TRANSOCEAN LTD

Transocean found not liable for some pollution claims in Gulf oil disaster

Posted by BillyH

on Fri 01/27/2012 7:48 AM

Related Media

this will be replaced by the SWF.

Transocean, the owner of the Deepwater Horizon rig, which blew out in the Gulf of Mexico nearly two years ago, is not liable for some of the pollution claims arising from the fatal accident, a federal judge in Louisiana ruled on Thursday.

Transocean had argued that BP, as the owner of the well, was responsible for all the costs of the blowout, which killed 11 workers and spilled nearly five million barrels of oil into the gulf. Judge Carl Barbier, the federal judge hearing the lawsuits relating to the disaster, agreed in part, saying that Transocean’s contract with BP shielded it from compensatory claims.

But the judge said that Transocean, the world’s largest offshore drilling contractor, would be subject to any pollution fines levied under the federal Clean Water Act, and its share of punitive damages, if any were assessed. Such costs could run into the billions of dollars.

Transocean said the ruling supported its argument that BP should pay all claims from fishermen, hotel operators and other business owners who lost money because of the oil spill. BP has already paid nearly $8 billion to cover such damages.

SHARE ON

Results 0% 0%: Please log in to vote; Do you think this Freespeech is worth it?; Yes I do — No I don't

Spread it:

Send to your contact

Name:
Email:
Send

Direct link:

Please log in to use the follow features

What does it mean to follow on CorpFreeSpeech?
Following a FreeSpeech or a FreeSpecheer simply means having updates displayed on your admin section.

Follow This FreeSpeech