US seeks $92m more for Exxon Valdez spill

WASHINGTON - The US government said today it will pursue US$92 million in extra damage claims against Exxon Mobil Corp for the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska, the worst in US history.

Four US agencies including the Justice Department and the state of Alaska say it will cost that much more to clean up lingering environmental damage from when the Exxon Valdez tanker ran aground in Alaska's Prince William Sound and spilled about 50 million litres of crude oil.

Exxon has already paid US$900 million in a 1991 civil settlement, but a "reopener" provision in the deal allowed the government to seek up to US$100 million extra for unforeseen damages.

Exxon Mobil had no immediate comment. The company has asserted that there are no grounds for additional claims.

But government studies done since 2001 have found that there is still oil residue left just below the surface of Alaska's beaches from the spill.

"After extensive review it is clear that populations and habitat within the oil spill area have suffered substantial and unanticipated injuries that are attributable to the Exxon Valdez oil spill," said Alaska Attorney General David Marquez.

Crude oil from the grounded Exxon tanker spread to 1750km of coastline, including the Chugach National Forest, three national parks, four national wildlife refuges and five state parks.

- REUTERS