The ruling resolves all federal criminal charges related to the tragedy against BP, but does not address separate civil claims by the US and some states that allege the supermajor violated pollution laws.

Those claims could still result in fines exceeding $17 billion.

Following this week’s ruling, BP has to pay $4 billion in penalties over a five-year period starting within two months, as agreed last November between the super­major and the US Justice Department.

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