The US Worst Accident at BP

BP has been blamed for "The U.S. worst industrial accident since 1990" for cost cutting at its Texas City plant, that resulted in an explosion that killed 15 people and injured 170.

The U.S. agency responsible for worker safety also failed to inspect plants with enough care and frequency to prevent an accident like the 2005 explosion, and does not have enough qualified inspectors for U.S. oil and chemical facilities, the U.S. government report and its lead investigator said Tuesday.

BP acquired the refinery when it merged with Amoco in 1998. Soon after, the report said, BP ordered a 25 percent, across-the-budget cut in fixed spending at its refineries.

In a preliminary investigation of the accident released in October 2005, CSB said the Texas City plant fostered a culture of bad management and failed to recognize and correct problems.