BP must cover some Transocean liabilities for oil spill

The explosion at the Deepwater Horizon rig killed 11 people

BP must cover some but not all of oil rig owner Transocean's liabilities for the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a US judge has ruled.

US District Judge Carl Barbier said that Transocean was shielded by its contract with BP from having to pay many pollution claims.

But Transocean must cover its own legal fees and is not exempt from paying punitive damages and civil penalties.

A trial on damages from the oil spill will begin next month.

The trial, which will also involve oil services firm Halliburton, is expected to apportion blame and quantify damages arising from the incident.