BP runs into Alaska problems over failure to report oilfield spills.

(From Lloyds List)

Byline: Martyn Wingrove

BRITISH oil major BP could be in more trouble in Alaska for failing to 4report two spills at its Prudhoe Bay oilfield in July, 2003, and last December.

The report by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation said BP Exploration and its contractor Nabors Alaska Drilling violated state law by not reporting the incidents, even though most of the spills were contained by the drilling centre.

'For failure to report, fines can be assessed anywhere from $500 to $100,000,' said Leslie Pearson, manager of the department's spill prevention and emergency response programme.

'The main …