Will BP Step Up in Unconventionals?

The Independent reports that BP chief executive Bob Dudley is keeping a "watching brief" on unconventional oil and gas assets.

An attendee at an analysts' dinner after BP's third-quarter results last week said: "Dudley sees non-conventional as a long-term, important part of the business to 2030. They will keep a watching brief in non-conventional assets ... and he asked (the analysts) what we thought of US shale gas."

The paper also reported: It is also believed that Mr Dudley expressed some doubt about the potential of European shale gas, which is deeper and harder to reach.