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BP Plc acted with gross negligence in setting off the biggest offshore oil spill in U.S.
history, a federal judge ruled, handing down a long-awaited decision that may force the
energy company to pay billions of dollars more for the 2010 Gulf of Mexico disaster.
U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier held a trial without a jury over who was at fault for the
catastrophe, which killed 11 people and spewed oil for almost three months into waters that
touch the shores of five states. �BP has long maintained that it was merely
negligent,� said David Uhlmann, former head of the Justice Department�s environmental
crimes division. He said Barbier �soundly rejected� BP�s arguments that others were
equally responsible, holding �that its employees took risks that led to the largest environmental
disaster in U.S. history.� The case also included Transocean Ltd. (RIG)
and Halliburton Co. (HAL), though the judge didn�t find them as responsible for the
spill as BP. Barbier wrote in his decision today in New Orleans federal court that BP
was �reckless,� while Transocean and Halliburton were negligent. He apportioned fault at 67
percent for BP, 30 percent for Transocean and 3 percent for Halliburton.
U.K.-based BP, which may face fines of as much as $18 billion, closed down 5.9% to 455
pence in London trading. �The court�s findings will ensure that
the company is held fully accountable for its recklessness,� U.S. Attorney General
Eric Holder said. �This decision will serve as a strong deterrent to anyone tempted to
sacrifice safety and the environment in the pursuit of profit.�