BP To Boost National Oil Industry

British Petroleum yesterday announced it was going to invest $2 billion in the North Sea this year, including the big Rhum gas field development in the central North Sea.

The company plans to deploy six mobile exploration drilling rigs across the UK continental shelf, and to further develop the Clair oilfield in the Atlantic frontier.

BP spokeswoman said, "BP intends to invest $780 million of capital into a range of projects and activities. In addition, $1.2bn will be invested in operating, supporting and maintaining its producing assets.?

BP also plans to commence a programme of platform drilling on up to six of its assets in the UK and Norway in 2005.