Markey: Cement Test Report Solidifies Liability for Halliburton, BP

Chairman Markey Calls for Subpoena Power for Spill Commission to Continue Important Work, Repeats Request for Bob Dudley, BP Head, to Testify

October 28, 2010 - Responding to findings from President Obama's independent commission studying the Gulf of Mexico oil spill that show both Halliburton and BP knew the cement mixture used for BP's disastrous Macondo well was unsafe, Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), chair of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee in the House Energy and Business Committee, issued the following statement:

"The fact that BP and Halliburton knew this cement job could fail only solidifies their liability and responsibility for this disaster. This is like building a car when you know the brakes could fail, but you sell the cars anyway.

"We now know what BP and Halliburton knew, and when they knew it. And now we know they did absolutely nothing about it.

"This revelation highlights the need for the Senate to pass my legislation giving the independent spill commission full subpoena power.

"It is also unacceptable, in light of this new finding, that BP's new CEO, Bob Dudley, continues to refuse to testify before Congress. BP and Halliburton both have new questions to answer, and they should do so without any delay."

More Information:
"Tests showed unstable cement in Gulf well before explosion", Washington Post 10/28/2010
"Firms knew of cement flaws before spill, panel says", New York Times 10/28/2010
"Tests warned of cement troubles before BP blowout", AP, 10/28/2010