BP Exploration and Production Inc., Environmental Crimes, Louisiana 2010

BP Exploration and Production Inc., a leading oil and gas company, has pleaded guilty to 14 criminal counts for its role in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, resulting in one of the worst environmental disasters in American history.

The company was sentenced to pay $4 billion in criminal fines and penalties, the largest criminal resolution in U.S. history, in a federal court in the Eastern District of Louisiana.

On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, killing 11 people and causing massive environmental damage. BP Exploration and Production Inc. pleaded guilty to 11 counts of felony manslaughter, one count of felony obstruction of Congress, and violations of the Clean Water and Migratory Bird Treaty Acts.

BP admitted that its two highest-ranking supervisors onboard the Deepwater Horizon, the Well Site Leaders, negligently caused the deaths of 11 men and the resulting oil spill. The company also admitted that it obstructed an inquiry by the U.S. Congress into the amount of oil being discharged into the Gulf while the spill was ongoing.

Attorney General Eric Holder announced the guilty plea and sentencing, stating that it represents a significant step forward in the Justice Department’s ongoing efforts to seek justice on behalf of those affected by the disaster.

Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer added that the Justice Department will continue to monitor BP’s compliance with the plea agreement’s terms, including the requirements of full cooperation with the department’s ongoing criminal investigation, implementation of enhanced safety protocols, and adherence to the recommendations of two newly installed monitors.

BP Exploration and Production Inc. was found guilty of the following charges:

11 counts of felony manslaughter

1 count of felony obstruction of Congress

Violations of the Clean Water and Migratory Bird Treaty Acts

The company was sentenced to pay $4 billion in criminal fines and penalties, with more than half of the amount going towards supporting Gulf Coast residents who were affected by the disaster.

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