US oil spill trial delayed for settlement talks

A trial over the worst offshore oil disaster in US history has been delayed for a week to allow more time for settlement talks, according to two people close to the case.

The trial, which had been set to begin tomorrow, is in part meant to determine the penalties that need to be paid by BP and other companies involved in the massive 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

The two sources said the decision to delay it was made yesterday during a conference call between parties in the case and US District Judge Carl Barbier.