BP spreads blame over oil spill

British Petroleum (BP) has cited what it calls a sequence of failures involving a number of different parties, for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.



An investigation carried out by BP says it was responsible in part for the disaster, but it has also blamed other companies working on the well.



In the 193-page internal report released on its website, BP said decisions made by multiple companies and work teams contributed to the accident.



The report, conducted by BP's head of safety, Mark Bly stated that both BP and Transocean staff incorrectly interpreted a safety test which should have flagged up risks of a blowout.



According to Bly, the Transocean rig crew failed to recognise and act on the influx of hydrocarbons into the well over a 40 minute period which eventually caused the explosion.



BP faces billions of dollars-worth of legal claims for compensation over the spill, the worst in recent US history.



The well was capped on July 15, and an operation to permanently seal it is due to take place in the next few weeks.