Transocean seeks summary judgment against BP in oil spill

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.

Paula Dittrick

Nov. 1, 2011

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).

About the Author

Paula Dittrick

Senior Staff Writer

Paula Dittrick has covered oil and gas from Houston for more than 20 years. Starting in May 2007, she developed a health, safety, and environment beat for Oil & Gas Journal. Dittrick is familiar with the industry’s financial aspects. She also monitors issues associated with carbon sequestration and renewable energy.

Dittrick joined OGJ in February 2001. Previously, she worked for Dow Jones and United Press International. She began writing about oil and gas as UPI’s West Texas bureau chief during the 1980s. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska in 1974.