FEDERAL REGULATORS LET BP AVOID FILING BLOWOUT PLAN FOR GULF OIL RIG
By The Associated Press
May 06, 2010, 12:52PM
"Petrochemical giant BP didn't file a plan to specifically handle a major oil spill from an uncontrolled blowout at its Deepwater Horizon project because the federal agency that regulates offshore rigs changed its rules two years ago [when Bush was President] to exempt certain projects in the central Gulf region, according to an Associated Press review of official records
The Minerals Management Service, an arm of the Interior Department known for its cozy relationship with major oil companies, says it issued the rule relief because some of the industrywide mandates weren't practical for all of the exploratory and production projects operating in the Gulf region.
The blowout rule, the fact that it was lifted in April 2008 [when Bush was President] for rigs that didn't fit at least one of five conditions, and confusion about whether the BP Deepwater Horizon project was covered by the regulation, caught the attention of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
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The Deepwater Horizon disaster is not the first time MMS has been criticized as being too close to the oil industry.
In 2008 [when Bush was President], the Interior Department took disciplinary action against eight MMS employees who accepted lavish gifts, partied and -- in some cases -- had sex with employees from the energy companies they regulated. An investigation cited a "culture of substance abuse and promiscuity" involving employees in the agency's Denver office.
MMS workers were given upgraded ethics training."
Not enough? Need more?
DEEPWATER HORIZON'S HISTORY OF ERROR AND MALFUNCTION
By Bridget Huber on April 30, 2010
"As the Deepwater Horizon oil rig continues to spew 210,000 barrels of oil a day into the Gulf of Mexico, the Associated Press takes a look at the rig’s history. Its nine years in operation [most of which when Bush was President] have seen many smaller spills and fires caused by human error, malfunctioning equipment and weather.
The article does not attempt to determine what caused the rig to explode and sink last week, killing 11 workers. But it details a number of problems, including a 2005 fire [when Bush was President] caused when a worker forgot he was refilling a crane fuel tank, spilling diesel fuel that then ignited. Bad weather and human error caused it to float off course in 2003 [when Bush was President] and spill 944 barrels of oil.
The rig, which drilled the world’s deepest offshore well, also collided with a towing vessel in 2003 [when Bush was President] and sustained $95,000 in damage to its hull, which, if not properly repaired could have compromised its structural integrity or weakened the structure supporting its drilling apparatus, the AP reports."
Still not convinced? Still trying to blame President Obama for Bush's complete and total lack of oversight of Halliburton and the rest of their oil buddies? You're killin' me! I can't take complete responsibility for your education. I got shit to do.
So I'll give you this one last link and I'm done.
RIG HAD HISTORY OF SPILLS, FIRES BEFORE BIG 1
FRANK JORDANS, Associated Press Writers
GARANCE BURKEGARANCE BURKE, Associated Press Writers
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"Oil services contractor Halliburton Inc. said in a statement Friday that workers had finished cementing the well's pipes 20 hours before the rig went up in flames. Halliburton is named as a defendant in most of the more than two dozen lawsuits filed by Gulf Coast people and businesses claiming the oil spill could ruin them financially. Without elaborating, one lawsuit filed by an injured technician on the rig claims that Halliburton improperly performed its job in cementing the well, "increasing the pressure at the well and contributing to the fire, explosion and resulting oil spill."
Do you still not fucking get it?
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