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BP 'disregarded dangers' at well BP 'disregarded dangers' at well
(40 minutes later)
Tony Hayward is at Congress a day after visiting the White House Mr Hayward faces detailed questions
BP chief executive Tony Hayward has been told by Congress his firm ignored dangers when drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.BP chief executive Tony Hayward has been told by Congress his firm ignored dangers when drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.
House committee on energy and commerce chairman Henry Waxman said he would have to explain BP's actions before the oil rig disaster.House committee on energy and commerce chairman Henry Waxman said he would have to explain BP's actions before the oil rig disaster.
Mr Waxman added that corporate "complacency" at BP before the 20 April spill had been "astonishing".Mr Waxman added that corporate "complacency" at BP before the 20 April spill had been "astonishing".
As Mr Hayward prepared to speak, a heckler disrupted proceedings.As Mr Hayward prepared to speak, a heckler disrupted proceedings.
An unidentified woman could be seen shouting before she was apparently removed from the hearing.An unidentified woman could be seen shouting before she was apparently removed from the hearing.
Congressmen earlier sent Mr Hayward detailed questions about events leading up to the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon drill rig.Congressmen earlier sent Mr Hayward detailed questions about events leading up to the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon drill rig.
BP says it will withhold dividends until the end of the year as part of its response to the spill.BP says it will withhold dividends until the end of the year as part of its response to the spill.
BP shares rose more than 6% after it agreed to put $20bn (£13.5bn) in a fund to compensate victims of the spill.BP shares rose more than 6% after it agreed to put $20bn (£13.5bn) in a fund to compensate victims of the spill.
The increase halted falls that had led to the company's stock value halving in recent weeks.The increase halted falls that had led to the company's stock value halving in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, the firm's first containment device for the ruptured well is working again after a brief shutdown.Meanwhile, the firm's first containment device for the ruptured well is working again after a brief shutdown.
And BP announced on Wednesday that a second containment system had been launched, designed to bring oil and gas to the surface.And BP announced on Wednesday that a second containment system had been launched, designed to bring oil and gas to the surface.
'Tremendous risks''Tremendous risks'
Congressman Waxman said in his opening remarks that BP had "cut corner after corner" in order to save money, which led to the explosion and fire on board the Deepwater Horizon.Congressman Waxman said in his opening remarks that BP had "cut corner after corner" in order to save money, which led to the explosion and fire on board the Deepwater Horizon.
He said Congress could find no evidence that BP had been monitoring the risks. Congress, he went on, could find no evidence that BP had been monitoring the risks.
"Deepwater drilling is inherently dangerous," he said."Deepwater drilling is inherently dangerous," he said.
"As the entire country now knows, an uncontrolled blowout can kill rig workers and cause an environmental disaster."As the entire country now knows, an uncontrolled blowout can kill rig workers and cause an environmental disaster.
"We wanted to know whether you were briefed about the risks and were monitoring the safety of the drilling operation."We wanted to know whether you were briefed about the risks and were monitoring the safety of the drilling operation.
"We could find no evidence that you paid any attention to the tremendous risks BP was taking."We could find no evidence that you paid any attention to the tremendous risks BP was taking.
"We reviewed 30,000 pages of documents from BP, including your e-mails. There is not a single e-mail or document that shows you paid even the slightest attention to the dangers at this well.""We reviewed 30,000 pages of documents from BP, including your e-mails. There is not a single e-mail or document that shows you paid even the slightest attention to the dangers at this well."
One by one, other Congressmen attacked BP's activities in America.One by one, other Congressmen attacked BP's activities in America.
Congressman Mike Ross pointed out that BP had so far failed to stop the oil spill.
"Mr Hayward, since this hearing began a little over an hour ago, up to 112,847 gallons have been dumped into the Gulf," he said.
"On day 59 of this environmental and economic disaster... I continue to be frustrated and downright angry about BP's response."
Congressman Joe Barton, the senior Republican on Mr Waxman's committee, said that while he agreed BP should explain its actions, he was "ashamed" to see the firm having to set up the compensation fund.Congressman Joe Barton, the senior Republican on Mr Waxman's committee, said that while he agreed BP should explain its actions, he was "ashamed" to see the firm having to set up the compensation fund.
It was, he said, a "$20bn shakedown".It was, he said, a "$20bn shakedown".
Mr Hayward began his testimony to the panel by expressing his condolences to the families of the 11 oil workers killed.Mr Hayward began his testimony to the panel by expressing his condolences to the families of the 11 oil workers killed.
He then set out the action BP was taking to clear up the oil and help those affected.
"I give my pledge as the leader of BP that we will not rest until we make this right," he said.
"We're a strong company and no resources will be spared."
Detailed questions
Specific questions were set out in a letter to Mr Hayward on Sunday by Mr Waxman and fellow committee member Bart Stupak.Specific questions were set out in a letter to Mr Hayward on Sunday by Mr Waxman and fellow committee member Bart Stupak.
In particular, they want Mr Hayward to answer allegations that BP:In particular, they want Mr Hayward to answer allegations that BP:
  • Went against the advice of its own plan review regarding the well's design and chose a riskier, cheaper and quicker casing option
  • Used only six centralisers to make sure the casing ran down the centre of the well bore, rather than the 21 recommended by sub-contractor Halliburton
  • Rejected warnings by its own plan review and Halliburton in preparations for a cementing job
  • Decided to forego a recommended safety step in the circulation of drilling mud
  • Did not deploy a "lockdown sleeve" that would have prevented the seal from being blown out from below
  • Went against the advice of its own plan review regarding the well's design and chose a riskier, cheaper and quicker casing option
  • Used only six centralisers to make sure the casing ran down the centre of the well bore, rather than the 21 recommended by sub-contractor Halliburton
  • Rejected warnings by its own plan review and Halliburton in preparations for a cementing job
  • Decided to forego a recommended safety step in the circulation of drilling mud
  • Did not deploy a "lockdown sleeve" that would have prevented the seal from being blown out from below
Earlier, BP chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg was forced to apologise after telling reporters that BP was not a greedy company and that it cared "about the small people". He later said he "spoke clumsily". Analysts say the BP's finances should be strong enough to withstand the fiscal fallout from the spill.
'No limit'
BP has agreed to pay $5bn into the compensation account, known as an escrow fund, before the end of 2010. The remainder is to be paid over the following three years.
The agreement was announced by US President Barack Obama after he met BP executives at the White House.
"We will continue to hold BP and all other responsible parties accountable," Mr Obama said.
He insisted there would be no cap on the amount BP might be asked to contribute.
Analysts say the firm's finances should be strong enough to withstand the fiscal fallout from the spill.
The blast on the Deepwater Horizon led to the deaths of 11 people, caused the rig to sink, and has since seen hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil spew into the Gulf of Mexico.The blast on the Deepwater Horizon led to the deaths of 11 people, caused the rig to sink, and has since seen hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil spew into the Gulf of Mexico.
Some of the oil is now washing ashore in states along the Gulf coast.Some of the oil is now washing ashore in states along the Gulf coast.
The spill threatens to cripple businesses and seriously damage wildlife across the Gulf.The spill threatens to cripple businesses and seriously damage wildlife across the Gulf.
It has already paralysed the fishing industry in the area.It has already paralysed the fishing industry in the area.
Are you affected by this story? Send us your comments on the Congress committee.Are you affected by this story? Send us your comments on the Congress committee.