The Obama administration sues BP and several other companies over the Mexico Gulf oil spill. Some 5 million barrels of oil gushed out from the BP well in the Gulf of Mexico after the drilling rig Deepwater Horizion sank. The rig sank on April 22, two days after it had exploded and caught fire while it was finishing a well for BP about 40 miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River. Eleven rig workers were killed in the accident.
In the complaint, the US alleges violations of federal safety and operational regulations, including:
–Failure to take necessary precautions to secure the Macondo Well prior to the April 20th explosion-
– Failure to utilize the safest drilling technology to monitor the well’s condition.
– Failure to maintain continuous surveillance of the well.
– Failure to utilize and maintain equipment and materials that were available and necessary to ensure the safety and protection of personnel, property, natural resources, and the environment.
The defendants are: BP Exploration and Production Inc., Anadarko Exploration & Production LP, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, MOEX Offshore 2007 LLC, Triton Asset Leasing GMBH, Transocean Holdings LLC, Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling Inc.,Transocean Deepwater Inc., QBE Underwriting Ltd./Lloyd’s Syndicate 1036.
For every barrel of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, there could be a fine of up to USD 4,300 if gross negligence is found. That would equal a fine of at least USD 21 billion. According to the US Department of Justice the investigation will continue and more defendants and charges could be added later.
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