Ethical Issues Surrounding the Bp Oil Spill - 1236 Words

Ethical Issues surrounding the BP Oil Spill By: Angela Higgins December 16, 2010 The BP Oil Spill which happened on April 20, 2010, was the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history releasing approximately 185 million gallons of crude oil into the gulf. This event was the result of a wellhead on the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling platform blowing out in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 40 miles southeast offs the Louisiana coastline. Eleven men working on the oil rig platform were killed and 17 others were injured. People livelihood and the environment were devastated by this event. Ethical dilemma, issues, and facts This incident captivated the world and had tremendous media presence and government involvement, but as†¦show more content†¦The lawsuit also seeks civil penalties under the Clean Water Act. According to The Times-Picayune, â€Å"The lawsuit alleges that safety and operating regulations were violated in the period leading up to April 20.† The lawsuit states that BP failed to keep the Macondo well under control during that period and failed to use the best available and safest drilling technology to monitor the wells conditions. The lawsuit also stated that BP failed to maintain continuous surveillance and maintain its equipment which would have been used to ensure the safety and protection of personnel, equipment, natural resources and the environment. This option has applied the Utilitarian Benefits, the US Government is going to ensure that the greatest benefits for the largest number of people is applied, which in the case is the all the people directly affected by the oil spill. These people are the people who work for the fishing and seafood industries, the tourism industry, restaurants and clubs will be affected by the spill. Also, equally vested are the people who are property owners, renters, and vacationers. Option two has many economical, legal, and ethical dimensions to it. First, if BP decides to take full responsibility for the oil spill, this would mean that are 100% liable for the event. They would have to pay out compensation to all affected stakeholders and repair the environmental impacts that were caused by theShow MoreRelatedThe Legal Issues and Ethical Effects of the Deepwater Horizon Explosion and British Petroleum Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico 20101542 Words   |  7 PagesBP Gulf Oil Spill 1 Running Head: BP GULF OIL SPILL The Legal Issues and Ethical Effects of the Deepwater Horizon Explosion and British Petroleum Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico 2010 Terry D. 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