BBC News | BUSINESS | BP fined for gas leaks

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Friday, 12 October, 2001, 19:40 GMT 20:40 UK

BP fined for gas leaks

BP inherited the problem when it bought Amoco

A judge has fined BP more than Ł200,000 for exposing its workers to gas leaks over a four-year period.

BP must pay a Ł140,000 fine and court costs totalling Ł64,150 for exposing its offshore contract workers to gas leaks.

BP said in a statement that it was "very sorry" and was now paying much closer attention to platform corrosion to ensure that the event does not re-occur.

The decision is a landmark victory for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which brought the case.

Critical staff shortage

The incident occurred at an Amoco gas platform in the North sea.

BP acquired the US oil giant Amoco in 1999 and inherited the court case.

The HSE tries to enforce good safety practices at 199 oil and gas installations in the North Sea.

But both the HSE and the oil companies are facing critical shortage of staff to work on the platforms.

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