Transocean slams BP's 'self-serving' Gulf of Mexico disaster report

(Update) A BP report found a 'number of parties' share the blame for the Deepwater Horizon but Transocean and Halliburton have hit back at the 'flawed' report.

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by Deborah Hyde on Sep 08, 2010 at 15:50

Transocean slams BP's 'self-serving' Gulf of Mexico disaster report

Transocean, the rig operator at the disaster-struck Deepwater Horizon well and oil services group Halliburton have hit out at a BP report that says the pair share the blame for the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico that killed 11 and led to the largest offshore spill in US history.

A spokesman for rig owner Transocean said: 'this is a self-serving report that attempts to conceal the critical factor that set the stage for the Macondo incident: BP’s fatally flawed well design.'

The BP report - by the group's safety chief Mark Bly and 50 investigators - claims that responsibility for the disaster lies with 'a number of parties' including Transocean and Halliburton, which was responsible for cementing the well.

But Transocean's spokesman said cost-saving decisions made exclusively by BP about the design and construction of the well 'increased risk – in some cases, severely'.

The spokesman added that BP had also decided not to test the cement work at the bottom of the well - something BP's own report says was a key factor in the tragedy.

And a spokesman for Halliburton said the BP report has 'a number of substantial omissions and inaccuracies' and said the work it carried out 'was completed in accordance with BP’s specifications'.

He echoed the comments from Transocean saying 'Contractors do not specify well design or make decisions regarding testing procedures as that responsibility lies with the well owner.'

BP's report identified six main reasons for the disaster including the cementing and the actions of Transocean and BP staff.

Importantly, the report challenged claims by US government officials and a number of leading newspapers including the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times that the well design - chosen because it was cheaper - was to blame.

'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,' said chief executive Tony Hayward in a statement alongside a report.

Instead the report found: 'A sequence of failures involving a number of different parties led to the explosion and fire which killed 11 people and caused widespread pollution in the Gulf of Mexico earlier this year.'

BP shares retreated from earlier highs after the statements from Transocean and Halliburton but closed 5.3p higher at 412p, boosted by news this morning that credit ratings agency Fitch has upgraded its rating on BP to 'A' from 'BBB.'

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7 comments so far. Why not have your say?

Now comes the reckoning for the yanks. Did they think they could slide out of the picture. Wot, me, guv. I don't know nothin about no oil spill. And of course Mitsui.

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It may be true that the well design was a problem, but if they (Transocean) new that before the event (and not just now in hindsight) why did they agree to drill with that design?

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There should be a reckoning, I agree. Problem is BP's reputation in the US is shot so they will say"what did you expect them to say, of course they are blaming other people" The fact that it may be true is beside the point.

I hope the investigation stand serious scrutiny, as otherwise it isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

Personally I think the opprobrium heaped on BP is disgraceful, from the American Administration and from other companies, and I just hope that BP can prove all their statements and conclusions.

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opprobrium, learn a new word every day thanks.

I do agree that BP cannot and should not bear all the responsibility for the disater, there are many team players but the American's want their cake and eat it.

You cannot expect that oil exploration in these areas of the world will be risk free. They want the rewards from the exploration so they must accept some of the risks. If the last well explosion had lead to similar results would they have castigated their US rig owners?

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And if the report is validated, will we hear an apology from the senators and the man at the top, if he be that, and will they not be demanding several billion from the "guilty" American organisations, including the administration, deposits and the release of the deposit by BP?

In your dreams, and they will wriggle and cast aspersions to exculpate themselves.

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BP's partners in the well were all involved in the design of it. From my own experience the partners were always consulted for their opinion. When you have to cough up 25% of the costs you will have your say. Also from my experience minority partners always accuse the operator is running and "gold plated" business and scream at you to cut the cost whenever possible. It will have been no different on Mocondo Apache and Mitsui are hypocrites and liers if they say anything else. Transocean is not the paragon of virtue whne it comes to rig maintenance. They sweat the assets and do the absolute minimum.( again from experience). Halliburton will also have a case to answer wrt to cement job. The US companies are cowering behind Obama it is as shameful as it is sickening. BP's lawyers are good and will get ajust out come for BP.

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Satisfied pensioner

Sep 09, 2010 at 19:21

Perhaps the US President and the US Senate will now get off their high horses and relook at this tragedy with a more balanced eyeball, and stop this disgraceful BP Bashing. Both the above parties have come down very badly and I hope they will now reap the whirlwind from their posturing and high handed behaviour.

What else the above parties will do for political scoring? Can we trust the US to lead?

Disgusted Observer

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