BP shut down its head office in London on Wednesday, 5 February, after climate change protesters tried to block the entrance.
The demonstration coincided with Chief Executive Bernard Looney's first day in office.
Greenpeace spokesman Stefano Gelmini said police arrested 12 activists but the police put the number detained as nine.
BREAKING: Greenpeace activists have just shut down @bp_plc’s HQ after delivering hundreds of solar panels to the new CEO.
— Greenpeace UK (@GreenpeaceUK) February 5, 2020
BP are digging us deeper into the #climateemergency by drilling for new oil & gas. They need to switch to 100% renewable energy - or shut down #BPShutdown pic.twitter.com/9572VRVxqF
More than 100 Greenpeace activists attempted to put up 500 solar panels in front of BP's headquarters in St James' Square and olled oil barrels in front of the building's main entrance.
Greenpeace: RT GreenpeaceUK: ICYMI: Greenpeace activists have shut down bp_plc's HQ in London, after delivering 500 solar panels to the new CEO.
— HBCU Green Fund (@HBCUGreenFund) February 5, 2020
BP are digging us deeper into the #climateemergency by drilling for new oil & gas. They need to switch to 1… pic.twitter.com/Rv0Su2YPxt
Mr Looney is expected to set out his vision for BP's response to the low carbon energy transition next week.
Solar panels and lock ins outside BP HQ in central London. Greenpeace are protesting on new BP CEO Bernard Looney’s first day. pic.twitter.com/C1rTwm4CVN
— Rhiannon Williams (@_rhiannonw) February 5, 2020
In a statement said Mr Looney "hopes that what he has to say then will give people a sense that we get it and are very serious about working to address the problem."
Climate change protestors block entrance of BP's London HQ with oil barrels & solar panels to mark Bernard Looney's first day as Chief Exec of the oil & gas giant: https://t.co/nNuwYQcqK7
— Emma Maxwell (@emmamaxwell12) February 5, 2020