"One of BP's attempts to curb payouts for what it says are 'fictitious' and 'absurd' claims related to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill has failed after a legal appeal was rejected by a U.S. court."

"BP had argued in its appeal that the administration of a 2012 settlement agreement was faulty because it allowed claimants without actual damages to join in.

But a panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday affirmed a federal judge's approval of the multi-billion dollar settlement between the oil company and businesses and individuals who lost money and property in the spill."

Alex Dobuzinskis and Sarah Young report for Reuters January 13, 2014. [2]