BP appoints Lamar McKay as head of upstream

(AP) BP says it has appointed Lamar McKay, the head of its U.S. division, as chief executive of the company's upstream business, leading the company's oil and gas exploration, development and production.

McKay, who has overseen BP's Gulf Coast restoration work as chairman and president of BP America, will report to CEO Bob Dudley in his new role from Jan. 1, 2013.

Dudley has headed BP's upstream business since a major reorganization of the company in 2010 in the wake of the deadly oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. The shakeup aimed to improve risk management and implementation of global standards.

McKay, who has worked for BP for 32 years, will be based in London. BP said Friday his successor as head of BP America will be announced later.