DEEP WATER HORIZON

Ethical Issues

Braden Wells
Contents

Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 2

Ethical Issue 1: Skipped Concrete Test........................................................................... 2

Ethical Issue 2: Failed Pressure Test .............................................................................. 2

Ethical Issue 3: Improper Maintenance and Safety ......................................................... 3

Ethical Issue 4: Environmental Contamination ................................................................ 3

Lawsuits and Charges ..................................................................................................... 4

Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 4

Work Cited ...................................................................................................................... 5

1
Introduction
Deep Horizon is known as the largest marine oil spill in history. This occurred in

the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010 killing 11 and leaving 17 injured. The leak covered

more than 57,500 square miles. This cost about 90 billion dollars in total and over four

million barrels were spilled into the ocean before it was capped off. All of this could have

been prevented by doing tests, having more safety protocols, and allowing proper time

to complete a specific task. Ethics are a set of moral principles that one should be

obligated to follow to protect others and for integrity, honor, and dignity. This specific

disaster resulted in many ethical issues from failed tests to the improper relay of

information.

Ethical Issue One: Skipped Concrete Test

The first main ethical issue occurred when BP sent off workers without

performing a test to ensure their concrete work was up to the safety standard.

Especially when a previous problem occurred with the same company. In 2008, another

rig’s concrete core was too weak because nitrogen was used to accelerate the

concrete. Rules and regulations are put in place to ensure the security and welfare of

those involved. When shortcuts are taken like not performing a test or improperly

completing a job, many issues can occur. A person should never put others in danger

just to make more money. There is no integrity or honor in that. Instead of continuing,

BP should have stopped progressing until the tests were successful.

Ethical Issue Two: Failed Pressure Test

The second major ethical issue occurred when the pressure test was performed

and was not successful. However, the supervisor was not informed of the failed test.

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The head of the BP ordered the people who saw the test not to tell anyone unless they

wanted to lose their job. The ethical thing to do would be to tell the safety officer if it put

those on the rig in danger despite the possibility of their job being lost. Nothing the head

of BP did was ethical. When you continue to work on a project knowing a test was not

successful can lead to far worse problems. The head of the drill shack should have told

Mr. Jimmy about the pressure test even though his job was threatened.

Ethical Issue Three: Improper Maintenance and Safety

Another main ethical issue was the improper maintenance of the rig. With

machines needing to be replaced and alarms needing to be fixed many things can go

wrong. There was a system check where guidelines were put into place to follow but

were neglected. This caused a malfunction in the blowout preventer on the rig. This is a

fail-safe device meant to close the channel where oil was being drilled. This could have

been cut off earlier if a different crew member pushed the button to cut off the oil. Only

certain crew members have the authority to push the button, but ethically if lives are in

danger, you should break the rules to do what is right for the safety of others. To

prevent any malfunction in machines, BP should have maintained maintenance logs

and replaced or repaired the equipment.

Ethical Issue Four: Environmental Contamination

The fourth ethical issue occurred when BP tried to maintain the oil found. BP

made several attempts to preserve the oil, but none of them were successful. It took 87

days before the oil was capped off. Over that period of time, four million barrels of oil

were released into the ocean. 100 billion dollars was spent trying to clean up the ocean

and prevent further environmental damage. Hundreds of thousands of fish and birds

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were killed off and many more were affected by this spill. The oil leak could have been

capped off earlier preventing less oil from entering and preserving more marine life.

Lawsuits and Charges

Many lawsuits were filed against the three companies involved. BP was the main

company blamed for this oil spill. They received 67% of the blame while Transocean

received 30% and Haliburton received the remaining last three percent. Several

individuals were charged. Kurt Mix was charged with obstructing justice by deleting

hundreds of texts about the incident. Two were charged with manslaughter and the

former vice president of the Gulf of Mexico exploration was charged with obstructing

Congress by falsifying documents about the rate of flow from the oil. That is just the

start of those who were involved.

Conclusion
In conclusion, how could you value money over safety? There is no need to put

lives at risk to advance a project. The greed of some costs the lives of others. The

companies involved lost so much more money than if they were to completely make

sure everything passed the tests and was in proper regulation. This event is just one of

many problems with companies’ ethics. One should strive to have honor and integrity

within their job. There wasn’t just one issue occurring on that rig. With some proper

communication, successful testing, and proper maintenance this disaster could have

been prevented. Never take shortcuts because they won’t benefit anyone. Have dignity

in your work and acquire the discipline to do what is right even if what others are doing

is wrong.

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Work Cited
BP Oil Company Ethical Dilemma - 2280 words: Research paper example. Free

Essays. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2022, from

https://ivypanda.com/essays/bp-oil-company-ethical-dilemma/

Encyclopedia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Encyclopedia

Britannica. Retrieved November 29, 2022, from

https://www.britannica.com/event/Deepwater-Horizon-oil-spill

Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Deepwater Horizon – BP Gulf of Mexico Oil

Spill. EPA. Retrieved November 29, 2022, from

https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/deepwater-horizon-bp-gulf-mexico-oil-

spill#:~:text=4%20million%20barrels%20of%20oil,be%20responsible%20for%20th

e%20spill.