OSCA LIABLE FOR WELL BLOWOUT

A Federal Court jury in Houston has found Lafayette, La.-based OSCA Inc., liable for $13.3 million in damages stemming from an oil well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico. A trial related to insurance coverage claims in this case is scheduled to begin on May 20. OSCA and other defendants were engaged to perform workover operations at the well. The jury found them responsible for plaintiffs’ claims of breach of contract and negligence in performing those operations, ruling that OSCA’s share of damage totals $13.3 million. In connection with the lawsuit, OSCA asserted claims against its insurers and insurance brokers in support of insurance coverage for this incident. The court has not yet entered a final judgment on the liability claim and OSCA does not expect final judgment to be entered until completion of the related insurance trial.