Bob Dudley, BP’s 54-year old Mississippi-raised managing director for the Americas and Asia, looks likely to take over from Tony Hayward as chief executive.

Mr Hayward lost the confidence of the US people and politicians after facing criticism for his handling of the explosion at the Deepwater Horizon rig and ensuing gusher, and his series of unfortunate public statements made matters worse.

- Chavez threatens to cut off oil supplied to US

- Allen says change in BP leadership won’t affect spill response

- Activists frustrated at Obama’s environmental record

- Disabled oil rig alarm points to human failures in Gulf oil spill 

- BP chief loses out in battle for survival - FT

- Rig returns to well site as storm dissipates - NY Times

- BP gears up for static kill - Upstream

- Dudley poised to replace Tony Hayward as BP chief  - Telegraph

- Federal records show steady stream of oil spills in gulf since 1964 - Washington Post