 In the subsequent investigation, Carolyn Merritt, chief executive officer of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, told the committee that "virtually all" of the root causes of the problems at Prudhoe Bay had "strong echoes" of those that led to the 2005 explosion in Houston.These had included cost cutting and a failure to invest in the plant.The committee was also told that the spillage happened at a time when BP was making huge profits.