Yesterday BP, Halliburton, and Transocean received environmental and safety violation notices from the U.S. government for their roles in last year’s Deepwater Horizion disaster and Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The notices were sent after the investigation of the Deepwater Horizon accident found that the companies had violated federal safety standards.
BP was cited for seven different violations which include:
- Failure to perform operations in a safe and workman like manner
- Failure to take measures to prevent pollution of offshore waters
- Failure to keep the well under control
- And Failure to properly cement the well
Transocean was cited for four violations related to maintenance failures including failure to maintain the blowout preventer, which if functioning properly should have prevented the spill. Halliburton was also cited for four violations including not properly cementing the well.
A report issued last month by the U.S. Interior Department found BP ultimately responsible for for ensuring the safety of the well and those working at the well site, while Halliburton and Transocean were partially to blame for the catastrophic accident that cost 11 crew members their lives and lead to the sinking of the rig and subsequent oil spill.
The companies have 60 days to appeal the citations before any penalties are levied against them.
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