A 5,000-foot-deep oil gusher in the Gulf of Mexico... BP's reputatiton could be ruined and could have their liability reduced due to the fact that the clean up of this oil spill could be one of the most costliest in corporate history. The Obama administration has said they will be keeping a tight line with the giant British company. In the coming months there will most likely be many lawsuits, hearings and investigations on the spill.
BP was once known as British Petroleum, but the name was changed to BP in 2000 to project a image that the initials stood for "Beyond Petroleum". The company's most recent effort at damage control before this oil spill happened was in 2005. There was an explosion at the company's Texas City refinery. This was among one of the most deadly disasters to ever happen in teh U.S. oil industry. This disaster killed 15 workders, injured 180, and sent 43,000 people fleeing to indoor shelters. This all resulted in a 50 million dollar fine against the company for violating the Clean Air Act.
Oil companies know they have many risks and I think maybe they should be doing a little more to help prevent some of these disasters.
