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Mar 2013 BP Group, which acknowledged its responsibility for the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, is committed to pay 4.5 billion USD in damages to the American authorities. This proposal was approved late January by an American judge.
In return, the Federal government pledges to give up criminal prosecution against the British group, which had already paid 7.8 billion USD to individuals and companies affected by the spill. BP is still under proceedings in the civil court of New Orleans where a trial was initiated on February 25, 2013. The oil company may have to pay up to 18 billion USD in case its negligence is established.