Results of BOEMRE's BP Atlantis Investigation Whitewash Critical Safety Issues

"Two years after whistleblower Ken Abbott first brought the safety problems with BP's Atlantis Facility to light, The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) has finally released the findings of its investigation of Abbott's claims. The results were not worth the wait.

"This investigation was the agency's opportunity to prove its dedication to improving industry safety standards. Instead, it chose to fall back on old habits, protecting the interests of its industry cronies, rather than the public. The report is seriously flawed and reflects a clear bias.

"Although the report admits serious document deficiencies regarding the platform's operation, and that BP violated the law by failing to submit required revisions, it marginalizes these problems and shifts the blame to BP contractors. BOEMRE's own regulations require that it maintain as-built drawings. It did not do this.

"With this report BOEMRE has applied an incorrect and arbitrary reading of its own regulations, applying certain rules only to certain parts of the Atlantis facility. It lets BP off the hook and tries to justify its own inaction.

"The federal government dragged its feet on this investigation, and its findings are appalling--like a doctor's note for a truant student. They are a weak attempt to cover BP's foul play. After all this time, the public deserves better."