BP report blames executives in deadly fire

HOUSTON -- An internal report by BP PLC about its deadly 2005 Texas City, Texas, plant explosion recommended that four executives and managers be fired for failing to perform their jobs and demonstrating poor judgment.

The report, which had been confidential but was released by court order yesterday, also concluded the accountability of John Manzoni, BP's top refinery executive, should be reviewed by the company after he "failed to implement his duties" and didn't "carry out his responsibilities."

The report was released two days after the resignation of BP chief executive John Browne, who stepped down when a judge lifted a legal injunction that had prevented a newspaper from publishing details of his private life.

The February report singled out four managers who "failed to perform their management accountabilities in significant ways": Mike Hoffman, BP's group vice president for refining and marketing; Pat Gower, US refining vice president; Don Parus, the Texas City refinery manager; and Willie Willis, a plant supervisor.

Hoffman has resigned. The others are still employed by the company, according to the report.

A BP spokesman said the company would not discuss specific contents of the report, including what will happen to the managers or to Manzoni, who is chief executive of BP refining and marketing.

The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, one of several agencies that investigated, found BP fostered bad management at the plant. The CSB also said cost-cutting moves by BP were factors in the explosion.

Brent Coon, an attorney for workers injured during the blast, said the report validates the theory that management, not low-level workers, should be held responsible for what happened.

"BP knew about it and chose not to do anything," said Coon, who had fought BP to have the report released. "We hope the entire industry learns from this."

The March 2005 explosion killed 15 people and injured more than 170 workers. The blast has so far cost the company around $2 billion in compensation payouts, repairs and lost profit.