The US Supreme Court has refused to review BP’s multi-billion dollar settlement over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Earlier this year the energy giant asked the court to consider whether it must pay some businesses for economic damages without proof the oil spill caused such losses.

The Supreme Court’s rejection means BP will have to make the payments as it continues to deal with the aftermath of the explosion.

BP is trying to limit payments over the disaster that killed 11 people and became the largest US offshore oil spill.

The company previously estimated it would have to pay around $7.8 billion (£6bn) to compensate victims.

Geoff Morrell, BP America’s Senior Vice President of Communications and External Affairs said the company is still worried it could fall prey to bogus compensation claims.

He added: “We remain concerned the programme has made awards to claimants that suffered no injury from the spill – and that the lawyers for these claimants have unjustly profited as a result.

“On behalf of all our stakeholders, we will therefore continue to advocate for the investigation of suspicious or implausible claims and to fight fraud where it is uncovered.”

Earlier this year BP was found to be “grossly negligent” over the oil spill.