BPTT's Riley tapped to lead safety and risk division

Oct. 22, 2010
As BP PLC tries to revamp its safety record following the Deepwater Horizon semisubmersible disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, the company has appointed Robert Riley, chairman and chief executive officer of BP Trinidad & Tobago, as its head of safety and operational risk competency and capability development.

Curtis Williams
OGJ Correspondent

PORT OF SPAIN, Oct. 22 -- As BP PLC tries to revamp its safety record following the Deepwater Horizon semisubmersible disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, the company has appointed Robert Riley, chairman and chief executive officer of BP Trinidad & Tobago, as its head of safety and operational risk competency and capability development.

Riley’s elevation means he will lead BP’s worldwide efforts to develop industry-leading quality and rigor into BP’s operations, particularly as it relates to safety and operational risk.

The announcement was made by BP’s Chief Executive Bob Dudley and the company said the changes are part of BP’s global reorganization aimed at ensuring the company has the right checks and balances at all levels to support the company’s management of safety and operational risk.

This reorganization includes two significant changes. The first is the creation of a new safety and operational risk function that reports directly to Dudley, and is part of the company’s executive leadership team.

The second change is the division of the exploration and production segment into three units: exploration, development, and production. These three units will comprise BP’s E&P segment, headed by three leaders who each report directly to Dudley and are part of the company’s executive leadership team.

These units are headed by Mike Daly, executive vice-president, exploration; Bernard Looney, executive vice-president, development; and Bob Fryar, executive vice-president, production.

The positions take effect on Nov. 1.

Norman Christie will succeed Riley as regional president, Trinidad, which is the new title for the heads of BP’s E&P business units.