BP confirms shift to two‑segment structure

: Biofuels, Crude oil, Electricity, Natural gas, Oil products
26/06/09

BP confirmed today that it will reorganise its business into two segments — Upstream and Downstream — from 1 July.

The Upstream segment will combine BP's oil and gas regions, covering exploration, development and production. It will also include upstream joint ventures, alongside the company's renewable natural gas and carbon capture and storage businesses.

The Downstream segment will include refining, terminals and pipelines, as well as BP's mobility and convenience retail operations. It will also cover biofuels, aviation and hydrogen, and include the company's remaining 35pc stake in its Castrol lubricants business.

BP's Supply, Trading & Shipping function will operate across both segments, supporting "delivery and value creation across the integrated system", the company said. Its renewable power businesses — including solar and offshore wind, where BP is pursuing an asset-light model — will sit within the Technology function.

The reorganisation was trailed shortly after new chief executive Meg O'Neill joined the company in April. Focusing BP around two distinct segments "is an important step in accelerating delivery" and will "reduce complexity and strengthen execution", O'Neill said today.

The move brings BP's structure closer to that of US peers Chevron and ExxonMobil. O'Neill previously spent more than two decades at ExxonMobil.

BP is currently organised into three main segments — Gas & Low Carbon Energy, Oil Production & Operations, and Customers & Products — alongside an Other Businesses and Corporate segment. The company said the new structure will clarify accountabilities and enable "faster, more effective" decision-making.

O'Neill has previously said that moving BP's refining into a dedicated downstream segment, from the largely upstream Production & Operations business, would allow leadership to better "maximise value from the front of the refinery all the way to the end-customer".

BP said Gordon Birrell, currently executive vice-president of Production & Operations, will lead the new Upstream segment. Customers & Products head Richard Harding will serve as interim head of Downstream until a permanent executive vice-president is appointed.

By Jon Mainwaring

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26/06/09

Turkey eyes 35pc by 2035 Cop 31 electrification goal

London, 9 June (Argus) — Turkey has proposed a global goal for electricity to reach 35pc of global final energy consumption by 2035, up from around 20pc at present during the Bonn climate talks, a halfway conference between UN Cop climate summits. Turkey, which will host the upcoming Cop 31 climate summit in November, proposed the goal as part of its action agenda of voluntary initiatives aimed at accelerating the implementation of commitments taken at previous summits. Like during Cop 30 in Brazil, the action agenda will run alongside official UN negotiations. The Cop host is proposing to build a global coalition to carry forward this goal, which is based on analysis from watchdogs the International Energy Agency (IEA) and International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena). President-designate of the summit, Murat Kurum, called it "one of the defining priorities of our Cop 31 presidency." Reaching the goal would require a sharp increase in the rate of electrification from recent decades. Electricity would have to increase its share of final energy consumption by 1.2pc/yr, compared to 0.2pc/yr over 1990-23, according to IEA data (see graph). The electrification goal has the advantage of being applicable worldwide, being equally valid for decarbonising industry in Germany or contributing to clean cooking in Africa, according to Cop 31 president of negotiations Chris Bowen of Australia. The electrification pledge remains outside of negotiated Cop outcomes for now, but Australia has referred the action agenda to parties at the Cop, and it is something they could take momentum from, Bowen said. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) executive secretary Simon Stiell said today that it is "for parties to decide" if it is brought into the negotiation process. Achieving an electrification rate of 35pc by 2035, combined with energy efficiency improvements of around 3pc, calls for a global installed renewable power capacity of around 18,400 GW in the same period, according to Irena. The goal also needs to be complemented by grid enhancements, according to the organisation. Increasing electricity consumption can be met by fossil as well as non-fossil sources. The world consumed 2.4 times as much fossil-origin electricity in 2023 as in 1990, although electricity generation from other sources increased 2.7 times in the same timespan. By Rhys Talbot Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

UAE's Fujairah out of VLSFO bunker supplies

26/06/09

UAE's Fujairah out of VLSFO bunker supplies

Dubai, 9 June (Argus) — An acute supply crunch resulting from the US-Iran war has left the UAE port of Fujairah, the world's fourth-largest bunkering port, depleted of very-low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO). Most major bunker suppliers in Fujairah have completely pulled out of the market, reporting zero availabilities for the rest of the first half of June. The US-Israel war with Iran has severely disrupted local VLSFO production by cutting imports of feedstock materials and has severed supply from Kuwait's 615,000 b/d al-Zour refinery, leaving remaining bunkering volumes barely able to meet even very slim demand. "Nothing is moving here and will stay the same until we get a cargo from somewhere," a major bunker supplier said. Argus -assessed spot premiums for delivered VLSFO rose to all-time highs of $500-700/t against front-month Singapore VLSFO cargo values in the first week of June. In the neighbouring port of Khor Fakkan, where some sellers still have scarce supplies, a supplier sold a cargo on 8 June at a $450/t premium to the price basis. Under normal market conditions, bunker premiums typically hover around $10–20/t. But market participants anticipate some near-term relief with an expected arrival of low-sulphur straight run residuals (LSSR) in mid-June. A 100,000t cargo of LSSR from Nigeria's Dangote refinery, on board the Indonesia Prosperity , is scheduled to arrive in Fujairah on 16 June, according to global trade analytics firm Vortexa. The vessels charterer is trading firm Vitol, who owns a 100,000 b/d refinery in Fujairah. "It will take few days for LSSR to be blended into marine fuel grade VLSFO," one bunker trader said. "Vitol has its own bunkering arm in Fujairah which will have a priority for access over other suppliers." The volume of VLSFO sales in deals collected for assessment by Argus fell to a record low of 1,085 t/d in May, down from 1,760 t/d of sales in April. Argus compiles daily data on deals from Fujairah suppliers, traders and buyers, capturing up to a quarter of the market, offering a snapshot of broader market trends. By Elshan Aliyev Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Irish firm plans 600MW green H2 energy storage project

26/06/09

Irish firm plans 600MW green H2 energy storage project

London, 9 June (Argus) — Irish developer Net Zero Energy (NZE) plans to build a 600MW long-duration energy storage (LDES) facility that will convert surplus renewable power into hydrogen, store it underground, and dispatch electricity during periods of peak demand. The Rathrush Green Energy Park, in Carlow county, would cost around €2bn ($2.31bn) to develop. The plant is designed to generate up to 600MW for 70 hours — enough to cover 10pc of Ireland's peak electricity demand , NZE said. The LDES site will use surplus wind and solar electricity to power electrolysers to produce renewable hydrogen, which will be compressed and stored in lined rock caverns. Gas turbines will then burn the hydrogen to generate power for grid dispatch. The plant will connect to the grid through a 220kV substation, and draw process water from a nearby wastewater treatment facility. NZE is running a public consultation and plans to file a planning application by the end of 2026. NZE previously developed a 4.6MW battery energy storage system (BESS) and assisted in permitting and grid connection for the Kelwin 26MW BESS site . Separately, Ireland's department of climate, energy and environment has opened a call for evidence on geological hydrogen storage to inform future regulatory frameworks for underground storage. The consultation, which covers salt caverns, depleted gas fields, aquifers and lined rock caverns, closes on 17 July. By Chingis Idrissov Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

South Korea’s fundamental fuel economics and policy

26/06/08

South Korea’s fundamental fuel economics and policy

London, 8 June (Argus) — The dynamic between thermal coal and LNG in South Korea's energy mix is more relevant than ever in the wake of the Mideast Gulf war, with surging prices, supply disruptions and evolving government policy all dictating the shape of South Korea's electricity generation. Generation margin advantage Coal has maintained substantial cost advantages over gas-fired generation since the US/Israel-Iran war began. On 6 March, thermal coal generation costs in South Korea were estimated at 75.83 won/kWh, compared with W216.22/kWh for LNG. Argus' NAR 5,800 kcal/kg thermal coal assessment rose by $19/t to $115.63/t cfr South Korea on 6 March, while northeast Asia (ANEA) front-month spot LNG prices more than doubled over the same period to $23.665/mn Btu from $10.715/mn Btu . April: Full switching to coal In April, South Korea demonstrated substantial fuel switching away from gas to coal. South Korean coal burn averaged 15GW in April, up by 42pc from around 10.6GW in 2025. Gas generation was down by 6.2pc, equivalent to an LNG demand cut of approximately 110,000t. This marked the first full month without any Qatari LNG deliveries following the outbreak of the Middle East war. May-June: Persistent coal support, constrained gas burn Despite ongoing government efforts to preserve LNG stocks, coal's dominance continued. Gas-fired output fell to 15.9GW for the rolling four-week average over 27 April–24 May 2026, down by 4.4pc on the year, while coal-fired output rose by 16.5pc to about 15GW over the same period. However, at least six LNG cargoes were diverted to South Korea in May, signalling spot demand driven by summer temperatures. Structural constraints on fuel switching South Korea's ability to fuel-switch away from gas is constrained by persistent grid bottlenecks. New renewable, nuclear and coal-fired power plants in coastal areas lack sufficient grid capacity to transfer power to urban demand centres. This structural constraint has kept a higher floor for gas-fired output, particularly during off-peak hours. Coal's balancing role During the spring shoulder season (typically March–June), South Korea implements countermeasures forcing generators to run coal-fired units at minimum levels to maintain grid stability. Coal-fired plants require higher minimum stable output than gas-fired units, making them far less flexible when solar output spikes in the middle of the day. As a result, gas-fired plants have been relied on as the main balancing power source during peak renewable generation hours. Policy and energy transition The South Korean government previously pledged to phase out coal entirely by 2040 but shifted to a more flexible stance following Middle East energy disruptions. By 14 April, the government signalled the possibility of delaying its coal exit plan in response to the war in the Middle East, although it simultaneously reaffirmed its commitment to expand renewables to 100GW by 2030. Near-term outlook and summer 2026 demand South Korea is forecast to experience a hotter-than-normal summer in June–August, with its meteorological agency indicating over a 50pc chance of above-average temperatures. This could increase power demand and LNG requirements. But the country faces tighter structural supply dynamics. Nuclear availability is scheduled to fall to 19.4GW in June–August from 20.1GW a year earlier, assuming the Wolsong reactors under maintenance stay off line. Coal-fired capacity will gradually return from maintenance, with 4.7GW set to have returned by the end of May, but this will only partially offset the government's ability to switch away from gas. Gas tariff and electricity price pressures are likely to persist, encouraging continued reliance on coal where operationally feasible. S Korea 40% coal switching price S Korea 44, 40% DS, 58% SS Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Iran says suspends military operation against Israel

26/06/08

Iran says suspends military operation against Israel

London, 8 June (Argus) — Iran has suspended its attacks on Israel, state media said today citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Crude prices pared some earlier gains. The IRGC said it has suspended military operations that saw ballistic missiles fired at targets in northern Israel. This was Iran's first attack on Israel since 8 April, and promoted retaliatory airstrikes by Israel on what it said were military targets in western and central Iran. "Any continuation of [Israeli] hostilities and wrongdoing — particularly in southern Lebanon — will be met with far harsher and more devastating actions than those previously taken," the IRGC said according to state news agency IRNA. Tehran deems Israeli military action in Lebanon as a part of the wider war involving the two countries and the US, and has said it wants an end to Jerusalem's incursions as part of any deal that could reopen the strait of Hormuz. Israel and Lebanon's central government have reached several ceasefire agreements, with the US facilitating those talks. But Lebanon's central government has little control over Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group that has been attacking civilian and military targets in northern Israel. Earlier on Monday, US president Donald Trump appealed for calm. "Israel and Iran must immediately stop "shooting"," he wrote on his Truth Social account. He again said a peace deal is close, "subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way", and said the US naval blockade of Iranian shipping in the Gulf of Oman "will remain in place and in full force and effect", until a deal is reached. The front-month August Ice Brent contract fell back from earlier highs after the Iranian announcement, to trade up by around 1pc on the day at $94.13/bl as of 11:50 GMT. It hit an intraday high of above $98/bl earlier in the day. By Ben Winkley Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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BP confirms shift to two‑segment structure

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Turkey eyes 35pc by 2035 Cop 31 electrification goal

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