HOUSTON, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- British energy giant BP failed to ensure safety at its U.S. refineries because it was more concerned with cost-cutting, an investigation finds.
The 374-page report, commissioned after a March 2005 blast at the company's Texas City, Texas, refinery that killed 15 people and injured more than 170 others, said BP claims it wants to be a safe company but has not provided effective process-safety leadership to live up to its words, The Wall Street Journal reported.
"Significant process-safety culture issues exist at each refinery, not just the Texas City facility," said the investigation panel, chaired by former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker.
BP said it would implement the panel's findings.
BP's deficiencies are not unique to BP, Baker said in issuing the report Tuesday. He encouraged other refiners and chemical companies also to implement his panel's findings.
BP received the report last Wednesday, two days before BP said Chairman John Browne would retire in July, earlier than expected, to be replaced by Tony Hayward.
BP shares fell $1.13, or 1.75 percent, to $65.51 in late-morning trading Tuesday.
