by David Gura

Bob Dudley, the BP executive who will replace CEO Tony Hayward
Enlarge Cheryl Gerber/AP

Bob Dudley, the BP executive picked to replace CEO Tony Hayward, has spent most of his career in the oil industry abroad. He headed up BP's joint venture in Russia TNK-BP.

Bob Dudley, the BP executive who will replace CEO Tony Hayward
Cheryl Gerber/AP

Bob Dudley, the BP executive picked to replace CEO Tony Hayward, has spent most of his career in the oil industry abroad. He headed up BP's joint venture in Russia TNK-BP.

Robert Dudley, the executive BP's board picked to replace outgoing CEO Tony Hayward, said the company hopes to have a permanent seal on its blown-out well by next week.

"After tropical storm Bonnie, we are now beginning the process of putting in place manifolds to do this 'Top Kill' as early as Monday, and then we can follow with the relief well," he told NPR's Renee Montagne.

According to Dudley, whose tenure as CEO is scheduled to begin on Oct. 1, the Macondo well could be completely capped by Monday or Tuesday.

"I do believe we're seeing the end of the oil flowing into the gulf," he said.

For several weeks, Dudley has been charged with overseeing BP's response to the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. As the energy company's first American CEO, he will face more daunting challenges, including the restoration of its finances and corporate image.

As we reported yesterday, BP lost some $17 billion during the second quarter, and now faces significant penalties for every barrel of oil that spilled into the Gulf.

 

"There will be a very large fine," Dudley said, noting that yesterday's reported financial statements took those costs into consideration. "It could be the largest fine in corporate history."

In the interview on Morning Edition, he outlined plans to reorganize and restructure BP, with an emphasis on improving safety.

That's something his predecessor also promised. Three years ago, Hayward said he wanted to focus on safety "like a laser."

Asked if he believes the Gulf can recover from the disaster, Dudley said that, with the proven resilience of the region's residents and BP's commitment to the region, he can only hope so.

"I am an optimist," he said. "It’s a very restorative body of water, and I’m not saying we’re not going to be doing a lot over many years, but I have to be an optimist about the Gulf Coast."