British oil and gas giant BP said on Friday that it had launched a process to market its North Sea business for a potential sale, as it looks to focus on its "highest-value opportunities". Its North Sea portfolio off the UK coast comprises five production hubs and employs about 1,100 people, BP added in a statement. However, as we focus our portfolio and direct capital to our highest-value opportunities, we believe our North Sea business will be better positioned as part of another company. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly called on Britain to ramp up oil and gas production in the North Sea. Why North Sea production is losing its appealBP's North Sea business currently employs approximately 1,100 workers, and the company has operated in the region for more than 60 years.