BP plc has appointed John Minge as chairman and president of BP America Inc., the producer’s chief U.S. representative. Former chief Lamar McKay is to lead BP’s upstream business. BP’s capital investments in the United States over the past five years exceed $52 billion, more than any other company and more than BP invests in any other country. Minge, who takes over the Houston-based U.S. operations on Feb. 15, has led BP Alaska since January 2009. In 2012, BP Alaska achieved the lowest recordable incident rate in its history, with a 50% reduction from 2009. Minge, who began his BP career in the Gulf of Mexico as a drilling engineer, formerly was president of BP Indonesia, chief of BP’s Asia Pacific Unit and president of exploration and production for Vietnam and China. BP also has named Bob Fryar, now executive vice president for upstream production, as executive vice president for Safety and Operational Risk. Mark Bly, who has headed safety functions since March 2008, plans to retire.
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People
Lamar McKay, who has served as chairman and president of BP plc subsidiary BP America since 2009, will take over as CEO of the Upstream business unit effective Jan. 1. In his new role McKay, who has worked for BP for 32 years, would lead the operator’s combined upstream businesses, which include the exploration, development and production divisions, together with the strategy and integration team. The upstream divisions were created in 2010 following the Macondo deepwater spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which led to a major reorganization designed to improve risk management and global standards. McKay would report to Group CEO Bob Dudley. McKay’s successor has not been announced.
BP’s McKay: Committed to Safety and GOM
BP America Inc. President Lamar McKay last week told an audience of financial analysts in New Orleans that his career began in the Crescent City. While he said it was a pleasure to be back for the Howard Weil Energy Conference, McKay emphasized that neither he nor BP had forgotten how Louisiana’s shores were fouled last summer by oil from the company’s blown-out Macondo well.
Senator Offers Republican Alternative to Cap-and-Trade System
Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, last Monday outlined a Republican response to what he calls the Democrats’ “job-killing” and expensive cap-and-trade system for controlling greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Democrats’ cap-and-trade system was also critisized by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who called it a “dead end” and “an enormous threat to our economy.”
Senator Offers Republican Alternative to Cap-and-Trade System
Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, Monday outlined a Republican response to what he calls the Democrats’ “job-killing” and expensive cap-and-trade system for controlling greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
People
Lamar McKay, a veteran of U.S. oil company Amoco, as been appointed chairman and president of BP America, succeeding Robert A. (Bob) Malone who has elected to retire after 34 years with the company. McKay, a member of the BP plc executive management team, has led the company’s Special Projects Team since early 2008. In that capacity, he played a major role in establishing a new governance model for TNK-BP, BP’s Russian joint venture. Prior to that assignment, he served as executive vice president and COO for BP America and brings deep knowledge of BP’s U.S. operations to his new position, the company announcement said. McKay joined Amoco Production Co. as a petroleum engineer in 1980 and later served in a variety of operating and commercial roles. During his career he has led upstream production businesses in the Arkoma Basin, the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea. After working on the BP-Amoco merger, he led BP’s worldwide exploration and production strategy efforts followed by a posting as chief of staff for the company’s global exploration and production business. Prior to his first assignment with BP America, he served as group vice president for BP’s Russia and Kazakhstan operations.
People
Lamar McKay, a veteran of U.S. oil company Amoco, as been appointed chairman and president of BP America, succeeding Robert A. (Bob) Malone who has elected to retire after 34 years with the company. McKay, a member of the BP p.l.c. executive management team, has led the company’s Special Projects Team since early 2008. In that capacity, he played a major role in establishing a new governance model for TNK-BP, BP’s Russian joint venture. Prior to that assignment, he served as executive vice president and COO for BP America and brings deep knowledge of BP’s U.S. operations to his new position, the company announcement said. McKay joined Amoco Production Co. as a petroleum engineer in 1980 and later served in a variety of operating and commercial roles. During his career he has led upstream production businesses in the Arkoma Basin, the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea. After working on the BP-Amoco merger, he led BP’s worldwide exploration and production strategy efforts followed by a posting as chief of staff for the company’s global exploration and production business. Prior to his first assignment with BP America, he served as group vice president for Russia and Kazakhstan.
Industry Briefs
Iberdrola Renewables’ U.S. energy business, PPM Energy, announced that its subsidiary, Enstor Inc., completed the acquisition of ownership interests in the Freebird Gas Storage facility in Lamar County, AL from Houston-based Multifuels LP and Denham Capital. The transaction is valued at $164 million subject to adjustments. RBC Capital Markets advised on the sale. The natural gas storage facility has an existing working capacity of 7.6 Bcf with the potential to be expanded up to 11.4 Bcf. The Freebird facility is located on the Tennessee 500 line. The Northwest Alabama Gas District is a co-owner of the facility.
Industry Brief
Iberdrola Renewables’ U.S. energy business, PPM Energy, said subsidiary Enstor Inc. completed the acquisition of ownership interests in the Freebird Gas Storage facility in Lamar County, AL, from Houston-based Multifuels LP and Denham Capital. The transaction is valued at $164 million subject to adjustments. RBC Capital Markets advised on the sale. The facility has a working capacity of 7.6 Bcf with the potential to be expanded to 11.4 Bcf. The Freebird facility is on the Tennessee 500 line. The Northwest Alabama Gas District is a co-owner of the facility.
Alexander Says Senate Energy Bill Is ‘Shaping Up’
Comparing the surprise Americans felt from the terrorist attacks of 9/11 to the surprise Americans will feel from soaring energy prices, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) said last week that his stand-alone natural gas legislation is aimed at bringing energy prices down and alleviating foreign energy reliance.