With the Deepwater Horizon oil well finally capped, BP has largely dropped off the nation’s front pages and dwindled to an afterthought on cable TV gabfests. But just as it may take years to restore the waters and shores of the Gulf of Mexico, governance consequences flowing from BP’s 2010 travails are certain to be long-lasting—and may well spatter public companies across the United States. Here is sample of the BP buzz among market players, and how the fallout may affect your corporate board, your investors, and your regulators.