WAS THE GULF OIL SPILL a regulatory failure?

Halliburton executive Tim Probert testified that his company hadn't placed a final cement plug within the well when the blowout occurred. Such plugs, designed to keep gas from escaping up the pipe, are normally put in before heavy drilling fluid known as "mud" is removed, In this case, mud was removed before a final plug was placed.

A rig worker ... said permission had been sought from the MMS [Minerals Management Service, a government requlatory agency] to do the procedures in the unusual order, withdrawing mud before placing the final cement plug. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar declined to comment on whether the MMS, part of his department, had given such permission.

Hmm.