New Orleans: BP Plc on Monday appealed a federal judge`s finding of the size of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, which leaves the company potentially liable to pay $13.7 billion in fines.
In January, U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier in New Orleans ruled that 3.19 million barrels of oil had spilled into the Gulf as a result of the disaster. A determination that less oil was spilled would likely translate into a lower fine for the company.
The appeal comes days after Barbier rejected the company`s attempt to reduce the maximum civil fine it could face for its role in the disaster. That decision could result in a $13.7 billion fine for the company under the federal Clean Water Act.
BP had argued for a maximum fine of $3,000 per barrel, while Barbier agreed with the federal government in setting the figure at $4,300 per barrel.
Barbier has not decided how much BP should pay, and it is unclear when he will.
BP has incurred more than $42 billion of costs for the spill, including for cleanup, fines and compensation for victims. About 810,000 barrels were collected during cleanup.
BP has rejected Barbier`s finding from the first phase of the trial that it was "grossly negligent" for the blown out Macondo well.
A BP spokeswoman said the company had no comment on its appeal.