Anadarko Petroleum, the independent oil and natural gas producer that held a 25% non-operating interest in the ill-fated Macondo well project, is liable under law for damages related to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the largest spill in U.S. history. The Justice Department made the claim that the company is liable under U.S. oil pollution laws.
Texas-based Anadarko (APC) has asked a federal judge to dismiss it from the suit. The company has also pursued litigation against BP (BP), the operator of the Deepwater Horizon rig. Last month, Anadarko said it would consider discussing a settlement with BP under the right circumstances.
''Liability under the Oil Pollution Act and the Clean Water Acts is so straightforward here that the court -- rather than dismissing the complaint -- should enter summary judgment in favor of the United States,'' the government said, according to Bloomberg News.
The Deepwater Horizon was owned by Switzerland-based Transocean (RIG), the world's largest provider of offshore drilling services. Eleven workers aboard the rig perished when the rig exploded on April 20, 2010.
Home
Peak Oil Facts
