Former BP CEO Leads Data Center Development in US

Looney, who left BP amid an investigation into undisclosed personal relationships, now enters the world of artificial intelligence by leading Prometheus Hyperscale. The Wyoming-based company is developing several data centers in Wyoming and Texas. Looney's transition to the head of Prometheus marks an unexpected turn after his time at BP, where he promoted renewable energy initiatives.

His appointment comes at a crucial time, as BP, under the leadership of Meg O'Neill, the first female CEO of a Big Oil giant, faces financial challenges and a shift back towards fossil fuels. Looney, who served as non-executive chairman of Prometheus in late 2024, now takes over as CEO, replacing Trenton Thornock, the company's founder, who will remain on the board of directors.

Prometheus is focused on two major data center projects in Wyoming, located in Evanston and Casper. These projects, with a combined initial capacity of 2.5 gigawatts, have an estimated cost of over $30 billion. These data centers have the capacity to power almost 2 million homes. The company seeks efficiency in construction and the use of clean energy, combining natural gas and battery storage to complete the projects, in addition to utilizing wind, solar, and even advanced nuclear energy.

Prometheus' proprietary geothermal cooling technology, which does not require water, is a key differentiator in its operations.

In a statement, Looney stated that it is crucial to build the necessary infrastructure responsibly as artificial intelligence and digital technologies transform the world. Prometheus is positioned at the forefront of next-generation data center development. The company is backed by In-Q-Tel, the venture capital fund backed by the Central Intelligence Agency and the U.S. intelligence community, in addition to strategic partnerships with Conduit Power, Engie of France, and Oklo, the nuclear company backed by Sam Altman.

This change in leadership and strategic focus underscores the evolution of the energy and technology industry in response to the demands of AI and digital transformation.

Prometheus' strategy of utilizing a combination of clean energy sources, including natural gas, battery storage, wind, solar, and nuclear energy, reflects a long-term vision for sustainability. The implementation of geothermal cooling technology that does not require water is another important factor that differentiates it from other data centers. The investment in these large-scale projects and the search for innovative energy solutions indicate a proactive response to the growing needs of high-performance computing and artificial intelligence.

These initiatives not only seek to minimize the environmental impact but also to optimize operational efficiency and reduce long-term costs.

Looney's arrival at Prometheus and O'Neill's appointment as CEO of BP mark a turning point in the industry. Both events reflect the changing dynamics in the energy sector, where companies are seeking to adapt to new technologies and environmental pressures. Looney's departure from BP and his subsequent foray into the world of data centers show how business leaders are redefining their careers in response to technological transformations and emerging opportunities.

O'Neill's designation as the first female CEO of a Big Oil giant is a major milestone in diversity and inclusion within the industry.