For Tutor Faith

Running Head: BP OIL SPILL OF 2010

BP OIL SPILL OF 2010

Eulogy and Epitaph

Course Number

Last Name, First Name

Due Date

Professor’s Name

BP oil spill of 2010

While researching the issue of the BP oil spill there are some important objectives to deal with including to determine whether the oil spill was an accident or it was negligence on the part of those responsible, to determine whether it was caused by natural circumstances beyond the control of the players in the well and to determine whether the oil well was secure from any external influence at the time of the tragedy (Rustad, n.d.).

In this case in order to fully assess the oil spill as a topic of concern then the vital questions that must be asked include whether the company tasked to manage the well was above board and had the capacity in terms of technical knowledge, human capital and the resources to avert the tragedy long before it occurred (Farrell, 2011). This will help to identify whether liability lies on them or the tragedy was a natural occurrence that would not have been prevented as such. In this it can serve as a yardstick on how to avoid an occurrence of the same anywhere else in the country and the world at large. It is also important to ask whether the management team had put in place the necessary measures to protect the well against any external forces. This is important because it will help to understand whether the oil well was always secure and that if the cause was from the protective mechanism then it was above board.

Hypotheses

It would also be important to ascertain whether the tragedy only served to affect the gulf or in essence its effects were widespread to the other parts that have not been reached. This question is vital in the sense that it would present us with the actual problem that this this spill caused to the country. In effect we find the best way to mitigate the effects and also restore the benefits of the well as an important ingredient in the prosperity of the nation.

During the research process, we came up with some numerous hypotheses and variables that will be used in the research process to ensure that an informed conclusion is arrived at in the research on British Petroleum oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

That the inaction on the part of company responsible for the daily running of the oil well greatly resulted in the tragedy and that if they had been keen enough, the tragedy would have been averted. Also, if there was a constant assessment of the oil well then the cause of the spill would have been earlier detected and the tragedy would not have occurred. Another hypothesis is that if the oil well was secure from external forces which would have compromised the operations and caused an oil leakage. Also, if the employees who were working in the well were trained well, the danger of oil leakage could have been averted.

Ethical Considerations

The ethical considerations that should be established include:

· Whether the company setting up the well used the right materials in the construction of all the facilities associated with the well and that they were in the right proportions and met the standards.

· Whether the people monitoring the supply out of the well realized a change that was unusual and did not report the same to the relevant authorities for action.

· Whether the management of the oil well knew of the impending tragedy and chose to keep mum on it even after receiving warning.

Discussion on ethical implication of the ethical considerations

By considering the ethical issues that arise from this tragedy then it is easy to point to the actual cause of the tragedy. In essence it will help bring the people who by their inaction are culpable of allowing the tragedy occur. This will help bring justice to the families of those who lost their lives. This can also go in the long run to help come up with legislation to govern such behavior. If in any case the integrity of the structures that were set up at the well are wanting then those responsible for design and construction will have a part in causing the tragedy. This will bring to the fore the need to properly assess the work of the company elsewhere. This will help avert any looming tragedy as a result of negligence on the part of the constructors. If they are found culpable then the state will rise and set legislation to reign on errant constructors. This will help the researcher come to the logical conclusion that had the structures been well built then the oil spill would not have occurred. By assessing the action or inaction on the part of the management, if indeed they knew of the problem and did not act promptly then liability would lie on them. It would be clear that the cause of the tragedy was foreseen and would have been averted and would therefore eliminate the theory that it was a natural disaster. In the wider perspective the ethical considerations will give an overview of the kind of individuals working in critical area in the country. This will necessitate an introduction of the question of morality as far as the daily involvement of all citizens is concerned. This may call for re-assessment of the values that the country holds so dear, values that cannot be sacrificed whatsoever.

Purpose of the Research.

The purpose of the research is to find out the real cause of the oil spill that was experienced. By finding the actual reason it will help unearth the mystery surrounding the occurrence of such a destructive spill (Wilkinson, 2015). The researcher will be able to separate facts from assumptions and experience firsthand information on what really happened. This will also be in line with finding out the effects of the spill to the people, the environment and the country at large.

The design approach that will be used is the qualitative approach in which the data will be collected through working closely with the main handlers of the BP oil spill and using the information to draw the conclusion. On the other hand the individuals who worked in the oil spill and survived the tragedy together with the management will provide the much needed information on the cause of the tragedy and what they knew beforehand.

The key variables in this research are majorly qualitative in the sense that what caused the tragedy is mostly identified by individuals like workers and the management of the well. Therefore gathering information from individuals on the state of the well before the tragedy, using timelines and cross referencing information will form a major basis for the determination of the actual cause of the oil spill. The research therefore will draw its conclusion from the qualitative aspect.

The variables from an operational standpoint:

· Whether the well was secure from the effect of external forces – this means that the well should have had a mechanism to protect it from the forces that would compromise its integrity. This can be pressure or even action of waves. This means in its absence the oil well was vulnerable all along (Gulf of Mexico oil spill, 2010).

· Whether the oil leak could be detected before happening – this means that the well operational strategy should provide a mechanism to monitor its systems and in the absence of it then the leak would not be easily detected.

· Whether the employees had the technical knowhow- this means that by having the knowledge the employees would adequately respond to any matter that would have compromised the safety of the oil well

References

Farrell, C. (2011). The Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Edina, Minn.: ABDO Pub.

Gulf of Mexico oil spill. (2010). [Silver Spring, Md.].

Rustad, M. (n.d.).Torts Teaching Lessons from the BP Oil Spill. SSRN Electronic Journal. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2112354

Wilkinson, A. (2015). Deepwater Horizon oil spill linked to Gulf of Mexico dolphin deaths. Nature. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature.2015.17609