ATLANTA (AP) — BP says it has adopted new, safer standards for deep-water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

The announcement comes a year after the company capped its blown-out well about 50 miles off the Louisiana coast.

In a letter to U.S. regulators, the company said the standards exceed existing federal requirements and demonstrate BP's commitment to safety.

BP said the standards include new requirements for features on and testing of blowout preventers and lab tests of cement used in well casings.

The company also said it will include in its response plan new information about managing spills in open water and near shore.

Millions of gallons of oil flowed into the Gulf after BP's Macondo well blew out in April 2010, killing 11 workers on the rig Deepwater Horizon.

(Copyright 2011, The Associated Press)