I hope BP ceases to exist and that at least some top managers are civilly and criminally liquidated. Somehow their propaganda department has managed to stay ahead of numberous incidents on the ground that show a company that struggles with the most basic operations and safety. Beyond the legendary stupidity that led to the 2005 explosion, BP was unable to even produce a supervisor (in the draft report anyway) who would admit to being in charge, and is still fighting the record breaking but otherwise lenient fine.
To essentually claim in their environmental impact assessments that the risk of deepwater drilling was the same as any other drilling project was utterly irresponsible, possibly criminal. Unfortunately, my congressional representatives in Louisianna (Charles Boustany, etal) have repeatedly protected oil company profits in the belief that cheap energy and jobs were more important than a responsibility to employee and public safety, and the environment. I don't really blame politicians because it is their nature to do what gets them elected, and we can just as surely predict that they will act shocked and angry in the aftermath.
BP announced multi-billion 1st quarter profits well above expectations on the same day as the rig accident. I think that there is a a pretty good chance this company will go the way of Union Carbide before all the congressional hearings, clean-up costs, safety and environmental fines, civil and (hopefully) criminal suits are even concluded. Sell any BP stock you own, but don't cry for BP! The workers and assets will continue on under new and hopefully more responsible management.
best wishes,
sshep