In a analysis word despatched to Rigzone by the HSBC workforce this week, HSBC analysts, together with Kim Fustier, HSBC’s Senior World Oil and Fuel Analyst, mentioned they suppose BP “may intensify its shift again to grease and gasoline and away from low carbon power” beneath its new CEO.
“BP’s 4Q25 ends in February will happen throughout one more interval of transition for the corporate,” the analysts mentioned within the word.
“Incoming CEO Meg O’Neill will assume the position on April 1, following the sudden departure of Murray Auchincloss in late December and interim management of Carol Howle,” they added.
“We don’t anticipate main strategic bulletins at BP’s 4Q outcomes but, virtually a 12 months since its ‘elementary reset’. Below its new CEO, we predict BP may intensify its shift again to grease and gasoline and away from low carbon power,” they continued.
The HSBC analysts acknowledged within the analysis word that they’d additionally anticipate a better emphasis on price financial savings and capital effectivity.
“On our estimates, there is no such thing as a instant monetary stress on BP’s $3 billion annual buyback in a $60-65 per barrel Brent surroundings as it’s dwarfed by the size of but to be introduced disposals of c$9 billion,” the analysts famous.
“That mentioned, BP may select to chop buybacks out of prudence as deleveraging stays a precedence, or if it sees the present interim interval as an opportune time to reset shareholder distributions,” they added.
Rigzone has contacted BP for touch upon HSBC’s analysis word. On the time of writing, BP has not responded to Rigzone.
In a press release posted on its web site on December 17, BP introduced that its board had appointed O’Neill as BP’s subsequent CEO, efficient April 1, noting that Murray Auchincloss had determined to step down from his place as CEO and director of the board, efficient December 18.
“Carol Howle, present Govt Vice President, Provide, Buying and selling & Transport of BP, will function interim CEO till Meg joins as CEO. Murray will serve in an advisory position till December 2026 to make sure a easy transition,” BP mentioned within the assertion.
BP famous in its assertion that the appointment of O’Neill adopted a search course of overseen by a search committee of the board, assisted by an unbiased recruitment agency, as a part of the board’s long-term succession planning.
BP highlighted within the assertion that O’Neill at present serves as CEO of Woodside Power and acknowledged that, since her appointment as CEO in 2021, O’Neill has grown Woodside Power into the most important power firm listed on the Australian Securities Change.
“Amongst her many accomplishments at Woodside Power, she oversaw the transformative acquisition of BHP Petroleum Worldwide, making a geographically numerous enterprise with a portfolio of high-quality oil and gasoline belongings,” BP famous.
“Earlier than becoming a member of Woodside Power in 2018, Meg spent 23 years at ExxonMobil in technical, operational and management positions around the globe,” BP highlighted.
Within the BP assertion, the corporate’s chair, Albert Manifold, mentioned, “we’re delighted to welcome Meg O’Neill to the BP workforce”.
“Her confirmed observe file of driving transformation, development, and disciplined capital allocation makes her the proper chief for BP,” he added.
O’Neill mentioned within the assertion, “BP performs a important position in delivering power to clients around the globe”.
“I’m honored to function the corporate’s subsequent CEO. With a unprecedented portfolio of belongings, BP has vital potential to reestablish market management and develop shareholder worth,” O’Neill added.
“I look ahead to working with the bp management workforce and colleagues worldwide to speed up efficiency, advance security, drive innovation and sustainability and do our half to fulfill the world’s power wants,” O’Neill continued.
Auchincloss mentioned within the assertion, “after greater than three many years with BP, now could be the proper time at hand the reins to a brand new chief”.
“When Albert grew to become Chair, I expressed my openness to step down have been an applicable chief recognized who may speed up supply of BP’s technique,” he mentioned.
“I’m assured that BP is now properly positioned for vital development and I look ahead to watching the corporate’s future progress and success beneath Meg’s management,” he went on to state.
In a press release posted on its web site in February final 12 months, BP introduced a “basically reset technique”. This technique will see BP develop its upstream oil and gasoline enterprise, focus its downstream enterprise, and make investments with rising self-discipline into the transition, the corporate famous in that assertion.
To contact the writer, e-mail andreas.exarheas@rigzone.com

