Shell chief hits out at BP over oil spill

THE boss of Royal Dutch Shell has criticised rival BP over its investigation into the causes of its Gulf of Mexico oil spill as well as the design it chose for its blown out well. Peter Voser said yesterday that to correctly investigate the accident one had to examine the thinking behind the particular well design that BP used - something the investigation did not consider.

The well design included a number of cheaper options which US lawmakers have previously said reflected a tendency on BP's part to put profits before safety.