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[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/06/25/pensacola.beach.cnn.art.jpg caption="Costs associated with the Gulf oil disaster have gone up more than $300 million in less than a week, BP said Friday."]
Tab for Gulf oil disaster tops $2.3 billion
(CNN) – Costs associated with the Gulf oil disaster have gone up more than $300 million in less than a week, BP said Friday.
"The cost of the response to date amounts to approximately $2.35 billion, including the cost of the spill response, containment, relief well drilling, grants to the Gulf states, claims paid and federal costs," a company statement said. BP put the tab at $2 billion on Monday.
The company previously agreed to set aside $20 billion in an escrow account for spill-related costs, a sum that does not cover fees and penalties that could be imposed by the federal government.
"To date, almost 74,000 claims have been filed and more than 39,000 payments have been made, totaling almost $126 million," the company said.
According to BP, approximately 37,000 personnel, more than 4,500 vessels and some 100 aircraft are involved in the response effort. Read more
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