Fears of fresh oil leak hit BP
NEWS THAT oil is seeping from the floor of the Gulf of Mexico sent BP’s shares down yesterday as concerns over the group’s future continued to grow.
Engineers on the ground believe the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig in 20 April, that killed 11 and led to the worst oil spill in US history, could have caused further damage to the wellbore, allowing oil to leak into the seabed. However, BP?said it remained unclear whether it was coming from the damaged well itself, or elsewhere on the seabed.
The response to the spill has already cost the oil major almost $4bn (£2.62bn), with the new leak a major setback to the group.
Admiral Thad Allen, the US official overseeing the oil clean-up, demanded BP act quickly.
The Gulf oil spill, alongside allegations that BP played a part in the release of the Lockerbie bomber are expected to be discussed between Prime Minister David Cameron and US President Barack Obama when they meet today at the White House.
Meanwhile, anger among lawmakers in the US escalated when BP rig manager Donald Vidrine refused to testify on the explosion for a second time citing health issues.
BP’s shares closed 4.53 per cent down to 388.70p in London yesterday.