BP, Andarko must face fines for U.S. gulf oil spill: court

Source: Reuters

BP, Andarko must face fines for U.S. gulf oil spill: court

BY JESSICA DYE
Wed Jun 4, 2014 9:20pm EDT

(Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Wednesday said BP Plc and Anadarko Petroleum Corp must face penalties under federal pollution laws in connection with the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, which could expose the companies to billions of dollars in potential fines.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a 2012 decision from U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier in New Orleans that the companies could be held liable for civil penalties under the Clean Water Act.

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The companies had appealed Barbier’s ruling, arguing in part that they should not be responsible for oil spilled as a result of failed equipment on the drilling rig, which was owned by Transocean Ltd.

But as co-owners of the well, BP and Anadarko would be on the hook for resulting fines, the appeals court ruled.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/05/us-bp-spill-ruling-idUSKBN0EG05520140605