The bp archive

bp today

We are an integrated energy company with operations in Europe, North and South America, Australasia, Asia and Africa. We deliver a diverse range of energy products and services to people around the world.

The bp archive

The bp archive is the archive relating to BP p.l.c. (incorporated as Anglo-Persian Oil Co Ltd in 1909). It holds several heritage companies including Castrol Limited and the Burmah Oil Company Limited. It is also holds the archives of several major jointly owned subsidiaries:

• Kuwait Oil Co Ltd
• Iraq Petroleum Co Ltd
• Shell-Mex & B.P. Ltd (bp records only for Shell items please contact the Shell Archive)

The archive has been in existence since 1921. Its contents reflect the shape of the Company from its earliest days right up to the present.

Records produced by bp in the course of its operations continue to be reviewed for archival value and keep the story of the company alive and current. The archive is open to the public and viewing will by prior appointment only. Records opened up to 31st December 1954.

How can we help?

The archive has been used for a number of research papers from political to advertising. Topics have included

• Labour relations in Iran, 1929 – 1951
• British Architects in the Middle East, 1918 – 1939
• Rural Imagery in Petrol advertising in the UK
• Early 20th Century road tankers
• Employees as volunteers in two world wars
• Political and economic influence of the Bakhtiari tribe, Iran 1890 – 1915

to name but a few. As well as the records of the day to day working of the company we also have:

• Photos of tankers; refineries; offices; oil rigs; and other sites
• Photos of people (not all them named individuals but depicting various activities); local atmosphere eg photographs of landscape, local buildings and people in Persia and Burma
• Company Magazines
• Sponsorship – photos and file material on vehicles and people (mainly Castrol, but some BP material exists)
• Advertising material form SMBP and Castrol (again some BP material exists)

Contact us

bp archive
University of Warwick
Coventry
CV4 7AL

Tel: 024 7652 4522

Email us at: BPArchive@bp.com

Please note the archive opening times for research are as follows:

Monday Closed
Tuesday 9am – 5pm
Wednesday 9am – 5pm
Thursday 9am – 5pm
Friday Closed

We are also closed weekends and UK bank holidays