Gulf of Mexico disaster forces BP to delay results

By SIMON DUKE FOR MAILONLINE
Updated: 17:16 EST, 10 September 2010

BP has delayed its latest financial results by a week following the blow-out of its Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico.

The embattled oil giant blamed the huge complexities surrounding the catastrophe as it pushed back its third-quarter figures from October 26 to November 2.

Shares in BP fell 2.85p to 412.6p on the back of the news, amid fears that BP had unearthed a raft of new liabilities.

Delayed: BP pushed back its third-quarter figures from October 26 to November 2

However, a spokesman for the group denied that BP was preparing to unveil further losses from the worst environmental disaster in US history.

Rather, it had been a 'bit of a scramble' to publish the figures within the normal timeframe due to the 'much larger volume of disclosure' required because of the spill, he said.

The move came just days after BP delivered its own report into the April explosion, in which it sought to deflect some blame onto U.S contractors.

BP accepted some responsibility for the disaster, but pointed the finger at the perceived failings of oil services groups Transocean and Halliburton.

The firm is desperate to avoid being found guilty of gross negligence, which would carry a fine of more than £12.9billion.