[ZX12R]

Yes the 2 American companies who advice to BP on which safety features needed to be added to BP's plan were ignored.

Oil rig workers have testified that concerns about how to cap the well were overridden by a BP representative on the rig. That is where the buck stops in this event.

[Republic of Texas]

"Oil rig workers have testified that concerns about how to cap the well were overridden by a BP representative on the rig. That is where the buck stops in this event."

That is what I've heard from industry people as well. My own offshore experience was that the "Company Man", in this case the BP Rep, has the final word on all procedures.