Anadarko Petroleum considering its legal options in the wake of penalties for the Deepwater Horizon tragedy, saying events were beyond its control as a non-operator. File photo by A.J. Sisco/UPI |
License Photo
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Anadarko Petroleum said it was reviewing its appellate options in the wake of a $159.9 million penalty tied to the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Anadarko held a 25-percent stake in the Macondo well that failed, triggering the cascading series of events that led to the fatal Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier in New Orleans charged the company a penalty of $159.9 million for its part in the consortium behind the spill.
Andadarko, in a statement, said it was pleased the ruling came in less than anticipated, adding it removed any uncertainties surrounding its legal liability in the case. The company said that, while it respects the decision, it was frustrated with being penalized for actions that, as a non-operator, were beyond its control.
"We are carefully evaluating our appellate options," it said in a statement.
Anadarko held a minority stake in the Macondo well beneath the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico. The district court in Louisiana ruled in September that it was BP's activities at the Macondo well that amounted to willful misconduct.
Barbier was cited by the Houston Chronicle as saying there was "seemingly" no reason to penalize Anadarko for the incident.
"On the other hand, a substantial penalty might make Anadarko and other non-operators more selective when choosing an operator with whom to invest," he wrote in his ruling.
The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear two separate cases filed by BP and Anadarko Petroleum challenging fines related to the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico early this year.
