Officials confirmed that BP’s Gulf oil spill is the world’s worst accidental leak

The US government confirmed that the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is the “world’s worst” accidental oil leak, reported the Financial Times.

Scientists estimated that 4.9m barrels of oil gushed from the well before it was capped last month.

The static kill, where BP pumps heavy mud into the top of the well to seal it permanently, is expected to take place today (Tuesday August 3).

BP still plans to continue work with two relief wells to intersect at the bottom of the well to make sure the leak is completely sealed, according to the FT.

The FT built this interactive timeline that tracks the key events in BP’s struggle to contain the disastrous oil spill.

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