as well as birds who simply land to get their food. This causes death to animals, dirtying our waters, ruining the eco system, and ruining some of the food chain. The oil spills, if they reach land, can get into the wildlife and plants of the region. If the plants get oil into their roots they will die. Oil spills pose a great threat to wildlife, people, economy, and plants as well. We have to do all in our power to help animals and wildlife who have been sullied by these oil spills.
Does drilling for oil create oil spills?
It can definitely contribute to oil spills.
Why do oil spills happen?
oil spills happen because people are careless and and instead of emptying there tank they dump it in the ocean and cars driving on beaches.
How do people adapt to oil spills?
By seeing a lot of oil spills
