Halliburton Spill Deal Turns Focus on Future BP Decision
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Halliburton Co.’s agreement to settle most of the lawsuits stemming from its role in the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history refocuses attention on the still-awaited court ruling that will decide the extent of BP Plc’s liability.
U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier, who conducted a nonjury trial over fault for the Gulf of Mexico disaster, is weighing whether BP and its co-defendants Transocean Ltd. and Halliburton acted with gross negligence in the 2010 Macondo disaster, which killed 11 men and set back efforts to develop deep-water resources by years. Barbier also is expected at some point to rule on the size of the spill.