Who Is Really To Blame For This Blowout?

IBD Editorials ^ | May 27, 2010 | CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER

[muawiyah]

The US Government owns the property in question, and is the steward. The Bill Clinton plan (passed in 1994) regarding leaks/blowouts/spills CAPS the damages assignable to the lessors.

So, no, I am not talking tortlaw, rather the law undergirding the system of leases governing oil bearing areas of the Gulf 200 mile economic zone (which are, except in cases of dispute among/between parties, administered by the Executive authority ~ to wit, the President and his officers.

Here we have a situation where the owner is the government and has total authority to dictate whatever controls and standards it wishes ~ might be different if the folks working the wells OWNED the sites, but they don't.

It is the US government's responsibility to dictate terms that protect "others" in our peaceful use of the waters of the Gulf and adjacent lands.

If the US government signed a lease with a party incapable of living up to the terms of the lease, then the government may cancel the lease and turn over "operation" or "recovery" to somebody else, or bring its own equipment and employees ~ but hey, they don't have any equipment or employees.

Administrative law courts are open 24/7 to deal with failures of BP to meet the terms of their lease. No doubt at some point there'll be an issue pop up in this situation that might well involve the federal judiciary but that hasn't happened yet.

[snuffy smiff]

Just like the envirowhacks are also responsible for both space shuttle disasters.

These people should be locked up-for life. They are dangerous to everyone around them...

[muawiyah]

The US government assigned a tract to a foreign lessee. The limits of liability are no more than the value of property and other items they have within the jurisdiction of the United States.

BP's foreign assets are probably beyond the reach of the US.

The US government can't just stop cleaning up the Gulf if BP pulls out of the area ~ although I would really love to see Obama standing at the shoreline railing against the evil BP company with the oil continuing to wash up on his shoes like he was some sort of helpless infant.

[thackney]

BP’s US assets are far, far greater than the total cost of this clean up. BP is the largest oil producer in the US and in the top 5 for natural gas. They own several refineries n the US.

The only way for BP TO not cover this expense is to cease to exist. Even then the fire sale of their assets will exceed the expense.

[itsahoot]

Why can't we do this?

You really have to ask? It isn't about oil independence, it is about Global Governance, and that can't happen as long as there is a free people. Hence connect the dots.

[itsahoot]

They are the worst example of a poorly run mega corp. that I can think of. Few rival their incompetence.

I guess that explains why they were given safety awards by this administration.

[Tarpon]

That's true, in all likelihood, which is why they put on the green coat. But how do you explain getting an environmental impact waiver from MMS 10 days before the accident, which was to cover the eventuality of what actually happened. Yes it is hindsight butt ......

What good are federal regulations which are not followed or enforced.

Have you seen this VIDEO ? It's the MMS director's testimony on Wednesday .... Very damaging.

The person who is testifying is the very same MMS director who resigned this AM ... something serious is going on here. It's as if BP campaign contributions were turned into MMS waivers.

[okie01]

One barrel of crude produces 42 U.S. gallons of gasoline. Believe me, I'm no expert. But my recollection is that the gasoline yield from crude oil in in the neighborhood of 50-60%. Meaning that a barrel of crude would produce around 21-25 gal. of gasoline.

A barrel of crude (42 gal.), however, may end up producing a total of 50-or-more gallons of petroleum products (e.g., kerosene, naptha, lubricating oil, grease, paraffin, etc) -- due to the other materials used in the various reactions.

[Enterprise]

Thanks. I might have read some of these things before, but it is always illuminating to read from people who are pretty knowledgeable.

[rodguy911]

Well we know these a-holes are for sale. BP probably just bought them.

The sad thing is that all the other drillers who did obey safety laws and have drilled responsibly for years will now pay the price because of BP.

[rodguy911]

Let's face it over half of zeros appointees are massively incompetent and usually 100% political. For one of them to fail and resign is hardly even newsworthy.

I still say if you follow BP's history at all everything that is and has happened makes perfect sense. They are the obama regime of the oil patch.

[Tarpon]

The czars are the power behind these cabinet stooges.

[SouthTexas]

Sorry I missed your timeline, read a good one the other day on “fault”. Wish I would have saved it now. Started off with those that drive cars, those that sit and peck on plastic keyboards, those that use electricity (nat.gas power generation), and proceeded to run about a half a page.

Odds are that's not exactly what you were looking for. :)

Have basically had to avoid most discussions on this. Said a month ago the relief well was the cure but lunacy prevails, even on FR. Too much finger pointing and whining and crying about the stupid birds. The fact that eleven men died out there seems to be forgotten and the fact that there are more there everyday risking life and limb on asinine schemes to try and speed up the process all seems to be forgotten.

[tubebender]

Even the shirt on your back unless it’s pure cotton and then it was probably sewed with a oil based thread...

[SouthTexas]

Yep and planted, cultivated, harvested, and processed using vehicles than run on deisel. ;)