BP Offers to Researchers Raise Concerns on Access to Data

BP has been offering lucrative research contracts -- with signing bonuses -- to marine science researchers in the Gulf region, and the deals have alarmed scientists because of confidentiality clauses and restrictions on access that would be allowed to results, The Press-Register reported. In one case, the company tried to sign on the entire marine science of an Alabama university but was rebuffed over the confidentiality clauses, the newspaper said. One contract offer obtained by the Press-Register would have barred scientists from publishing their research, sharing it or speaking about data collected for at least three years. More than one scientist said that the financial offer was $250 an hour -- and the contract suggests that the work would be used for BP's legal defense. BP declined to comment.