LONDON, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Investment in Britain's energysector could suffer if the country left the European Union, thechief executive of BP Bob Dudley said on Wednesday.
"Being outside the EU would be worse for the country as manyof the rules would still apply and Britain would be in danger oflosing influence on the world stage," he told the BBC.
"I think many of the trade regulations would still applyeven if Britain were outside," he said.
"There are lots of technical tax reasons, trade flows,regulation, that would make it better for our business and theenergy business in general, the oil and gas business, (ifBritain) were a part of Europe."
Prime Minister David Cameron is renegotiating his country'smembership of the 28-member trading bloc and could reach a dealwith EU partners at a summit next month, paving the way for apublic vote as soon as June.
Dudley said he backed Cameron's efforts to make the blocmore competitive.
"I think Europe can be more competitive," he said, adding "Ithink Europe needs Britain."
Several large British businesses have spoken out in favourof the EU, often due to tariff-less trade which they benefitfrom, although many smaller firms have criticised the bloc forimposing what they argue are costly regulations.
On Sunday, Royal Dutch Shell Chief Executive Ben van Beurdenalso warned that his company would be negatively impacted wereBritons to back leaving the EU.
(Reporting by Stephen Addison; editing by Costas Pitas)