Ten Largest Oil Spills in the World The following table lists the largest oil spills in the world. The date of the spill, circumstances surrounding the spill, and amount of oil spilled are also given. RankDateCauseSourceLocationSpill Volume 1.April 20, 2010explosiondrilling rigDeepwater HorizonGulf of Mexico, 50 miles off the coast of Louisianaan estimated 200,000 gallons a day 2.Jan. 23–27, 1991deliberate act by Iraqtankers10 mi off Kuwait240–460 million gallons 3.June 3, 1979well blowoutoil well Ixtoc 1Gulf of Mexico140 million gallons 4.March 2, 1992leakoil wellFergana Valley, Uzbekistan88 million gallons 5.July 19, 1979collisiontankersAtlantic Empressand theAegean CaptainTrinidad & Tobago87 million gallons 6.Sept. 8, 1994dam burstoil reservoirRussia84 million gallons 7.April, 1977well blowoutEkofisk oil fieldNorth Sea81 million gallons 8.Feb. 4, 1983collisionNowruz field platformPersian Gulf, Iran80 million gallons 9.May 28, 1991explosiontanker ABT Summeroff Angola78 million gallons 10.Aug. 6, 1983firetankerCastillo de BellverCape Town, South Africa78 million gallons