BP PLC (LON:BP.) is to cut 10,000 jobs to save US$2.5bn per year as the industry grapples with the oil price slump.
Chief executive Bernard Looney said most of them, representing 15% of its workforce, will be sacked by the end of the year, though he noted “we will likely have to go even further”.
READ: BP provides relief for hard-pressed dividend seekers
The FTSE 100-listed firm is planning to chop 25% of its capital expenditure this year, saving US$3bn.
Running the oil giant costs US$22bn per year, US$8bn of which are related to staff.
“The majority of people affected will be in office-based jobs,” he told employees in a webcast.
“We are protecting the frontline of the company and, as always, prioritizing safe and reliable operations.”
Those who wish to voluntarily leave the company were invited to submit a request next week.
Looney, who took the top job in February, said the restructuring was needed to cope with a ballooning debt pile as a result of the oil price crisis.
He said that net debt rose by US$6bn in the first quarter.
In April, the firm reported a record US$4bn quarterly loss but maintained the dividend at 10.5 cents per share.
Shares rose 2% to 370.3p on Monday afternoon.
