Greenpeace shuts down BP stations in London

London, England (News Today) - Greenpeace protesters shut down 10 to 15 BP stations in London on Tuesday, after the oil company announced its second-quarter results, BP said.

Greenpeace said it had shut down 47 stations.

The protesters dropped off a letter at each station and, on their way out, pulled a safety switch that cut off power to the station, BP and Greenpeace said.

BP said it was working with emergency services to restore the power. One of the stations supplies ambulances, BP said.

BP swings to massive $17.2 billion loss

It was unclear how many of the affected stations are owned directly by BP. Greenpeace said it simply targeted stations that sell BP gas.

Asked about targeting stations that may be owned by individuals or businesses other than BP, Greenpeace spokeswoman Beth Herzfeld said they "don't want to make anybody suffer."

"We're sorry for any problems that are caused, but the petrol that are sold in these businesses are BP," she told CNN. "BP is determined to chase the last drops of oil, whatever the cost to the natural environment and people's health."

Herzfeld said Greenpeace was aware that one of the targeted stations supplies ambulances, but she said the group was directing emergency vehicles to other non-BP stations nearby.

"We're very careful and very keen to make sure that nobody's safety is compromised," she said.

The protest came after BP unveiled a massive $17.15 billion loss in the second quarter due to costs stemming from the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster.

BP ousts CEO Tony Hayward

The oil company said it took a pretax charge of $32.2 billion in the quarter to cover costs relating to the oil spill.

It also announced its embattled Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward is to step down on October 1, following fierce criticism of the way he's handled the disaster.

He will be replaced by Bob Dudley, who got his start in the oil business working for Amoco, where he spent nearly two decades before the company merged with BP in 1998.

Since then, Dudley has worked with various BP divisions, including a brief stint helping to oversee the company's solar, wind and hydrogen businesses.

Source : CNN

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