27/07/2010
BP Suffers Massive Losses
Oil giant, BP has announced record losses of £11 billion for the second quarter of the year and also announced that Chief Executive Tony Hayward will step down.
Mr Hayward, who has come under increasing criticism in the wake of Gulf of Mexico oil spill, will be replaced by American Bob Dudley, who was previously head of BP's Russian operation, on October 1. Mr Dudley will be BP's first foreign Chief Executive.
Commenting on the new appointment, BP Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg said: "The BP board is deeply saddened to lose a Chief Executive Officer whose success over some three years in driving the performance of the company was so widely and deservedly admired.
"We are highly fortunate to have a successor of the calibre of Bob Dudley who has spent his working life in the oil industry both in the US and overseas and has proved himself a robust operator in the toughest circumstances."
BP also confirmed that it will write off £20.8 billion in order to cover the cost of the oil spill, which happened as the result of an explosion on a drilling rig off Louisiana in April and also sell assets for up to £19 billion over the next year and a half in order to maintain financial liquidity.
Mr Hayward said: "The costs and charges involved in meeting our commitments in responding to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill are very significant and this reported loss reflects that. However, outside the Gulf it is very encouraging that BP's global business has delivered another strong underlying performance, which means that the company is in robust shape to meet its responsibilities in dealing with the human tragedy and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico."
Meanwhile, Greenpeace activists have today closed down BP filling stations in London.
The campaign group claimed that 50 stations were closed, but the oil company said that 35 were affected by the protests, but 18 have now reopened.
The activists are believed to have used a shut-off switch to cut the flow of fuel at the stations.
BP said that they were working to reopen all the stations affected. No-one has been arrested in connection with the protests, but the Metropolitan police said that they were aware of the protests and were monitoring the situation.
Greenpeace said that the protests were held to urge BP to switch to greener energy policies.
(KMcA/BMcC)
Mr Hayward, who has come under increasing criticism in the wake of Gulf of Mexico oil spill, will be replaced by American Bob Dudley, who was previously head of BP's Russian operation, on October 1. Mr Dudley will be BP's first foreign Chief Executive.
Commenting on the new appointment, BP Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg said: "The BP board is deeply saddened to lose a Chief Executive Officer whose success over some three years in driving the performance of the company was so widely and deservedly admired.
"We are highly fortunate to have a successor of the calibre of Bob Dudley who has spent his working life in the oil industry both in the US and overseas and has proved himself a robust operator in the toughest circumstances."
BP also confirmed that it will write off £20.8 billion in order to cover the cost of the oil spill, which happened as the result of an explosion on a drilling rig off Louisiana in April and also sell assets for up to £19 billion over the next year and a half in order to maintain financial liquidity.
Mr Hayward said: "The costs and charges involved in meeting our commitments in responding to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill are very significant and this reported loss reflects that. However, outside the Gulf it is very encouraging that BP's global business has delivered another strong underlying performance, which means that the company is in robust shape to meet its responsibilities in dealing with the human tragedy and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico."
Meanwhile, Greenpeace activists have today closed down BP filling stations in London.
The campaign group claimed that 50 stations were closed, but the oil company said that 35 were affected by the protests, but 18 have now reopened.
The activists are believed to have used a shut-off switch to cut the flow of fuel at the stations.
BP said that they were working to reopen all the stations affected. No-one has been arrested in connection with the protests, but the Metropolitan police said that they were aware of the protests and were monitoring the situation.
Greenpeace said that the protests were held to urge BP to switch to greener energy policies.
(KMcA/BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 March 2004
Shell signs deal to re-enter Libya
Shell has signed a strategic deal with Libya's state-owned oil company to re-enter the Libyian oil exploration market. The landmark agreement between Shell and the National Oil Corporation of Libya coincided with a visit today to Tripoli by British Prime Minister Tony Bair who met with Libyan leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
Shell signs deal to re-enter Libya
Shell has signed a strategic deal with Libya's state-owned oil company to re-enter the Libyian oil exploration market. The landmark agreement between Shell and the National Oil Corporation of Libya coincided with a visit today to Tripoli by British Prime Minister Tony Bair who met with Libyan leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
10 June 2002
UK manufacturing goods price rise
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have said that goods manufactured in the UK fetched slightly higher prices in May. The ONS said the price of goods leaving factory gates rose by 0.3% in May thanks to increases in tobacco, petroleum and other manufactured goods prices, however the annual rate fell to just 0.1%.
UK manufacturing goods price rise
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have said that goods manufactured in the UK fetched slightly higher prices in May. The ONS said the price of goods leaving factory gates rose by 0.3% in May thanks to increases in tobacco, petroleum and other manufactured goods prices, however the annual rate fell to just 0.1%.
08 February 2005
BP lifts dividend by 26% on £8.7bn profits
Oil and petrochemical giant BP has reported profits of £8.7 billion ($16.2 billion) today, up 26% on the previous year, representing the biggest single increase in the group's recent history.
BP lifts dividend by 26% on £8.7bn profits
Oil and petrochemical giant BP has reported profits of £8.7 billion ($16.2 billion) today, up 26% on the previous year, representing the biggest single increase in the group's recent history.
07 February 2006
BP profits record on high oil prices
BP has reported a 25% increase in profits for the year mainly due to the rise in crude oil prices. The oil giant reported a receord replacement cost profit for the year was $19.3 billion (£11.0bn) compared with $15.4billion (£8.7bn) in 2004.
BP profits record on high oil prices
BP has reported a 25% increase in profits for the year mainly due to the rise in crude oil prices. The oil giant reported a receord replacement cost profit for the year was $19.3 billion (£11.0bn) compared with $15.4billion (£8.7bn) in 2004.
14 March 2002
BP Chief Executive's pay rise creates "fattest cat"
BP Chief Executive Lord Browne has received a 58 per cent pay rise that has taken his salary to over £3 million, leading to criticism from unions that BP has created the "biggest fat cat" of them all.
BP Chief Executive's pay rise creates "fattest cat"
BP Chief Executive Lord Browne has received a 58 per cent pay rise that has taken his salary to over £3 million, leading to criticism from unions that BP has created the "biggest fat cat" of them all.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.