Reports and rumors have intensified this year that BP is in the crosshairs of rivals, especially Shell, for a potential takeover that would be the largest deal in the oil industry since the Exxon and Mobil merger in 1999.
FTSE 100 oil heavyweights are back in analysts favour after oil prices surged from the intensifying Middle Eastern conflict.
BP and Shell shares have jumped around three per cent in the last week and climbed further as President Donald Trump weighed in on the attacks in Israel and Iran.
bp, together with its partners, has entered into a series of agreements that will build and expand on its major oil and gas interests in Azerbaijan, paving the way for growth and additional production while deepening its partnership with the country and state oil company, SOCAR.
bp Trinidad and Tobago (bpTT) announced today that the Mento development has safely delivered first gas through connection of the initial discovery well and the drilling campaign for the remaining seven gross wells on the platform will now begin.
In a disclosure to the Muscat Stock Exchange, Abraj said it had been engaged to provide an onshore drilling rig for a term of three years, renewable for an additional two years. Abraj’s expected revenue from the contract is around USD 36.4 million.
Oceaneering will provide support for this contract using a multi-purpose vessel equipped with two of its work-class ROVs. The project will also involve management, engineering, and integration services delivered by Oceaneering’s local and international teams. Engineering and pre-mobilization activities have started, and field operations are anticipated to begin in the second quarter of 2025. The contract is initially set for three years, with two additional one-year extension options available.
Shell Plc is working with advisers to evaluate a potential acquisition of BP Plc, though it’s waiting for further stock and oil price declines before deciding whether to pursue a bid, according to people familiar with the matter.
The oil major has been more seriously discussing the feasibility and merits of a BP takeover with its advisers in recent weeks, the people said, asking not be identified because the information is private.
Shareholders, especially activist hedge fund Elliott, will want to make their position known at the AGM votes on Thursday. Activist investor Elliott, which has been pushing for dramatic changes at BP since amassing a 5% stake in the supermajor, is likely to express its continued frustration with BP’s performance by voting against the re-election of directors.
bp Trinidad and Tobago (bpTT) today confirms its Cypre development has safely delivered its first gas.
bp’s Juniper rig, offshore Trinidad
Cypre is one of bp’s 10 major projects expected to start up worldwide between 2025 and 2027, announced as part of bp’s reset strategy to grow the upstream. Production from Cypre will make a significant contribution towards the 250,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed) combined peak net production expected from these 10 projects.
BP cut planned annual investment in renewable energy businesses by more than $5 billion, from its previous forecast, to between $1.5 billion and $2 billion per year. It now aims to grow oil and gas production to between 2.3 million and 2.5 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) in 2030. It pumped 2.36 million boepd in 2024.