Transferred: Texas marine-based entities’ BP oil spill suits

Recently, four Southeast Texas marine-based entities had their suits against BP, which allege the April 20, 2010, oil spill has hurt their business, transferred to federal court. 

As previously reported, the Sabine Pass Port Authority, Sterling Shipyard in Port Neches, Action Restoration in Port Arthur and the Pleasure Island Commission of Port Arthur filed their respective suits on April 19 in Jefferson County District Court.

The following month, notice of removals were filed in the cases on May 18, stating that the suits had been transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Beaumont Division.

All four suits name BP and its subsidiaries as defendants. Transocean, Halliburton, Cameron International, Anadarko Petroleum and Moex Offshore are also named as defendants.

The lawsuits allege BP is the holder of a lease known as the Macondo Prospect in the Gulf of Mexico. Anadarko and Moex also own interests in the Macondo oil well. BP contracted with Transocean to have the Deepwater Horizon rig conduct drilling operations at the site. Halliburton conducted cementing operations on the well and well cap.

All the plaintiffs allege the spill has had detrimental effects on the Gulf’s marine and coastal environments and is to this day affecting business and their ability to generate revenue.

The suits accuse the defendants of negligently failing to maintain the rig and warn of the dangers.

The suits further accuse the defendants of violating the Oil Pollution Act and Texas Products Liability Act.

The plaintiffs are suing for punitive, exemplary, compensatory and economic damages.

Attorneys Gordon Friesz and James Wimberley of the Port Arthur law firm McPherson, Hughes, Bradley, Wimberley, Steele & Chatelain represent them.

Jefferson County case Nos. B192-340, B192-341, A192-342 and D192-343