Tue 1 Jun 2010, 09:53 GMT

BP resignations extend globally


Fuel oil traders resign in the US and the UK as the list of departures in recent weeks increases.



Resignations at BP Plc's fuel oil trading team have extended internationally following reports that traders at the oil major's offices in the United States and the UK have also resigned in recent weeks.

BP's fuel oil trading desk in the United States is reported to have been left with one derivatives trader following the resignation of Tim Gawne, fuel oil team leader in the United States, another physical trader and a third who traded derivatives.

Meanwhile, in the UK, London team head Chris Paine is understood to have left the company around a month ago, with six other traders still continuing to work on the team. Paine, aged 30, was said to be BP's youngest team leader when appointed two years ago.

News of the resignations in the United States and the UK have come to light following reports last week that five fuel oil traders in Singapore and four support staff left their jobs last Wednesday following the resignation of global fuel oil head Quek Chin Thean the previous week.

The departures in Europe and North America bring the total number of resignations to 14 worldwide.

The reason for the resignations is currently unclear. BP has thus far declined to comment on the matter, stating that the company does not comment on staff moves and related issues.

As a consequence of the resignations of its Singapore fuel oil team, BP's marine fuels division at the city-state was reported to have not offered spot bunkers on Wednesday and Thursday. But it has since resumed offers of marine fuel on Monday following the Vesak Day public holiday on Friday, market sources said.


Steel-cutting ceremony for bunker vessel. Maritima holds steel-cutting ceremony for Cap Morgiou, first of two Petroineos bunker vessels  

Construction starts on bunker vessel able to carry conventional and low-carbon marine fuels, with delivery expected in early 2028.

MPA and SIBCON 2026 logos. Singapore launches series of measures at SIBCON 2026  

MPA announces LNG storage licences, digital bunkering grants and electric harbour craft incentives at 24th conference.

SIBCON 2026 pre-conference event. VPS outlines marine fuel standards and quality data at SIBCON 2026  

VPS's Rahul Choudhuri addresses Singapore's evolving fuel standards and the quality of conventional fuels and biofuels.

MPA and Enterprise Singapore logos. Singapore launches ammonia bunkering code and new standards for fuel sampling and polymer testing  

MPA and Enterprise Singapore introduce one standard and two technical references at SIBCON.

MPA, CMA CGM and SLNG sign MoU. MPA, CMA CGM and SLNG sign MoU to explore liquefied biomethane as a marine fuel in Singapore  

Three-way agreement will examine certification, supply and bunkering of LBM using Singapore's existing LNG infrastructure.

ROC logo. ROC wins order for PSVs featuring replaceable containerised battery system  

Nantong Rainbow Offshore secures 1+1 contract for 4,000 DWT platform supply vessels.

Alisios vessel. Axpo completes first LNG bunkering in Valencia, with over half bio-LNG  

Ship-to-ship transfer to a container vessel makes Valencia the company's fourth Spanish port for LNG bunkering.

Christening ceremony of Makua vessel. Matson christens Makua, first of three LNG-ready Aloha Class container ships  

Dual-fuel vessel, due for delivery in early 2027, is the first of three ships worth around $1bn.

CMB.Tech logo. CMB.Tech seeks Singapore-based ammonia operations manager for Asia Pacific  

New hire will oversee ammonia chartering and bunkering and liaise with Far East partners.

Lumi Aurora vessel. IINO Lines deploys first Ice Class IB VLGC on long-term charter to Borouge International  

LPG-fuelled Lumi Aurora will carry North American gas to Borouge International's Porvoo plant in Finland.