BP pledges to clean up Gulf of Mexico spill

[April 23, 2010]  LONDON (AP) -- BP PLC said Friday it is doing everything it can to contain an oil spill from the drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico that exploded into flames before sinking.

The British oil major said it has "activated an extensive oil spill response," including using remotely operated vehicles to assess the subsea well and 32 vessels to mop up the spill.

BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward said the company will do "everything in our power to contain this oil spill and resolve the situation as rapidly, safely and effectively as possible."

"We have assembled and are now deploying world-class facilities, resources and expertise, and can call on more if needed," Hayward said.

BP leased the Deepwater Horizon rig, 130 miles (209 kilometers) southeast of New Orleans, from owner Transocean Ltd.

Eleven of the rig's 111 crew members are missing after the explosion on Thursday.

BP has in recent years made improving safety and operational methods a priority after a deadly Texas refinery accident and an oil spill in Alaska.

The company was fined a record $87 million by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration for failing to correct safety hazards after the 2005 Texas City refinery explosion killed 15 workers.

[Associated Press]

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