BP to Eliminate 700 Non-Frontline Roles in Push to Simplify Business

BP plans to eliminate approximately 700 jobs from its global workforce as the energy major streamlines its operations to improve profitability and returns, according to an internal company email seen by Reuters.

Details of the Reductions

The proposed job cuts will impact about 8% of the 8,500 “non-frontline” roles within BP's production and operations business, the email showed. The company specified that frontline operational staff, including operators, technicians, and maintenance teams, are not expected to be materially affected by the changes.

An internal communication to staff outlined the potential outcomes for affected employees. "If your role is affected, that could mean that it does not exist in the new organization, changes materially, or moves into a different part of the organization," the email stated.

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Strategic Simplification

The workforce reduction is a component of a broader corporate strategy aimed at refocusing the company on its core oil and gas investments. A BP spokesperson confirmed the company's objective, telling Reuters, “We are building a simpler, stronger, more valuable BP. As part of this process, we are proposing changes that would result in a reduction in roles.”

This move aligns with BP's recent efforts to reduce debt and boost shareholder returns, which has included scaling back some of its previous investment commitments to renewable energy projects. The news was first reported by industry publication Upstream Online.