**GAO-12-86**                      Published: Oct 24, 2011. Publicly Released: Oct 24, 2011.                  

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## Highlights

On April 20, 2010, an explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig leased by BP America Production Company (BP) resulted in a significant oil spill. GAO was requested to (1) identify the financial risks to the federal government resulting from oil spills, particularly Deepwater Horizon, (2) assess the Coast Guard's internal controls for ensuring that processes and payments for spill-related cost reimbursements and claims related to the spill are appropriate, and (3) describe the extent to which the federal government oversees the BP and Gulf Coast Claims Facility cost reimbursement and claims processes. We issued status reports in November 2010 and April 2011. This is the third and final report related to these objectives. We obtained and analyzed data on costs incurred from April 2010 through May 2011 and claims submitted and processed from September 2010 through May 2011. We reviewed relevant policies and procedures, interviewed officials and staff at key federal departments and agencies, and tested a sample of claims processed and cost reimbursements paid for compliance with internal controls..

## Recommendations

## Matter for Congressional Consideration

## Recommendations for Executive Action

## Full Report

Highlights

Full Report (63 pages)

Accessible Text 

## GAO Contacts

Beryl (Berri) H. Davis
DavisBH@gao.gov

(202) 512-2623

## Office of Public Affairs

Sarah Kaczmarek
kaczmareks@gao.gov

(202) 512-4800

## Topics

Homeland Security

Claims processingClaims settlementCompensationDamage claimsDisaster responsibilitiesEnvironmental cleanupsExpense claimsFederal agenciesFunds managementImpacted areasInternal controlsLessons learnedLiability of environmental damagesNatural resourcesOil spillsReimbursements to governmentRisk managementEnvironmental restorationFinancial conditionPolicies and proceduresReimbursements