It would be easy to overreact to the fatal explosion at an offshore drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico, and the subsequent enormous oil spill that has put ecologically sensitive areas in several U.S. states at risk.

The explosion itself was a human tragedy – 11 oilfield workers were killed in what was one of the worst oilfield tragedies in U.S. history.

But the ensuing oil leak, and the potential for an environmental disaster, has unfortunately relegated the loss of 11 people to afterthought status for many people.

The explosion caused the drilling rig to sink, and thousands of barrels of oil a day have been seeping into the Gulf of Mexico. The shorelines of several states have been threatened by the oil, including Louisiana, whose seafood industry and eco-sensitive shoreline are at risk.

Clean-up crews have been fighting what seems like a losing battle against the growing, and moving, oil slick that has been propelled by waves and high winds. New technologies are being employed in the attempt to contain and clean up the oil slick.

The estimated cost of the clean-up could be as high as $15 billion. Oil giant British Petroleum (BP) has vowed they would pay for the cost. A different company owned the rig, but that firm was drilling for BP.

And while the damage to BP’s credibility and reputation is nowhere near as tragic or as dramatic as the loss of human life and the damage to the environment, it is unfortunate to see a good company with a good track record suffer through a public relations nightmare.

This oil spill can’t simply be treated as an isolated incident. While these types of situations are very rare, there is always a risk. And while there are precautions in place to reduce the possibility of an oil spill, this is a reminder that more can always be done.

But offshore oil rigs do have a place. Ask the people of Newfoundland-Labrador about the impact that offshore drilling can have on an economy.

And a lot of people in Louisiana, and other states surrounding the Gulf of Mexico, have made a lot of money from off-shore drilling.

It's important for governments and environmental organizations to seek environmental accountability and responsibility from oil companies. But they can’t overreact to situations like what is happening in the Gulf of Mexico. They can’t block offshore drilling, or stymie future offshore drilling developments.

Oilfield companies will have to expect additional restrictions that will be put in place to prevent a repeat of the Gulf of Mexico disaster, but they will also have to constantly remind governments about the benefits of offshore drilling.

Offshore oil drilling, with stringent regulations from government, can still be an asset in supplying energy needs.