CounterSpill

As much as 4,200 gallons of production fluids spilled in North Slope, Alaska during the weekend of July 16 and 17.

According to the AP, pipes located under a road burst after workers conducted a valve test, spilling its contents into nearby gravel, tundra and soil. Officials are currently investigating what went wrong at the site. 

UPDATE:

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer is threatening a lawsuit against Exxon Mobil if cleanup promises are not met.

On July 8, Schweitzer held a meeting with community members, announcing his frustration with the oil company's response, reports Reuters. He told a crowd of 150 people that his office would "hold them liable in court" if Exxon's representatives do not cooperate with government officials.

An oil tanker accident off the coast of New Zealand has caused what some describe as the country's largest oil spill disaster. 

The Rena, a Liberian-flagged oil tanker, began to leak oil on Oct. 5 after it ran aground on the Astrolabe Reef. Since then, the ship has leaked at least 390 tons of oil into New Zealand's Bay of Plenty. Heavy seas have threatened to further destroy the ship, which could send more oil into the sea. 

A team of oil spill response experts found a way to skim oil out of water at a pace four times beyond the industry standard. 

Elastec/American Marine, an Illinois-based oil response company, participated in a competition organized by the X Prize Foundation to revolutionize oil spill technology and won its $1.4 million prize.