BP Oman 100% Omani

[Raphael]

In the recent days some of us have received some SMS messages encouraging them to boycott US and UK product. Fair enough. I encourage it personally.



However, a message telling people to boycott BP Oman attracted my attention.



Until late last year, British Petroleum owned 49% of BP Oman. However, by December 2002, a 100% Omani company called Oman Oil Company (owned by the government of Oman) purchased the 49% from BP Oman.



Therefore, BP Oman is a 100% Omani owned company with no catches. The Logos are to be changed in the coming months and the management is totally controlled by the 100% Omani Shareholders.



Let us be a little bit more careful in our keen and sincere attempts to support our brothers and sisters in Palestine and Iraq. Let us not hurt our own families in doing so.

[Smile]

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However, by December 2003, a 100% Omani company called Oman Oil Company (owned by the government of Oman) purchased the 49% from BP Oman.

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Raphael, we still have 8 months to go to reach Dec '03. Anyhow the company could be 100% Omani but out of my curiosity don't they pay to British Government for the franchise fee till this moment since it carries BP name and logo?

[Raphael]

Sorry for the typo. It was 2002. The transaction has already been done.

[Invincible]

Yeah I've got a couple of friends who work at BP, it's 100% Omani for over 3 months now.

[Calkoon]

I think BP can Advertise all they want to prove they are 100% Omani owned, with a logo known as Britsh Petroleum, there is truly no way they'd convince the greater public that British companies do not have shares in it....


There's only one solution to avoid any enmass boycott of BP, and that is to speed up the Logo change process.... and make sure it looks and smells 100% Omani ....

Which would mean it would have green, pink and orange colors. Sort of like La Cabana

[Invincible]

Calkoon,

It's such a shame if people are going to be very ignorant about it just because it says BP. It's no longer BP, so I hope the public who are aware about it being 100% Omani keep an open mind about it. As it is, BP has a few stations in comparison to Shell and Al-Maha.

[Raphael]

I agree that they have been a little Complacent. Yesterday I noticed their add in the news paper saying "100% Omani" and then you see the green and yellow bp logo. Talking about being contradictory or what <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Anyways...I agree that bp Oman should rename itself pretty soon...damn soon actually. They can keep their management and whoever but the logo has to be changed soon. (I wonder what they will do with the Lub Plus, the bp shop and the other names.)

I suggest: Petroman or NeftOman or mmmmm...what about plain simple vanilla choice....Oman Oil?
But then again,,,I don't charge $1 MM to come up with a logo...otherwise whatever I would say ..would be considered holy.:)

All in all...I checked it with one of my friends who works there...and it IS a 100% Omani company. He told me that they have been requested to remind us all that they are even more Omani than Al Maha which is owned 30 odd % by some UAE company.

So...go on..fill it up from there...but hey..the BP Shop...damn expensive. rediculously expensive don't you agree?

[muscati]

I fill up at the BP station in MQ almost exclusively because it's the closest one to my house. I do shop at the Express shop for softdrinks, snacks, newspapers/magazines but never anything more. If I need anything for the house I go to the Indian convenience store in the same station. That guy has the best prices.

I can understand why changing the logo will take a while. It's no small matter choosing a new name and a new logo for a company. From what I understand the new management still hasn't decided what to do with the company. Apparently Oman Oil bought BP Oman in a political move to stop BP from selling their 49% share to a foreign company. It's not that Oman Oil wanted the company and then went to BP and asked if they wanted to sell. BP had already decided to exit Oman and was already talking to companies abroad about buying their share out.

I think they should merge BP with Al Maha and dilute the UAE shareholding. Or even better buy them out all together.

Don't you find it ridiculous that someone from the UAE royal family owns 30% of our biggest fuel retailer?

[Smile]

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I think they should merge BP with Al Maha and dilute the UAE shareholding. Or even better buy them out all together.

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Thats excellent idea, from my point of view. Actually BP is not doing good as it used to be both as a retailer and bulk supplier.

[Raphael]

How can I ever disagree with the Right Honorable Muscati?

[VANQUISH]

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muscati :



I can understand why changing the logo will take a while. It's no small matter choosing a new name and a new logo for a company.

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I heard Omantel was charged 10,000 Rials for its new logo! (yes ten thousand)....I just hope the change of BP logo won't be that much expensive !!!...I also hope that I was misinformed about this 10,000 Rials!!!

BY WHO?

[Invincible]

Chitchi,



It was designed in some Graphic Designing company in Dubai if Im not mistaken. Anyhow, RO 10,000 isnt much if you look at the phenomenal amounts of money other companies actually pay although I was very surprised to hear that Bank Muscat only paid RO 5,000 or 3,000 (not sure) for their logo which I thought was brilliantly designed (especially that khanjar effect).I guess it was cheaper because it was locally designed. As for Omantel's logo, it was so dissapointing. Want to laugh? the first colors were purple and lime!!! then it was changed to the blue color, thank goodness!. Companies in Dubai spend far much more on logos and advertisement. Unfortuntely Graphic design isnt appreciated in Oman as much as it is in Dubai. Well, you cant really blame the companies here when they're not doing very well. I guess Graphic designers also estimate their fees depending on how big and successful the company is.



Anyhow, talking about big money, Arthur Andersen paid over $1 million for this logo below <img src="http://www.arthurandersen.com/aa/andersen.nsf/Logo.gif">



The logo in the past was just a door and the Name Arthur Andersen was just a black font similar to Times New Roman. Transforming it to the above logo cost over $1 million!!!

[Calkoon]

Invinci, I did say "the greater public" ...

Unfortunetely people are ignorant of the truth most of the time. It's a shame, and I don't see why anybody should bother fighting ignorance. I'm sure those who know it's 100% will keep an open mind.


If the new BP loses business because of their managements inability to change the LOGO quickly, they should only blame themselves.


I think RO10,000 is too much for a company that has a complete monopoly, especially when you consider the privatation plan in the horizon. If their was competition, I'd probably understand.

Furthermore, artistic ideas need to be appreciated sometimes, else artist will totally lose their ability to earn a living.

[Invincible]

Calkoon,

I believe Oman Oil/BP is spending over RO 10,000 to bring awareness to the greater public that it's 100% Omani. You're right though, the management is the only ones to be blamed if they dont transform the logo as soon as possible. I believe, it wont happen anytime before the summer.

[Raphael]

definately it is more than 10,000 rials. World class companies charge around 1/2 million U$ for matters like this. I wouldn't be surprised if it costs something close.



The matter is not just the logo but other issues related such as total marketing, management structure, retail advices etc etc.



I fear that some silly logo and even more sillier name may be used. People may continue to fill up there because of the strict government monitoring of quality, but it would be a shame to have a dum a$$ logo for a 100% local company which should be an oppertunity not to be missed.



I whole heartedly support this company and wish they do something good very quickly.

[DevilsAdvo]

Call me a capitalist pig but I think I want to be a logo-designer.

Seriously at 10,000 rials, I would be happy to do a much better job for 1 rial less. That's all that matters right?

[VANQUISH]

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Raphael:

I fear that some silly logo and even more sillier name may be used.

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..ur past fears is reality now ! Sheeeeeessh ! Its so UGLY !!

[Smile]

Ahaa

Is BP now changed to Oman Oil. I think i have seen one in Seeb and was wondering whats that.

I think colors are OK.

[fogaizy]

Why could'nt they just change it from BP to OP .. as simple as that !!! but then am not the government am I ....!!!!!

[Raphael]

Oman Oil is probably the most logical brand name. Also, the color scheme is similar to Qatar Petroleum I think.