http://trueslant.com/oshagraydavidson/2010/07/16/more-douche-baggery-from-bp/

I try to cover BP press conferences via phone, but I wasn’t able to dial in to this morning’s technical briefing (conveniently held at 5:30 AM PDT time). Following company advice, I called BP’s Houston press office for an update.

I was transferred to BP spokesman Tony Odone.

Here’s the exchange, taken from my admittedly rough notes made while we talked.

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Me: Can you tell what the pressure is currently in the well integrity test?

Odene: I don’t know. Why would you want that?

Me: Isn’t the pressure reading the most important information from the test?

Odene: Yes.

Me: Well, that’s why I want to know.

Odene: [BP spokesman] Kent Wells said at this morning’s briefing the pressure was 6,700 psi.

Me: OK, so at the time of the briefing it was 6,700 —

Odene: — No, he announced at the briefing that the pressure was 6,700.

Me: The pressure reading was taken when?

Odene: At some point before the announcement.

Me: But you can’t tell me what it is now?

Odene: (Incredulous) Look, we are not about to give a minute-by-minute update on what the pressure reading is!

Me: What about hour-to-hour, since it’s so important?

Odene: (growing more petulant): It does…not…have….any significance. A team of experts is looking at it and interpreting it. Why do you want to know?!

Me: At the briefing, Wells said to call this number if we have any questions before the next presser, so that’s what I did. I’m trying to get an update.

Odene: A pressure reading will be announced at the next press conference, at 2:30. (CDT — four hours from this point.)

Me: But nothing until then.

Odene: (Steely, now) We will give you the information when it is necessary.

Me: What determines when it’s necessary?

Odene: When we feel it is required. Are you an engineer?

Me: No, I’m a reporter.

Odene: Well, you will get the information as it is required.

Special thanks to Osha Davidson