BP CEO visits Azerbaijan amid talk of asset sales

BAKU, Azerbaijan: BP's embattled Chief Executive Tony Hayward is visiting oil-rich Azerbaijan amid speculation the company may sell assets to help pay for the clean-up of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

The one-day visit comes a week after Hayward, who has been criticized for his handling of the devastating oil spill, traveled to Moscow to reassure Russia that the British energy company is committed to investments there.

BP's three major projects in the Azerbaijan comprise an offshore oil field in the Caspian Sea; a 30 percent share in an export oil pipeline which goes to Turkey; and 25 percent in Shah Deniz, a massive Caspian Sea gas field.

Russia's Gazprom voiced an interest last month in BP's Shah Deniz share, but the British company has so far ruled out any sale.