Newsroom
All News Releases By Date
ALASKA OIL EXPLORATION FIRM SENTENCED IN HAZARDOUS WASTE CASE
Release Date: 02/10/2000
Contact Information:
FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2000
ALASKA OIL EXPLORATION FIRM SENTENCED
IN HAZARDOUS WASTE CASE
IN HAZARDOUS WASTE CASE
British Petroleum Exploration (Alaska) Inc. (BPXA), was sentenced in U.S. Federal Court in Anchorage, Alaska on Feb. 1, to pay $500,000 in criminal fines for failing to report illegal hazardous waste disposals in violation of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. BPXA is a subsidiary of BP Amoco, p.l.c., which is the third largest oil company in the world. From 1993 to 1995, employees of Doyon Drilling, a contractor of BXPA, illegally discharged hazardous substances, including solvents, waste paint, paint thinner and waste oil containing lead and toxic chemicals such as benzene, toluene and methylene chloride by injecting them down the outer rim of oil wells. All of these chemical contaminants make groundwater resources undrinkable. BPXA failed to report these illegal injections as soon as it learned of its contractor’s conduct as required by CERCLA. Also, BPXA was ordered to establish a nationwide environmental management system to prevent future violations after admitting that it failed to provide adequate oversight, audits and funding to ensure proper environmental management at its Alaska facilities. This management program will cost an additional $15 million to implement. A court-appointed environmental monitor will ensure compliance with the management plan during a five-year probation term. Doyon Drilling and three of its employees were previously convicted and sentenced. BPXA has also paid $6.5 million in civil penalties in a related case. This case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and the FBI. It was prosecuted by the Environmental Crimes Section of the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska.
R-16 ###
Search this collection of releases | or search all news releases
View selected historical press releases from 1970 to 1998 in the EPA History website.
