Oil giant BP plans to cut 700 non-frontline jobs, frontline workers unaffected

BP is planning to cut about 700 non-frontline jobs across its global operations as part of a wider restructuring programme aimed at simplifying the business and improving financial performance. 

According to an internal email seen by Reuters, the proposed reductions will affect employees in non-frontline roles, while operators, technicians and maintenance staff are expected to remain unaffected.

The planned changes come as the London-headquartered energy company accelerates efforts to streamline its organisation under Chief Executive Officer Meg O'Neill, who took over the role in April.

Restructuring targets non-frontline workforce

According to Reuters, the proposed cuts represent around 8% of BP's 8,500 non-frontline positions that have historically been part of the company's production and operations business.

The internal communication said employees whose positions are affected could see their roles eliminated, substantially changed or moved elsewhere within the organisation.

The email stated: "If your role is affected, that could mean that it does not exist in the new organisation, changes materially, or moves into a different part of the organisation."

BP also clarified that the restructuring is not expected to significantly affect frontline operational employees.

Frontline roles include:

• Operators
• Technicians
• Maintenance personnel

According to the email, the company does not expect any material change to those teams.

Company continues to simplify operations

The workforce changes are part of BP's broader effort to reshape its business after scaling back investments in renewable energy and placing renewed emphasis on its traditional oil and gas operations.

Reuters reported that the company has intensified efforts to simplify its operating model with three primary objectives:

• Reduce debt
• Improve profitability
• Increase shareholder returns

Since Meg O'Neill became CEO in April, BP has reorganised its business structure.

The company has reduced its operating model from three business segments to two, comprising:

• Upstream
• Downstream

The revised structure took effect at the beginning of this month.

BP stops short of confirming the figure

While Reuters reported the planned reduction based on an internal email, BP did not publicly confirm the exact number of jobs expected to be affected.

A company spokesperson told Reuters: "We are building a simpler, stronger, more valuable BP. As part of this process, we are proposing changes that would result in a reduction in roles."

The spokesperson did not confirm Reuters' report that around 700 positions would be eliminated.

Global workforce spans more than 60 countries

According to BP's 2025 annual report, the company employed 93,700 people worldwide and operated across 61 countries.

The proposed reductions affect a relatively small share of BP's global workforce but represent another step in the company's ongoing restructuring programme as it adjusts its operating model and capital allocation priorities.

The announcement also reflects broader changes across the global energy industry, where companies continue balancing operational efficiency, shareholder expectations and long-term investment priorities amid changing market conditions.