BP yesterday accepted blame for failures to protect employees, the environment and consumers as it agreed to hand over a total of $373m to settle a string of criminal investigations into its conduct across America. In an effort to put lapses under the leadership of Lord Browne behind it, BP struck a broad deal with … Read More
Safety
Hurricane Forces Mexico to Evacuate Oil Rigs
Mexico has started to evacuate 13,360 workers from its Gulf of Mexico oil rigs as powerful hurricane Dean neared. According to state oil company Pemex, which produces some 70 per cent of its crude oil from offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico and is a major supplier to the United States, the move will … Read More
More Safety Problems for BP at Prudhoe
BP has once again been accused of serious safety breaches after a fire broke out at its Prudhoe Bay operations in Alaska. On August 6 a fire took hold at one of three so-called gathering centres within BPâs Prudhoe Bay operations. According to a letter sent to a congressional committee by long-term oil industry critic … Read More
BP to Fight OSHA Penalty
BP may have changed leadership, but its old habits continue. The company BP has said that its US division will contest the latest safety citations and a fine imposed by federal regulators over hazardous conditions at the company’s Texas City refinery. Last month the Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited BP for one willful and … Read More
Hayward Admits Failures at BP
In his first appearance as BP’s new chief executive, Tony Hayward, has pledged to oversee a turnaround at the oil giant as the company posted a drop in second-quarter profits. Hayward told reporters that rather than make optimistic predictions he would “prefer to concentrate on real delivery”. He added that “My message today is simple: … Read More
BP Freezes Payments to Browne
It may not be such a happy retirement for Lord Browne. His former employer, BP has frozen payments worth more than ÂŁ1.5m owed to him, while a court case is resolved. John Manzoni, the outgoing head of BP’s refining operations, is also having payments worth nearly ÂŁ500,000 suspended.
BP Explosion Report âToned Downâ
BPâs internal investigator has admitted in sworn testimony that his final draft report on the UK companyâs management responsibility for the 2005 Texas refinery explosion was toned down. Wilhelm Bonse-Geuking, BPâs European refining group vice-president, was charged with leading a team to determine management responsibility for the devastating explosion which killed 15.
Shell Oil Fined For Pollution at California Refinery
Shellâs subsidiary, Shell Oil Products has paid nearly $3 million in penalties at its California refinery following an equipment failure that sent nearly 1,000 tons of excess carbon monoxide into the air. The pollution escaped the refinery in Martinez back in March after three boilers that simultaneously produce steam and control the plant’s carbon monoxide … Read More
BP Warned Over North Sea Safety Breaches
BP is facing fresh questions about its safety record after being given a series of deadlines by the British Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to address problems on North Sea installations that are potentially putting workers at risk. Following a review of safety after the Texas City fire that killed 15 people and injured 150 … Read More
BP: Hayward Plans Reshuffle
BP’s new CEO, Tony Hayward will present his plans for a reshuffle of the top team at BP when he attends his first board meeting as chief executive in Washington next week. After the traumatic events over the last few days for BP, Hayward is said to be looking to ârefresh the executiveâ and âreassert … Read More