BP admits mistakes over huge oil slick disaster in US
President Obama talks with US coast guard commandant admiral Thad Allen and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, aboard Marine One
Tuesday, 04, May 2010 11:47
By Sarah Garrod.
BP has said promised to cleanup a huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, following a visit from US president Barack Obama to one of the worst-hit areas.
The oil giant's boss Tony Hayward blamed Transocean equipment for the disaster, but vowed his firm would clean up the leak; which was sparked by an explosion on one of its rigs, killing 11 people.
"BP is fully committed to taking all possible steps to contain the spread of the oil spill," Mr Hayward said.
The cause of the explosion is currently being investigated, although it is too late to stop the spread of oil which is threatening the delicate ecosystem along the Louisiana coastline.
However, when touring some of the worst hit areas, Mr Obama, who described the oil spill as "a massive and potentially unprecedented environmental disaster", said: "Let me be clear: BP is responsible for this leak; BP will be paying the bill. But as president of the United States, I'm going to spare no effort to respond to this crisis for as long as it continues."
BP meanwhile has denied responsibility but promised to cleanup the affected area. In an interview with the BBC, Mr Hayward said: "In terms of the responsibility, I want to be clear, this was not our accident but it is our responsibility to deal with the leak and clean up the oil."
Thousands of barrels of oil a day have been leaking from the rig since the explosion last week. Environmental groups, including Greenpeace, have since warned of the impact it could have on the local area, which has a large fishing community.