BP
Gulf spill blamed on poor management decisions
A key federal report, recently released, puts ultimate responsibility on BP for worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history. The report indicates that BP made a series of decisions that complicated cementing operations, added risk, and may have contributed to the ultimate failure of the cement job. Full article.
BP: Oil sheen in Gulf not from Macondo site
Oil giant BP Plc indicated that a new oil sheen discovery in the Gulf of Mexico has nothing to do with its operations, and is far from the site of its disaster-hit Macondo well. BP spokesman Daren Beaudo said the company sent several mini-submersibles into the water over the weekend to investigate the source of the sheen — a shiny coating that floats on the surface of the water which could come from leaked or spilled oil — but had concluded "that it couldn't have been from anything of ours." Full article.
Scientists worry about research funding delays
cientists say delays in BP funds for Gulf oil spill research could result in research being too late to assess impact on pelicans, shrimp and other species. Full article.
BP tourism funds approved for 5 CENLA parishes
Rapides, Avoyelles, Grant, Allen and Evangeline parishes are among 17 parishes slated to receive BP tourism funds. Most of the money will go toward promoting and funding local events, as well as marketing and advertising local attractions. Full article.
Animated graphic chronicles first 100 days of Gulf of Mexico oil spill
The Times-Picayune interactive graphic , recently published, chronicles the first 100 days of the Gulf Oil Spill disaster. The program presents the story of what happened day by day. View interactive graphic.
President’s Oil Commission report blames BP
A report issued by the president’s oil spill commission indicated that BP ignored warning signs of problems, failed to adequately oversee partners, & fostered a chaotic management style that added to poor decision prior to the blast. Fred Bartlit, the commission’s chief counsel: “The sad fact is that this was an entirely preventable disaster.” Full article.
Convention and Visitors Bureau gets BP funds for marketing
The Rapides Parish Police Jury recently delegated authority for nearly $100,000 in funds to the Alexandria/Pineville Convention & Visitors Bureau, as part of the Louisiana Tourism Recovery Program. Funded by BP, the program works to offset negative perceptions of LA products and the state as a tourist destination that arose after the BP oil spill last year. Full article.
BP oil spill claims czar says recovery in 3 years
The administrator of BP's $20 billion Gulf oil spill compensation fund recently indicated that he expects the region to recover within three years—an assessment that will be used to determine how much to pay spill victims in final settlements. Attorney Kenneth Feinberg said that the Gulf Coast Claims Facility used "various data and expert reports" to determine that a 30% recovery is likely in 2011 with full recovery in 2012. He notes, however, that oysters will take longer. Full article.
Anchors used in oil-spill response weigh on Gulf
Thousands of heavy metal anchors used to keep that booms used to protect against last year's oil spill in place litter the Gulf’s seafloor, and fishermen complain that the anchors, which weigh between 20 and 75 pounds apiece, snag their gear. The federal government and BP worry that yanking them up could intensify erosion and tear holes in subsea pipelines. Full article.
BP's spill costs look manageable
Cleanup, government fines, lawsuits, legal fees and damage claims for BP will be far below the highest estimates made over the summer by legal experts and prominent Wall Street banks, such as Goldman Sachs, which had predicted costs could reach $200 billion. An Associated Press analysis shows BP will survive the worst oil spill in U.S. history. Full article.
