Deepwater oil spill report cites BP errors

A KEY US federal report has laid much of the blame on BP for the worst offshore oil spill in US history and the deaths of 11 rig workers — particularly with regard to the cement seal that was put in place the day before the explosion that triggered the spill.

The report, released yesterday, said in the days leading up to the disaster, BP made a series of decisions that complicated cementing operations, added risk, and may have contributed to the ultimate failure of the cement job.

The details were contained in the final report from an investigation team of the US Coast Guard and the agency that regulates offshore drilling.