# BP to sell UK North Sea oil and gas operation

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/bp-puts-its-north-sea-oil-and-gas-business-up-for-sale/
- Published: 2026-07-31T14:33:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-31T23:12:54+00:00
- Original publisher: The Independent (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/bp-north-sea-oil-gas-drilling-donald-trump-b3025281.html
- Topics: Art, Business, Companies, Culture, Politics

## Key points

- BP is selling its UK North Sea business after six decades.
- The operation produced 117,000 barrels daily in 2025.
- The sale fuels debate over North Sea drilling policy.

## Summary

BP has put its UK North Sea oil and gas business up for sale, potentially ending more than 60 years of its production in the region. The company says the division could fare better under another owner as it concentrates investment on higher-value opportunities, while the decision has intensified political arguments over North Sea drilling and UK energy policy.

The business operates five production hubs and produced 117,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2025, employing about 1,100 people. BP’s plans coincide with consultations on the Jackdaw gasfield and Rosebank oilfield, while Conservatives and Reform UK blamed government policy and taxes; BP is also proposing roughly 700 global job cuts in production and operations roles.

## Coverage

- [The Independent: BP to sell UK North Sea oil and gas operation](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/bp-north-sea-oil-gas-drilling-donald-trump-b3025281.html)
- [The Guardian: BP puts North Sea oil and gas business up for sale](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jul/31/bp-north-sea-oil-and-gas-business-up-for-sale)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.