BP said 1,000 barrels a day. The peak was roughly 62,000.
BP's spill was first put at around 1,000 barrels a day. The peak was roughly 62,000. A guilty plea, about $4.5 billion, and a $20.8 billion civil settlement followed. Your first number in a crisis becomes the evidence.
Transcript
BP's well was leaking around 1,000 barrels a day. That was the public figure. The actual peak was roughly 62,000.
In the early days of the Deepwater Horizon spill, the US Coast Guard, in consultation with BP, told the public the well was leaking around 1,000 barrels a day. BP resisted releasing the underwater video for many weeks.
BP had two paths. Lead with accountability and disclose the true size. Or minimize and deflect. It minimized, and blamed contractors.
Its chief executive, Tony Hayward, handed off to Bob Dudley on October 1, 2010. In November 2012, BP pleaded guilty to 11 counts of felony manslaughter, plus obstruction of Congress, paying about $4.5 billion. In September 2014 a judge ruled BP grossly negligent and 67% at fault. In April 2016 came a $20.8 billion civil settlement, the largest environmental-damage settlement in U.S. history.
The judge found BP's conduct was driven by a desire to save time and money.
In a crisis, your first public figure is the one you are judged against. One case cannot prove that candor would have cost BP less. But when you do not know the size yet, say so, and say how you will find out.
The records behind this video
Every figure in the video comes from this Decision Record, each with its sources.
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