Does BP's $5.4 Billion Write-Down Signal the End of the Green Transition?

Core Viewpoint - BP's $5.4 billion write-down on renewable energy assets signals a significant setback in the company's green transition efforts, leading to a suspension of share buybacks and a renewed focus on upstream oil operations [1]. Group 1: Financial Performance - BP reported a $5.4 billion write-down in 2025, including $3.5 billion related to solar developer Lightsource bp and renewable natural gas producer Archaea [1]. - The company's underlying replacement cost profit decreased to $7.5 billion in 2025 from $8.9 billion in 2024, attributed to weak oil trading and capital misallocation into low-return renewable projects [1]. - Year-to-date performance through February 11, 2026, shows Exxon Mobil's stock surged 29.27% and Chevron's gained 21.92%, while BP's stock only increased by 11.00% [1]. Group 2: Market Trends - Oil majors that focused on traditional operations have outperformed those that invested heavily in renewable projects, with a performance gap of nearly 3-to-1 [1]. - The green energy transition for major oil companies appears to be faltering, as the market still heavily relies on oil, with electric vehicles capturing a limited market share and aviation remaining dependent on jet fuel [1]. - TotalEnergies reported $0.7 billion in impairments on offshore wind activities in Q4 2025, indicating similar struggles among other companies in the sector [1]. Group 3: Strategic Shifts - BP's CEO emphasized a return to the company's "distinctive opportunity set in upstream business," indicating a strategic pivot back to oil exploration and production [1]. - The Trump administration's energy policies have contributed to a reversal in focus towards fossil fuels, with new regulatory scrutiny on offshore wind projects [1]. - Companies that concentrate on drilling, refining, and paying dividends have delivered stronger returns compared to those diversifying into renewable energy [1].