BP confirms cuts of around 700 global roles

BP has confirmed plans to eliminate approximately 700 positions worldwide as part of a broader strategy to create a simpler and more valuable organisation. The announcement, communicated via email on Wednesday afternoon by executive vice president Gordon Birrell, targets non-frontline production and operation staff across upstream and refining sectors.

The reduction represents roughly eight per cent of the workforce in these specific areas and aims to reduce complexity while improving accountability within a shifting market environment. A company representative stated that support for affected teams remains a priority during this transition period.

This latest move follows significant restructuring efforts initiated earlier, including plans announced in June 2020 to cut around 10,000 jobs due to the pandemic downturn and further reductions of 7,700 roles declared in early 2025. According to recent annual reports, the total employee count stands at 93,700, with production and operation staff comprising 9,300 individuals.

Leadership changes have accompanied these operational shifts since Meg O’Neill assumed the chief executive role this April following Murray Auchincloss’s departure. The board also saw turbulence recently when chairman Albert Manifold was removed in May amid governance concerns that he subsequently criticised publicly. Beyond personnel adjustments, the firm is exploring portfolio changes such as divesting ageing assets like its North Sea holdings and Egyptian gas projects while evaluating stakes in clean energy ventures.