BP and PricewaterhouseCoopers are expanding their businessprocess outsourcing (BPO) relationship, first begun four years agoin South America, to now include North America. The contractaddition, worth more than $200 million over nine years, willinclude BP’s newly acquired ARCO and Vastar onshore and offshoreU.S. Lower 48 operations.

Under terms of the agreement, PricewaterhouseCoopers willintegrate BP’s U.S. Lower 48 onshore and offshore operations withaccounting process, information technology applications support andrelated information technology services now provided to thecompany. Nearly 150 new employees will be added toPricewaterhouseCoopers to provide the services through its EnergyCentres of Excellence, with offices in Tulsa, Chicago and Houston.As part of the deal, the Houston office will offer offshore Gulf ofMexico production and revenue accounting processing.

“Global leaders like BP figured out long before anyone else howbusiness process outsourcing can play a key role in helping themmanage accelerated growth, particularly when achieved throughmergers and acquisitions,” said Raymond Bayley, a partner inPricewaterhouseCoopers’ North American BPO practice.

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