Oil firms turn on BP at Congress hearing

EXECUTIVES from major oil companies turned on BP last night and defended their own drilling practices during a US congressional hearing as they sought to stave off new government regulations in the wake of BP’s oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

But members of Congress chastised the companies, saying they are no better prepared to avoid an environmental catastrophe than BP was when its well exploded, unleashing millions of barrels of crude.

The executives moved to isolate BP, saying the accident could have been prevented.