Curta do Bryant´s

DOJ – Gulf oil spill lawsuit filed

The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a news release stating that it has filed a complaint against various parties involved in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill seeking payment of government removal costs, economic losses, and environmental damages under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90). In a second news release, DOJ announced that its suit seeks civil penalties under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) and a declaration that eight of the defendants are liable without limitation under OPA 90 for all removal costs and damages. The defendants consist of: BP Exploration and Production Inc.; Anadarko Exploration & Production LP; Anadarko Petroleum Corporation; MOEX Offshore 2007 LLC; Triton Asset Leasing GMBH; Transocean Holdings LLC; Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling Inc.; Transocean Deepwater Inc.; and QBE Underwriting Ltd./Lloyd’s Syndicate 1036. The latter entity, as BP’s insurer, is liable only up to the amount of insurance coverage under OPA 90. The suit alleges violation of various federal safety and operating regulations. (12/15/10).

Note: I understand the part of the suit seeking civil penalties, but not the part seeking costs and damages incurred by the federal government. Government press releases have stated that it has been fully paid for all bills submitted and BP has promised to continue such payments. The government is not entitled to double recovery. Fonte: Dennis Bryant.