British Petroleum on Yahoo! News Photos

An Iraqi worker operates valves at the Rumaila oil refinery, ...

(AP) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:01:54 GMT

(AP) - An Iraqi worker operates valves at the Rumaila oil refinery, near the city of Basra, 550 kilometers (340 miles) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, on Monday, Nov. 9, 2009. A 20-year contract signed by Iraq's Oil Ministy and British oil giant BP PLC and China's CNPC, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, gives the two companies development rights for Rumaila field. Another two oil deals were signed last week, marking a milestone moment in the OPEC nation's push to lure foreign investors sorely needed to revamp its battered oil sector. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jourani)

An Iraqi worker operates valves at the Rumaila oil refinery, ...

(AP) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:01:22 GMT

Iraqi workers operate valves at the Rumaila oil refinery, near ...

(AP) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:00:46 GMT

(AP) - Iraqi workers operate valves at the Rumaila oil refinery, near the city of Basra, 550 kilometers (340 miles) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, on Monday, Nov. 9, 2009. A 20-year contract signed by Iraq's Oil Ministy and British oil giant BP PLC and China's CNPC, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, gives the two companies development rights for Rumaila field. Another two oil deals were signed last week, marking a milestone moment in the OPEC nation's push to lure foreign investors sorely needed to revamp its battered oil sector. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jourani)

Iraqi workers operate valves at the Rumaila oil refinery, near ...

(AP) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:00:36 GMT

Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani speaks to the press ...

(AP) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:17:01 GMT

(AP) - Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani speaks to the press after the end of an oil deal signing ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. Iraq on Tuesday finalized a deal with a British-Chinese consortium to develop its biggest oil field, a deal marking a milestone moment in the OPEC nation's push to lure foreign investors sorely needed to revamp its battered oil sector. The 20-year contract signed by Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani and executives from British oil giant BP PLC and China's CNPC gives the two companies development rights to the 17.8 billion barrel Rumaila field in Iraq, home to the world's third largest proven oil reserves. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani , right, reads a paper ...

(AP) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:16:48 GMT

(AP) - Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani , right, reads a paper as BP's CEO Tony Hayward,center, and Jiang Jiemin, Chairman and the General Manager of CNPC, look at him during during an oil deal signing ceremony, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. Iraq on Tuesday finalized a deal with a British-Chinese consortium to develop its biggest oil field, a deal marking a milestone moment in the OPEC nation's push to lure foreign investors sorely needed to revamp its battered oil sector.The 20-year contract signed by Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani and executives from British oil giant BP PLC and China's CNPC gives the two companies development rights to the 17.8 billion barrel Rumaila field in Iraq, home to the world's third largest proven oil reserves.(AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani , right, watches BP's ...

(AP) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:54:29 GMT

(AP) - Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani , right, watches BP's CEO Tony Hayward, signing a contract to invest in the Rumaila oilfield, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. Iraq on Tuesday finalized a deal with a British-Chinese consortium to develop its biggest oil field, a deal marking a milestone moment in the OPEC nation's push to lure foreign investors sorely needed to revamp its battered oil sector.The 20-year contract signed by Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani and executives from British oil giant BP PLC and China's CNPC gives the two companies development rights to the 17.8 billion barrel Rumaila field in Iraq, home to the world's third largest proven oil reserves.(AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani, right, watches BP's ...

(AP) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:51:08 GMT

(AP) - Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani, right, watches BP's CEO Tony Hayward, center, and Jiang Jiemin, Chairman and the General Manager of CNPC, right, signing a contract to invest in the Rumaila oilfield, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. Iraq on Tuesday finalized a deal with a British-Chinese consortium to develop its biggest oil field, a deal marking a milestone moment in the OPEC nation's push to lure foreign investors sorely needed to revamp its battered oil sector. The 20-year contract signed by Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani and executives from British oil giant BP PLC and China's CNPC gives the two companies development rights to the 17.8 billion barrel Rumaila field in Iraq, home to the world's third largest proven oil reserves.(AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

BP's CEO Tony Hayward, left, shakes hand with Dhiya Jaafar, ...

(AP) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:50:16 GMT

(AP) - BP's CEO Tony Hayward, left, shakes hand with Dhiya Jaafar, acting chief of Iraq's South Oil Company, right, as Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani, center, looks on during an oil signing ceremony, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. Iraq on Tuesday finalized a deal with a British-Chinese consortium to develop its biggest oil field, a deal marking a milestone moment in the OPEC nation's push to lure foreign investors sorely needed to revamp its battered oil sector. The 20-year contract signed by Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani and executives from British oil giant BP PLC and China's CNPC gives the two companies development rights to the 17.8 billion barrel Rumaila field in Iraq, home to the world's third largest proven oil reserves.(AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Jiang Jiemin, Chairman and the General Manager of CNPC, listens ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:49:10 GMT

(Reuters) - Jiang Jiemin, Chairman and the General Manager of CNPC, listens to Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani speak after a contract-signing ceremony in Baghdad November 3, 2009. British oil major BP Plc and China's CNPC on Tuesday signed Iraq's first major new oil deal since the 2003 U.S. invasion, snapping up a development contract for the Rumaila oilfield, one of the world's biggest. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani (IRAQ POLITICS BUSINESS ENERGY)

Tony Hayward (L), BP's chief executive sits next to British ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:44:38 GMT

(Reuters) - Tony Hayward (L), BP's chief executive sits next to British ambassador to Iraq Christopher Prentice (R) after a contract-signing ceremony in Baghdad November 3, 2009. British oil major BP Plc and China's CNPC on Tuesday signed Iraq's first major new oil deal since the 2003 U.S. invasion, snapping up a development contract for the Rumaila oilfield, one of the world's biggest. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani (IRAQ POLITICS BUSINESS ENERGY)

Tony Hayward (L), BP's chief executive, sits next to British ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:43:29 GMT

(Reuters) - Tony Hayward (L), BP's chief executive, sits next to British ambassador to Iraq Christopher Prentice (R) after a contract-signing ceremony in Baghdad November 3, 2009. British oil major BP Plc and China's CNPC on Tuesday signed Iraq's first major new oil deal since the 2003 U.S. invasion, snapping up a development contract for the Rumaila oilfield, one of the world's biggest. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani (IRAQ POLITICS BUSINESS ENERGY)

Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani (R) laughs with ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:41:17 GMT

(Reuters) - Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani (R) laughs with Tony Hayward (C), BP's chief executive, and Jiang Jiemin (L), Chairman and the General Manager of CNPC, after a contract-signing ceremony in Baghdad November 3, 2009. British oil major BP Plc and China's CNPC on Tuesday signed Iraq's first major new oil deal since the 2003 U.S. invasion, snapping up a development contract for the Rumaila oilfield, one of the world's biggest. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani (IRAQ POLITICS ENERGY BUSINESS)

Dhia Jaafar, head of Southern Oil Company (R), shakes hands ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:36:52 GMT

(Reuters) - Dhia Jaafar, head of Southern Oil Company (R), shakes hands with Jiang Jiemin (L), Chairman and the General Manager of CNPC during a contract-signing ceremony in Baghdad November 3, 2009. British oil major BP Plc and China's CNPC on Tuesday signed Iraq's first major new oil deal since the 2003 U.S. invasion, snapping up a development contract for the Rumaila oilfield, one of the world's biggest. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani (IRAQ POLITICS BUSINESS ENERGY)

Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani (R) applauds ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:34:42 GMT

(Reuters) - Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani (R) applauds next to Tony Hayward (C), BP's chief executive, and Jiang Jiemin (L), Chairman and the General Manager of CNPC, after a contract-signing ceremony in Baghdad November 3, 2009. British oil major BP Plc and China's CNPC on Tuesday signed Iraq's first major new oil deal since the 2003 U.S. invasion, snapping up a development contract for the Rumaila oilfield, one of the world's biggest. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani (IRAQ POLITICS ENERGY BUSINESS)

Dhia Jaafar, head of Southern Oil Company (R), exchanges agreement ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:33:35 GMT

(Reuters) - Dhia Jaafar, head of Southern Oil Company (R), exchanges agreement documents with Jiang Jiemin (L), Chairman and the General Manager of CNPC, during a contract-signing ceremony in Baghdad November 3, 2009. British oil major BP Plc and China's CNPC on Tuesday signed Iraq's first major new oil deal since the 2003 U.S. invasion, snapping up a development contract for the Rumaila oilfield, one of the world's biggest. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani (IRAQ POLITICS ENERGY BUSINESS)

Dhia Jaafar, head of Southern Oil Company (R), shakes hands ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:31:16 GMT

(Reuters) - Dhia Jaafar, head of Southern Oil Company (R), shakes hands with Tony Hayward (C), BP's chief executive, during a contract-signing ceremony in Baghdad November 3, 2009. British oil major BP Plc and China's CNPC on Tuesday signed Iraq's first major new oil deal since the 2003 U.S. invasion, snapping up a development contract for the Rumaila oilfield, one of the world's biggest. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani (IRAQ BUSINESS ENERGY POLITICS)

An oil worker adjusts some controls at an oil refinery in the ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:27:40 GMT

(AFP/File) - An oil worker adjusts some controls at an oil refinery in the southern Rumaila area in 2007. Iraq formally signed a deal with Britain's BP and China's CNPC on Tuesday to almost triple production at the giant Rumaila oilfield.(AFP/File/Essam al-Sudani)

An oil worker walks by as flames rise from the burning of excess ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:27:40 GMT

(AFP/File) - An oil worker walks by as flames rise from the burning of excess natural gas trapped with the oil at an oil field in the southern Rumaila area, July 2007. Iraq formally signed a deal with Britain's BP and China's CNPC on Tuesday to almost triple production at the giant Rumaila oilfield.(AFP/File/Essam al-Sudani)

Tony Hayward, BP's chief executive, signs the oil contract ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:18:07 GMT

(Reuters) - Tony Hayward, BP's chief executive, signs the oil contract during a signing ceremony in Baghdad November 3, 2009. British oil major BP Plc and China's CNPC on Tuesday signed Iraq's first major new oil deal since the 2003 U.S. invasion, snapping up a development contract for the Rumaila oilfield, one of the world's biggest. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani (IRAQ POLITICS ENERGY BUSINESS IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Jiang Jiemin, Chairman and the General Manager of CNPC speaks ...

(AP) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:15:12 GMT

(AP) - Jiang Jiemin, Chairman and the General Manager of CNPC speaks during an oil signing ceremony, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. Iraq on Tuesday finalized a deal with a British-Chinese consortium to develop its biggest oil field, a deal marking a milestone moment in the OPEC nation's push to lure foreign investors sorely needed to revamp its battered oil sector.The 20-year contract signed by Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani and executives from British oil giant BP PLC and China's CNPC gives the two companies development rights to the 17.8 billion barrel Rumaila field in Iraq, home to the world's third largest proven oil reserves.(AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

BP's CEO Tony Hayward, speaks during an oil signing ceremony, ...

(AP) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:14:03 GMT

(AP) - BP's CEO Tony Hayward, speaks during an oil signing ceremony, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. Iraq on Tuesday finalized a deal with a British-Chinese consortium to develop its biggest oil field, a deal marking a milestone moment in the OPEC nation's push to lure foreign investors sorely needed to revamp its battered oil sector.The 20-year contract signed by Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani and executives from British oil giant BP PLC and China's CNPC gives the two companies development rights to the 17.8 billion barrel Rumaila field in Iraq, home to the world's third largest proven oil reserves.(AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

BP's CEO Tony Hayward, speaks during an oil signing ceremony, ...

(AP) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:13:42 GMT

British oil giant BP's CEO Tony Hayward,left, and Iraqi Oil ...

(AP) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:13:05 GMT

(AP) - British oil giant BP's CEO Tony Hayward,left, and Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani pose for a picture during an oil signing ceremony, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. Iraq on Tuesday finalized a deal with a British-Chinese consortium to develop its biggest oil field, a deal marking a milestone moment in the OPEC nation's push to lure foreign investors sorely needed to revamp its battered oil sector. The 20-year contract signed by Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani and executives from British oil giant BP PLC and China's CNPC gives the two companies development rights to the 17.8 billion barrel Rumaila field in Iraq, home to the world's third largest proven oil reserves.(AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani (R) talks to ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:56:23 GMT

(Reuters) - Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani (R) talks to BP's chief executive Tony Hayward after signing the contract to invest in Rumaila oilfield during a contract-signing ceremony in Baghdad November 3, 2009. British oil major BP Plc and China's CNPC on Tuesday signed Iraq's first major new oil deal since the 2003 U.S. invasion, snapping up a development contract for the Rumaila oilfield, one of the world's biggest. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani (IRAQ CONFLICT POLITICS ENERGY BUSINESS)

Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani attends a contract-signing ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:53:07 GMT

(Reuters) - Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani attends a contract-signing ceremony with British oil major BP Plc and China's CNPC in Baghdad November 3, 2009. British oil major BP Plc and China's CNPC on Tuesday signed Iraq's first major new oil deal since the 2003 U.S. invasion, snapping up a development contract for the Rumaila oilfield, one of the world's biggest. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani (IRAQ CONFLICT POLITICS ENERGY BUSINESS)

Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani (R) watches as ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:50:58 GMT

(Reuters) - Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani (R) watches as BP's chief executive Tony Hayward (L) signs the contract to invest in Rumaila oilfield during a contract-signing ceremony in Baghdad November 3, 2009. British oil major BP Plc and China's CNPC on Tuesday signed Iraq's first major new oil deal since the 2003 U.S. invasion, snapping up a development contract for the Rumaila oilfield, one of the world's biggest. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani (IRAQ CONFLICT POLITICS ENERGY BUSINESS)

Jiang Jiemin, Chairman and the General Manager of CNPC, left, ...

(AP) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:49:37 GMT

(AP) - Jiang Jiemin, Chairman and the General Manager of CNPC, left, BP's CEO Tony Hayward, center, and Dhiya Jaafar, acting chief of Iraq's South Oil Company shake hands during an oil signing ceremony, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. Iraq on Tuesday finalized a deal with a British-Chinese consortium to develop its biggest oil field, a deal marking a milestone moment in the OPEC nation's push to lure foreign investors sorely needed to revamp its battered oil sector.The 20-year contract signed by Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani and executives from British oil giant BP PLC and China's CNPC gives the two companies development rights to the 17.8 billion barrel Rumaila field in Iraq, home to the world's third largest proven oil reserves.(AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Jiang Jiemin, Chairman and the General Manager of CNPC, left, ...

(AP) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:48:47 GMT

(AP) - Jiang Jiemin, Chairman and the General Manager of CNPC, left, BP's CEO Tony Hayward, center, and Dhiya Jaafar, acting chief of Iraq's South Oil Company shake hands during an oil deal signing ceremony, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. Iraq on Tuesday finalized a deal with a British-Chinese consortium to develop its biggest oil field, a deal marking a milestone moment in the OPEC nation's push to lure foreign investors sorely needed to revamp its battered oil sector.The 20-year contract signed by Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani and executives from British oil giant BP PLC and China's CNPC gives the two companies development rights to the 17.8 billion barrel Rumaila field in Iraq, home to the world's third largest proven oil reserves.(AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

British oil giant BP has been hit with a record US fine of $87 ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:41:48 GMT

(AFP/File) - British oil giant BP has been hit with a record US fine of $87 million for safety violations at a Texas refinery where 15 people were killed in a 2005 explosion, officials have said.(AFP/File/Leon Neal)

Workers sift through debris at the BP facility in Texas City ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:41:48 GMT

(AFP/File) - Workers sift through debris at the BP facility in Texas City 55 kilometers (35 miles) south of Houston in March 2005, after an explosion. British oil giant BP has been hit with a record US fine of 87.4 million dollars for safety violations at a Texas refinery where 15 people were killed in a 2005 explosion, officials said Friday.(AFP/File/William Philpott)

A birds eye view of the wreckage at the BP facility in Texas ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:28:35 GMT

(AFP/File) - A birds eye view of the wreckage at the BP facility in Texas after an explosion 23 March, 2008. British oil giant BP has been hit with a record US fine of $87 million for safety violations at a Texas refinery where 15 people were killed in a 2005 explosion, officials have said.(AFP/File/William Philpott)

FILE - In this March 25, 2005 file photo, steam released from ...

(AP) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:13:15 GMT

(AP) - FILE - In this March 25, 2005 file photo, steam released from the BP oil refinery floats across part of the plant in Texas City, Texas. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, issued a record $87 million fine against oil giant BP PLC for failing to correct safety hazards after a 2005 explosion killed 15 workers and injured 170 at its Texas City refinery.(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, file)

Oil giant BP has been hit with a record 52-million-pound fine ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:34:21 GMT

(AFP/File) - Oil giant BP has been hit with a record 52-million-pound fine for safety violations at a Texas refinery where 15 people were killed in a 2005 explosion, officials said.(AFP/File/Leon Neal)

The BP brand logo is seen at a Washington DC service station ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:21:28 GMT

(Reuters) - The BP brand logo is seen at a Washington DC service station October 27, 2009. BP Plc beat third-quarter earnings forecasts by a big margin in a sign Chief Executive Tony Hayward's restructuring plans were delivering results, with cost cuts ahead of targets and oil and gas output up strongly. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES BUSINESS ENERGY)

The BP brand logo is seen at a Washington DC service station ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:20:18 GMT

A BP sign at a petrol station in Edmonton, London, Tuesday ...

(AP) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:49:08 GMT

(AP) - A BP sign at a petrol station in Edmonton, London, Tuesday Oct. 27, 2009. BP PLC, Europe's second-largest oil company, reported higher than expected profits in the third quarter though earnings were depressed by the sharp fall in oil and gas prices in the past year. (AP Photo/Tom Hevezi)

A picture showing a BP sign at a petrol station in Edmonton, ...

(AP) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:47:56 GMT

(AP) - A picture showing a BP sign at a petrol station in Edmonton, London, Tuesday Oct. 27, 2009. BP PLC, Europe's second-largest oil company, reported higher than expected profits in the third quarter though earnings were depressed by the sharp fall in oil and gas prices in the past year. (AP Photo/Tom Hevezi)

The leading stock exchange continued to make progress, fuelled ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:35:04 GMT

(AFP/File) - The leading stock exchange continued to make progress, fuelled by resurgent oil stocks -- after BP reported a narrower-than-forecast decline in profits -- which offset losses in the banking sector.(AFP/File/Ben Stansall)

BP's Grangemouth oil refinery west of Edinburgh. BP said ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:46:12 GMT

(AFP/File) - BP's Grangemouth oil refinery west of Edinburgh. BP said its third-quarter net profit sank 34% to $5.34 billion (£3.26 billion), hit by lower oil prices and despite higher production.(AFP/File/Ed Jones)

Energy giant BP said its third-quarter net profit sank 34% to ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:46:12 GMT

(AFP/File) - Energy giant BP said its third-quarter net profit sank 34% to $5.34 billion (£3.26 billion), hit by lower oil prices and despite higher production.(AFP/File/Leon Neal)

British Petroleum's (BP) Grangemouth Oil Refinery in Scotland ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:33:30 GMT

(AFP/File) - British Petroleum's (BP) Grangemouth Oil Refinery in Scotland in 2008. The British energy giant has said its third-quarter net profit sank 34% to $5.34 billion (3.59 billion euros), hit by lower oil prices and despite higher production.(AFP/File/Paul Ellis)

British energy giant BP has said that its third quarter net ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:33:30 GMT

(AFP/File) - British energy giant BP has said that its third quarter net profit fell 34 percent from a year earlier to 5.34 billion dollars, hit by falling product prices and tighter refinery margins.(AFP/File/Natalia Kolesnikova)

FILE - In this Oct. 25, 2007 file photo, the BP (British Petroleum) ...

(AP) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:56:35 GMT

(AP) - FILE - In this Oct. 25, 2007 file photo, the BP (British Petroleum) logo is shown at a gas station in Washington. BP PLC on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009 reported higher than expected profits in the third quarter though earnings were depressed by the sharp fall in oil and gas prices in the past year. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, file)

The offices of British-Russian oil giant TNK-BP in Moscow. Russian-British ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:48:42 GMT

(AFP/File) - The offices of British-Russian oil giant TNK-BP in Moscow. Russian-British oil major TNK-BP has announced a sharp drop in its net profits for the first nine months of the year due to a fall in crude prices.(AFP/File/Natalia Kolesnikova)

People walk past the offices of British-Russian oil giant TNK-BP ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:35:30 GMT

(AFP/File) - People walk past the offices of British-Russian oil giant TNK-BP in Moscow. The Russian-British oil major has announced a sharp drop in its net profits for the first nine months of the year due to a fall in crude prices.(AFP/File/Natalia Kolesnikova)