[StBernard] Murphy Opens Oil Spill Offices

[Westley Annis]

October 27, 2005 10:30 AM
Murphy Oil hopes residents settle before suing

HOUSTON (Dow Jones/AP) - Hoping to forestall a class-action lawsuit over a
large oil spill from its Louisiana refinery, Murphy Oil is trying to
persuade residents to settle with the company. 

The Arkansas-based oil company this week opened five adjustment offices to
meet with those who say oil from the Meraux refinery contaminated their
homes. 

Murphy, which announced the policy on its Web site and in newspaper ads,
also released a map of the territory affected by the spill. 

The Murphy settlement effort - which has been sharply criticized by
plaintiffs' attorneys - follows a 1.1 million-gallon crude spill discovered
after Hurricane Katrina. 

The Coast Guard has said Murphy is responsible for the spill, among the
worst environmental problems to surface in Katrina's wake. 

Murphy Chief Executive Claiborne Deming, addressing investors on a quarterly
conference call yesterday, said his goal was to quickly and fairly deal with
the spill. 

Murphy's attorney, George Frilot, said the company should have the right to
approach residents. 

The case against the company alleges that Murphy didn't adequately prepare
the refinery for the storm. 

A New Orleans federal court next week will hear a motion seeking to limit
Murphy's ability to contact residents. Judge Eldon Fallon rejected a
previous effort by plaintiffs to restrict Murphy, but said the court would
``police'' Murphy's communications.