The Top 5 Companies Owned by British Petroleum (original) (raw)

British Petroleum, PLC, also known simply as BP, is one of the world's largest integrated oil and gas companies. It is involved in almost every step of the oil and natural gas supply chain, from exploration to the sale and marketing of energy products, and its shares often appear in the portfolios of institutional investors.

BP also engages in the production of renewable energy through wind farms that it owns. BP's history dates back to the early 1900s. The company, headquartered in London, was founded by William D'Arcy in 1909, a year after oil was discovered in the Middle East.

Key Takeaways

BP Financials

BP has a footprint in more than 60 countries worldwide as both a producer and seller of energy-related products. It produced 741,000 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) per day in 2023. Its U.S. operations accounted for 335,000 BOE per day.

In 2023, BP operated in three primary segments—gas and low carbon energy, oil production and operations, and customers and products. That year it reported adjusted earnings before interest, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of 43.7billionandaprofitof43.7 billion and a profit of 43.7billionandaprofitof15.9 billion. It had a market capitalization of $92.9 billion as of August 19, 2024.

Here, in alphabetical order, are five of its major brands:

1. Amoco

Originally known as Standard Oil of Indiana, Amoco was North America's largest natural gas producer by 1912.

Amoco and BP merged in 1998, making BP Amoco the largest oil and natural gas producer in the United States. That merged company was renamed BP in 2001. BP reintroduced Amoco as a BP brand for the U.S. retail fuel sector in 2017.

2. ampm

In 1999, BP Amoco purchased most of the assets of the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO), and its ARCO gas stations were integrated under the BP name. BP also took ownership of the U.S. West Coast ampm convenience store chain, whose first location opened in 1978, through this purchase.

These stores are now found associated with BP-owned gas stations and offer grab-n-go sandwiches and snacks, among other items. There are more than 1,000 ampm stores in America across California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Arizona.

3. Aral

Aral is a well-known brand of fuel stations in Germany operated by Aral AG, a BP-owned company. Germany has approximately 2,300 Aral stations, making it the largest gas station chain in the country. Aral stations offer fuel and diesel to customers and may also provide natural gas and propane.

In addition, many Aral stations have a car wash and a convenience store store offering snacks and beverages. BP says that besides being Germany's largest fuel seller, Aral is also "the country’s third-largest fast-food retailer."

4. Castrol

Castrol is a U.K.-based producer of industrial and automotive lubricants sold in more than 150 countries. The company was founded by Charles Wakefield in London in 1899. It was acquired by BP in 2002.

21,100

The number of retail sites BP owns worldwide.

5. Thorntons

Hungry Midwestern motorists who stop to refuel their cars can also refuel themselves with to-go food, coffee, snacks, and travel supplies at Thorntons, which now has more than 200 locations. BP refers to Thorntons as a "sister chain" to its ampn stores and says that "the two chains do not overlap."

In addition to those five companies, other major BP-owned brands include Air BP (aviation fuel), BP Connect (New Zealand service stations), BP Pulse (electric vehicle charging stations), TravelCenters of America (truck stops and restaurants), and Wildbean Cafe (food and coffee retailer in the U.K., Europe, Australia, New Zealand, India, Indonesia, South Africa, and China, with locations mostly attached to BP-owned service stations).

What Companies Are Owned by BP?

BP owns Air BP, Amoco, ampm, Aral, BP Connect, BP Pulse, Castrol, Thorntons, TravelCenters of America, and Wild Bean Cafe.

Are Shell and BP the Same Company?

Shell and BP are two of the largest oil and gas companies. They are not the same company.

What Company Did BP Buy Recently?

BP's major recent purchase was TravelCenters of America, in a deal completed in 2023. By acquiring the truck stop chain BP gained some 290 locations on major highways across the U.S.

The Bottom Line

All of the companies owned by BP are in one way or another related to its gas and oil business. For instance, BP, Aral, and Amoco gas station customers can also purchase Castrol lubricants as well as snacks and drinks to go at ampm or Thorntons. The company is also developing a substantial footing beyond the world of fossil fuels, particularly with its BP Pulse electric vehicle charging stations.