BP pays millions for ‘misleading reports’ uncovered by Colorado Indian audit

DENVER — BP chose to cough up millions as a result of audits by a Colorado Indian tribe, which found the oil giant submitted “false, inaccurate or misleading reports” for energy production in the southwestern part of the state.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the Southern Ute Indian Tribe found BP paid lower royalty rates on energy production on the tribe’s lands. The findings also suggested BP reported well production for the wrong leases. BP America Inc., voluntarily paid a $5 million civil penalty Wednesday.

The U.S. Department of the Interior told the Wall Street Journal that BP America initially requested a hearing on the civil penalty, but decided to pay the fine instead.

The company attributed the errors to problems with automated files.