BP Bills Anadarko For Its Part Of Spill Cleanup

BP has billed Anadarko Petroleum for more than a quarter billion dollars so far to help the British oil giant plug its blown-out well and clean up the spill.

As a 25-percent stakeholder in the operation, Anadarko is contractually obligated to help cover the costs. BP also reportedly has billed its 10-percent partner, Japan's Mitsui, for $111 million.

BP's cash calls are expected to continue. Its costs for the disastrous Gulf of Mexico oil spill climbed nearly half a billion dollars in the past week, raising the oil giant's tab to just over $3 billion.

Anadarko says it is reviewing the $272.2 million bill and "assessing our contractual remedies."

Anadarko CEO Jim Hackett argued last month that his company should be excluded from paying for the spill due to BP's "reckless decisions and actions."