Sorry about this Joe Barton, but:

BP Sued in New Orleans by U.S. Over Gulf of Mexico Oil Disaster Dec. 15 (Bloomberg) -- BP Plc was sued by the U.S. government in New Orleans federal court over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

WSJ has more on what's at stake:

In a Justice Department complaint, federal lawyers are expected to allege violations of environmental-protection regulations, which could trigger penalties under laws including the Clean Water Act and the Oil Pollution Act, the people familiar with the matter said. ... The fines under the Clean Water Act could at a minimum amount to $4.5 billion, which would amount to $1,100 for each of the estimated 4.1 million barrels that spilled and wasn't cleaned up into the waters. A maximum fine could be $21 billion if gross negligence is found by the courts. That fine would carry a $4,300 penalty for each of the total of 4.9 million barrels.

On the question of gross negligence (a finding of which would be necessary for a $21 billion fine), you may recall that Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said earlier this year that BP admitted gross negligence to him. BP denies having made such an admission to Abbott.