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Westwell also declined to comment on what assets BP might sell off if the cost of the cleanup and the relief effort in the Gulf takes too heavy a toll. The company, which turned a $16 billion profit last year, has spent $2 billion fighting the spill for the last two months. It has also set up a $20 billion fund to compensate victims. Westwell was interrupted twice during his address by protesters from Greenpeace shouting "we need to end the oil age!" The hecklers were escorted out of the central London hotel by security. Outside, one of the protesters, Emma Gibson, called on BP to end its investment in a controversial Canadian tar sands project and end deepwater drilling. "We wanted to deliver the truth, which is that we really need to speed up progress to end the oil age," Gibson told reporters. Oil from the blown-out undersea well has been washing up from Louisiana to Florida, killing birds and fish, coating marshes and wetlands and covering pristine beaches with tar balls and oily debris. A pair of relief wells considered the best chance at a permanent fix won't be completed until August. Westwell said Hayward was "genuinely sorry" not to be at the conference, where he had been due to give a keynote address on about the global responsibilities of international oil companies. "He and I both hope you understand his schedule is under incredible pressure at the moment," Westwell told delegates. "He is the CEO," Westwell said when questioned about Hayward's position and whereabouts, adding that Hayward was in London attending to other company matters. Hayward pulled out of the conference on Monday after stinging criticism for spending Saturday at England's Isle of Wight to see his yacht compete in a famous race. That outing drew outrage on the Gulf coast and an acerbic response from the White House.
[Associated
Press;
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