Claims against contractor dropped in spill trial

A federal judge has dismissed all claims against BP’s drilling fluids contractor on the rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, killing 11 workers and triggering the nation’s worst offshore oil spill. After plaintiffs rested their case today in the trial over the Gulf oil spill, U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier ruled there was no evidence that the contractor, M-I LLC, made any decision that led to the blowout of BP’s well. Barbier also agreed to rule out punitive damages against Cameron International, the manufacturer of a blowout preventer on the ill-fated rig. The trial continues with more testimony by witnesses for rig owner Transocean Ltd., whose chief executive testified Tuesday. The energy giant BP and Halliburton also will call their own witnesses. The trial, which is taking place in New Orleans, is now in its fourth week. During the first phase of the trial—which is expected to last up to three months—U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier is hearing evidence on the causes of the well blowout and will determine how to allocate fault, which may or may not include percentages of blame. The second phase will address the amount of oil that spilled. At some point during or after the trial, Barbier also is expected to determine if the disaster resulted from gross negligence.