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BP vows to clean up US oil slick | BP vows to clean up US oil slick |
(about 10 hours later) | |
Oil giant BP has acknowledged it is "absolutely responsible" for cleaning up a huge oil spill after an explosion at one of its wells off the US coast. | Oil giant BP has acknowledged it is "absolutely responsible" for cleaning up a huge oil spill after an explosion at one of its wells off the US coast. |
But BP boss Tony Hayward said the firm was not to blame for the accident which sank the Deepwater Horizon rig on 22 April, causing the slick. | But BP boss Tony Hayward said the firm was not to blame for the accident which sank the Deepwater Horizon rig on 22 April, causing the slick. |
He said the equipment that failed belonged to drilling firm Transocean. | He said the equipment that failed belonged to drilling firm Transocean. |
Both companies are expecting lawsuits over the slick, which threatens to cause major ecological damage. | Both companies are expecting lawsuits over the slick, which threatens to cause major ecological damage. |
US President Barack Obama has described the oil leak as a "potentially unprecedented" environmental disaster. | US President Barack Obama has described the oil leak as a "potentially unprecedented" environmental disaster. |
"BP is responsible for this leak. BP will be paying the bill," he said. | "BP is responsible for this leak. BP will be paying the bill," he said. |
Slick 'heading to Florida' | Slick 'heading to Florida' |
The US government has been putting pressure on BP to act quickly. | The US government has been putting pressure on BP to act quickly. |
In a BBC interview, Mr Hayward dismissed talk of a rift between BP and US officials. | In a BBC interview, Mr Hayward dismissed talk of a rift between BP and US officials. |
Hundreds of people have been drafted in to help clean up the oil | Hundreds of people have been drafted in to help clean up the oil |
"Despite some of the rhetoric we have established an incredible co-operative relationship with the federal authorities," he said. | "Despite some of the rhetoric we have established an incredible co-operative relationship with the federal authorities," he said. |
"It's clear that we're working very well together. In terms of the responsibility, I want to be clear, this was not our accident but it is our responsibility to deal with the leak and clean up the oil." | "It's clear that we're working very well together. In terms of the responsibility, I want to be clear, this was not our accident but it is our responsibility to deal with the leak and clean up the oil." |
Thousands of barrels of oil have been leaking into the Gulf of Mexico every day since the rig sank. | Thousands of barrels of oil have been leaking into the Gulf of Mexico every day since the rig sank. |
Some oil has washed ashore, but officials say the bulk of the slick remains a few miles from the Louisiana coastline. | Some oil has washed ashore, but officials say the bulk of the slick remains a few miles from the Louisiana coastline. |
The oil is already having a devastating effect on the area's fishing industry, and officials fear much wider environmental damage if the full slick hits land. | The oil is already having a devastating effect on the area's fishing industry, and officials fear much wider environmental damage if the full slick hits land. |
Forecasters said south-westerly winds on Monday were pushing the slick towards Florida. | Forecasters said south-westerly winds on Monday were pushing the slick towards Florida. |
Falling shares | Falling shares |
Mr Hayward said BP was making a three-pronged effort to stop the leak: | Mr Hayward said BP was making a three-pronged effort to stop the leak: |
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Experts warn that the cost of clearing up the spill could run into billions of dollars. | Experts warn that the cost of clearing up the spill could run into billions of dollars. |
BP has said it will honour legitimate claims for compensation from people affected. | BP has said it will honour legitimate claims for compensation from people affected. |
The firm's shares continued to fall on Monday, after previous trading had seen about $20bn wiped from its market value since the accident. | The firm's shares continued to fall on Monday, after previous trading had seen about $20bn wiped from its market value since the accident. |
HAVE YOUR SAYThe oil companies should pay for this, which ultimately means us, as they will pass the bill to uszathros Send us your comments | |
UK markets were closed on Monday, but BP's Frankfurt-listed shares opened 8% lower before clawing back some of the losses. | UK markets were closed on Monday, but BP's Frankfurt-listed shares opened 8% lower before clawing back some of the losses. |
Analysts say the costs associated with the slick are uncertain, meaning that the share price was likely to remain volatile while the leak continues. | Analysts say the costs associated with the slick are uncertain, meaning that the share price was likely to remain volatile while the leak continues. |
In California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger withdrew his support for a plan to expand oil exploration off the state's coast. | In California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger withdrew his support for a plan to expand oil exploration off the state's coast. |
He said seeing TV images of the spill in the Gulf had changed his mind about the safety of offshore oil platforms in the Pacific Ocean. | He said seeing TV images of the spill in the Gulf had changed his mind about the safety of offshore oil platforms in the Pacific Ocean. |
He had supported more drilling as a way to ease the state's budget deficit. | He had supported more drilling as a way to ease the state's budget deficit. |
Are you in the area? Are you affected by the oil slick, or have you seen it spreading? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in the area? Are you affected by the oil slick, or have you seen it spreading? Send us your comments using the form below. |
You can also send us your pictures and videos to +44 7725 100100 or email them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk | You can also send us your pictures and videos to +44 7725 100100 or email them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk |
Find out more about how to send your pictures | Find out more about how to send your pictures |
At no time should you put yourself or others at risk. | At no time should you put yourself or others at risk. |
The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all emails will be published. | The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all emails will be published. |