Here’s a good article from 2009 about the first of its kind deep water rig (BP). Amazing the difficult conditions and the technology required to overcome it. They are producing lots of oil with no problem at this site (Thunder Horse).
Well, just like criminals ... a criminal company like BP, can "get away with violations" too ... for a while, and then things catch up to them ....
Those that are following what you have picked up off “The Oil Drum” site may want to look at today’s thread showing how BP plans to burn off much of what it is pumping up in a giant oil burner.
http://www.theoildrum.com/node/6603
Great pictures and graphics.