BP claims ‘series of failures’ led to the Gulf of Mexico tragedy

A report released by BP yesterday (September 8) finds decisions made by 'multiple companies and work teams' contributed to the accident which killed 11 people and caused widespread pollution in the Gulf of Mexico earlier.


The report, based on a four-month investigation and led by BP’s head of safety and operations Mark Bly, found a serious of failures by work teams and companies led to the explosion.

Mr Bly said: “To put it simply, there was a bad cement job and a failure of the shoe track barrier at the bottom of the well, which let hydrocarbons from the reservoir into the production casing.

“The negative pressure test was accepted when it should not have been, there were failures in well control procedures and in the blow-out preventer; and the rig’s fire and gas system did not prevent ignition.

“Based on the report, it would appear unlikely that the well design contributed to the incident, as the investigation found that the hydrocarbons flowed up the production casing through the bottom of the well.”

Greenpeace’s head of energy, Jim Footner, said: “This report is a sorry catalogue of gaffes and failures behind the disaster.

“And it’s highly likely that a truly independent report would be even more damning for BP.

“Worryingly, they’re just weeks away from drilling at similar depths in UK waters. The Government must step in right now and stop this by introducing a moratorium on deep water drilling.

“The age of oil is coming to an end and companies like BP will be left behind unless they begin to adapt now.

“The time has come to move beyond oil and invest in clean energy.”

Luke Walsh

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