Transocean, Halliburton should have been able to stop Macondo if unsafe

[maddezmom]

August 25, 2010 10:57amby Sheila McNulty | Share
Testimony this week in the US Coast Guard and Bureau for Ocean Energy Management investigation has often been tedious and repetitive.

Lawyers, representing more than a dozen clients, are asking the same questions, leading to those overseeing the proceedings to jump in repeatedly, trying to speed things up. But these are top lawyers, used to getting their way, and so the investigators relent, and the testimony drones on. On Tuesday it went over 10 hours.

That said, some nuggets have cropped up. So for those who can withstand the testimony, making it through the day with frequent trips to the back of the room for the hot coffee on offer, the hearing is worth attending. For those who cannot be there in person, it can be watched online.

One of the interesting issues being pounded home by various lawyers is that any of the companies involved in the drilling operation could have stopped the Macondo well operation at any time if they felt something was wrong. Indeed, BP, Transocean and Halliburton all have policies permitting any staff to stop work on projects if they feel they are unsafe.

more:http://blogs.ft.com/energy-source/2010/08/25/transocean-halliburton-should-have-been-able-to-stop-macondo-if-unsafe/

[SharonAnn]

1. But then the employee who stopped the well loses his/her job.