The CEO of Andarko Petroleum seems to have a bit of a disagreement with BP's Tony Hayward regarding whether it is too soon to know what caused the failure and destruction of the Macando oil well that is still leaking copious amounts of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.
Andarko's CEO, Jim Hackett, released a statement that included his assessment of information that has been gathered through investigating the reasons for the failure of the well. Within this statement regarding the ongoing investigation, Jim Hackett says that it "indicates BP operated unsafely and failed to monitor and react to several critical warning signs during the drilling of the Macondo well."
Partner in damaged oil well slams BP for 'reckless' actions -- and inaction
BP's three-front oil spill war -- on the seafloor, on the Gulf Coast and in Congress -- turned into a four-front battle Friday when its main partner in the damaged exploration well blamed the oil giant's "reckless decisions and actions" for causing a disaster that was "preventable."
It was the first time since the blowout in the Gulf of Mexico that Anadarko Petroleum had given its view of the accident, and its chief executive, Jim Hackett, did not mince words. In a statement, Hackett said he was "shocked" by information that has emerged from investigations of the accident. He said it "indicates BP operated unsafely and failed to monitor and react to several critical warning signs during the drilling of the Macondo well."
Anadarko's statement contrasted with the testimony of BP's chief executive, Tony Hayward, who told a congressional committee Thursday that it was too soon to reach conclusions about the disaster's causes.
Hackett's comments have huge financial implications. As a 25 percent partner in the well, Anadarko would ordinarily be responsible for a quarter of all cleanup and damage costs. But, Hackett said, "BP's behavior and actions likely represent gross negligence or willful misconduct and thus affect the obligations of the parties under the operating agreement." He said Anadarko would donate to charity and civic groups any proceeds it receives from the sale of oil collected during the cleanup.
Of course, BP is stringently disagreeing with Jim Hackett and his view of the causes for the worst environmental disaster here off our shores in the history of the United States of America.
The oil industry has been a very cliquish group that has stuck together through thick and thin forever, it seems. When they start eating their own over profit and loss, the walls are beginning to come down around their ears.