If the case proceeds in Delaware state court, Transocean might feel pressure to drag in Halliburton and Schlumberger, Brewer said, to try and share liability in a process known as inpleading.
CalPERS is in the process of setting new rates to close the liability, said spokeswoman Amy Norris, which could further strain cities in financial peril such as San Bernardino, San Jose Compton, Fairfield, Watsonville, Atwater and at least two dozen other cities.