Anadarko argues against $1B penalty in 2010 Gulf oil spill
Source: Associated Press
Anadarko argues against $1B penalty in 2010 Gulf oil spill
By KEVIN McGILL, Associated Press | February 2, 2015 | Updated: February 2, 2015 5:20pm
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The latest phase of a trial to determine how much BP should pay in Clean Water Act penalties for the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill — which could reach $13.7 billion — ended Monday, but a decision from the judge is not expected for months.
The trial closed after two weeks of testimony and arguments by lawyers for the Justice Department, which wants a high penalty, and BP, which wants a lower figure. Anadarko Petroleum Corp., a minority owner of the ill-fated well, was also part of the proceeding and is fighting the government's push for more than $1 billion in penalties.
Attorneys may file briefs in the case as late as April and it remains unclear how soon after that U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier will rule.
It was the third phase of a trial to determine Clean Water Act penalties arising from the April 20, 2010, explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig at BP's Macondo well. The blast killed 11 workers and sent oil spewing into the Gulf for 87 days.
Barbier has already issued key rulings after two earlier phases: that BP acted with "gross negligence" in the disaster, a decision BP is appealing; and that 3.19 million barrels of oil was discharged. Those two factors could lead to a maximum $13.7 billion fine based on a per-barrel penalty.
Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/texas/article/Anadarko-argues-against-1B-penalty-in-2010-Gulf-6056593.php