Transocean to be arraigned on criminal charge for Gulf of Mexico oil spill

An oil rig explosion led to a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, threatening fragile coastal environment there in April, 2010. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

Switzerland-based offshore drilling contractor Transocean is preparing for arraignment on a misdemeanor criminal charge from the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. media reported on Tuesday.

A brief hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, according to a report on the website of The Houston Chronicle.

Transocean has reached an agreement with the U.S. Justice Department to plead guilty and pay 1.4 billion U.S. dollars in civil and criminal penalties for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo has already scheduled Feb. 14 as the day for Transocean to enter its guilty plea.

Milazzo will either accept or reject the deal at that time. If she rejects it, Transocean can withdraw its guilty plea and go to trial.

The judge has asked Transocean and the Justice Department to file a joint memorandum by Feb. 8 explaining why they believe the plea agreement and punishment are appropriate, according to The Houston Chronicle.

Transocean owned the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig and British oil giant BP was the operator of the Macondo well, which ruptured on April 20, 2010, killing 11 workers and unleashing the worst ever U.S. offshore oil spill.

BP has already agreed to pay a record 4.5 billion U.S. dollars in penalties, and pleaded guilty to manslaughter and other criminal charges related to the oil spill.