In an interview with the newspaper Debarment Counsel for the federal regulator Jeanne Pascal said, “An investigation into charges that BP mishandled oil spills has been widened to cover allegations that the oil and gas group covered up corrosion, intimidated and harassed employees expressing safety concerns and was negligent in starting a well that exploded in 2002 causing a spill and seriously injuring a worker.”

“If the allegations are sustained, and other factors are not sufficiently addressed by BP Alaska, [the EPA] could subject BP Alaska and/or specific managers and/or employees to debarment,” she added. Debarment effectively prevents a company from receiving new federal business. This includes assistance agreements, leases and contracts.

BP has been accused of mishandling oil spills following an explosion at the A-22 well in Prudhoe Bay on 16 August 2002. It has also been on probation since 2000 after pleading guilty to one felony count of failing to report the release of hazardous wastes into the Alaskan environment.

In a statement BP said, “[We have] accepted a measure of responsibility in the well explosion [and are] maintaining dialogue with the EPA [as] our approach is to be open and to address matters of concern.” It denies the other charges, however.