The owner and operator of the oil rig whose explosion killed 11 workers and led to the United States’ worst environmental disaster, cut corners and was partially responsible for the event, says a
U.S. Coast Guard report.
"Deepwater Horizon and its owner, Transocean, had serious safety management system failures and a poor safety culture," said the report. "Collectively, this record raises serious questions whether Transocean's safety culture was a factor that contributed to the disaster."
The report cites several mechanical and electrical deficiencies that may have contributed to the explosion.
A Transocean representative rejected the findings, saying the Coast Guard had given the rig passing marks during an inspection seven months before the spill.
BP, the oil giant that financed the Deepwater operation, sued Transocean last week for $40 billion.
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