Exxon faces $1 billion fine for sabotaging Texas oil wells

[ensho]

http://rawstory.com/08/news/2009/07/18/exxon-faces-1-billion-fine-for-sabotaging-texas-oil-wells/


ExxonMobil’s sabotage of some 100 Texas oil wells in the past 17 years — going so far as to plug up some wells with explosives — means the world’s largest oil company could be liable for penalties of up to $1 billion, the Texas General Land Office says.

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“Exxon committed irrefutable, intentional and flagrant violations of state rules regulating the oilfield,” Patterson said in a statement (PDF).

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Under Texas state rules, ExxonMobil could be fined as much as $10,000 per sabotaged oil well per day, or some $1 billion in all.
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Is there anything Exxon does that is not criminal?

[juno jones]

1. K&R!

This seems too important to sink. How else are they sabotaging domestic energy production? Why?

[gratuitous]

2. Yeah, a fine will show them!

Considering they haven't paid the first dime on the Valdez judgment from 20 years ago, I hardly think the State of Texas is going to impose a fine on ExxonMobil or realize a penny on those fines anytime soon. ExxonMobil is above the law.

God, that's as depressing to type as it is to think about.

[Lilith Velkor]

3. !

[Vidar]

4. Confiscating their property would be more effective.

[derby378]

5. And $1 billion worth of Exxon/Mobil property seized by Texas...

Now that would make the CEO reach for the antacid.