British Petroleum is a British oil and gas corporation. The organization had its name - British Petroleum until 2001. It is the second largest company in the world engaged in public trading in oil and gas products. In 2009, she climbed to fourth in the Fortune Global 500. Currently, the organization’s headquarters is in London.
Historical information. Initial development
William Knox d'Arcy is the founder of British Petroleum. At the beginning of the 20th century, this entrepreneurial Englishman managed to get approval of the plan for oil exploration and production from the Persian authorities. George Reynolds was appointed chief engineer for field exploration. At the initial stage of its activity, the company did not achieve much success. Strongly affected by the lack of qualified personnel. The attitude of local residents also left much to be desired. The Persian government did not provide sufficient enterprise support. As a result, British Petroleum began to have difficulties with financial resources. Later Burmah Oil began investing in further searches for oil in Persia.
Anglo-persian oil company
Suleiman and Mashid are oil fields that became one of the first successful oil fields in Persia. They were discovered in the southwestern region of the country. The Anglo-Persian oil company was formed a few years later - in 1909. Burmah Oil owned almost all shares. Only 3% belonged to Lord Strathcon, who was the first chairman of British Petroleum. At the same time, D'Arcy remained director. However, he did not have a significant influence on the fate of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company.
Further development
The reins of power passed to Charles Greenway. Now he was responsible for oil exploration. Initially, he ended up as director, but later became chairman. British Petroleum was in danger of total bankruptcy during this period. Sales was a major issue. European and American companies have already divided among themselves the market niche of industrial oils. At the same time, the fuel sector was still underdeveloped. Greenway helped eliminate Royal Dutch Shell’s influence on the Anglo-Persian company. This was largely achieved thanks to a mutually beneficial agreement with the British authorities.
Marketing
After the end of the war, the company continued to develop rapidly over a ten-year period. New marketing methods have been developed. For example, the packaging of gasoline was now carried out in two-gallon cans. The Anglo-Persian company was able to sell its products in Iraq and Iran.
An international chain has been created consisting of marine bunkering stations. By early 1926, the British Petroleum Corporation began trading in aviation fuel. The launch of new oil refineries. They were much smaller than those in Abadan. First, plants opened in South Wales, and then in Scotland.
The company continued to expand its influence. Most of the French refinery belonged to her. The business structure of the company has changed significantly. Most of the assets accounted for Persian deposits. Most of the capital was involved in the distribution system and the tanker fleet. Cars are widespread in Europe and America. This to a large extent influenced the further activities of British Petroleum.
Gas stations began to open everywhere. Their total number reached 6 thousand. In 1935, the company was renamed. It began to be called Anglo-Iranian. In the petrochemical sector, the company began implementation in the post-war period. A joint venture was established with Distillers. Later it became known as British Hydrocarbon Chemicals. Then, another petrochemical complex was formed in Baglan Bay.
Modern realities
The company is currently engaged in gas and oil production worldwide. This is done both offshore and on land. According to statistics from 2009, the company owned multibillion-dollar reserves of natural gas and liquid carbon. BP is the owner of the petrochemical and oil refining capacities. She has her own network of gas stations. She also releases oil.
British Petroleum owns shares in a dozen gas pipelines and five regasification terminals. All are located in the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, the company owns an almost 50% stake in the pipeline, which is located in Alaska. The British Petroleum Corporation, whose official website is www.bp.com, owns several receiving terminals in the Gulf of Mexico. They specialize in liquefied natural gas.
The company has a division called BPSolar. It specializes in photovoltaic cells. The company is a significant player in the field of hydrogen energy. BP is engaged in the construction of stations and the supply of materials for them. The company takes part in international demonstration projects in this area. In 2009, its revenue exceeded the amount of two hundred billion dollars.
Activities in the Russian Federation
BP was a co-owner of the TNK oil company in Russia until the spring of 2013. A few years ago, a serious conflict occurred within the organization. As a result, Robert Dudley, who was the president and CEO of the company, left this post. The alliance with Rosneft also failed. In 2011, the Stockholm arbitration court ruled to cancel the transaction. The companies tried to compromise, but the agreement was finally broken.