An Associated Press analysis of a 2009 spill plan by BP shows that in no way was the oil giant prepared to handle a spill like the one in the Gulf of Mexico.

BP's 582-page regional spill plan, approved last year by the federal government, vastly understates the dangers of an uncontrolled leak, and overstates the company's preparedness.

BP claims it could marshal enough resources to scoop up all the oil before any deepwater spill could reach shore.

BP's spill scenarios projecting something ten times worse than what actually occurred have fish, marine mammals and birds escaping serious harm. Beaches remain pristine and water quality is only a temporary problem. The plan refers to marine mammals that don't live anywhere near the Gulf.

Also BP's proposed method to calculate spill volume differs from an internationally accepted formula that would produce estimates 100 times higher.

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