"A House energy panel investigation has found that the blowout preventer that failed to stop a huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico had a dead battery in its control pod, leaks in its hydraulic system, a "useless" test version of a key component and a cutting tool that wasn't strong enough to shear through steel joints in the well pipe and stop the flow of oil.

In a devastating review of the blowout preventer, which BP said was supposed to be "fail-safe," Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's subcommittee on oversight, said Wednesday that documents and interviews show that the device was anything but.

The comments came in a hearing in which lawmakers grilled senior executives from BP and oilfield service firms Transocean, Halliburton and Cameron, maker of the blowout preventer. In one exchange, Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) pressed BP on why it seemed to be "flailing" to deal with a spill only 2 percent as large as what it had said it could handle in its license application."

Steven Mufson and David A. Fahrenthold report for the Washington Post May 13, 2010.
[2]
See Also:

"Emerging Oil Rig Evidence Shows Lack of Regulation" (AP) [3]

"Gulf Drillers Proceeded Despite Awareness of Problems, Says Rep. Waxman" (Greenwire) [4]

"Firms Ignored Warning Signs Before Blast, Inquiry Hears" (Guardian) [5]