I understand why BP is getting slammed with this Oil Spill - but why aren't we holding Halliburton..

[LynneSin]

just as accountable too? Sure BP was drilling there but it was shodding work done by Halliburton that may have caused the spill. If anything, I see BP trying to do everything in their power to contain & cleanup the spill whereas Halliburton basically is getting away with it.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/30/halliburton-may-be-culpri_n_558481.html

Halliburton May Be Culprit In Oil Rig Explosion

Giant oil-services provider Halliburton may be a primary suspect in the investigation into the oil rig explosion that has devastated the Gulf Coast, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Though the investigation into the explosion that sank the Deepwater Horizon site is still in its early stages, drilling experts agree that blame probably lies with flaws in the "cementing" process -- that is, plugging holes in the pipeline seal by pumping cement into it from the rig. Halliburton was in charge of cementing for Deepwater Horizon.

"The initial likely cause of gas coming to the surface had something to do with the cement," said Robert MacKenzie, managing director of energy and natural resources at FBR Capital Markets and a former cementing engineer in the oil industry.

The problem could have been a faulty cement plug at the bottom of the well, he said. Another possibility would be that cement between the pipe and well walls didn't harden properly and allowed gas to pass through it.

[AndyA]

1. It's my understanding that ultimately the problem is BP's.

Later, once it's determined exactly what caused the problem, BP can seek relief from Halliburton if they were involved.

(At least, that was the way it was explained to me, when I asked the same question.)

[LynneSin]

2. If my Mechanic did a shitty job of fixing my car and my car caused a ton of damage because of it...

surely I wouldn't be going after the car manufacturer on this one.

[AndyA]

7. No, but who would the injured parties be coming after? Your mechanic?

Probably not. They'd being coming after you. You would need to prove the failure was due to the work of your mechanic. So, it's the same thing with the drilling platform.

Deepwater Horizon was built in South Korea, is owned by Transocean, and was leased to BP. BP accepted responsibility for its operation when it took the lease. Halliburton did the cementing job on it just hours before the explosion.

No doubt all will be involved before this is over.

[Webster Green]

3. The Big Dick is still running everything from his underground Fortress of Doom?

Seriously.

[TheKentuckian]

4. Sheeeeit gurl. They can't even be held accountable for killing our own troops

or for stealing billions from the treasury. In fact they have been rewarded for their crimes as much as anything.

[notadmblnd]

5. I think all three corporations involved should be held accountable equally

Transocean, BP and Halliburton.

[Angry Dragon]

6. A little off topic

Where are bush jr and little dickie??...they seem to be hiding and not talking.........they should be made to answer for their hand in this mess

[librechik]

8. reps from all 3, transocean, BP and Halliburton are all together at the table

for the congressional hearings. That's a beginning, even though they are all pointing at each other....

Also, I think the Halliburton role is coming out more and more during the investigation.

[skeptical cynic]

9. The oil belongs to BP, so they are responsible for spills

Civil liability and compensation will be a matter for BP and its contractors to settle in the courts.

Also, its standard practice in the oil industry for companies like BP to pay contractors to cut corners for them and take the fall when there is a problem. So, Halliburton and Transocean should be held accountable, but so should the corporate master they serve.

[Rex]

10. Halliburton knows where all the players keep their skeleton closet

and have pictures to prove what is inside.