BP to pay billions for suspicious Senegal gas deal

BP agreed to pay around $10bn (£8bn) to a businessman involved in a suspicious energy deal.

The energy giant bought Frank Timis' stake in a gas field off the coast of Senegal for $250 million in 2017.

But documents obtained by BBC Panorama and Africa Eye reveal that BP was also projected to pay his company between $9bn and $12bn in royalties.

Both BP and Mr Timis deny any wrongdoing.

Read the full statement from Mr Timis here.

For more on this story, UK audiences can watch Panorama: The $10 Billion Energy Scandal on Monday 3rd June at 2030 BST.

Update 9 July 2019: BP did not dispute the $10 billion figure prior to publication, but has subsequently said it is wholly inaccurate and exaggerated.

Update 23 December 2020: This article is subject to a legal claim by Frank Timis and Timis Corporation.