BP settles more Texas blast cases

HOUSTON - BP has tentatively settled 114 of the lawsuits arising from a 2005 Texas refinery blast, including a case in which Chief Executive Officer John Brown had been ordered to testify, spokesmen for lawyers said today.

Formal approval of the deal is pending, but it includes a federal case in which a US district court judge had granted plaintiffs' demand that Brown give a deposition about the accident that killed 15 and injured dozens, spokesmen said.

If the settlement deal were formally approved, plaintiffs' lawyer Tony Buzbee has agreed not to pursue Brown's testimony, which US District Judge Sam Kent had ordered in London within three weeks, Buzbee's spokesman said.

Other lawsuits against BP are still active, and another request to order Brown's testimony is pending before state District Judge Susan Criss of Galveston, spokesmen for lawyers said.

Trial of a lawsuit in the deaths of two workers is scheduled before Criss Nov. 8.

BP lawyers have always contended that Brown's testimony is not necessary and would add nothing to the testimony of other BP officials already made available.

BP has set aside US$1.2 ($1.85) billion to settle cases arising from the accident. Spokesmen say company lawyers have settled the "vast majority" of approximately 1000 that were filed after the blast.

- REUTERS