Lengthy legal battle expected

Obama administration sues BP, others on Gulf spill

The Obama administration sued BP Plc and four other companies tied to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, charging violations of US environmental laws, in the opening salvo in what will likely be a lengthy legal battle.

The lawsuit seeks damages from BP, Transocean Ltd, Anadarko Petroleum Corp, Mitsui & Co Ltd unit MOEX and BP's insurer Lloyds of London for their roles in the worst oil spill disaster in US history.

The Justice Department asked a federal judge in New Orleans overseeing the litigation related to the oil spill to hold the companies liable, except for Lloyds, for unlimited damages, beyond the $75 million cap under the US Oil Pollution Act.