Professor Elam

 Well there is no joy at the BP headquarters today. And as the Federal govt piles on claiming BP is not doing enough, we fail to hear any constructive suggestions of what they should do. Drilling for oil is dangerous business, especially with the pressures a mile deep in saltwater. 

From an ethics standpoint, here is an interesting question. Click for the company website.

Please understand that the rig is owned by RIG, Transocean. 

The rights to the oil are owned by British Petroleum which absorbed Amoco which one hundred years ago was part of Standard Oil, Rockefeller's company. 

Now understand that teh failed blow out preventer shown above sits on well head which sits on casing which was cemented into the ocean floor. This is to prevent the well bore from moving and allow the drill pipe to move in and out of the hole. Now, Halliburton cemented the casing for the well, this is standard procedure for land or underwater drilling. 

No doubt the actual blow out preventer is owned by someone else or perhaps Transocean and rented to BP. 

Okay, so who is to blame, just wondered…..good ethical question eh?

Appreciate that 11 people have already died. Given the potential exposure to the coastline and fishing area, not to mention oyster beds, etc. there is no way to insure against such an event. As Drudge likes to say, developing…