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Halliburton in spotlight in gulf spill probe
Investigators delving into the causes of the massive gulf oil spill are examining the role of Houston-based Halliburton, the giant energy services company that was responsible for cementing the deepwater drill hole, as well as the possible failure of equipment leased to British Petroleum.
Halliburton Chief Executive David Lesar is scheduled to testify before Representative Henry Waxman's energy and commerce committee on May 12, along with top executives of BP and Transocean Ltd., which leased the drilling rig to BP.
Halliburton said in a statement: "It is premature and irresponsible to speculate on any specific causal issues."
A 2007 study by the U.S. Minerals Management Service found that cementing was the single most-important factor in 18 of 39 well blowouts in the Gulf of Mexico over a 14-year period.
Halliburton has been accused of performing a poor cement job in the case of a major blowout in the Timor Sea off Australia last August and an investigation is underway.
More than two dozen class-action lawsuits have been filed against BP, Transocean and Halliburton. BP spokeswoman Sheila Williams said the company was "taking full responsibility" for the spill and would pay for legitimate claims by affected parties.