Full colour version of the BP magazine

UK
Trading up
Alcohol, confectionery and
non-food sales led the way
as BP’s UK convenience
stores reported a successful
Christmas trading period.
Like for like sales were up
5% for the three-week
period over Christmas and
New Year for the 250-strong
estate of BP Connect and
Express stores.
US
Changing guard
Lamar McKay has been
appointed chairman and
president of BP America Inc
and will serve as BP’s chief
representative in the US. He
succeeds Bob Malone, who
has elected to retire after 34
years with the company.
McKay has led the
company’s special projects
team since early 2008. In
that capacity, he played a
major role in establishing
the new governance model
for TNK-BP.
US
Thunderous success
Production has begun from
the third and fourth wells
at the Thunder Horse field
in the Gulf of Mexico, with
production now in excess
of 200,000 barrels of oil
equivalent per day,
signalling the completion
of commissioning and
commencement of full
operation.
China
Clean technologies
BP and the Chinese
Academy of Sciences (CAS)
have agreed to establish
the Clean Energy
Commercialisation Centre
(CECC) in Shanghai, jointly
investing $73 million to
commercialise Chinese
clean energy technologies.
The centre will draw on the
expertise and experience of
both partners to integrate
individual energy-related
technologies – such as coal
gasification and conversion.
UK
Asset exchange
BP and BG Group have
agreed to exchange a
package of North Sea assets
to help strengthen BP’s
position as a major
operator in the southern
North Sea, and facilitate
development activity and
investment in the UK
continental shelf.
Libya
Onshore start-up
BP’s Libyan exploration
project has begun a 13,000
square kilometre (5,000
square miles) seismic
acquisition programme in
the deserts of Libya’s
Ghadames basin. According
to Jens Pace, BP North Africa
exploration director, the
survey is unique in that it
involves the first full
deployment anywhere in
the world of a new, cuttingedge
BP proprietary seismic
technique known as
‘Integrated Simultaneous
Sweeping’ (ISS). BP believes
ISS will mark a step-change
in productivity in land
seismic acquisition,
compared to more
conventional methods used
elsewhere in the industry.
Top 10
Most attractive
countries for
renewable
investment
1. US
2. Germany
3. India
4. China
4. Spain
6. UK
7. Italy
8. Canada
9. France
10. Portugal
10. Greece
10. Ireland
Source: Ernst & Young Q1-Q2 2008
mailbox
Safe talking
I was fascinated to read the story about
former astronaut Jim Wetherbee and
how he applies his experiences of flying
in space to help keep BP people safe on
the ground. His passion for safety came
across loud and clear, and his pleasure at
working for BP was obvious.
Helmer Ruyter, Germany
Memory lane
Your interview with the BP archivist
made me wonder whether the magazine
will be celebrating BP’s centenary year?
Ann Ross, Spain
Ed’s reply: this year marks BP’s 100th
anniversary and the next edition of BP
Magazine will look back at some of the
company’s highlights.
Russian reaction
As you say in your recent article about
TNK-BP, last year’s struggle to reach
boardroom agreement about the future
direction of the company was high
profile. As a result of the coverage, I was
often asked about it, so it was helpful to
find all the facts and figures clearly laid
out and emphasising the positive side of
the partnership in a way I could
understand and explain to others.
Huw Griffin, UK
Kind words
As a contractor at BP Sunbury, I would
like to comment on the excellent
coverage of ‘all things BP’ in your
magazine. Its broad range of subjects
keeps you interested in BP’s operations.
In addition, I like the layout changes,
with the modern look and feel reflecting
BP’s forward-thinking values.
Dave Hill, UK
■ If you have any comments about BP Magazine
then please send them to: bpmagazine@bp.com or
BP Magazine, Bldg 200, Chertsey Road,
Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex, TW16 7LN, UK
BP MAGAZINE Issue 1 2009 05