BP tells feds Gulf spill due to multiple failures

By GREG BLUESTEIN and MATT BROWN Associated Press Writers

COVINGTON, La. (AP) - Oil giant BP is briefing the federal government on its internal investigation into the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill that focuses on two key areas: cementing at the well head and the blowout preventer.

BP said in a release late Monday that its probe has not reached a final conclusion. But it said multiple control mechanisms should have prevented the accident that started with an oil rig explosion April 20.

Tony Hayward, chief executive of BP PLC, called it a complex accident caused by an unprecedented combination of failures.

BP said its investigation team has begun sharing its findings with the U.S. Department of the Interior.

BP said there was still extensive work to do, including examining major pieces of equipment that are still on the seafloor.