BP Internal Investigation Report Draws Criticism
As predicted, an internal investigation report recently released by BP regarding the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion deflects blame from the company, pointing fingers instead at others involved in the drilling effort at the Macondo well. As such, the report drew criticism from government investigators and BP's partners.
Representative Edward Markey (D-Mass.), a member of a congressional panel investigating the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, admonished that:
Of their own eight key findings, they only explicitly take responsibility for half of one. BP is happy to slice up blame, as long as they get the smallest piece.
Representative Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, accused BP of minimizing its role in the accident.
For its part BP's major partner, Transocean Ltd., labelled the report a self-serving attempt to deflect attention from the fatally flawed BP well design.
Citing a variety of causes in the horrific accident in April, the report's final conclusion was that "[m]ultiple companies, work teams and circumstances were involved" in the accident over time.
Analysts predict that the report foreshadows BP's legal position and arguments as it prepares to defend itself in pending and future lawsuits, as well as in civil and criminal investigatory proceedings. Meanwhile BP's chief investigator, Mark Bly, rejected criticisms of the report, contending that it was an objective effort not intended to diffuse blame, a stance roundly rejected by the report's many critics.
For more detailed information on BP's recently-released internal investigation report, please visit GulfCoastMaritime.com.
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