U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier ruled Thursday, however, that Transocean Ltd. is not exempt from paying punitive damages and civil penalties that arise from the April 20, 2010, blowout 100 miles off the Louisiana coast.
He also says Transocean is responsible for claims that are directly related to pollution caused by its rig.
The ruling comes as settlement discussions continue among BP, the states affected by the disaster and the government before next month's trial.