BP set to pump millions of dollars into forecourt battle

"We estimate that the network will grow by more than one-third over the next four years. Roughly 70% of them will be opened in the franchising system, while the remainder will constitute our own gas stations," said Jerzy Brniak, president of BP Polska. By the end of 2005 the firm will open over 15 new outlets. "Currently our share in the domestic retail market stands at 11%. We are interested with increasing this share, maintaining the leading position among foreign entities and second among all oil companies in Poland," announced Brniak. Currently the total value of investment outlays by BP in Poland amounts to over $800 million. (Parkiet, p. 7) M.M.