Some believe that both BP and Shell could be interested in cutting short the process of finding new reserves by announcing takeovers of existing companies.
July 25th, 2009:
Profits collapse but BP and Shell set to hold dividend steady
Dramatic Fall in Shell Second Quarter Profits
Rival Royal Dutch Shell meanwhile is set to post underlying second-quarter profits on Thursday of around 2.4 billion dollars (£1.5 billion), compared with a return of 8.6 billion US dollars (£5.2 billion) a year earlier.