Oleander Benton, a worker who survived the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig deep in the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is an ocean basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, largely surrounded by the North American continent. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the sout…
BP
BP plc is a British multinational oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is one of the world's seven oil and gas "supermajors", whose performance in 2012 made it the world's sixth-largest oil and gas company, the sixth-largest energy company by market capitaliz…
Transocean
Transocean Ltd. is the world's 2nd largest offshore drilling contractor and is based in Vernier, Switzerland. The company has offices in 20 countries, including Switzerland, Canada, United States, Norway, Scotland, Dale Nation, India, Brazil, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.
How many people died on Deepwater Horizon?
The Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded on April 20, 2010, killing 11 people and spewing more than 200 million gallons (750 million liters) of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.
What happened on Deepwater Horizon?
As the Passover and Easter holy days pass, we have also passed a somber memorial. April 20 marks 12 years since the BP Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded, killing 11 workers and wreaking havoc on the Gulf Coast’s environment, wildlife, communities ...
What caused the Deepwater Horizon disaster?
What caused the Deepwater Horizon disaster? The ultimate cause of the Deepwater Horizon disaster was a series of preventable missteps by engineers and workers designing and carrying out a drill plan in the weeks and hours preceding the event.
Where is Jimmy from 'Deepwater Horizon' now?
NEW ORLEANS — Jimmy Harrell, the man in charge of drilling on the Deepwater Horizon when the mobile oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico 11 years ago, has died at his home in Morton, Mississippi. He was 65.
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How much did the survivors of Deepwater Horizon get paid?
On Feb. 15, 2018, the Mexican government agreed to the $25.5 million payout from BP, in return for settling their lawsuit, clearing the transnational energy giant of all damages to Mexican waters.
Did the workers on Deepwater Horizon get a settlement?
Oleander Benton, a worker who survived the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig deep in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, has reached an undisclosed settlement with British Petroleum, Transocean Ltd., and other companies responsible for operating the Deepwater Horizon rig.
What happened to Jimmy Harrell Deepwater Horizon?
NEW ORLEANS — Jimmy Harrell, the man in charge of drilling on the Deepwater Horizon when the mobile oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico 11 years ago, has died at his home in Morton, Mississippi.
Who went to jail for the BP oil spill?
In all, the Justice Department brought 48 felony charges and 2 misdemeanor charges against four BP employees: Kaluza, Vidrine, former BP vice president David Rainey, and an engineer named Kurt Mix. The result: two acquittals and two misdemeanor guilty pleas.
Is BP still paying for Deepwater Horizon 2021?
Total BP money paid out pushing $60 billion It'll cost $6.4 million, but the city has that sum covered, thanks to their settlement with BP Oil. Almost 10 years since the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and five years from the settlement was announced, BP oil money is still coming to Tampa Bay.
Did anyone from BP go to jail?
(Reuters) - A former BP Plc BP. L rig supervisor who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill was sentenced to 10 months of probation on Wednesday, concluding a federal criminal case in which no one received prison time over the disaster.
What happened to Donald Vidrine and Robert Kaluza?
Vidrine and fellow rig supervisor Robert Kaluza were indicted in 2012 on manslaughter charges, but the case eventually fizzled after a judge threw out some of the manslaughter charges and prosecutors elected to drop the rest.
Why was pipe not cut on Deepwater Horizon?
However, because the drill pipe was buckled and off-center inside the blowout preventer, it was trapped and only partially cut. The video explains how this failure directly led to the massive oil spill and contributed to the severity of the incident on the drilling rig.
Where is Donald Vidrine now?
Donald J. Vidrine, who faced prosecution as one of two BP supervisors on the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, died on Saturday at his home in Baton Rouge, La.
Who took the blame for Deepwater Horizon?
U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier said BP was mostly to blame for the 2010 Gulf of Mexico disaster, which killed 11 people and spewed oil into the water for 87 days. Barbier attributed 67% of the fault to BP, 30% to Transocean, which owned the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, and 3% to Halliburton, the cement contractor.
Who was found guilty in Deepwater Horizon?
On November 15, 2012, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that BP agreed to a $4.5 billion settlement and would plead guilty to 14 criminal counts associated with the explosion and deaths of eleven workers killed on the Deepwater Horizon.
Who was liable for Deepwater Horizon?
On Jan. 29, 2013, BP Exploration and Production Inc. pleaded guilty to illegal conduct leading to and after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, and was sentenced to pay $4 billion in criminal fines, penalties and restitution, including $2.4 billion for natural resource restoration.
Where is Donald Vidrine now?
Donald J. Vidrine, who faced prosecution as one of two BP supervisors on the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, died on Saturday at his home in Baton Rouge, La.
How much did BP pay in legal settlements following the Deepwater Horizon disaster?
The principal payments are as follows: BPXP is to pay the United States a civil penalty of $5.5 billion under the Clean Water Act (CWA) - payable over 15 years. BPXP will pay $7.1 billion to the United States and the five Gulf states over 15 years for natural resource damages (NRD).
Who was liable for Deepwater Horizon?
On Jan. 29, 2013, BP Exploration and Production Inc. pleaded guilty to illegal conduct leading to and after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, and was sentenced to pay $4 billion in criminal fines, penalties and restitution, including $2.4 billion for natural resource restoration.
Who was at fault for Deepwater Horizon?
U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier said BP was mostly to blame for the 2010 Gulf of Mexico disaster, which killed 11 people and spewed oil into the water for 87 days. Barbier attributed 67% of the fault to BP, 30% to Transocean, which owned the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, and 3% to Halliburton, the cement contractor.
How many people survived the Deepwater Horizon explosion?
Of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion survivors, seventy-nine of the 126 workers were Transocean employees, six were from British Petroleum and forty-one were independently contracted. Fortunately, all 6 BP employees were safe according to Darren Beaudo , a British Petroleum spokesperson. Seventeen workers out of the 115 Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion survivors required medical treatment. They were transported to shore on a workboat and then taken to nearby hospitals. Seven maritime workers were critically injured. Of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion survivors, six were transported to University of South Alabama Medical Center, four were taken to West Jefferson Medical Center in New Orleans, and two were airlifted to a trauma center in Mobile, Alabama. Except for the critically wounded, most of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion survivors were released after treatment.
How deep is the Deepwater Horizon?
Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries Shipyard in South Korea in 2001, the Deepwater Horizon was designed for operations in water depths of up to 8,000 feet with a maximum drill depth of 30,000 feet. Although it was able to accommodate up to 130 people, at the time of the massive fire and explosion there was a crew of 126 people aboard.
When did the Deepwater Horizon explosion happen?
A horrifying explosion on the Transocean semi-submersible offshore drilling rig, Deepwater Horizon, occurred on April 20, 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico. Several years later families and Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion survivors, as well as business along the Gulf of Mexico are still struggling dealing with its aftermath.
When did the Deepwater Horizon sink?
On April 22, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon sank to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.
Did the survivors of the Deepwater Horizon rig survive?
After the harrowing incident, the surviving crew who were not critically wounded were brought to Port Fourchon, Louisiana. There they were given a through a medical check-up, but were not reunited with their anxious families. For a number of hours.
Who represented Tracy Kleppinger?
The law firm of Gordon, Elias & Seely, L.L.P. represented a number of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion survivors including a confidential settlement for Tracy Kleppinger, the widow of Karl Kleppinger Jr., a Transocean crew member who died on the Deepwater Horizon, and Kleppinger’s son, Aaron. “For the Kleppinger claim, Transocean really stepped up to the plate,” Gordon acknowledges.
How long has it been since the Deepwater Horizon explosion?
It’s been six years since the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, but for survivor Mike Williams, the memory is still fresh.
Why did Williams risk it all?
Williams says that after all the pain and all the work that went into his recovery, he was willing to risk it all in order to honor the men who lost their lives.
Who is the survivor of Deepwater Horizon?
Deepwater Horizon. Survivor Mike Williams: 'It Haunts Me'. Mike Williams says he was unable to watch scenes in the movie depicting the deaths of his fellow crew members. It’s been six years since the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, but for survivor Mike Williams, the memory is still fresh.
Who played Williams in the movie?
Williams, who is portrayed by Mark Wahlberg in the film, says that while he was honored that director Peter Berg wanted to tell his story on the big screen, the experience brought back some painful memories. “It’s very anxiety-inducing.
Who was the Chief Electronics Technician on the oil rig?
After the disaster struck in April 2010, Williams , who worked as the Chief Electronics Technician on the oil rig, quickly became one of the voices of the tragedy. Williams was one of the last workers to leave the rig, bypassing lifeboats in order to help save the lives of others still trapped. His dramatic story and moments ...
Can the sound of a helicopter trigger trauma?
Even now, the “sound of a he licopter” can still trigger his trauma.
How much did BP pay for the Deepwater Horizon spill?
BP has been ordered to pay $5.5 billion to settle civil damages claims made by the U.S. as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The amount will be paid over the course of 16 years. Despite protests from both Congress and a broad coalition of environmental groups, the final settlement will allow BP to deduct a majority ...
When did the Deepwater Horizon fire happen?
On the evening of April 20, 2010, a blowout, explosions, and fire occurred on board the Deepwater Horizon as it was in the process of temporarily abandoning the exploratory well Macondo that it had drilled in the Gulf of Mexico, some 50 miles from the Louisiana coast and in 5,000 feet of water.
What is the sweeping well control rule?
In April 2015, the Interior Department’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) proposed the sweeping Well Control Rule, a set of complex and highly technical regulations that impose expansive new requirements on offshore oil and gas drilling following the Deepwater Horizon tragedy.
How much did Seahawk Drilling lose?
One, Seahawk Drilling alleged that its business was essentially destroyed, resulting in losses of $174.8 million, as a result of the drilling ban.
How much did BP pay to the state?
Taken with the related agreement which requires BP to pay approximately $5.9 billion to the states and local government entities, BP will be paying a total of over $20 billion, the largest settlement with a single entity in the history of federal law enforcement. The formal acceptance of the deal was made on Monday by Barbier.
How much does BP pay for the Clean Water Act?
BP will pay a Clean Water Act penalty of $5.5 billion (plus interest), $8.1 billion in natural resource damages, up to an additional $700 million to address injuries to natural resources that are presently unknown and $600 million for other claims, including claims under the False Claims Act, royalties and reimbursement of natural resource damage assessment costs and other expenses due to this incident. Taken with the related agreement which requires BP to pay approximately $5.9 billion to the states and local government entities, BP will be paying a total of over $20 billion, the largest settlement with a single entity in the history of federal law enforcement.
What did the defendants fail to use in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill?
Further, it alleged that the defendants “failed to use reasonably safe dispersant chemicals or other chemicals in their attempts to respond to the oil spill, and thereby exacerbated the pollution of the Gulf of Mexico and injury to plaintiffs,” “ignored worker safety concerns,” and failed to supply workers with appropriate equipment such as respirators.
How much did the BP settlement cost?
The $18.7 billion BP settlement announced Thursday does little to heal the wounds suffered by the families of the 11 crew members killed when the Deepwater Horizon exploded and sank off the Louisiana coast. While the settlement does not involve the families directly, some feel BP is getting off easy.
How much did the Jones family pay for the settlement?
Five percent in one day after they agreed to pay $18 billion ," Jones said. While many hail the settlement as an opportunity to begin repairing communities and ecosystems, for Jones and his son's family, their wounds will never heal.
Does Jones think BP is getting a deal?
Despite the size and scope of the announced settlement, Jones thinks BP is getting a deal with so much time to pay it off.
Was Gordon a husband?
Gordon was also a husband and father. Earlier this year, a federal judge in New Orleans found that BP acted with gross negligence in the rig explosion that killed Gordon and 10 others. The record-setting settlement does not impress Jones. "They're making a big deal about the fact that this is the most that's ever been paid in a settlement, ...
How much money did the Deepwater Horizon oil rig accident cost?
Settlements with families of workers killed in last year's Deepwater Horizon oil-rig explosion are running at $8 million to $9 million so far, a range sharply inflated by companies' interest in avoiding another possible wave of bad publicity from the accident.
What factors are taken into account when settling a case?
Bureau of Labor Statistics or other formulas that take into account such factors as life expectancy, wages lost, marital status and surviving children.
What happens if the Gulf spill ends up before jurors?
If the cases end up before Gulf states jurors, many of whom were affected by the spill, that could lead to huge awards. The settlements, according to lawyers on both sides, are several million dollars higher than in similar types of wrongful-death cases.
