BP Azerbaijan names new vice-president for Southern Corridor

BP announced today the appointment of Joe Murphy as Vice President Southern Corridor for Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey (AGT) Region. 

In this new role, Joe will be responsible for Shah Deniz gas value chain (GVC) integration and BP's external affairs for all Southern Corridor matters, including representation of the Shah Deniz GVC to the governments of Greece, Albania, Italy and to the European Commission (EC). Joe will be based in Baku and will be a member of the AGT Leadership Team.  

This follows the appointment of Al Cook, AGT Region’s current Vice President Southern Corridor, as Head of the Group Chief Executive Office. 

Both appointments will take effect in early May.  

Gordon Birrell, BP’s Regional President for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, said: “I would like to thank Al for his outstanding efforts in leading one of the world’s largest and most complex gas projects from the very beginning. He has done this over the past five challenging years leading to the final investment decision in December 2013. 

 With skill and determination, Al has led the team that successfully integrated and progressed this multi-dimensional and multi-stakeholder project. I wish Al every success in his new role as Head of the Group Chief Executive Office in which he will report directly to Bob Dudley.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Joe to the AGT region. Joe has an extensive international oil and gas industry experience which I am sure will be very valuable to ensuring that the Southern Corridor continues to progress at pace and successfully towards delivery of first Shah Deniz Stage 2 gas to markets in late 2018”. 

Joe Murphy will move to his new appointment from his current role as Chief of Staff for the Executive Vice President for Safety and Operational Risk. Joe joined BP in 2000 and is an experienced oil and gas industry manager having led teams in the Gulf of Mexico, Vietnam, Middle East, Egypt and North America. 

ANN.Az