Court rules BP carries brunt of Macondo negligence

Sept. 5, 2014
A US district judge has ruled that BP acted with gross negligence in the Macondo oil spill in 2010.

Offshore staff

NEW ORLEANS – A US district judge has ruled that BP acted with gross negligence in the Gulf of Mexico Macondo oil spill in 2010. The ultimate cost to BP of related fines has yet to be determined.

Judge Carl Barbier did not find Transocean orHalliburton as responsible as he found BP. In apportioning the fault, he ascribed 67% to BP, 20% to Transocean, and 3% to Halliburton.

BP Exploration & Production Inc. is “subject to enhanced penalties under the Clean Water Act” because the discharge of oil was the result of its gross negligence and willful misconduct, Barbier held.

BP said it “strongly disagrees” with the decision and will challenge it before the US Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

The impact of this ruling on additional possiblecourt proceedings also remain to be seen.

For more on the Macondo event,click here.

9/5/14