Global 500

With the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico two years ago, BP was forced to sell $30 billion of its assets to pay for related costs and claims, but with profits rebounding from a $3.3 billion loss in 2010 to nearly $26 billion last year, it appears the third-largest energy company in the world is well on its way to righting itself.

Throughout 2011, the company focused on three main priorities � reviewing and restructuring its safety procedures, cooperating with efforts related to the oil spill, and establishing a 10-point plan to grow its operating cash flow. �We remained mindful of the tragic events seen in 2010 and the need to ensure such an accident never happens again,� wrote BP chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg in a letter to shareholders. �-- J.P. Mangalindan, writer