Key facts
- BP has appointed Gordon Birrell to lead its upstream business.
- Richard Harding will serve as interim head of BP's downstream business.
- These appointments are part of BP's previously announced organizational changes to create two main business segments.
- The upstream unit will integrate oil and gas activities, including exploration, development, production, joint ventures, renewable natural gas, and carbon capture.
- The downstream unit will encompass refining, terminals, pipelines, mobility and convenience offerings, biofuels, aviation, hydrogen, and the Castrol lubricants brand.
- Renewables will be moved to a technology segment.
- The new structure takes effect operationally on July 1 and for financial reporting on January 1, 2027.
BP has announced leadership appointments for its newly structured business segments as part of a previously announced organizational overhaul. Gordon Birrell, a company veteran with experience leading BP's production and operations, will lead the upstream unit. This segment will consolidate all oil and gas activities, including exploration, development, production, joint ventures, renewable natural gas, and carbon capture businesses. Richard Harding has been named interim head of the downstream unit, which will encompass refining, terminals, pipelines, mobility and convenience offerings, biofuels, aviation, hydrogen, and the Castrol lubricants brand. Renewables such as solar and offshore wind will be moved into a separate technology segment. The new structure is intended to reduce complexity and will take effect operationally from July 1, with external financial reporting changes beginning January 1, 2027. Harding replaces Emma Delaney, who left the company in April.