BP Trial To Focus On Scientists' Spill Estimates

Alabama Public Radio | By The Associated Press

Published October 7, 2013 at 4:22 PM CDT

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Nearly four years after the Gulf oil spill, a political action committee associated with BP oil company is contributing to Alabama politicians' campaigns.

Associated Press

A trial over the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf is now focusing on how much crude gushed from BP's blown-out well.

Lawyers for BP and the federal government today began to offer conflicting scientific theories to explain their different estimates.

The amount of oil that spewed into the Gulf is a key factor in determining how much more money BP and its contractors owe for their roles in the deadly disaster.

Using the government's figures, a maximum penalty if BP is found grossly negligent could total 18 billion dollars. Using BP figures, the maximum would be around 10.5 billion dollars.