7 Aug 2008

BP looks for buyers for its Pacific operations

10:19 am on 7 August 2008

The oil company British Petroleum South West Pacific is seeking interested buyers for its Pacific operations.

BP Southwest Pacific officials in Fiji have confirmed that the company is investigating a possible sale.

The company operates the American Samoa government's tank farm and together with Mobil imports and supplies fuel products for the territory.

Aside from Fiji BP Southwest Pacific also operates in American Samoa, the Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga and Tuvalu.

BP employs about 180 workers, of which 100 are based in Fiji,

Fijilive news reports BP's general manager Matt Elliot saying that the company has received enquiries from organizations interested in acquiring its Pacific operations.

The New Zealand based accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers is assisting with the possible sale.

Mr Elliot says a decision on whether or not the company will be sold should be made by December.