BP Had Warning Signs Before Gulf Blast: Panel

The paper, with representatives Henry Waxman and Bart Stupak, who was briefed by BP on the development of its internal investigation, also said problems were found in equipment designed to provide reliable protection against a blow out.

A BP investigator gave lawmakers that the fundamental errors may have been made because a lot of pressure on the drill line at 1,400 pounds per square inch (98 kg per cm), was an "indicator of a very great deformity."

The note did not indicate who made the decision after the problem was found. BP and Transocean, owner and operator of the rig, had tutors on the rig when it exploded.

About two hours before the explosion that killed 11 workers and caused the leak still gushing oil installation team was satisfied a test on a second line was "a success", BP, the investigator said.

BP will not comment on the memo and Transocean could not immediately be reached.

The paper says BP data showed that there were many problems with production equipment. Almost five hours before the explosion, an unexpected loss of fluid was observed in the well riser pipe. This suggests that "there were leaks in the annual prevention," a rubber gasket in blowout prevention, said the memo.

Waxman and Stupak leading House Energy and Commerce Committee's investigations subcommittee, which reviewed over 105,000 pages of internal documents from BP, the rig owner Transocean Inc., Halliburton Co., and blowout prevention producer Cameron.

Paper says BP study has also raised questions about history, maintenance, modification, and inspection of blowout prevention.

Officials from BP and Transocean is next scheduled to testify before Congressional panel on Thursday.

According to BP, there were three warming signs of problems with unwanted flow into the well will begin 51 minutes before the explosion. About 18 minutes before the explosion, was abnormal pressure leakage of fluids known as mud meant to keep oil and gas cap were observed, and the pump shut down.

"The data suggest that the crew may have tried mechanical intervention at the time to check the pressure, but shortly after the escape and the pressure increases dramatically, and the explosion took place, says memo said.