BP (NYSE:BP) Pays US Government First Bill of $71 Million

BP (NYSE:BP) has reportedly paid their first bill to the U.S. government for initial response to the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig which resulted in the massive oil spill continuing to empty into the Gulf of Mexico. The first bill was for $71 million.

According to the Associated Press, a second bill is being prepared to be sent to BP, that one for $51.4 million.

The oil containment efforts of BP could be hampered for about a week because of Tropical Storm Alex, which while seemingly not going to enter the area where the oil spill is, will churn up waves as high as 12 feet tall, which would keep them from connected a third system to the well which would add a much higher capture rate of over 50,000 barrels a day.