[muawiyah]

No, BP is not responsible ~ the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT owns the well. BP drilled it, but pays royalties to continue to use it.

The inspection regime created and administered by an army of EPA, INTERIOR and special interest lawyers proved to be inadequate.

In the future the "experts" should call in capable statisticians and quality control experts to ADVISE them on what to do, and what not to do. While they are being instructed the lawyers shold be tied and gagged!

Checking off boxes on a punch list won't do the job when it comes to a complex structure like an oilwell in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico at over a mile deep.

[marron]

the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT owns the well. BP drilled it, but pays royalties to continue to use it. The inspection regime created and administered by an army of EPA, INTERIOR and special interest lawyers proved to be inadequate.

Good point. I know this and even I forget this.

[Sudetenland]

Wrong, the people doing the exploration and drilling bear the responsibility, your comment completely skirts the issue. You didn't refute a single thing I posted.

Is the land owner of a land based well responsible for the negligence of the driller and the oil exploration company?