Cracking safety

25 October 2010 By Christopher Swann

New CEO Dudley is trying to rebuild BP s blunderprone image. But reforming the cornercutting culture that produced the Gulf spill and other fiascos is a tall order. A new safety division is a sensible start, but the plan is so far bigger on symbolism than substance.

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BP Chief Executive Bob Dudley told the Confederation of British Industry on Oct. 25 that the firm would not be quitting America after the firm's Macondo oil spill disaster.

The firm's new leader also explained new initiatives to improve safety. He said the company would create a powerful new safety division with authority to oversee and intervene in the company's operations around the world. It would have its own expert staff, independent from BP's technical activities, and will be headed by Mark Bly, BP's current head of safety.

The BP chief also said the company will restructure its upstream business from a single division into three functions – exploration, development and production. He said this would promote better risk management.

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