BP’s costs to respond to massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has risen to $6.1 billion

BP’s Gulf oil spill costs rise to $6.1 billion

NEW ORLEANS — BP says its costs to respond to the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has risen to about $6.1 billion.

That includes expenses for relief well drilling, the static kill and cementing procedure done on the blown out oil well, grants to Gulf coast states and claims paid to people who have lost income or profits because of the spill.

BP PLC says that as of Saturday, more than 145,000 claims had been submitted and more than 103,900 had been paid, totaling $319 million.

An estimated 207 million gallons of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico after the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded off Louisiana on April 20. The explosion killed 11 workers and sent crude into delicate coastal marshes and tar balls washing on to beaches.