LamarMcKay, BP's new head of U.S. operations, talks about the Obama administration's policies, the future of biofuels and more

The Wall Street Journal Business
APRIL 26, 2009, 7:11 P.M. ET
By áNGEL GONZáLEZ

A Full Agenda
In January, oil giant BP PLC appointed Lamar McKay, an experienced Russia hand, to head its operations in another key energy-producing trouble spot -- the U.S.

BP runs the two largest oil fields in the U.S., and its U.S. operations account for about 40% of the company's global business. BP America is still recovering from a recent string of high-profile incidents ranging from a lethal explosion at its Texas City refinery to federal charges of propane-market manipulation and operational problems in Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico. Last month, the federal government and the state of Alaska sued BP for civil damages over two 2006 oil spills in the North Slope.

Mr. McKay also is taking the helm as a new U.S. administration seeks to give alternative energy a solid footing, an effort that creates uncertainties for fossil-fuel producers.

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