BP’s expected oil disaster fine: $21 billion

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BP’s blownout Deepwater Horizon well gushed up to 2.6 million gallons a day, the federal government now says, a total equivalent of 19 Exxon Valdezes.

For months, BP insisted the figure of 5,000 barrels a day (less than one tenth the actual amount) was the “best estimate” — even as outside experts got it right.

According to this new estimate, the oil giant liable for the Gulf of Mexico disaster will be responsible for a $21 billion fine — $4,300 for each barrel of oil.

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