BP may owe for spilled oil

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- BP will have to pay the U.S. government royalties on oil that spilled into the Gulf of Mexico if it is found that "negligence or regulatory violations" contributed to the accident, according to a government statement Thursday.

U.S. regulators are investigating what caused the April accident, but the findings aren't expected for several months.

All oil companies pay royalties on oil produced from wells on government land or water.

BP is currently paying royalties on the oil that it is collecting and selling from its damaged well. BP is donating proceeds from those sales to a wildlife fund.

Based on the oil BP has collected as of last week, current oil prices, and the 18.75% royalty rate on the well, BP has paid about $8 million to the government.

But the well is estimated to be leaking up to 60,000 barrels a day. If the company was charged for that full amount, it would owe another $65 million.

BP has set up a payment plan with the government where it has promised at least $20 billion to pay for damages caused by the spill.

BP officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

CNN