United States v. Conoco, Inc.

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

SEAR, Chief Judge.

Background

Plaintiff United States seeks reimbursement from Conoco pursuant to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA”), 33 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq., of costs incurred by the United States in connection with two oil spills from Conoco’s pipelines into the Gulf of Mexico. The essential facts are not in dispute, having been stipulated to by the parties prior to the government’s filing of this action. Only a brief summary of the facts is necessary for purposes of this Memorandum and Order.

The United States’ claims in this matter relate to two oil spills by Conoco…