Deepwater Horizon: Federal Financial Risks from Oil Spills

Both the individual circumstances of the Deepwater Horizon incident, as well as the overall framework for how the federal government responds to oil spills, present a mix of evolving, but as yet uncertain, financial risks to the federal government and its Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. The extent of financial risks to the federal government from the Deepwater Horizon is closely tied to BP and the other responsible parties. This book identifies the financial risks to the federal government resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill; and assesses the Coast Guard’s internal controls for ensuring that processes and payments for spill-related cost reimbursements and claims related to the spill are appropriate. Also discussed is the extent to which the federal government oversees the BP and Gulf Coast Claims Facility cost reimbursement and claims processes.