Herbert to return as BP exploration chief

BP named Richard Herbert as its new head of exploration. He will be based in London, the company said in an Oct. 18 press release.

Herbert will succeed Mike Daly, who is retiring at year’s end after 28 years with the company.

Herbert will rejoin BP from Talisman Energy, where he has been executive vice president for exploration since 2009.

Before joining Talisman, Herbert spent six years with TNK-BP in Russia. Prior to that, Herbert spent 19 years with BP, first joining the company as an exploration geologist in 1984. He held a number of senior positions around the world, leading BP’s Angolan business and then the Wytch Farm oil field in England.

Daly has led BP exploration for eight years. Under his leadership, BP has accessed new deepwater exploration positions, including in Angola, Australia, Brazil, Canada and Libya, and deepened existing positions in the Gulf of Mexico and Egypt. He’s also led in regard to the Rumaila oil field in Iraq, and Canadian oil sands and shale plays around the world.

“Mike leaves BP a thriving exploration organization, with a deep, world-class portfolio and a drilling program that is gaining momentum once more, making a number of significant discoveries already this year,” said Bob Dudley, BP chief executive. “His leadership has been underpinned by his passion for geoscience and deep appreciation of the importance of relationships with governments and partners.”

—Wesley Loy