It seemed like he understood that to me. This quote basically covers it:<p>&gt; Yet, as one BP director replied when I asked why his company continued to risk deep-water drilling, instead of investing in alternative energy: “We are a drilling business, and that is our expertise. Why should we spend our time and money competing in new technology with General Electric or Toshiba?”<p>I think that&#x27;s why the primary argument is that they should cease R&amp;D entirely and just distribute profits to shareholders until they run out.