BP was calling the shots here, therefore they are responsible.

Not for the negligence of others.

When that "negligence" was directed by BP, it becomes BP's responsibility.

If you owned a truck that you knew had faulty brakes and loaned it to someone else, assuring them that it was safe, and they then had an accident due to brake failure, you would be held responsible for the accident.

It's one thing when one truly can't understand a principle — such as the role of responsibility within a given production hierarchy — and another thing altogether when one refuses to accept said principle because of inherent prejudices.

The irony here is that km has indicted most of the forum of "anti-British" sentiments (which simply do not exist), based on his prejudice that no entity associated with Britain (past or present) can ever do — or be accused of doing — wrong.

It's been stated over and over again that TransOcean, Haliburton, no doubt other subcontractors, and especially a U.S. Gov't. bureau are all responsible in varying degrees. Yet we are consistently and irrationally scolded for not acknowledging the culpability of those other players.

It's like watching a dog that barks at everything — real or imagined.

You mean like Transocean?

and the brakes were made by Haliburton. Snap!

Except, BP was directing its contractors to circumvent safety procedures. Chances are pretty good that had BP allowed time for the placement of the third plug, the well would have had a much better chance of holding. BP was calling the shots. BP is responsible.

So if I loaned the truck to someone saying it was safe, when it wasn't, and he started directing his wife to drive it in excess of the speed limit I'd be alright then on the defective Halliburton brakes and the ensuing smash?

BP began withdrawing the drilling mud before the third Halliburton plug was placed. BP failed.

Since hidden brake condition was never revealed, you are still responsible.

No I'm trying to square it with your analogy... you said I'd be liable for the defective brakes so if you're right about that Transocean would be liable for a defective rig... or maybe you don't like it now because it lets BP off the hook?