May 24, 2013
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Transocean Ltd. has asked a judge to vacate an order requiring BP rig supervisor Donald Vidrine to submit to a medical exam to determine if he is fit to answer questions about his actions on the Deepwater Horizon before an explosion killed 11 workers in 2010.
A court filing Wednesday says rig owner Transocean has agreed to submit a list of written questions to Vidrine instead of questioning him at a deposition.
U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier ordered Vidrine to undergo a medical exam before he and fellow BP well site leader Robert Kaluza were indicted in November on manslaughter charges over the workers' deaths.
Vidrine's lawyers appealed, claiming medical problems preclude his testimony. His attorneys also said he will assert his right against self-incrimination under any form of questioning.
