6 Jul 2010

Gulf oil cost now $US3b for BP

6:04 am on 6 July 2010

BP says the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico has cost the company $US3.12 billion to date.

This includes paying for cleaning up the spill, drilling relief wells and compensation for some of those affected.

It also includes $US147 million paid in compensation to some of those affected.

BP on Monday again warned that the total cost of the leak is likely to be much higher.

BP said there were now 44,500 people working on the spill response - nearly 5,000 more than a week ago.

The BBC reports BP shares are worth about half their value before the disaster.

The leak began after an explosion and fire on the Deepwater Explorer drilling rig on 20 April. The rig sank two days later.

BP said two relief wells being drilled to stop the leak are still on course for completion by August.