Transocean seeks summary judgment against BP in oil spill

Nov. 1, 2011
Transocean Ltd. on Nov. 1 filed a motion for summary judgment requesting the US District Court in New Orleans compel BP PLC to hold Transocean harmless for damages associated with the 2010 Macondo well blowout and resulting massive oil spill off Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico.

Transocean Ltd. on Nov. 1 filed a motion for summary judgment requesting the US District Court in New Orleans compel BP PLC to hold Transocean harmless for damages associated with the 2010 Macondo well blowout and resulting massive oil spill off Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico.

An explosion and fire on the Deepwater Horizon semisubmersible, owned by Transocean, killed 11 people, and the semi later sank. In the Deepwater Horizon drilling contract, BP agreed to release Transocean from fines, penalties, and damages associated with pollution from the well, Transocean said.

“BP cannot avoid its contractual promise by alleging that Transocean breached the drilling contract or that the Deepwater Horizon was unseaworthy,” Transocean said. “BP cannot avoid its contractual promise by alleging that Transocean or its employees were grossly negligent.”

Many lawsuits remain pending regarding the well blowout and the spill (OGJ Online, June 22, 2011).