WHILE the BP Gulf of Mexico disaster continues to dominate world media attention, the response of the offshore oil exploration companies appears to be self-preservation, dodging responsibility and denial.

Donal Hickey reports on Ireland’s Atlantic oil basins.

OIL prices rose over $1 yesterday as Hurricane Rita threatened US Gulf of Mexico oil facilities, but rising fuel inventories helped ease concern of potential supply disruptions.

HURRICANE Ivan, one of the fiercest Atlantic storms recorded, grew even more powerful and headed toward Cuba yesterday after pummelling the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Grenada, killing at least 65 on a route that could take it to the US coast.