The head of Australia’s largest oil and gas company has suddenly resigned after years of being targeted by climate activists.
But Meg O’Neill isn’t leaving the industry altogether as she jumps from Woodside Energy into the chief executive role at multinational energy giant BP.
Perth-based Wooside has appointed Liz Westcott, the chief operating officer and executive vice president of its Australian operations, as its acting chief executive.
Woodside chair Richard Goyder congratulated Ms O’Neill, whose resignation is effective immediately, on her new post and thanked her for her significant contributions.
The board’s appointment of Ms O’Neill as chief executive in 2021 set the foundation for the company’s transformational growth over recent years, he said.
She first joined Woodside as chief operations officer in 2018 after spending 23 years with ExxonMobil.
Woodside shares at 10.30 am were down 1.3 per cent to $15.45.
BP chair Albert Manifold said Ms O’Neill’s proven track record of driving transformation, growth and disciplined spending made her the right leader for the company.
Formerly known as British Petroleum, BP is the world’s fifth-biggest oil and gas producer, with a market capitalisation of 66.5 billion pounds ($134.7 billion).
She replaces Murray Auchincloss, who has been in the role since January 2024. Ms O’Neill starts on April 1.
An American who grew up in Boulder, Colorado, Ms O’Neill has been one of Australia’s most visible chief executives.
In February, three climate activists were fined for attempting to spray political messages on her Perth home in 2023.