Our response to coronavirus
Bernard Looney
Chairman Prometheus Hyperscale | Board Member at FCLT | Strategic Advisor Cognite
This week has been extraordinarily difficult for the world. For those of us at bp, we are dealing with two major issues coming together at one time.
First coronavirus, or COVID-19, continues to spread globally. To say it is challenging is a massive understatement. All of us are impacted in one way or another.
Many people are – understandably – scared. Many are dealing with the repercussions of schools being closed, travel bans, elderly parents, and so on. I can feel the angst myself here in London.
And on the financial front - we’ve seen steep falls in stock markets and commodity prices - which have particularly affected those of us in the oil industry.
This is not a time to panic. But it is a time for calm, deliberate action - for both the health of our people and the health of our company.
To protect our people, I have communicated to our employees that we are going to move to working remotely - except those involved in, or supporting, critical operations. We will have no large meetings and no travel.
And to protect the health of our company we are making interventions to reduce capital and operational spending. bp is strong and, importantly, we have navigated challenges like this before. We know what to do.
Some people have also questioned how the current circumstances affect our purpose and net zero ambition. I can understand why they might ask that. But to me, I think what is going on now only reaffirms the need to reinvent our company. And we will.
As I said to our employees today, I’ve seen so many examples of us coming together to support each other and help one another. So much empathy. That’s bp and that is why I am confident in our company’s future.
Hoping you and your families stay safe.
McMullen Co Tx, FRAC WATER For Sale, OIL/GAS LEASES, eagleford leases, FM 624 2085 ac , FM 99 320 ac Tilden, U well possibility
4 年Well said, too bad the BPX office in San Antonio tx wont answer eagleford shale royalty owners emails from 30, 60, and 90 days ago. James Dusek
Global Account Director at Vision iO AS
4 年A very welcome positive, objective and pragmatic example of leadership much needed in the current unfolding events.
Managing Director at Lazard - Global Head Natural Resources Investment Banking
4 年Great leadership
Member Board Of Trustees at HSP - Helping Support People in need
4 年Is there anything BP could do to help small charities? We have a van to pick up waste food from supermarkets, and we use this along with food we need to buy, to provide free meals and food parcels to anyone in who needs help in our local community. Unfortunately with all the panic buying, our van is picking up very little waste food, and we are having to buy more and travel further to find supplies. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thank you
Stationery Manager, McNally Jackson
4 年You do not need a government bailout. BP has plenty of money to ride this out. People, the working people of the US, need help far more than oil and gas companies.