48 
Wahrendorf - Meta-analysis on experiences from Deep-Water Horizon 
Figure 8.2: Schematic representation of the response measures carried out at and near the area of the 
Deepwater Horizon disaster (picture: cutout from the U.S. Government Handout Graphic, 
www.whitehouse.aov). 
Scientific activities and publications 
Even 5 year after the spill many of these studies and monitoring programs are not published 
or publicly accessible due to various reasons. One reason is that many of the projects are 
still running and ongoing to determine long term effects. Currently only an intermediary as 
sessment of the oil spill impact is possible, cf.Figure 8.3. 
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 
year 
Figure 8.3: Number of publications to specific keywords concerning the Deepwater Horizon incident in 
Web of Science and Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative. 
Costs of the incident 
With the oil spill response measures and the impact assessment huge financial costs are 
associated. BP alone set $43 billion on reserves for the oil spill response operations, re 
search programs and compensation fees aside. $28 billion were paid for the cleanup opera 
tions and damage limitation, the settlements for various parties were $6 billion. Recently BP 
was sentenced to $20.8 billion for federal and state claims. The cost in total for BP is current 
ly at approximately $54 billion.