Earlier this week, BP released its report on the causes of the April 20 explosion at the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that killed 11 workers and spilled an estimated 206 million gallons of oil into the ocean. In some quarters, the reaction to BP’s report has been anything but positive.
BP’s report lists eight key findings that led to the explosion.
Among the findings, BP says its engineers and employees of Transocean, the rig owner, misinterpreted a pressure test of the well’s integrity. It also blames employees from both companies for failing to respond to warning signs that the well was in danger of blowing out.
Those are just some of the specifics. But others are taking a big-picture look at the situation, specifically, whether BP’s overall corporate culture was a leading cause.
The report “regrettably does not address the corporate culture at BP that shortchanged safety,” said Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
A statement from Transocean said, “BP made a series of cost-saving decisions that increased risk.”
So the finger points once again to the idea that BP cut corners with safety at Deepwater Horizon to save money.
Legal experts speculate part of BP’s reason for releasing an early report on the disaster is to spread blame among itself, Transocean and cement contractor Halliburton as BP faces hundreds of lawsuits and possible criminal charges over the spill.
When it can be shown that a company purposefully cut corners on safety to save money, and a disaster results, how should the company be held accountable? Let us know what you think in the Comments Box below.
