BP's leak rig 'had 380 problems'

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Updated:

 

The rig at the centre of BP's ruptured Macondo well had nearly 400 overdue maintenance problems when it was put into operation in the Gulf of Mexico this spring, US investigators have heard.

BP petrol station

Poor safety: The Deepwater Horizon rig had almost 400 maintenance problems

A BP audit identified some 380 potential issues with the rig, which owner Transocean was in the process of resolving before the Deepwater Horizon went back on stream, a BP employee told an investigation by the US Coast Guard.

Neil Cramond, who oversees BP's marine operations in the Gulf, said the number of jobs behind schedule was 'excessive', but acknowledged it was ultimately up to BP to decide whether the rig was fit to be returned to service.

Cramond went on to admit that he had minimal contact with Paul Johnson, who managed the Deepwater Horizon rig for owner Transocean, which leased it to BP.

When Deepwater exploded in mid-April, eleven BP workers died and the rupture spewed out some 206m gallons of oil into the sea before a temporary cap stopped the flow last month.

The disaster is expected to cost BP at least £14bn.

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