Justice

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a complaint against Range Resources Corp. to compel its compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) order last month that claims at least two water wells in Parker County, TX, “have been significantly impacted by…methane contamination” from its oil and gas operations in the Barnett Shale.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) last Wednesday filed a civil lawsuit against BP Exploration and Production Inc. and several other energy-related companies for their part in the fatal explosion aboard the Deepwater Horizon rig last April, which turned out to be one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history. The lawsuit could be the beginning of what may be a protracted legal battle over the disaster, which spewed millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico over a five-month period.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) Wednesday filed a civil lawsuit against BP Exploration and Production Inc. and several other energy-related companies for their part in the fatal explosion aboard the Deepwater Horizon rig last April, which turned out to be one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history. The lawsuit could be the beginning of what may be a protracted legal battle over the oil spill.

An investigation by the Interior Department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) revealed that Royal Dutch Shell benefited during the awarding of oil shale leases by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in 2005-2006, but it did not find any evidence that the producer committed any criminal violations, according to a new report by the OIG.

The forged letters are “cause for alarm,” said a CFTC commissioner.

In response to a motion by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. District Court in New Orleans ordered that a security zone be established around the wreckage of the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The security zone, which would remain in place until at least Oct. 8, 2011, would extend 750 feet in all directions from the center of mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon. The wreckage, which is located in an area known as the Mississippi Canyon, also would extend from the sea floor of the GOM to the sea surface. The federal court ruled that it would be in the interest of the public to protect the search area and any evidence located in the area against intentional or unintentional loss. It directed the DOJ to inform the public and companies about the security zone. DOJ has informed companies, such as oil and natural gas producers, who have the means and equipment to operate in the wreckage site not to enter the security zone. The order will be enforced by the United States using vessels, aircraft or other appropriate means and equipment, the DOJ said. Eleven workers died in the blast aboard the Deepwater Horizon rig, which was owned and operated by Transocean Inc. and leased by BP plc (see NGI, April 26).

In response to a motion by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. District Court in New Orleans has ordered that a security zone be established around the wreckage of the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).

The Department of Justice (DOJ) last Monday signaled that it may file a lawsuit against BP plc and other companies for civil violations involving the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has signaled that it may file a lawsuit against BP plc and other companies for civil violations involving the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.