by Gary S. Meyers and L. Steven Platt

In addition to other announced asset sales, what we are told is that BP is leaving North America. Between the Gulf of Mexico disaster, problems with their N.A. pipelines, the Texas City refinery explosion a few years ago, other liability issues, and a large scale public relations attacks on their planned expansion in Whiting, Indiana, BP wants off this continent. The likely buyers appear to be Exxon-Mobil, Shell and Chevron, in that order. However, Exxon-Mobil also may be concerned with the liabilities; which begs the question, would that make Shell the front runner? If there are no other takers expect Chevron to devour BP North America like a hungry shark.