BP plc has no plans to veer off an objective to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, but natural gas and oil continue to be the “engine” driving the company in the near term, CEO Bernard Looney said Tuesday.

BP Juniper offshore platform

Looney and CFO Murray Auchincloss held a wide-ranging conference call to share third quarter results. BP’s global gas outlook going into the winter looks positive as prices climb and as overseas liquefied natural gas (LNG) consumption is forecast to rise.

“We’ve always thought that the U.S. is a sort of an anchor point for global gas prices,” Looney said. “Gas supply in the United States is down materially…It used to be around 95 Bcf, and is down at 86 Bcf. It’s leveling off probably a little bit right now. But you are beginning to see exports on the...