Transocean steps up oil-spill row

DRILLING company Transocean used a report published yesterday to blame BP for last year's Gulf of Mexico oil spill, in the latest skirmish between the two companies over paying the costs for the disaster.

Transocean - which owned the drilling rig that exploded and sank in the Gulf of Mexico last year, killing 11 workers - is locked in a legal battle with BP over which company was at fault in the tragedy.

Costs for capping the well, cleaning up the damage and paying claims for people hurt by the catastrophe are likely to top $41 billion (25bn), including an estimated $4-5bn in fines. BP has already struck deals to cut its liability for the spill with partner Mitsui, which will pay $1.1bn toward the clean-up, and oilfield services company Weatherford International, which will chip in $75 million.

It has said it is seeking deals with other partners in the well, including Anadarko Petroleum, Transocean and Halliburton, to also contribute to clean-up costs.

Speaking ahead of the report's release, BP chief executive Bob Dudley, who took the helm from Tony Hayward after the spill, said BP was not the only party involved.

He added: "We're certainly encouraging our partners - our other partners - to step up and meet some of the obligations from the accident."