“The company needs to reset its direction and restore confidence both externally and within the organization,” said Mr. Yergin, who has known Mr. Dudley for years. “In Russia, he was working in a very high-pressure environment, and he demonstrated his ability to stay focused. He’s very steady and he knows how to work with a wide range of people to get the job done.”

Mr. Dudley, a chemical engineer by training, joined Amoco in 1979. Before running TNK-BP, where he increased oil production by 26 percent and increased reserves by 138 percent, he was responsible for BP’s production and exploration business in Russia, the Caspian region, Angola, Algeria and Egypt. Earlier in his career, he ran BP’s renewable-energy business. He was appointed to BP’s board in 2009.

Mr. Dudley had been considered for the top job in 2007, but he lost to Mr. Hayward, a geologist by training, who promised at the time to make safety his top priority.

But Mr. Hayward’s handling of the Deepwater Horizon disaster  including his notorious comment that “I’d like my life back”  infuriated Gulf Coast residents and government officials alike. He was forced out of the spotlight last month after members of Congress accused him of stonewalling during testimony.

Mr. Hayward is still negotiating his severance package. He is entitled to at least a year’s salary, equivalent to about $1.6 million, as well as a pension built up from 28 years at the company, which would be worth about $11 million when he reaches retirement age.

BP declined to comment Sunday night about any pending management changes. In a statement, the company said: “Hayward is our chief executive. He has the full support of the board.” In a statement on its Web site early Monday, BP said that no final decision had been made on Mr. Hayward’s future. “A board meeting is being held on Monday evening ahead of the announcement of the second quarter results on 27th July. Any decisions will be announced as appropriate,” the statement said.

Chris Ruppel, managing director for capital markets for Execution Noble, an international investment bank, said Mr. Dudley was “very, very good at dealing with political issues,” as he proved in Russia. Even though BP had to cede control of the Russian venture, it still owns 50 percent of the venture and has avoided the fate of investors in other projects who were forced to sell out.