BP clean-up bill rises to $11.2bn as new chief takes reins

THE clean-up bill for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill has risen to $11.2 billion (€8.15bn), BP said yesterday as new boss Bob Dudley officially took up the reins from Tony Hayward.

The firm said it had also pledged assets including interests in production from its major Thunder Horse and Mad Dog operations to support a $30bn compensation fund.

But despite mounting costs for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, BP cheered investors after Dudley hinted that dividend payments would resume in the first quarter of next year.