BP announces sale of North Sea oil and gas business

BP said it will put its North Sea oil and gas operations up for sale, ending more than six decades of production in the basin. The assets include five production hubs – two in the central North Sea and three west of Shetland – and employ roughly 1,100 people, producing about 117,000 barrels of oil‑equivalent per day in 2025. New chief executive Meg O’Neill said the move is part of a portfolio‑focused strategy and could generate around £2 billion for the company. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said the government will work to protect workers and local communities during the process. The announcement comes amid political debate, with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and US President Donald Trump both expressing support for continued drilling in the region.