Hayward gives up BP oil spill role

BP boss Tony Hayward has handed over management of the oil spill crisis
12 April 2012

BP chief executive Tony Hayward has handed over management of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill to an American executive brought up in one of the states affected by the disaster.

Bob Dudley is now the front man in the efforts to stop the leak and deal with the economic damage it has caused.

Mr Dudley, who had led BP's operations in the Americas and Asia, was appointed president and chief executive of the newly created Gulf Coast Restoration Organisation, effective immediately, and will report to Mr Hayward.

"In the near term, my focus will be on listening to stakeholders so we can address concerns and remove obstacles that get in the way of our effectiveness. And we'll build an organisation that over the longer term fulfils BP's commitments to restore the livelihoods and the environment of the Gulf Coast," he said.

The reorganisation followed a series of humiliations in recent days for BP. Last week it bowed to US President Barack Obama's demand that it set up a 20 billion US dollar (£13.4 billion) fund to cover damages and to suspend dividend payments, followed a day later by a public thrashing for Mr Hayward before a Congressional committee.

He repeatedly apologised and expressed sorrow for the oil leak caused by a fire and explosion on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig on April 20. Eleven workers died.

Members of the US House Energy and Commerce Committee were infuriated when Mr Hayward denied direct responsibility for operational decisions which may have led to the disaster.

Meanwhile BP has been forced to remove the cap that was containing some of the oil leak.

Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen said an underwater robot bumped into the venting system. That sent gas rising through the vent that carries warm water down to prevent ice-like crystals from forming in the cap.

The cap was removed for engineers to see if crystals formed before putting it back on. In the meantime, a different system is stilling burning oil on the surface.

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