Judge tosses spill claims against BP contractor

[February 14, 2012]  NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- A judge has dismissed all of the federal court claims against a BP PLC contractor sued over the deadly rig explosion and massive oil spill it spawned in the Gulf of Mexico.

None of the plaintiffs' attorneys or other companies sued over the 2010 disaster formally objected before U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier on Friday dismissed the claims against Swiss-based Weatherford U.S. LP and Weatherford International Inc.

Barbier ruled there is no evidence that a Weatherford-made float collar used in BP's blown-out well was defective or contributed to the cause of the blowout and spill.

A trial involving claims against BP, rig owner Transocean and other companies is scheduled to start Feb. 27.

Last year, Weatherford agreed to pay BP $75 million to settle all potential claims between the companies.

[Associated Press]

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