Foreign companies, environmental groups and political observers are now watching closely to see whether the government will hold the company that drilled the well accountable for the costs of the cleanup, which could easily reach$1 billion.

• 外国企业、保团体和政治观察家现正密切注意，看政府是否会责成钻油井的公司负责负担清理的代价，这可能上看一亿美元。