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Oil major BP PLC is carrying out an investigation into the reasons behind a number of resignations from its fuel oil trading desk and support team in Singapore.

The company has stated that the investigation is ongoing and that more details will be given regarding the resignations in due course.

In May, former global fuel oil head Quek Chin Thean resigned from his post at BP. Five fuel oil traders in Singapore and four support staff were also said to have left their jobs towards the end of May. Singapore's Business Times reports that as many as 18 traders have resigned.

Resignations extended internationally with traders leaving their posts at BP's offices in the United States and the UK.

In the United States, BP's fuel oil trading desk was said to have been left with one derivatives trader following the resignation of Tim Gawne, fuel oil team leader, another physical trader and a third who traded derivatives. In the UK, London team head Chris Paine also resigned from his position.

Industry sources said in June that a number of former BP fuel oil traders were expected to join Chinese trading firm Brightoil Petroleum.

They included Quek Chin Thean, ex-Asia team leader Edmund Lau and U.S. fuel oil team leader Tim Gawne.

Other members of the trading team and support staff who left the oil major were also said to be expected to join Hong Kong-listed Brightoil.

Meanwhile, London fuel oil team leader Chris Paine, was reported to have joined Vitol, whilst two ex-U.S. traders are said to have begun working for Mercuria and Noble Group.

Business Times claims that there has been some market talk of possible trading losses, without giving further details. The claims have been denied by BP.

"The part about trading losses is unfounded," a BP spokeswoman told Dow Jones Newswires.

The Business Times article also said the oil major has now "re-staffed" and brought its operations back to normal.