Beyond Petroleum
For Raymond's "Whole lotta nothin" unofficial challenge.
Beyond Petroleum
Beyond Patronising
Deepwater Horizon
Greenwashing Surprising?
No. With PR men,
Their bold words, dirtier hands
Beyond Petroleum
Because they think
we won't see the oil-thick mess
they've made
in the pursuit of green
just not the green
the world needs.
*
Thanks for reading!
Author’s Notes: While there were many I could have picked that either mean something different than they imply—or nothing at all—I decided to pick on BP. This would be hilarious in a satirical way, if it weren't so completely true.
In 2000, BP launched a rebranding from British Petroleum to Beyond Petroleum. The goal was to change public perception—from a traditional oil and gas company to an energy company supposedly focused on renewables.
However, critics pointed out that BP’s actual investment in renewable energy paled in comparison to what it continued to pour into oil and gas. The rebrand was more about perception than practice.
In reality, the company's core focus remained fossil fuels.
Then in 2010, the Deepwater Horizon disaster struck. The offshore oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20 of that year, killing 11 workers and causing a massive oil spill. After burning for two days, the rig sank—resulting in the largest marine oil spill in history.
This is for Raymond G. Taylor's fun little challenge where we have to highlight a nonsense advertising campaign or slogan. You can find out more about it by following the link.
Here are also some other things:
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
Streams and Scratches in My Mind coming soon!
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Comments (11)
I remember. These companies never really learn...and sometimes neither do we.
With a good name change isn't it easy to mask the changes behind the scene?
Omggg, that explosion was scaryyyy! I loved your poem, especially the oil-thick mess!
I don't even buy my gas from BP, because of their careless ways. You did a great job writing about it.
Honestly had no idea about the rebranding effort! Fascinating! And great poem, Paul!
A great reminder of BP’s criminal legacy and a fabulous lyrical poem. Thanks so much for your support Paul and $5 worth of petrol coupons on their way 😈
I don't think BP will ever recover from the negativity of that spill. Wonderfully written, as always, Paul
I have a lot to say about BP and none of it is nice or good. Their greed is just...otherworldly. Anyway, very well written piece!
Since the Gulf Oil spill, I still never filled up at BP. "Beyond Petroleum" was there attempt at rebranding when they bought a couple of Russian Oil companies in early 2000s (hence not just "British" anymore) and the push for developing the green technologies. I don't think they even attempt to attempt to explain what BP means now. It's just BP. For me personally, Blighted Planet.
Man being from Oil Country-ie Alberta beyond petroleum is like a curse word.
Any time I see BP, I think of South Park. “We’re sorry.”