Final Results

RNS Number : 8396D
BP PLC
03 February 2015
 

BP p.l.c.

Group results

Fourth quarter and full year 2014

 

Top of page 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         London 3 February 2015


 

Fourth

Third

Fourth






quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year

2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013

1,042

1,290

(4,407)


Profit (loss) for the period(a)


3,780

23,451

465

1,095

3,438


Inventory holding (gains) losses*, net of tax


4,293

230

1,507

2,385

(969)


Replacement cost profit (loss)*


8,073

23,681





Net (favourable) unfavourable impact of non-operating




1,302

652

3,208


  items* and fair value accounting effects*, net of tax


4,063

(10,253)

2,809

3,037

2,239


Underlying replacement cost profit*


12,136

13,428





Replacement cost profit (loss)




8.06

12.97

(5.32)


    per ordinary share (cents)


43.90

125.08

0.48

0.78

(0.32)


    per ADS (dollars)


2.63

7.50





Underlying replacement cost profit




15.02

16.51

12.28


    per ordinary share (cents)


66.00

70.92

0.90

0.99

0.74


    per ADS (dollars)


3.96

4.26

 

·   BP's fourth-quarter replacement cost (RC) result was a loss of $969 million, compared with a profit of $1,507 million a year ago. After adjusting for a net charge for non-operating items of $3,565 million, mainly relating to impairments in Upstream, reflecting the impact of the lower near-term price environment, revisions to reserves and other factors (see page 4 and Note 3 on page 22), and net favourable fair value accounting effects of $357 million (both on a post-tax basis), underlying RC profit for the fourth quarter 2014 was $2,239 million, compared with $2,809 million for the same period in 2013.

 

·   For the full year, RC profit was $8,073 million, compared with $23,681 million a year ago which included a $12.5-billion gain relating to the disposal of our interest in TNK-BP. After adjusting for a net charge for non-operating items of $4,620 million and net favourable fair value accounting effects of $557 million (both on a post-tax basis), underlying RC profit for the full year was $12,136 million, compared with $13,428 million for the same period in 2013. RC profit or loss for the group, underlying RC profit or loss and fair value accounting effects are non-GAAP measures and further information is provided on pages 3 and 29.

 

·   All amounts relating to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill have been treated as non-operating items, with a net pre-tax charge of $477 million for the quarter and $819 million for the full year. For further information on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and its consequences see page 10 and Note 2 on page 16. See also Legal proceedings on page 33.

 

·   Including the impact of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, net cash provided by operating activities for the quarter and full year was $7.2 billion and $32.8 billion respectively, compared with $5.4 billion and $21.1 billion for the same periods in 2013. Excluding amounts related to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, net cash provided by operating activities for the fourth quarter and full year was $6.9 billion and $32.8 billion respectively, compared with $5.3 billion and $21.2 billion respectively for the same periods in 2013.

 

·   Net debt at 31 December 2014 was $22.6 billion, compared with $25.2 billion a year ago. The ratio of net debt to net debt plus equity at 31 December 2014 was 16.7%, compared with 16.2% a year ago. We continue to target a net debt ratio in the 10-20% range. Net debt and the ratio of net debt to net debt plus equity are non-GAAP measures. See page 25 for more information.

 

·   The reserves replacement ratio* on a combined basis of subsidiaries and equity-accounted entities was estimated at 62%(b) for the year, excluding the impact of acquisitions and disposals.

 

·   Total capital expenditure on an accruals basis for the fourth quarter was $6.7 billion, of which organic capital expenditure* was $6.6 billion. For the full year, total capital expenditure on an accruals basis was $23.8 billion, of which organic capital expenditure was $22.9 billion. In 2015, we expect organic capital expenditure to be around $20 billion.

 

·   In October 2013, BP announced plans to divest a further $10 billion of assets before the end of 2015, having completed its earlier divestment programme of $38 billion. BP has agreed around $4.7 billion of such further divestments to date. Disposal proceeds received in cash were $1.1 billion for the quarter and $3.5 billion for the full year.

 

·   BP today announced a quarterly dividend of 10.00 cents per ordinary share ($0.600 per ADS), which is expected to be paid on 27 March 2015. The corresponding amount in sterling will be announced on 16 March 2015. See page 25 for further information.

 

*

 

For items marked with an asterisk throughout this document, definitions are provided in the Glossary on page 31.

 

(a)

Profit (loss) attributable to BP shareholders.

 

 

(b)

Includes estimated reserves data from Rosneft. The reserves replacement ratio will be finalized and reported in BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2014 which is scheduled to be published in early March 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

The commentaries above and following should be read in conjunction with the cautionary statement on page 36.

 

 

Top of page 2

Group headlines (continued)


 

·   The effective tax rate (ETR) on RC profit or loss for the fourth quarter and full year was 70% and 26% respectively, compared with 15% and 21% for the same periods in 2013. Adjusting for non-operating items and fair value accounting effects, the underlying ETR for the fourth quarter and full year was 38% and 36% respectively, compared with 24% and 35% for the same periods in 2013. The underlying ETR was higher for the fourth quarter 2014 mainly due to foreign exchange impacts on deferred tax and a lower level of equity-accounted earnings (which are reported net of tax), compared to the corresponding period in 2013. In the current environment, with our current portfolio of assets, the underlying ETR in 2015 is expected to be lower than 2014.

 

·   Finance costs and net finance expense relating to pensions and other post-retirement benefits were a charge of $381 million for the fourth quarter, compared with $378 million for the same period in 2013. For the full year, the respective amounts were $1,462 million and $1,548 million.

 

·   BP repurchased 105 million ordinary shares at a cost of $0.7 billion, including fees and stamp duty, during the fourth quarter of 2014. For the full year, BP repurchased 612 million ordinary shares at a cost of $4.8 billion, including fees and stamp duty. The $8-billion share repurchase programme announced on 22 March 2013 was completed in July 2014.

 

·   Reported production for the fourth quarter, including BP's share of Rosneft's production, was 3,214 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (mboe/d), compared with 3,231mboe/d for the same period in 2013 (see Upstream on page 4 and Rosneft on page 8). This reduction reflected the Abu Dhabi onshore concession expiry and divestments, substantially offset by increased production from higher-margin areas and favourable entitlement impacts in our production-sharing agreements (PSAs), resulting from lower oil prices in Upstream and higher production in Rosneft. Reported production for the full year, including BP's share of Rosneft's production, was 3,151mboe/d, compared with 3,230mboe/d in 2013 which includes BP's share of Rosneft and TNK-BP production. This reduction reflected the Abu Dhabi onshore concession expiry and divestments, partially offset by increased production from higher-margin areas and higher production in Rosneft in 2014 compared to the aggregate production in Rosneft and TNK-BP in 2013.

 

·   The charge for depreciation, depletion and amortization was $15.2 billion in 2014, compared with $13.5 billion in 2013, reflecting the impact of new major projects coming onstream.  In 2015, we expect a flatter trend relative to 2014.

 

 

 

Top of page 3

Analysis of RC profit before interest and tax

and reconciliation to profit for the period


 

Fourth

Third

Fourth






quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year

2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013





RC profit (loss) before interest and tax*




2,537

3,311

(3,085)


    Upstream


8,934

16,657

(360)

1,231

780


    Downstream


3,738

2,919

-

-

-


    TNK-BP(a)


-

12,500

1,058

107

451


    Rosneft(b)


2,100

2,153

(605)

(432)

(647)


    Other businesses and corporate


(2,010)

(2,319)

(179)

(33)

(468)


    Gulf of Mexico oil spill response(c)


(781)

(430)

(240)

370

257


    Consolidation adjustment - UPII*


641

579

2,211

4,554

(2,712)


RC profit (loss) before interest and tax


12,622

32,059





Finance costs and net finance expense relating to




(378)

(358)

(381)


  pensions and other post-retirement benefits


(1,462)

(1,548)

(270)

(1,777)

2,158


Taxation on a RC basis


(2,864)

(6,523)

(56)

(34)

(34)


Non-controlling interests


(223)

(307)

1,507

2,385

(969)


RC profit (loss) attributable to BP shareholders


8,073

23,681

(634)

(1,585)

(4,985)


Inventory holding gains (losses)


(6,210)

(290)





Taxation (charge) credit on inventory holding gains




169

490

1,547


  and losses


1,917

60

1,042

1,290

(4,407)


Profit (loss) for the period attributable to BP shareholders


3,780

23,451

 

(a)

BP ceased equity accounting for its share of TNK-BP's earnings from 22 October 2012. Full year 2013 includes the gain arising on the disposal of BP's interest in TNK-BP.

(b)

BP's investment in Rosneft is accounted under the equity method from 21 March 2013. See page 8 for further information.

(c)

See Note 2 on page 16 for further information on the accounting for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill response.

 

 

Analysis of underlying RC profit before interest and tax


 

Fourth

Third

Fourth






quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year

2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013





Underlying RC profit before interest and tax*




3,852

3,899

2,246


    Upstream


15,201

18,265

70

1,484

1,213


    Downstream


4,441

3,632

1,087

110

470


    Rosneft


1,875

2,198

(614)

(293)

(120)


    Other businesses and corporate


(1,340)

(1,898)

(240)

370

257


    Consolidation adjustment - UPII


641

579

4,155

5,570

4,066


Underlying RC profit before interest and tax


20,818

22,776





Finance costs and net finance expense relating to




(368)

(348)

(372)


  pensions and other post-retirement benefits


(1,424)

(1,509)

(922)

(2,151)

(1,421)


Taxation on an underlying RC basis


(7,035)

(7,532)

(56)

(34)

(34)


Non-controlling interests


(223)

(307)

2,809

3,037

2,239


Underlying RC profit attributable to BP shareholders


12,136

13,428

 

Reconciliations of underlying RC profit or loss to the nearest equivalent IFRS measure are provided on page 1 for the group and on pages 4-9 for the segments.

 

 

Top of page 4

Upstream


 

Fourth

Third

Fourth






quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year

2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013

2,540

3,312

(3,165)


Profit (loss) before interest and tax


8,848

16,661

(3)

(1)

80


Inventory holding (gains) losses*


86

(4)

2,537

3,311

(3,085)


RC profit (loss) before interest and tax


8,934

16,657





Net (favourable) unfavourable impact of non-operating




1,315

588

5,331


  items* and fair value accounting effects*


6,267

1,608

3,852

3,899

2,246


Underlying RC profit before interest and tax*(a)


15,201

18,265

 

(a)

See page 5 for a reconciliation to segment RC profit before interest and tax by region.

 

Financial results

 

The replacement cost result before interest and tax for the fourth quarter and full year was a loss of $3,085 million and a profit of $8,934 million respectively, compared with a profit of $2,537 million and $16,657 million for the same periods in 2013. The fourth quarter and full year included a net non-operating charge of $5,557 million and $6,298 million respectively. These are primarily related to impairments associated with several assets, mainly in the North Sea and Angola reflecting the impact of the lower near-term price environment, revisions to reserves and other factors (see Note 3 on page 22 for further information). In 2013, the net non-operating charge for the fourth quarter and full year was $1,201 million and $1,364 million, respectively. Fair value accounting effects in the fourth quarter and full year had favourable impacts of $226 million and $31 million respectively, compared with unfavourable impacts of $114 million and $244 million in the same periods of 2013.

 

After adjusting for non-operating items and fair value accounting effects, the underlying replacement cost profit before interest and tax for the fourth quarter and full year was $2,246 million and $15,201 million respectively, compared with $3,852 million and $18,265 million for the same periods in 2013. The result for the fourth quarter reflected significantly lower liquids realizations, the absence of a one-off benefit to production taxes which occurred in 2013 and higher exploration write-offs, partly offset by lower costs, higher production in higher-margin areas and a benefit from stronger gas marketing and trading activities. The result for the full year reflected lower liquids realizations, higher costs, mainly depreciation, depletion and amortization and exploration write-offs and the absence of one-off benefits which occurred in 2013 related to production taxes and a cost pooling settlement agreement between the owners of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), partly offset by higher production in higher-margin areas, higher gas realizations and a benefit from stronger gas marketing and trading activities.

 

Production

 

Production for the quarter was 2,187mboe/d, 2.6% lower than the fourth quarter of 2013. Underlying production* increased by 2.3%, reflecting growth in production from higher-margin areas. For the full year, reported production was 2,143mboe/d, 5% lower than in 2013. Underlying production for the full year was 2.2% higher than in 2013, also from higher-margin areas.

 

Key events

 

In November, BP was awarded two new exploration blocks as a result of the 2013 Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) bid round: Block 3 - North El Mataria (BP 50%), in the onshore Nile Delta, will be operated by BP; Block 8 - Karawan Offshore (BP 50%) is located in the Mediterranean Sea and will be operated by ENI. BP and its partners have committed to invest a total of $240 million in the blocks over different phases. Also in November, BP completed the sale of its interests and transfer of operatorship in four BP-operated oilfields on the North Slope of Alaska to Hilcorp.

 

In December, BP announced the start of operations by Husky Energy at the Sunrise Phase 1 in-situ oil sands project in Alberta, Canada (BP 50%), with the start of steam generation. BP also announced the start of production from the Kinnoull field (BP 77.06%) in the central North Sea. The Kinnoull reservoir is tied back to BP's Andrew platform. These were the final two of seven major project start-ups in 2014. In Azerbaijan, BP and the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) signed a new production-sharing agreement (PSA) to jointly explore for and develop potential resources in the shallow water area around the Absheron Peninsula in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea.

 

After the end of the quarter, BP announced the formation of a new ownership and operating model with Chevron and ConocoPhillips in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Under the agreements, BP will sell to Chevron approximately half of its current equity interests in the Gila and Tiber fields. BP, Chevron and ConocoPhillips also have agreed to joint ownership interests in exploration blocks east of Gila known as Gibson. Chevron will operate Tiber, Gila and Gibson, with operatorship transferring after BP finishes drilling appraisal wells at Gila and Tiber.

 

Outlook

 

Reported production for the full year 2015 is expected to be higher than 2014. The actual reported outcome will depend on the exact timing of project start-ups, divestments, OPEC quotas and entitlement impacts in our PSAs. We expect full-year underlying production in 2015 to be broadly flat with 2014. We expect first-quarter 2015 reported production to be higher than the fourth quarter, mainly reflecting higher entitlements in PSA regions on the basis of assumed lower oil prices.

 

 

The commentary above contains forward-looking statements and should be read in conjunction with the cautionary statement on page 36.

 

 

Top of page 5

Upstream


 

Fourth

Third

Fourth






quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year

2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013





Underlying RC profit before interest and tax(a)




1,050

1,181

1,007


US


4,338

3,836

2,802

2,718

1,239


Non-US


10,863

14,429

3,852

3,899

2,246




15,201

18,265





Non-operating items(b)




(3)

125

(30)


US


(36)

58

(1,198)

(626)

(5,527)


Non-US(c)(d)


(6,262)

(1,422)

(1,201)

(501)

(5,557)




(6,298)

(1,364)





Fair value accounting effects




(112)

(49)

152


US


23

(269)

(2)

(38)

74


Non-US


8

25

(114)

(87)

226




31

(244)





RC profit (loss) before interest and tax(a)




935

1,257

1,129


US


4,325

3,625

1,602

2,054

(4,214)


Non-US


4,609

13,032

2,537

3,311

(3,085)




8,934

16,657





Exploration expense




126

142

426


US(e)


1,295

438

2,048

698

1,029


Non-US(c)(d)(f)


2,337

3,003

2,174

840

1,455




3,632

3,441





Production (net of royalties)(g)








Liquids* (mb/d)




392

410

407


US


411

363

97

91

85


Europe


94

96

712

605

656


Rest of World


602

718

1,201

1,106

1,149




1,106

1,176





Natural gas (mmcf/d)




1,507

1,546

1,526


US


1,519

1,539

190

164

163


Europe


173

237

4,360

4,328

4,332


Rest of World


4,324

4,483

6,057

6,038

6,021




6,016

6,259





Total hydrocarbons* (mboe/d)




652

676

670


US


673

628

130

119

114


Europe


123

137

1,464

1,352

1,403


Rest of World


1,347

1,491

2,246

2,147

2,187




2,143

2,256





Average realizations(h)




98.26

91.42

69.03


Total liquids ($/bbl)


87.96

99.24

5.49

5.40

5.54


Natural gas ($/mcf)


5.70

5.35

65.04

61.61

51.53


Total hydrocarbons ($/boe)


60.85

63.58

 

(a)

A minor amendment has been made to the analysis by region for the comparative periods in 2013.

(b)

See Note 3 for more information on impairment losses in the fourth quarter and full year 2014.

(c)

Third quarter, fourth quarter and full year 2014 include write-offs of $375 million, $20 million and $395 million respectively relating to Block KG D6 in India. This is classified in the 'other' category of non-operating items (see page 28). In addition, impairment charges of $395 million, $20 million and $415 million for the same periods were also recorded in relation to this block.

(d)

Fourth quarter and full year 2013 include an $845-million write-off relating to the value ascribed to block BM-CAL-13 offshore Brazil as part of the accounting for the acquisition of upstream assets from Devon Energy in 2011 and $216 million of costs relating to the Pitanga exploration well, which was drilled in this block and did not encounter commercial quantities of oil or gas. The $845-million write-off has been classified in the 'other' category of non-operating items (see page 28).

(e)

Fourth quarter and full year 2014 include the write-off of costs relating to the Moccasin discovery in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Following on from the decision to create a separate BP business around our US lower 48 onshore oil and gas activities, and as a consequence of disappointing appraisal results, we have decided not to proceed with development plans in the Utica shale. Third quarter and full year 2014 include write-offs of $23 million and $544 million respectively, relating to the Utica acreage.

(f)

Fourth quarter and full year 2014 include the write-off of $524 million relating to the Bourarhat Sud block licence in the Illizi Basin of Algeria. Fourth quarter and full year 2013 include the write-off of costs relating to the Risha concession in Jordan.

(g)

Includes BP's share of production of equity-accounted entities in the Upstream segment.

(h)

Based on sales by consolidated subsidiaries only - this excludes equity-accounted entities.

 

Because of rounding, some totals may not agree exactly with the sum of their component parts.

 

 

Top of page 6

Downstream


 

Fourth

Third

Fourth






quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year

2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013

(840)

(335)

(4,064)


Profit (loss) before interest and tax


(2,362)

2,725

480

1,566

4,844


Inventory holding (gains) losses*


6,100

194

(360)

1,231

780


RC profit (loss) before interest and tax


3,738

2,919





Net (favourable) unfavourable impact of non-operating




430

253

433


  items* and fair value accounting effects*


703

713

70

1,484

1,213


Underlying RC profit before interest and tax*(a)


4,441

3,632

 

(a)

See page 7 for a reconciliation to segment RC profit before interest and tax by region and by business.

 

Financial results

 

The replacement cost profit before interest and tax for the fourth quarter and full year was $780 million and $3,738 million respectively, compared with a replacement cost loss before interest and tax of $360 million and a replacement cost profit before interest and tax of $2,919 million for the same periods in 2013.

 

The 2014 results included net non-operating charges of $790 million for the fourth quarter and $1,570 million for the full year, compared with net non-operating charges of $74 million and $535 million for the same periods a year ago (see pages 7 and 28 for further information on non-operating items). The fourth-quarter non-operating charges are mainly related to impairment losses in our fuels business and costs associated with our restructuring programme and charges for the full year are mainly related to impairment losses in our fuels and petrochemicals businesses. Fair value accounting effects had favourable impacts of $357 million for the fourth quarter and $867 million for the full year, compared with unfavourable impacts of $356 million for the fourth quarter and $178 million for the full year in 2013.

 

After adjusting for non-operating items and fair value accounting effects, the underlying replacement cost profit before interest and tax for the fourth quarter and full year was $1,213 million and $4,441 million respectively, compared with $70 million and $3,632 million a year ago with the increase in profits mainly arising in the fuels business.

 

Replacement cost profit before interest and tax for the fuels, lubricants and petrochemicals businesses is set out on page 7.

 

Fuels business

 

The fuels business reported an underlying replacement cost profit before interest and tax of $925 million for the fourth quarter and $3,219 million for the full year, compared with an underlying replacement cost loss before interest and tax of $204 million and an underlying replacement cost profit before interest and tax of $2,230 million for the same periods in 2013. Relative to the same period in 2013, despite an overall weaker refining environment which was primarily due to falling crude price differentials in the US, the result for the quarter benefited from an improved fuels marketing performance, increased heavy crude processing in the US, lower turnaround activity and an improved contribution from supply and trading. The stronger full-year result was also impacted by the weaker refining environment which was more than offset by higher fuels marketing performance, increased heavy crude processing and increased production, mainly associated with the ramp-up of operations at our Whiting refinery following the completion of the modernization project.   

 

Lubricants business

 

The lubricants business reported an underlying replacement cost profit before interest and tax of $313 million in the fourth quarter and $1,271 million for the full year, compared with $230 million and $1,272 million in the same periods last year. The fourth-quarter result reflects continued margin improvement in growth markets and benefits, in comparison with the same period in 2013, from the absence of restructuring charges which were recorded in the same period in 2013. These factors were partially offset by adverse foreign exchange impacts. Similarly the full-year result benefited from improved margin across the portfolio, contributing to a 6% improvement in the result which, however, was offset by adverse foreign exchange translation impacts.

 

Petrochemicals business

 

The petrochemicals business reported an underlying replacement cost loss before interest and tax of $25 million in the fourth quarter and $49 million in the full year, compared with an underlying replacement cost profit before interest and tax of $44 million and $130 million respectively in the same periods last year. The decrease in the fourth quarter and full year reflects a continuation of the weak margin environment, particularly in the Asian aromatics sector, and unplanned operational events.

 

Outlook

 

Looking to 2015, at this point, we anticipate a weaker refining environment due to narrowing crude differentials in the low crude price environment. We expect the financial impact of refinery turnarounds to be at similar levels as 2014 and the petrochemicals margin environment to gradually improve.

 

The commentary above contains forward-looking statements and should be read in conjunction with the cautionary statement on page 36.

 

 

Top of page 7

Downstream


 

Fourth

Third

Fourth






quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year

2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013





Underlying RC profit (loss) before interest and tax - 








  by region




(162)

603

338


US


1,684

1,123

232

881

875


Non-US


2,757

2,509

70

1,484

1,213




4,441

3,632





Non-operating items




(20)

(181)

(337)


US


(339)

(154)

(54)

(371)

(453)


Non-US


(1,231)

(381)

(74)

(552)

(790)




(1,570)

(535)





Fair value accounting effects




(446)

238

379


US


914

(211)

90

61

(22)


Non-US


(47)

33

(356)

299

357




867

(178)





RC profit (loss) before interest and tax




(628)

660

380


US


2,259

758

268

571

400


Non-US


1,479

2,161

(360)

1,231

780




3,738

2,919





Underlying RC profit (loss) before interest and tax - 








  by business(a)(b)




(204)

1,078

925


Fuels


3,219

2,230

230

336

313


Lubricants


1,271

1,272

44

70

(25)


Petrochemicals


(49)

130

70

1,484

1,213




4,441

3,632





Non-operating items and fair value accounting








  effects(c)




(430)

196

(383)


Fuels


(389)

(712)

-

(5)

(45)


Lubricants


136

2

-

(444)

(5)


Petrochemicals


(450)

(3)

(430)

(253)

(433)




(703)

(713)





RC profit (loss) before interest and tax(a)(b)




(634)

1,274

542


Fuels


2,830

1,518

230

331

268


Lubricants


1,407

1,274

44

(374)

(30)


Petrochemicals


(499)

127

(360)

1,231

780




3,738

2,919









11.0

15.6

13.0


BP average refining marker margin (RMM)* ($/bbl)


14.4

15.4





Refinery throughputs (mb/d)




641

651

657


US


642

726

742

766

807


Europe


782

766

312

312

318


Rest of World


297

299

1,695

1,729

1,782




1,721

1,791

95.6

94.8

94.8


Refining availability* (%)


94.9

95.3





Marketing sales of refined products (mb/d)




1,179

1,197

1,166


US


1,166

1,282

1,189

1,240

1,173


Europe


1,177

1,237

603

522

534


Rest of World


529

565

2,971

2,959

2,873




2,872

3,084

2,504

2,439

2,470


Trading/supply sales of refined products


2,448

2,485

5,475

5,398

5,343


Total sales volumes of refined products


5,320

5,569





Petrochemicals production (kte)




993

932

872


US


3,844

4,264

952

1,048

937


Europe


3,851

3,779

1,426

1,676

1,719


Rest of World


6,319

5,900

3,371

3,656

3,528




14,014

13,943

 

(a)

Segment-level overhead expenses are included in the fuels business result.

(b)

BP's share of income from petrochemicals at our Gelsenkirchen and Mülheim sites in Germany is reported in the fuels business.

(c)

For Downstream, fair value accounting effects arise solely in the fuels business.

 

 

Top of page 8

Rosneft


 

Fourth

Third

Fourth






quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year

2013

2014

2014(a)


$ million


2014(a)

2013

901

87

390


Profit before interest and tax(b)(c)


2,076

2,053

157

20

61


Inventory holding (gains) losses*


24

100

1,058

107

451


RC profit before interest and tax


2,100

2,153

29

3

19


Net charge (credit) for non-operating items*


(225)

45

1,087

110

470


Underlying RC profit before interest and tax*


1,875

2,198

 

Replacement cost profit before interest and tax for the fourth quarter and full year was $451 million and $2,100 million respectively, compared with $1,058 million and $2,153 million for the same periods in 2013.

 

The 2014 results included a non-operating charge of $19 million for the fourth quarter and a gain of $225 million for the full year relating to Rosneft's sale of its interest in the Yugragazpererabotka joint venture, compared with a non-operating charge of $29 million and $45 million for the same periods in 2013.

 

After adjusting for non-operating items, the underlying replacement cost profit for the fourth quarter and full year was $470 million and $1,875 million respectively, compared with $1,087 million and $2,198 million for the same periods in 2013. Compared with 2013, the results for both periods were affected by anunfavourable duty lag effect, lower oil prices and other items, partially offset by certain foreign exchange effects which had a favourable impact on the result. See also Group statement of comprehensive income - Share of items relating to equity-accounted entities, net of tax, and footnote (a), on page 12 for other foreign exchange effects.

 

On 27 June 2014, Rosneft's Annual General Meeting of Shareholders approved the distribution of a dividend of 12.85 roubles per share. We received our share of this dividend in July 2014, which amounted to $693 million after the deduction of withholding tax.

 

See also Other matters on page 35 for information on sanctions.

 

Fourth

Third

Fourth






quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year

2013

2014

2014(a)




2014(a)

2013(d)





Production (net of royalties) (BP share)




833

817

819


Liquids* (mb/d)


821

650

884

1,073

1,203


Natural gas (mmcf/d)


1,084

617

985

1,002

1,027


Total hydrocarbons* (mboe/d)


1,008

756

 

(a)

The operational and financial information of the Rosneft segment for the fourth quarter and full year 2014 is based on preliminary operational and financial results of Rosneft for the three months ended 31 December 2014. Actual results may differ from these amounts.

(b)

The Rosneft segment result includes equity-accounted earnings arising from BP's 19.75% shareholding in Rosneft as adjusted for the accounting required under IFRS relating to BP's purchase of its interest in Rosneft and the amortization of the deferred gain relating to the disposal of BP's interest in TNK-BP. BP's share of Rosneft's earnings after finance costs, taxation and non-controlling interests, as adjusted, is included in the BP group income statement within profit before interest and taxation.

(c)

Third quarter and full year 2014 include $25 million of foreign exchange losses arising on the dividend received ($5 million loss in the full year 2013).

(d)

Full year 2013 reflects production for the period 21 March - 31 December averaged over the full year.



 

 

Top of page 9

Other businesses and corporate


 

Fourth

Third

Fourth






quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year

2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013

(605)

(432)

(647)


Profit (loss) before interest and tax


(2,010)

(2,319)

-

-

-


Inventory holding (gains) losses*


-

-

(605)

(432)

(647)


RC profit (loss) before interest and tax


(2,010)

(2,319)

(9)

139

527


Net charge (credit) for non-operating items*


670

421

(614)

(293)

(120)


Underlying RC profit (loss) before interest and tax*


(1,340)

(1,898)





Underlying RC profit (loss) before interest and tax




(228)

(102)

(167)


US


(594)

(800)

(386)

(191)

47


Non-US


(746)

(1,098)

(614)

(293)

(120)




(1,340)

(1,898)





Non-operating items




(14)

(144)

(219)


US


(360)

(449)

23

5

(308)


Non-US


(310)

28

9

(139)

(527)




(670)

(421)





RC profit (loss) before interest and tax




(242)

(246)

(386)


US


(954)

(1,249)

(363)

(186)

(261)


Non-US


(1,056)

(1,070)

(605)

(432)

(647)




(2,010)

(2,319)

 

Other businesses and corporate comprises biofuels and wind businesses, shipping, treasury (which includes interest income on the group's cash and cash equivalents), and corporate activities including centralized functions.

 

Financial results

 

The replacement cost loss before interest and tax for the fourth quarter and full year was $647 million and $2,010 million respectively, compared with $605 million and $2,319 million for the same periods in 2013.

 

The fourth-quarter result included a net non-operating charge of $527 million, primarily relating to restructuring provisions and impairments, compared with a net credit of $9 million a year ago. For the full year, the net non-operating charge was $670 million, compared with a net charge of $421 million in 2013.

 

After adjusting for non-operating items, the underlying replacement cost loss before interest and tax for the fourth quarter was $120 million, compared with $614 million for the same period in 2013. For the full year, the underlying replacement cost loss before interest and tax was $1,340 million compared with $1,898 million in 2013. The underlying charge in the fourth quarter and full year 2014 was lower than 2013 resulting from improved business performances and a number of one-off credits.

 

Biofuels

The net ethanol-equivalent production (which includes ethanol and sugar) for the fourth quarter and full year was 242 million litres and 653 million litres respectively, compared with 140 million litres and 521 million litres for the same periods in 2013.

 

Wind

Net wind generation capacity*(a) was 1,588MW at 31 December 2014, compared with 1,590MW at 31 December 2013. BP's net share of wind generation for the fourth quarter and full year was 1,240GWh and 4,617GWh respectively, compared with 1,203GWh and 4,203GWh for the same periods in 2013.

 

Outlook

In 2015, Other businesses and corporate average quarterly charges, excluding non-operating items, are expected to be around $400 million although this will fluctuate from quarter to quarter.

 

 

(a)

Capacity figures include 32MW in the Netherlands managed by our Downstream segment.

 

 

The commentary above contains forward-looking statements and should be read in conjunction with the cautionary statement on page 36.

 

 

 

Top of page 10

Gulf of Mexico oil spill


 

Financial update

 

The replacement cost loss before interest and tax for the fourth quarter and full year was $468 million and $781 million respectively, compared with $179 million and $430 million for the same periods last year. The fourth-quarter charge reflects an increased provision for litigation costs, additional business economic loss claims and the ongoing costs of the Gulf Coast Restoration Organization. The cumulative pre-tax charge recognized to date amounts to $43.5 billion.

 

The cumulative income statement charge does not include amounts for obligations that BP currently considers are not possible to measure reliably. The total amounts that will ultimately be paid by BP in relation to all the obligations relating to the incident are subject to significant uncertainty and the ultimate exposure and cost to BP will be dependent on many factors, as discussed under Provisions and contingent liabilities in Note 2 on page 18. These could have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results and cash flows.

 

 

Trust update

 

As previously disclosed in our third-quarter results announcement, the cumulative charges to be paid from the Trust, and the associated reimbursement asset recognized, had reached $20 billion. Subsequent additional costs are being charged to the income statement as incurred. In the fourth quarter this included a $235-million charge for additional business economic loss claims under the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee settlement. See Note 2 on page 16 and Legal proceedings on page 33 for further details.

 

During the fourth quarter, $1.0 billion was paid out of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Trust (the Trust) and qualified settlement funds (QSFs), including $419 million for claims payments, administrative costs of the Deepwater Horizon Court Supervised Settlement Program (DHCSSP) and other resolved items, and $581 million for natural resource damage early restoration projects and assessment. At 31 December 2014, the aggregate cash balances in the Trust and the QSFs amounted to $5.1 billion, including $1.1 billion remaining in the seafood compensation fund which is yet to be distributed, and $0.4 billion held for natural resource damage early restoration projects.

 

 

Legal proceedings

 

The federal district court in New Orleans (the District Court) issued its ruling on Phase 1 in the Trial of Liability, Limitation, Exoneration and Fault Allocation in MDL 2179 (the Trial) on 4 September 2014. It found that BP Exploration & Production Inc. (BPXP), BP America Production Company (BPAPC) and various other parties are each liable under general maritime law for the blowout, explosion and oil spill from the Macondo well. With respect to the United States' claim against BPXP under the Clean Water Act, the District Court found that the discharge of oil was the result of BPXP's gross negligence and wilful misconduct and that BPXP is therefore subject to enhanced civil penalties, which may be up to $4,300 per barrel of oil discharged into the Gulf of Mexico.

 

BPXP and BPAPC have filed a notice of appeal of the Phase 1 ruling to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (the Fifth Circuit).

 

The District Court issued its ruling on Phase 2 of the Trial on 15 January 2015, finding that 3.19 million barrels of oil were discharged into the Gulf of Mexico and therefore subject to a Clean Water Act penalty. In addition, the District Court found that BP was not grossly negligent in its source control efforts.

 

The penalty phase of the Trial began on 20 January 2015 and is scheduled to last three weeks. In this phase, the District Court will determine the amount of civil penalties owed to the United States under the Clean Water Act based on the court's rulings (or ultimate determinations on appeal) in Phases 1 and 2, and the application of the penalty factors under the Clean Water Act.

 

With regard to the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee (PSC) settlement, on 24 September 2014, the District Court denied BP's motion to order the return of excessive payments made by the DHCSSP under the matching policy in effect before the District Court's December 2013 ruling requiring a claimant's revenue to be matched with variable expenses. BP has appealed this decision to the Fifth Circuit.

 

In March 2014, the Fifth Circuit affirmed the District Court's ruling that the Economic and Property Damages Settlement Agreement (EPD Settlement Agreement) contained no causation requirement beyond the revenue and related tests set out in an exhibit to that agreement. The District Court dissolved the injunction that had halted the processing and payment of business economic loss claims and instructed the claims administrator to resume the processing and payment of claims. In August 2014, BP petitioned for review by the US Supreme Court of the Fifth Circuit's decisions relating to compensation of claims for losses with no apparent connection to the Deepwater Horizon spill. On 8 December 2014, the US Supreme Court declined to review BP's petition. As a result, the final deadline for filing claims under the EPD Settlement Agreement (other than those that fall under the Seafood Compensation Program) is 8 June 2015.

 

For further details, see Legal proceedings on page 33.

 

 

Top of page 11

Financial statements


 

Group income statement

 

Fourth

Third

Fourth






quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year

2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013









93,717

93,904

73,997


Sales and other operating revenues (Note 5)


353,568

379,136

101

119

181


Earnings from joint ventures - after interest and tax


570

447

1,000

272

519


Earnings from associates - after interest and tax


2,802

2,742

235

117

238


Interest and other income


843

777

43

355

161


Gains on sale of businesses and fixed assets


895

13,115

95,096

94,767

75,096


Total revenues and other income


358,678

396,217

74,960

75,492

60,411


Purchases


281,907

298,351

7,257

6,562

7,002


Production and manufacturing expenses


27,375

27,527

1,491

744

412


Production and similar taxes (Note 6)


2,958

7,047

3,736

3,956

3,866


Depreciation, depletion and amortization


15,163

13,510





Impairment and losses on sale of businesses and




474

997

6,768


  fixed assets (Note 3)


8,965

1,961

2,174

840

1,455


Exploration expense


3,632

3,441

3,482

3,320

3,066


Distribution and administration expenses


12,696

13,070

(55)

(113)

(187)


Fair value gain on embedded derivatives


(430)

(459)

1,577

2,969

(7,697)


Profit (loss) before interest and taxation


6,412

31,769

255

285

299


Finance costs


1,148

1,068





Net finance expense relating to pensions and other




123

73

82


  post-retirement benefits


314

480

1,199

2,611

(8,078)


Profit (loss) before taxation


4,950

30,221

101

1,287

(3,705)


Taxation


947

6,463

1,098

1,324

(4,373)


Profit (loss) for the period


4,003

23,758





Attributable to




1,042

1,290

(4,407)


  BP shareholders


3,780

23,451

56

34

34


  Non-controlling interests


223

307

1,098

1,324

(4,373)




4,003

23,758













Earnings per share (Note 7)








Profit (loss) for the period attributable to BP shareholders








  Per ordinary share (cents)




5.57

7.01

(24.18)


    Basic


20.55

123.87

5.54

6.97

(24.18)


    Diluted


20.42

123.12





  Per ADS (dollars)




0.33

0.42

(1.45)


    Basic


1.23

7.43

0.33

0.42

(1.45)


    Diluted


1.23

7.39

 

 

Top of page 12

Financial statements (continued)


 

Group statement of comprehensive income

 

Fourth

Third

Fourth






quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year

2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013









1,098

1,324

(4,373)


Profit (loss) for the period


4,003

23,758





Other comprehensive income








Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit








  or loss




(177)

(3,434)

(3,496)


  Currency translation differences(a)


(6,838)

(1,608)





  Exchange gains (losses) on translation of foreign








    operations reclassified to gain or loss on sale of




13

(3)

54


    business and fixed assets


51

22

-

-

-


  Available-for-sale investments marked to market


(1)

(172)





  Available-for-sale investments reclassified to the




-

-

-


    income statement


1

(523)

62

(144)

(111)


  Cash flow hedges marked to market(b)


(155)

(2,000)

3

(21)

17


  Cash flow hedges reclassified to the income statement


(73)

4

(8)

(8)

-


  Cash flow hedges reclassified to the balance sheet


(11)

17





  Share of items relating to equity-accounted entities,




-

(144)

(2,418)


    net of tax(a)


(2,584)

(24)

(23)

(13)

151


  Income tax relating to items that may be reclassified


147

147

(130)

(3,767)

(5,803)




(9,463)

(4,137)





Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss








  Remeasurements of the net pension and other post-




2,298

(1,051)

(2,825)


    retirement benefit liability or asset


(4,590)

4,764





  Share of items relating to equity-accounted entities,




2

-

(1)


    net of tax


4

2

(676)

257

856


  Income tax relating to items that will not be reclassified


1,334

(1,521)

1,624

(794)

(1,970)




(3,252)

3,245

1,494

(4,561)

(7,773)


Other comprehensive income


(12,715)

(892)

2,592

(3,237)

(12,146)


Total comprehensive income


(8,712)

22,866





Attributable to




2,533

(3,257)

(12,155)


  BP shareholders


(8,903)

22,574

59

20

9


  Non-controlling interests


191

292

2,592

(3,237)

(12,146)




(8,712)

22,866

 

(a)

Fourth quarter and full year 2014 are principally affected by a weakening of the rouble compared to the US dollar.

(b)

Full year 2013 includes $2,061 million loss relating to the contracts to acquire Rosneft shares.

 

 

Top of page 13

Financial statements (continued)


 

Group statement of changes in equity

 



BP





shareholders'

Non-controlling

Total

$ million


equity

interests

equity






At 1 January 2014


129,302

1,105

130,407






Total comprehensive income


(8,903)

191

(8,712)

Dividends


(5,850)

(255)

(6,105)

Repurchases of ordinary share capital


(3,366)

-

(3,366)

Share-based payments, net of tax


185

-

185

Share of equity-accounted entities' changes in equity, net of tax


73

-

73

Transactions involving non-controlling interests


-

160

160

At 31 December 2014


111,441

1,201

112,642








BP





shareholders'

Non-controlling

Total

$ million


equity

interests

equity






At 1 January 2013


118,546

1,206

119,752






Total comprehensive income


22,574

292

22,866

Dividends


(5,441)

(469)

(5,910)

Repurchases of ordinary share capital


(6,923)

-

(6,923)

Share-based payments, net of tax


473

-

473

Share of equity-accounted entities' changes in equity, net of tax


73

-

73

Transactions involving non-controlling interests


-

76

76

At 31 December 2013


129,302

1,105

130,407

 

 

Top of page 14

Financial statements (continued)


 

Group balance sheet

 



31 December

31 December

$ million


2014

2013

Non-current assets




Property, plant and equipment


130,692

133,690

Goodwill


11,868

12,181

Intangible assets


20,907

22,039

Investments in joint ventures


8,753

9,199

Investments in associates


10,403

16,636

Other investments


1,228

1,565

Fixed assets


183,851

195,310

Loans


659

763

Trade and other receivables


4,787

5,985

Derivative financial instruments


4,442

3,509

Prepayments


964

922

Deferred tax assets


2,309

985

Defined benefit pension plan surpluses


31

1,376



197,043

208,850

Current assets




Loans


333

216

Inventories


18,373

29,231

Trade and other receivables


31,038

39,831

Derivative financial instruments


5,165

2,675

Prepayments


1,424

1,388

Current tax receivable


837

512

Other investments


329

467

Cash and cash equivalents


29,763

22,520



87,262

96,840

Total assets


284,305

305,690

Current liabilities




Trade and other payables


40,118

47,159

Derivative financial instruments


3,689

2,322

Accruals


7,102

8,960

Finance debt


6,877

7,381

Current tax payable


2,011

1,945

Provisions


3,818

5,045



63,615

72,812

Non-current liabilities




Other payables


3,587

4,756

Derivative financial instruments


3,199

2,225

Accruals


861

547

Finance debt


45,977

40,811

Deferred tax liabilities


13,893

17,439

Provisions


29,080

26,915

Defined benefit pension plan and other post-retirement benefit plan deficits


11,451

9,778



108,048

102,471

Total liabilities


171,663

175,283

Net assets


112,642

130,407

Equity




BP shareholders' equity


111,441

129,302

Non-controlling interests


1,201

1,105



112,642

130,407

 

 

Top of page 15

Financial statements (continued)


 

Condensed group cash flow statement

 

Fourth

Third

Fourth






quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year

2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013





Operating activities




1,199

2,611

(8,078)


Profit (loss) before taxation


4,950

30,221





Adjustments to reconcile profit (loss) before taxation to








  net cash provided by operating activities








  Depreciation, depletion and amortization and




5,633

4,602

5,215


    exploration expenditure written off


18,192

16,220





  Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses and




431

642

6,607


    fixed assets


8,070

(11,154)





  Earnings from equity-accounted entities, less




(855)

527

(224)


    dividends received


(1,461)

(1,798)





  Net charge for interest and other finance expense,




(40)

114

49


    less net interest paid


330

323

(77)

153

(58)


  Share-based payments


379

297





  Net operating charge for pensions and other post-








    retirement benefits, less contributions and benefit




(483)

(92)

(664)


    payments for unfunded plans


(963)

(920)

(84)

705

551


  Net charge for provisions, less payments


1,119

1,061





  Movements in inventories and other current and




1,110

1,744

4,842


   non-current assets and liabilities(a)


6,925

(6,843)

(1,420)

(1,607)

(993)


  Income taxes paid


(4,787)

(6,307)

5,414

9,399

7,247


Net cash provided by operating activities


32,754

21,100





Investing activities




(6,798)

(5,256)

(5,900)


Capital expenditure


(22,546)

(24,520)

(67)

(3)

(118)


Acquisitions, net of cash acquired


(131)

(67)

(299)

(78)

(65)


Investment in joint ventures


(179)

(451)

(39)

(73)

(128)


Investment in associates


(336)

(4,994)

372

391

224


Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets


1,820

18,115





Proceeds from disposal of businesses, net of




5

194

880


  cash disposed


1,671

3,884

52

9

48


Proceeds from loan repayments


127

178

(6,774)

(4,816)

(5,059)


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities


(19,574)

(7,855)





Financing activities




(2,265)

(1,623)

(793)


Net issue (repurchase) of shares


(4,589)

(5,358)

2,467

2,780

2,779


Proceeds from long-term financing


12,394

8,814

(4,212)

(388)

(2,937)


Repayments of long-term financing


(6,282)

(5,959)

(268)

(527)

(186)


Net increase (decrease) in short-term debt


(693)

(2,019)

3

-

9


Net increase (decrease) in non-controlling interests


9

32

(1,174)

(1,122)

(1,729)


Dividends paid

- BP shareholders


(5,850)

(5,441)

(213)

(62)

(40)


- non-controllinginterests


(255)

(469)

(5,662)

(942)

(2,897)


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities


(5,266)

(10,400)





Currency translation differences relating to cash and




43

(418)

(257)


  cash equivalents


(671)

40

(6,979)

3,223

(966)


Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents


7,243

2,885

29,499

27,506

30,729


Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period


22,520

19,635

22,520

30,729

29,763


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period


29,763

22,520

 

(a)

Includes

 

482

1,560

4,904


Inventory holding losses


6,157

190

(55)

(113)

(187)


Fair value gain on embedded derivatives


(430)

(459)

(33)

(846)

3


Movements related to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill response


(1,454)

(2,099)

 


Inventory holding losses and fair value gains on embedded derivatives are also included within profit (loss) before taxation. See Note 2 for further information on the cash flow impacts of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

 

 

Top of page 16

Financial statements (continued)


 

Notes

 

1.       Basis of preparation

 

The results for the interim periods and for the year ended 31 December 2014 are unaudited and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results for each period. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. This report should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended 31 December 2013 included in BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2013.

 

After making enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.The directors draw attention to Note 2 on pages 16-22 which describes the uncertainties surrounding the amounts and timings of liabilities arising from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. It is likely that the independent auditor's report in BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2014 will contain an emphasis of matter paragraph in relation to this matter.  

 

BP prepares its consolidated financial statements included within BP Annual Report and Form 20-F on the basis of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), IFRS as adopted by the European Union (EU) and in accordance with the provisions of the UK Companies Act 2006. IFRS as adopted by the EU differs in certain respects from IFRS as issued by the IASB; however, the differences have no impact on the group's consolidated financial statements for the periods presented.

 

The financial information presented herein has been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies expected to be used in preparing BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2014, which do not differ significantly from those used in BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2013.

 

In BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2013 we disclosed a significant estimate or judgement in relation to the provision for penalties under the US Clean Water Act arising from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, which had been estimated based on the assumption that BP did not act with gross negligence or engage in wilful misconduct. However, in September 2014 the district court ruled that the discharge of oil was the result of BP's gross negligence and wilful misconduct. No adjustment has been made to the provision and a contingent liability has been disclosed in relation to the potential for a higher penalty due to this ruling. See Note 2 for further information.

 

In BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2013 we disclosed a significant estimate or judgement in relation to exploration and appraisal expenditure which is capitalized and is subject to regular technical, commercial and management review on at least an annual basis to confirm the continued intent to develop, or otherwise extract value from, the discovery. Under IFRS 6 'Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources', one of the facts and circumstances which indicates that an entity should test such assets for impairment is that the period for which the entity has a right to explore in the specific area has expired during the period or will expire in the near future, and is not expected to be renewed.

 

BP has leases in the Gulf of Mexico making up a prospect, some with terms which were scheduled to expire at the end of 2013 and some with terms which were scheduled to expire at the end of 2014. A significant proportion of our capitalized exploration and appraisal costs in the Gulf of Mexico relate to this prospect. This prospect requires the development of subsea technology to ensure that the hydrocarbons can be extracted safely. BP is in negotiation with the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement in relation to seeking extension of these leases so that the discovered hydrocarbons can be developed. BP remains committed to developing this prospect and expects that the leases will be renewed and, therefore, continues to carry the capitalized costs on its balance sheet. See also Notes 10 and 16 in BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2013 - Financial statements.

 

 

2.       Gulf of Mexico oil spill

 

(a) Overview

 

As a consequence of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, BP continues to incur various costs and has also recognized liabilities for future costs. The information presented in this note should be read in conjunction with BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2013 - Financial statements - Note 2 and Legal proceedings on page 257 and on page 33 of this report.

 

The group income statement includes a pre-tax charge of $477 million for the fourth quarter and $819 million for the full year in relation to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The fourth-quarter charge reflects an increased provision for litigation costs, additional business economic loss claims and the ongoing costs of the Gulf Coast Restoration Organization. The cumulative pre-tax income statement charge since the incident, in April 2010, amounts to $43,495 million.

 

 

Top of page 17

Financial statements (continued)


 

Notes

 

2.       Gulf of Mexico oil spill (continued)

 

The cumulative income statement charge does not include amounts for obligations that BP currently considers are not possible to measure reliably. For further information, including developments in relation to the interpretation of business economic loss claims under the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee (PSC) settlement, see Provisions below.

 

The total amounts that will ultimately be paid by BP in relation to all the obligations relating to the incident are subject to significant uncertainty and the ultimate exposure and cost to BP will be dependent on many factors, as discussed under Provisions and contingent liabilities below, including in relation to any new information or future developments. These could have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results and cash flows.

 

The amounts set out below reflect the impacts on the financial statements of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill for the periods presented. The income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement impacts are included within the relevant line items in those statements as set out below.

 


Fourth

Third

Fourth







quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year


2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013






Income statement





179

33

468


Production and manufacturing expenses


781

430


(179)

(33)

(468)


Profit (loss) before interest and taxation


(781)

(430)


10

10

9


Finance costs


38

39


(189)

(43)

(477)


Profit (loss) before taxation


(819)

(469)


80

45

163


Taxation


262

73


(109)

2

(314)


Profit (loss) for the period


(557)

(396)

 

 


$ million


31 December 2014

31 December 2013


Balance sheet




Current assets





  Trade and other receivables


1,154

2,457


Current liabilities





  Trade and other payables


(655)

(1,030)


  Provisions


(1,702)

(2,951)


Net current assets (liabilities)

(1,203)

(1,524)


Non-current assets





  Other receivables


2,701

2,442


Non-current liabilities





  Other payables


(2,412)

(2,986)


  Accruals


(169)

-


  Provisions


(6,903)

(6,395)


  Deferred tax


1,723

2,748


Net non-current assets (liabilities)

(5,060)

(4,191)


Net assets (liabilities)

(6,263)

(5,715)

 

 


Fourth

Third

Fourth







quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year


2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013






Cash flow statement - Operating activities





(189)

(43)

(477)


Profit (loss) before taxation


(819)

(469)






Adjustments to reconcile profit (loss) before









  taxation to net cash provided by









  operating activities









Net charge for interest and other finance





10

10

9


  expense, less net interest paid


38

39


11

586

334


Net charge for provisions, less payments


939

1,129






Movements in inventories and other current





(33)

(846)

3


  and non-current assets and liabilities


(1,454)

(2,099)


(201)

(293)

(131)


Pre-tax cash flows


(1,296)

(1,400)

 

 

Top of page 18

Financial statements (continued)


 

Notes

 

2.       Gulf of Mexico oil spill (continued)

 

Net cash from operating activities relating to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, on a post-tax basis, amounted to an inflow of $304 million and outflow of $9 million in the fourth quarter and full year of 2014 respectively. For the same periods in 2013, the amounts were an inflow of $120 million and an outflow of $73 million respectively.

 

Trust fund

 

BP established the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Trust (the Trust), funded in the amount of $20 billion, to satisfy legitimate individual and business claims, state and local government claims resolved by BP, final judgments and settlements, state and local response costs, and natural resource damages and related costs. Fines and penalties are not covered by the trust fund.

 

The funding of the Trust was completed in 2012. The obligation to fund the $20-billion trust fund, adjusted to take account of the time value of money,was recognized in full in 2010 and charged to the income statement. An asset has been recognized representing BP's right to receive reimbursement from the trust fund. This is the portion of the estimated future expenditure provided for that will be settled by payments from the trust fund.

 

The table below shows movements in the reimbursement asset during the period to 31 December 2014. At 31 December 2014, $3,855 million of the provisions and payables are eligible to be paid from the Trust. The reimbursement asset is recorded within other receivables on the balance sheet apportioned between current and non-current elements.

 





Fourth






quarter

Year


$ million


2014

2014


Opening balance


4,855

4,899


Net increase in provision for items covered by the trust fund


-

662


Amounts paid directly by the trust fund


(1,000)

(1,706)


At 31 December 2014


3,855

3,855


Of which

- current


1,154

1,154



- non-current


2,701

2,701

 

During the third quarter, cumulative charges to be paid by the Trust reached $20 billion. Subsequent additional costs, over and above those provided within the $20 billion, are being expensed to the income statement as incurred.

 

As at 31 December 2014, the aggregate cash balances in the Trust and the associated qualifying settlement funds amounted to $5.1 billion, including $1.1 billion remaining in the seafood compensation fund which has yet to be distributed and $0.4 billion held for natural resource damage early restoration. When the cash balances in the trust fund are exhausted, payments in respect of legitimate claims and other costs will be made directly by BP.

 

(b) Provisions and contingent liabilities

 

BP has recorded certain provisions and disclosed certain contingent liabilities as a consequence of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. These are described below and in more detail in BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2013 - Financial statements - Note 2.

 

Provisions

 

BP has recorded provisions relating to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill in relation to environmental expenditure, litigation and claims, and Clean Water Act penalties. Movements in each class of provision during the fourth quarter and full year are presented in the tables below.

 






Litigation

Clean







and

Water Act



$ million 


Environmental

claims

penalties

Total


At 1 October 2014


1,740

4,020

3,510

9,270


Net increase in provision


-

435

-

435


Change in discount rate


2

-

-

2


Unwinding of discount


1

-

-

1


Utilization

- paid by BP


(21)

(82)

-

(103)


              

- paid by the trust fund


(581)

(419)

-

(1,000)


At 31 December 2014


1,141

3,954

3,510

8,605


Of which

- current


528

1,174

-

1,702


              

- non-current


613

2,780

3,510

6,903

 

 

Top of page 19

Financial statements (continued)


 

Notes

 

2.       Gulf of Mexico oil spill (continued)

 






Litigation

Clean







and

Water Act






Environmental

claims

penalties

Total


$ million 







At 1 January 2014


1,679

4,157

3,510

9,346


Net increase in provision


190

1,137

-

1,327


Change in discount rate


2

-

-

2


Unwinding of discount


1

-

-

1


Utilization

- paid by BP


(83)

(307)

-

(390)



- paid by the trust fund


(648)

(1,033)

-

(1,681)


At 31 December 2014


1,141

3,954

3,510

8,605

 

Environmental

The environmental provision includes amounts for BP's commitment to fund the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative, estimated natural resource damage assessment costs and early natural resource damage restoration projects under the $1-billion framework agreement with natural resource trustees for the US and five Gulf coast states. In October 2014, phase three of the natural resource damage early restoration projects was formally approved (comprising $627 million of approved project spend, of which $563 million has been paid) under the framework agreement. Until the size, location and duration of the impact is assessed, it is not possible to estimate reliably the amounts or timing of any further natural resource damages claims, therefore no additional amounts have been provided for these items and they are disclosed as a contingent liability.

 

Litigation and claims

The litigation and claims provision includes amounts that can be estimated reliably for the future cost of settling claims by individuals and businesses for damage to real or personal property, lost profits or impairment of earning capacity and loss of subsistence use of natural resources (Individual and Business Claims), and claims by state and local government entities for removal costs, damage to real or personal property, loss of government revenue and increased public services costs under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and other legislation (State and Local Claims), except as described under Contingent liabilities below. Claims administration costs, legal and litigation costs have also been provided for.

 

BP has provided for its best estimate of the cost associated with the PSC settlement agreements with the exception of the cost of business economic loss claims, except where an eligibility notice has been issued and is not subject to appeal by BP within the claims facility. As disclosed in BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2013, as part of its monitoring of payments made by the Deepwater Horizon Court Supervised Settlement Program (DHCSSP), BP identified multiple business economic loss claim determinations that appeared to result from an interpretation of the Economic and Property Damages Settlement Agreement (EPD Settlement Agreement) by the claims administrator that BP believes was incorrect. See Legal proceedings on pages 257-265 of BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2013 and page 33 of this report for further details on the settlements with the PSC and related matters.

 

Management believes that no reliable estimate can currently be made of any business economic loss claims (i) not yet received; (ii) received, but not yet processed; or (iii) processed, but not yet paid, except where an eligibility notice has been issued and is not subject to appeal by BP within the claims facility. The inability to estimate reliably such claims is due to uncertainty regarding both the volume of such claims and the average value per claim. 

 

In respect of uncertainty regarding the volume of claims, in December 2014, the US Supreme Court declined to hear BP's appeal of the district court ruling that the EPD Settlement Agreement contained no causation requirement beyond the revenue and related tests set forth in that agreement. This resolution, however, does not reduce uncertainty regarding the volume of claims in the short-term, since it is possible that additional claims will be made. In addition, a claims submission deadline of 8 June 2015 has now been set, which may lead to an increase in the rate of claims received until the deadline, compounding management's inability to estimate the total volume of claims that will be made.

 

In respect of uncertainty regarding the average value per claim, a small proportion of the filed claims have been determined under the revised policy for the matching of revenue and expenses for business economic loss claims (introduced in May 2014) and disputes, disagreements and uncertainties regarding the proper application of the revised policy to particular claims and categories of claims continue to arise as the claims administrator has begun applying the revised policy.  Furthermore, there have been no, or only a small number of, claim determinations made under some of the specialised frameworks that have been put in place for particular industries and so determinations to date may not be representative of the total population of claims. In addition, due to a data secrecy order, detailed data about claims that have not yet been determined is not currently available to BP and so it is not possible to review claim demographics or identify potential populations for each category of claim. 

 

 

Top of page 20

Financial statements (continued)


 

Notes

 

2.       Gulf of Mexico oil spill (continued)

 

There is therefore very little data to build up a track record of claims determinations under the policies and protocols that are now being applied following resolution of the matching and causation issues.  We therefore cannot estimate future trends of the number and proportion of claims that will be determined to be eligible, nor can we estimate the value of such claims. A provision for such business economic loss claims will be established when these uncertainties are resolved and a reliable estimate can be made of the liability.

 

The current estimate for the total cost of those elements of the PSC settlement that BP considers can be reliably estimated is $9.9 billion. The DHCSSP has issued eligibility notices, most of which are disputed by BP, in respect of business economic loss claims of approximately $400 million which have not been provided for. The majority of these claims are being re-assessed using the new matching policy. Furthermore, a significant number of business economic loss claims have been received but have not yet been processed, and further claims are likely to be received. The total cost of the PSC settlement is likely to be significantly higher than the amount recognized to date of $9.9 billion because the current estimate does not reflect business economic loss claims not yet received, or received but not yet processed, or processed but not yet paid, except where an eligibility notice has been issued and is not subject to appeal by BP within the claims facility.

 

The provision recognized for litigation and claims includes an estimate for State and Local Claims. Although the provision recognized is BP's current reliable best estimate of the amount required to settle these obligations, significant uncertainty exists in relation to the outcome of any litigation proceedings and the amount of claims that will become payable by BP. See Legal proceedings on pages 257-265 of BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2013 and Contingent liabilities below for further details.

 

Significant uncertainties exist in relation to the amount of claims that are to be paid and will become payable, including claims payable under the DHCSSP and State and Local Claims. There is significant uncertainty in relation to the amounts that ultimately will be paid in relation to current claims, and the number, type and amounts payable for claims not yet reported as described above and in Legal proceedings on page 33 and the outcomes of any further litigation including in relation to potential opt-outs from the PSC settlement or otherwise. There is also uncertainty as to the cost of administering the claims process under the DHCSSP.

 

Clean Water Act penalties

A provision of $3,510 million was recognized in 2010 for estimated civil penalties under Section 311 of the Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act penalty is calculated by multiplying the number of barrels of oil spilled by a penalty rate per barrel. The number of barrels of oil spilled was determined by using the mid-point in the range of estimates (3.2 million barrels). A penalty rate of $1,100 per barrel was applied, the statutory maximum penalty in the absence of gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

 

In January 2015, the district court issued its decision in the Phase 2 trial that 3.19 million barrels of oil were discharged into the Gulf of Mexico and therefore subject to a Clean Water Act penalty. This amount is consistent with the number of barrels BP has used to calculate the provision. In addition, the district court found that BP was not grossly negligent in its source control efforts.

 

In September 2014, the district court issued its decision in the Phase 1 trial that the discharge of oil was the result of the gross negligence and wilful misconduct of BP Exploration & Production Inc. (BPXP) and that BPXP is therefore subject to enhanced civil penalties. The statutory maximum penalty is up to $4,300 per barrel of oil discharged where gross negligence or wilful misconduct is proven. BP does not believe that the evidence at trial supports a finding of gross negligence and wilful misconduct and in December 2014 filed notice of appeal of the Phase 1 ruling.

 

BP continues to believe that a provision of $3,510 million represents a reliable estimate of the amount of the liability if the appeal is successful and this provision, calculated on the basis of the previous assumptions, has been maintained in the accounts.

 

If BP is unsuccessful in its appeal, and the ruling of gross negligence and wilful misconduct is upheld, the maximum penalty that could be imposed is up to $4,300 per barrel. Based upon this penalty rate and the district court's ruling on the number of barrels spilled, the maximum penalty could be up to $13.7 billion.

 

However, in assessing the amount of the penalty, the court is directed to consider the following statutory penalty factors: 'the seriousness of the violation or violations, the economic benefit to the violator, if any, resulting from the violation, the degree of culpability involved, any other penalty for the same incident, any history of prior violations, the nature, extent, and degree of success of any efforts of the violator to minimize or mitigate the effects of the discharge, the economic impact of the penalty on the violator, and any other matters as justice may require'. The court has wide discretion in deciding how to apply these factors to determine the penalty and what weighting to ascribe to different factors. BP is therefore unable to ascribe probabilities to possible outcomes within the range of potential penalties and cannot determine a reliable estimate for any additional penalty which might apply should the gross negligence finding be upheld. The trial phase to determine the amount of the Clean Water Act penalty commenced on 20 January 2015.

 

 

Top of page 21

Financial statements (continued)


 

Notes

 

2.       Gulf of Mexico oil spill (continued)

 

The amount that may become payable by BP is subject to a very high level of uncertainty since it will depend on the outcome of BP's appeal as well as what is determined by the district court with respect to the application of statutory penalty factors as noted above. The court has wide discretion in the application of statutory penalty factors. The timing of any payment is also uncertain.

 

Given the significant uncertainty, the very wide range of possible outcomes if BP is unsuccessful in its appeal of the September ruling, and the inability to ascribe probabilities to possible outcomes within the range, management is not able to estimate reliably any further liability for the Clean Water Act penalty arising in the event that BP is not successful in its appeal. A contingent liability is therefore disclosed. See Contingent liabilities below for further information.

 

See BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2013 - Financial statements - Note 2 for further details and Legal proceedings on pages 257-265 and on page 33 of this report.

 

Provision movements and analysis of income statement charge

A net increase in provisions of $435 million for the fourth quarter ($1,327 million for the full year) arises due to increases in the provision for litigation costs and the provision for business economic loss claims. The increase in provisions for the year also includes increases in estimated claims administration and legal costs.

 

Expenses incurred that are eligible to be paid from the Trust exceeded the Trust headroom by $260 million during the year.

 




Fourth


Cumulative




quarter

Year

since the


$ million 


2014

2014

incident


Environmental costs


2

192

3,223


Spill response costs


-

-

14,304


Litigation and claims costs


435

1,137

26,780


Clean Water Act penalties - amount provided


-

-

3,510


Other costs charged directly to the income statement


31

114

1,257


Recoveries credited to the income statement


-

-

(5,681)


Charge (credit) related to the trust fund


-

(662)

(137)


Other costs of the trust fund


-

-

8


Loss before interest and taxation


468

781

43,264


Finance costs

- related to the trust funds


-

-

137



- not related to the trust funds


9

38

94


Loss before taxation


477

819

43,495

 

Further information on provisions is provided in BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2013 - Financial statements - Note 2.

 

Contingent liabilities

 

BP currently considers that it is not possible to measure reliably other obligations arising from the incident, namely:

 

·     Any obligation in relation to natural resource damages claims or associated legal costs (except for the estimated costs of the assessment phase and the costs relating to early restoration agreements referred to above).

 

·     Claims asserted in civil litigation, including any further litigation through excluded parties from the PSC settlement, including as set out in Legal proceedings on pages 257-265 of BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2013 and page 33 of this report.

 

·     The cost of business economic loss claims under the PSC settlement not yet received, or received but not yet processed, or processed but not yet paid (except where an eligibility notice has been issued and is not subject to appeal by BP within the claims facility).

 

·     Any further obligation that may arise from State and Local Claims.

 

·     Any obligation that may arise from securities-related litigation.

 

·     Any obligation in relation to any further liability for the Clean Water Act penalty arising in the event that BP is not successful in its appeal of the Phase 1 ruling.

 

·     Any obligation in relation to other potential private or governmental litigation, fines or penalties (except for those items provided for as described above under Provisions).

 

 

Top of page 22

Financial statements (continued)


 

Notes

 

2.       Gulf of Mexico oil spill (continued)

 

It is not practicable to estimate the magnitude or possible timing of payment of these contingent liabilities.

 

The magnitude and timing of all possible obligations in relation to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill continue to be subject to a very high degree of uncertainty.

 

See also BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2013 - Financial statements - Note 2.

 

 

3.        Impairment of fixed assets

 

Included within the line item in the income statement for Impairment and losses on sale of businesses and fixed assets is a net impairment loss for the fourth quarter and full year of $6,491 million and $8,216 million respectively. The fourth-quarter net impairment loss comprised $5,663 million in Upstream, $517 million in Downstream, and $311 million in Other businesses and corporate. The full-year net impairment loss comprised $6,635 million in Upstream, $1,264 million in Downstream, and $317 million in Other businesses and corporate.

 

The main elements of Upstream impairment losses were in the North Sea (fourth quarter 2014 $4,518 million, and full year 2014 $4,774 million) and in Angola (fourth quarter and full year 2014 $968 million).

 

The impairments arose for various reasons, including the impact of a lower price environment in the near term, technical reserves revisions, and increases in expected decommissioning cost estimates.

 

 

4.        Analysis of replacement cost profit before interest and tax and reconciliation to
           profit before taxation

 


Fourth

Third

Fourth







quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year


2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013


2,537

3,311

(3,085)


Upstream


8,934

16,657


(360)

1,231

780


Downstream


3,738

2,919


-

-

-


TNK-BP(a)


-

12,500


1,058

107

451


Rosneft(b)


2,100

2,153


(605)

(432)

(647)


Other businesses and corporate


(2,010)

(2,319)


2,630

4,217

(2,501)




12,762

31,910


(179)

(33)

(468)


Gulf of Mexico oil spill response


(781)

(430)


(240)

370

257


Consolidation adjustment - UPII*


641

579


2,211

4,554

(2,712)


RC profit (loss) before interest and tax


12,622

32,059






Inventory holding gains (losses)*





3

1

(80)


  Upstream


(86)

4


(480)

(1,566)

(4,844)


  Downstream


(6,100)

(194)


(157)

(20)

(61)


  Rosneft (net of tax)


(24)

(100)


1,577

2,969

(7,697)


Profit (loss) before interest and tax


6,412

31,769


255

285

299


Finance costs


1,148

1,068






Net finance expense relating to pensions





123

73

82


  and other post-retirement benefits


314

480


1,199

2,611

(8,078)


Profit (loss) before taxation


4,950

30,221















RC profit (loss) before interest and tax*(c)





(299)

1,800

683


US


5,251

3,114


2,510

2,754

(3,395)


Non-US


7,371

28,945


2,211

4,554

(2,712)




12,622

32,059

 

(a)

BP ceased equity accounting for its share of TNK-BP's earnings from 22 October 2012. Full year 2013 includes the gain arising on the disposal of BP's interest in TNK-BP.

(b)

BP's investment in Rosneft is accounted under the equity method from 21 March 2013. See Rosneft on page 8 for further information.

(c)

A minor amendment has been made to the analysis by region for the comparative periods in 2013.

 

 

Top of page 23

Financial statements (continued)


 

Notes

 

5.        Sales and other operating revenues

 


Fourth

Third

Fourth







quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year


2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013






By segment





18,928

15,879

15,800


Upstream


65,424

70,374


85,582

87,068

65,249


Downstream


323,486

351,195


517

530

616


Other businesses and corporate


1,989

1,805


105,027

103,477

81,665




390,899

423,374















Less: sales and other operating revenues









  between segments





10,838

9,427

8,270


Upstream


36,643

42,327


256

(73)

(814)


Downstream


(173)

1,045


216

219

212


Other businesses and corporate


861

866


11,310

9,573

7,668




37,331

44,238















Third party sales and other operating revenues





8,090

6,452

7,530


Upstream


28,781

28,047


85,326

87,141

66,063


Downstream


323,659

350,150


301

311

404


Other businesses and corporate


1,128

939






Total third party sales and other operating





93,717

93,904

73,997


  revenues


353,568

379,136















By geographical area(a)





32,267

34,678

27,300


US


132,310

137,539


70,139

66,402

51,933


Non-US


251,943

280,317


102,406

101,080

79,233




384,253

417,856






Less: sales and other operating revenues





8,689

7,176

5,236


  between areas


30,685

38,720


93,717

93,904

73,997




353,568

379,136

 

(a)

A minor amendment has been made to the analysis by region for the comparative periods in 2013.

 

 

6.     Production and similar taxes

 


Fourth

Third

Fourth







quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year


2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013


299

140

56


US


690

1,112


1,192

604

356


Non-US


2,268

5,935


1,491

744

412




2,958

7,047

Top of page 24

Financial statements (continued)


 

Notes

 

7.        Earnings per share and shares in issue

 

Basic earnings per ordinary share (EpS) amounts are calculated by dividing the profit (loss) for the period attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. During the quarter the company repurchased 105 million ordinary shares at a cost of $715 million as part of the share buybacks as announced on 29 April 2014. The number of shares in issue is reduced when shares are repurchased, but is not reduced in respect of the period-end commitment to repurchase shares subsequent to the end of the period.

 

The calculation of EpS is performed separately for each discrete quarterly period, and for the year-to-date period. As a result, the sum of the discrete quarterly EpS amounts in any particular year-to-date period may not be equal to the EpS amount for the year-to-date period.

 

For the diluted EpS calculation the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period is adjusted for the number of shares that are potentially issuable in connection with employee share-based payment plans using the treasury stock method. If the inclusion of potentially issuable shares would decrease the loss per share, the potentially issuable shares are excluded from the diluted EpS calculation.

 


Fourth

Third

Fourth







quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year


2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013






Results for the period









Profit (loss) for the period attributable to





1,042

1,290

(4,407)


  BP shareholders


3,780

23,451


1

-

1


Less: preference dividend


2

2






Profit (loss) attributable to BP ordinary





1,041

1,290

(4,408)


  shareholders


3,778

23,449















Number of shares (thousand)(a)









Basic weighted average number of





18,689,386

18,390,006

18,232,147


  shares outstanding


18,385,458

18,931,021


3,114,897

3,065,001

3,038,691


ADS equivalent


3,064,243

3,155,170















Weighted average number of shares









  outstanding used to calculate diluted





18,802,026

18,499,505

18,332,091


  earnings per share


18,497,294

19,046,173


3,133,671

3,083,250

3,055,348


ADS equivalent


3,082,882

3,174,362











18,611,489

18,311,461

18,199,882


Shares in issue at period-end


18,199,882

18,611,489


3,101,914

3,051,910

3,033,313


ADS equivalent


3,033,313

3,101,914

 

(a)

Excludes treasury shares and the shares held by the Employee Share Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and includes certain shares that will be issued in the future under employee share-based payment plans.

 

 

Top of page 25

Financial statements (continued)


 

Notes

 

8.        Dividends

 

Dividends payable

 

BP today announced a dividend of 10.00 cents per ordinary share expected to be paid in March. The corresponding amount in sterling will be announced on 16 March 2015, calculated based on the average of the market exchange rates for the four dealing days commencing on 10 March 2015. Holders of American Depositary Shares (ADSs) will receive $0.600 per ADS. The dividend is due to be paid on 27 March 2015 to shareholders and ADS holders on the register on 13 February 2015. A scrip dividend alternative is available, allowing shareholders to elect to receive their dividend in the form of new ordinary shares and ADS holders in the form of new ADSs. Details of the fourth-quarter dividend and timetable are available at bp.com/dividends and details of the scrip dividend programme are available at bp.com/scrip.

 

Dividends paid

 


Fourth

Third

Fourth







quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year


2013

2014

2014




2014

2013






Dividends paid per ordinary share





9.500

9.750

10.000


  cents


39.000

36.500


5.801

5.959

6.377


  pence


23.850

23.399


57.00

58.50

60.00


Dividends paid per ADS (cents)


234.00

219.00






Scrip dividends





78.1

85.2

13.7


Number of shares issued (millions)


165.6

202.1


602

672

95


Value of shares issued ($ million)


1,318

1,470

 

 

9.       Net debt*

 

Net debt ratio*

 


Fourth

Third

Fourth







quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year


2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013


48,192

53,610

52,854


Gross debt


52,854

48,192






Fair value asset of hedges related





(477)

(434)

(445)


  to finance debt


(445)

(477)


47,715

53,176

52,409




52,409

47,715


22,520

30,729

29,763


Less: cash and cash equivalents


29,763

22,520


25,195

22,447

22,646


Net debt


22,646

25,195


130,407

126,894

112,642


Equity


112,642

130,407


16.2%

15.0%

16.7%


Net debt ratio


16.7%

16.2%

 

 

Top of page 26

Financial statements (continued)


 

Notes

 

9.       Net debt* (continued)

 

Analysis of changes in net debt

 


Fourth

Third

Fourth







quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year


2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013






Opening balance





50,284

52,906

53,610


Finance debt


48,192

48,800






Fair value asset of hedges





(734)

(1,001)

(434)


  related to finance debt


(477)

(1,700)


29,499

27,506

30,729


Less: cash and cash equivalents


22,520

19,635


20,051

24,399

22,447


Opening net debt


25,195

27,465






Closing balance





48,192

53,610

52,854


Finance debt


52,854

48,192






Fair value asset of hedges





(477)

(434)

(445)


  related to finance debt


(445)

(477)


22,520

30,729

29,763


Less: cash and cash equivalents


29,763

22,520


25,195

22,447

22,646


Closing net debt


22,646

25,195


(5,144)

1,952

(199)


Decrease (increase) in net debt


2,549

2,270






Movement in cash and cash equivalents





(7,022)

3,641

(709)


  (excluding exchange adjustments)


7,914

2,845






Net cash outflow (inflow) from financing





2,013

(1,865)

344


  (excluding share capital and dividends)


(5,419)

(836)






Movement in finance debt relating to





-

-

-


  investing activities


-

632


(69)

(38)

(3)


Other movements


(435)

(192)






Movement in net debt before





(5,078)

1,738

(368)


  exchange effects


2,060

2,449


(66)

214

169


Exchange adjustments


489

(179)


(5,144)

1,952

(199)


Decrease (increase) in net debt


2,549

2,270

 

 

10.     Inventory valuation

 

A provision of $2,879 million was held at 31 December 2014 ($1,006 million at 30 September 2014 and $322 million at 31 December 2013) to write inventories down to their net realizable value. The net movement charged to the income statement during the fourth quarter 2014 was $1,924 million (third quarter 2014 was a charge of $554 million and fourth quarter 2013 was a charge of $313 million).

 

 

11.    Statutory accounts

 

The financial information shown in this publication, which was approved by the Board of Directors on 2 February 2015, is unaudited and does not constitute statutory financial statements. Audited financial information is expected to be published in BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2014 in early March 2015 and delivered to the Registrar of Companies in due course. BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2013 has been filed with the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales. The report of the auditor on those accounts was unqualified and contained an emphasis of matter paragraph relating to significant uncertainty over provisions and contingencies related to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The report of the auditor on those accounts did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or section 498(3) of the UK Companies Act 2006.

 

 

Top of page 27

Additional information


 

Capital expenditure and acquisitions

 

Fourth

Third

Fourth






quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year

2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013





By segment








Upstream(a)




1,726

1,510

1,560


US


6,203

6,410

3,752

2,973

3,546


Non-US(b)


13,569

12,705

5,478

4,483

5,106




19,772

19,115





Downstream




360

239

265


US


942

2,535

921

458

984


Non-US


2,164

1,971

1,281

697

1,249




3,106

4,506





Rosneft




-

-

-


Non-US(c)


-

11,941

-

-

-




-

11,941





Other businesses and corporate




85

28

38


US


82

231

375

141

341


Non-US


821

819

460

169

379




903

1,050

7,219

5,349

6,734




23,781

36,612





By geographical area(a)




2,171

1,777

1,863


US


7,227

9,176

5,048

3,572

4,871


Non-US(b)(c)


16,554

27,436

7,219

5,349

6,734




23,781

36,612





Included above:




71

24

150


Acquisitions and asset exchanges


420

71

-

-

27


Other inorganic capital expenditure(b)(c)


469

11,941

 

(a)

A minor amendment has been made to the analysis by region for the comparative periods in 2013.

(b)

Fourth quarter and full year 2014 include $27 million and $469 million respectively relating to the purchase of additional 3.3% equity in Shah Deniz, Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus Pipeline.

(c)

The full year 2013 includes $11,941 million relating to our investment in Rosneft.

 

Capital expenditure shown in the table above is presented on an accruals basis.

 

 

Top of page 28

Additional information (continued)


 

Non-operating items*

 

Fourth

Third

Fourth






quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year

2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013





Upstream








Impairment and gain (loss) on sale of businesses and




(391)

(248)

(5,685)


  fixed assets(a)


(6,576)

(802)

1

(59)

(1)


Environmental and other provisions


(60)

(20)

-

-

(100)


Restructuring, integration and rationalization costs


(100)

-

55

113

187


Fair value gain (loss) on embedded derivatives


430

459

(866)

(307)

42


Other(b)


8

(1,001)

(1,201)

(501)

(5,557)




(6,298)

(1,364)





Downstream








Impairment and gain (loss) on sale of businesses and




(61)

(400)

(614)


  fixed assets(a)


(1,190)

(348)

7

(128)

(5)


Environmental and other provisions


(133)

(134)

(11)

(5)

(158)


Restructuring, integration and rationalization costs


(165)

(15)

-

-

-


Fair value gain (loss) on embedded derivatives


-

-

(9)

(19)

(13)


Other


(82)

(38)

(74)

(552)

(790)




(1,570)

(535)





TNK-BP








Impairment and gain (loss) on sale of businesses and




-

-

-


  fixed assets


-

12,500

-

-

-


Environmental and other provisions


-

-

-

-

-


Restructuring, integration and rationalization costs


-

-

-

-

-


Fair value gain (loss) on embedded derivatives


-

-

-

-

-


Other


-

-

-

-

-




-

12,500





Rosneft








Impairment and gain (loss) on sale of businesses and




(19)

(3)

(19)


  fixed assets


225

(35)

(10)

-

-


Environmental and other provisions


-

(10)

-

-

-


Restructuring, integration and rationalization costs


-

-

-

-

-


Fair value gain (loss) on embedded derivatives


-

-

-

-

-


Other


-

-

(29)

(3)

(19)




225

(45)





Other businesses and corporate








Impairment and gain (loss) on sale of businesses and




21

6

(308)


  fixed assets(a)


(304)

(196)

(19)

(145)

(35)


Environmental and other provisions


(180)

(241)

3

-

(175)


Restructuring, integration and rationalization costs


(176)

(3)

-

-

-


Fair value gain (loss) on embedded derivatives


-

-

4

-

(9)


Other


(10)

19

9

(139)

(527)




(670)

(421)

(179)

(33)

(468)


Gulf of Mexico oil spill response


(781)

(430)

(1,474)

(1,228)

(7,361)


Total before interest and taxation


(9,094)

9,705

(10)

(10)

(9)


Finance costs(c)


(38)

(39)

(1,484)

(1,238)

(7,370)


Total before taxation


(9,132)

9,666

481

440

3,805


Taxation credit (charge)(d)


4,512

867

(1,003)

(798)

(3,565)


Total after taxation for period


(4,620)

10,533

 

(a)

See Note 3 for further information.

(b)

Third quarter, fourth quarter and full year 2014 include write-offs of $375 million, $20 million and $395 million respectively relating to Block KG D6 in India (see page 5 for further information). Fourth quarter and full year 2013 include $845 million relating to the value ascribed to block BM-CAL-13 offshore Brazil, following the acquisition of upstream assets from Devon Energy in 2011, which was written off as a result of the Pitanga exploration well not encountering commercial quantities of oil or gas.

(c)

Finance costs relate to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. See Note 2 for further details.

(d)

From the first quarter 2014, tax is based on statutory rates except for non-deductible or non-taxable items. For earlier periods tax for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and certain impairment losses, disposal gains and fair value gains and losses on embedded derivatives, is based on statutory rates, except for non-deductible items; for other items reported for consolidated subsidiaries, tax is calculated using the group's discrete quarterly effective tax rate (adjusted for the items noted above, equity-accounted earnings and a deferred tax adjustment in the third quarter 2013 relating to a reduction in UK corporation tax rates). Non-operating items reported within the equity-accounted earnings of Rosneft are reported net of income tax.

 

 

Top of page 29

Additional information (continued)


 

Non-GAAP information on fair value accounting effects

 

Fourth

Third

Fourth






quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year

2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013





Favourable (unfavourable) impact relative to








  management's measure of performance




(114)

(87)

226


Upstream


31

(244)

(356)

299

357


Downstream


867

(178)

(470)

212

583




898

(422)

171

(66)

(226)


Taxation credit (charge)(a)


(341)

142

(299)

146

357




557

(280)

 

(a)

From the first quarter 2014, tax is calculated using statutory rates. For earlier periods tax is calculated using the group's discrete quarterly effective tax rate (adjusted for certain non-operating items, equity-accounted earnings and a deferred tax adjustment in the third quarter 2013 relating to a reduction in UK corporation tax rates).

 

BP uses derivative instruments to manage the economic exposure relating to inventories above normal operating requirements of crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products. Under IFRS, these inventories are recorded at historical cost. The related derivative instruments, however, are required to be recorded at fair value with gains and losses recognized in income because hedge accounting is either not permitted or not followed, principally due to the impracticality of effectiveness testing requirements. Therefore, measurement differences in relation to recognition of gains and losses occur. Gains and losses on these inventories are not recognized until the commodity is sold in a subsequent accounting period. Gains and losses on the related derivative commodity contracts are recognized in the income statement, from the time the derivative commodity contract is entered into, on a fair value basis using forward prices consistent with the contract maturity.

 

BP enters into commodity contracts to meet certain business requirements, such as the purchase of crude for a refinery or the sale of BP's gas production. Under IFRS these contracts are treated as derivatives and are required to be fair valued when they are managed as part of a larger portfolio of similar transactions. Gains and losses arising are recognized in the income statement from the time the derivative commodity contract is entered into.

 

IFRS requires that inventory held for trading be recorded at its fair value using period-end spot prices whereas any related derivative commodity instruments are required to be recorded at values based on forward prices consistent with the contract maturity. Depending on market conditions, these forward prices can be either higher or lower than spot prices resulting in measurement differences.

 

BP enters into contracts for pipelines and storage capacity, oil and gas processing and liquefied natural gas (LNG) that, under IFRS, are recorded on an accruals basis. These contracts are risk-managed using a variety of derivative instruments, which are fair valued under IFRS. This results in measurement differences in relation to recognition of gains and losses.

 

The way that BP manages the economic exposures described above, and measures performance internally, differs from the way these activities are measured under IFRS. BP calculates this difference for consolidated entities by comparing the IFRS result with management's internal measure of performance. Under management's internal measure of performance the inventory and capacity contracts in question are valued based on fair value using relevant forward prices prevailing at the end of the period, the fair values of certain derivative instruments used to risk manage LNG and oil and gas processing contracts are deferred to match with the underlying exposure and the commodity contracts for business requirements are accounted for on an accruals basis. We believe that disclosing management's estimate of this difference provides useful information for investors because it enables investors to see the economic effect of these activities as a whole. The impacts of fair value accounting effects, relative to management's internal measure of performance, are shown in the table above. A reconciliation to GAAP information is set out below.

 

Fourth

Third

Fourth






quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year

2013

2014

2014


$ million


2014

2013





Upstream








Replacement cost profit (loss) before interest and tax




2,651

3,398

(3,311)


  adjusted for fair value accounting effects


8,903

16,901

(114)

(87)

226


Impact of fair value accounting effects


31

(244)

2,537

3,311

(3,085)


Replacement cost profit (loss) before interest and tax


8,934

16,657





Downstream








Replacement cost profit (loss) before interest and tax




(4)

932

423


  adjusted for fair value accounting effects


2,871

3,097

(356)

299

357


Impact of fair value accounting effects


867

(178)

(360)

1,231

780


Replacement cost profit (loss) before interest and tax


3,738

2,919





Total group








Profit (loss) before interest and tax adjusted for fair value




2,047

2,757

(8,280)


  accounting effects


5,514

32,191

(470)

212

583


Impact of fair value accounting effects


898

(422)

1,577

2,969

(7,697)


Profit (loss) before interest and tax


6,412

31,769

 

 

Top of page 30

Additional information (continued)


 

Realizations and marker prices

 

Fourth

Third

Fourth






quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year

2013

2014

2014




2014

2013





Average realizations(a)








Liquids* ($/bbl)




89.87

87.26

71.41


US


84.24

91.88

105.23

96.33

71.10


Europe


93.84

104.77

104.60

94.14

66.61


Rest of World


90.19

104.20

98.26

91.42

69.03


BP Average


87.96

99.24





Natural gas ($/mcf)




3.08

3.48

3.30


US


3.80

3.07

9.95

6.41

8.19


Europe


8.18

9.68

6.21

6.15

6.33


Rest of World


6.35

5.97

5.49

5.40

5.54


BP Average


5.70

5.35





Total hydrocarbons* ($/boe)




62.11

60.69

51.92


US


60.37

60.78

93.29

82.16

65.35


Europe


82.63

90.46

63.36

59.91

49.88


Rest of World


58.61

61.72

65.04

61.61

51.53


BP Average


60.85

63.58





Average oil marker prices ($/bbl)




109.24

101.93

76.58


Brent


98.95

108.66

97.59

97.56

73.62


West Texas Intermediate


93.28

97.99

66.07

77.67

57.47


Western Canadian Select


73.65

73.33

104.80

101.47

74.66


Alaska North Slope


97.52

107.67

95.98

97.34

72.69


Mars


92.93

102.23

107.65

100.73

75.19


Urals (NWE - cif)


97.23

107.38

55.95

51.42

38.79


Russian domestic oil


50.40

54.97





Average natural gas marker prices




3.60

4.07

4.04


Henry Hub gas price ($/mmBtu)(b)


4.43

3.65

67.48

42.17

52.83


UK Gas - National Balancing Point (p/therm)


50.01

67.99

 

(a)

Based on sales of consolidated subsidiaries only - this excludes equity-accounted entities.

(b)

Henry Hub First of Month Index.

 

 

Exchange rates

 

Fourth

Third

Fourth






quarter

quarter

quarter




Year

Year

2013

2014

2014




2014

2013

1.62

1.67

1.58


US dollar/sterling average rate for the period


1.65

1.56

1.65

1.62

1.56


US dollar/sterling period-end rate


1.56

1.65

1.36

1.33

1.25


US dollar/euro average rate for the period


1.33

1.33

1.38

1.27

1.22


US dollar/euro period-end rate


1.22

1.38

32.53

36.25

47.71


Rouble/US dollar average rate for the period


38.52

31.87

32.81

39.48

55.65


Rouble/US dollar period-end rate


55.65

32.81

 

 

Top of page 31

Glossary


 

Consolidation adjustment - UPIIis unrealized profit in inventory arising on inter-segment transactions.

 

Fair value accounting effects are non-GAAP adjustments to our IFRS profit (loss) relating to certain physical inventories, pipelines and storage capacity. Management uses a fair-value basis to value these items which, under IFRS, are accounted for on an accruals basis with the exception of trading inventories, which are valued using spot prices. The adjustments have the effect of aligning the valuation basis of the physical positions with that of any associated derivative instruments, which are required to be fair valued under IFRS, in order to provide a more representative view of the ultimate economic value. Further information and a reconciliation to GAAP information is provided on page 29.

 

Hydrocarbons -Liquids and natural gas. Natural gas is converted to oil equivalent at 5.8 billion cubic feet = 1 million barrels.

 

Inventory holding gains and losses represent the difference between the cost of sales calculated using the replacement cost of inventory and the cost of sales calculated on the first-in first-out (FIFO) method after adjusting for any changes in provisions where the net realizable value of the inventory is lower than its cost. Under the FIFO method, which we use for IFRS reporting, the cost of inventory charged to the income statement is based on its historical cost of purchase or manufacture, rather than its replacement cost. In volatile energy markets, this can have a significant distorting effect on reported income. The amounts disclosed represent the difference between the charge to the income statement for inventory on a FIFO basis (after adjusting for any related movements in net realizable value provisions) and the charge that would have arisen based on the replacement cost of inventory. For this purpose, the replacement cost of inventory is calculated using data from each operation's production and manufacturing system, either on a monthly basis, or separately for each transaction where the system allows this approach. The amounts disclosed are not separately reflected in the financial statements as a gain or loss. No adjustment is made in respect of the cost of inventories held as part of a trading position and certain other temporary inventory positions. See Replacement cost (RC) profit or loss definition below.

 

Liquids comprises crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids.

 

Net debt and net debt ratio are non-GAAP measures. Net debt includes the fair value of associated derivative financial instruments that are used to hedge foreign exchange and interest rate risks relating to finance debt, for which hedge accounting is claimed. The derivatives are reported on the balance sheet within the headings 'Derivative financial instruments'. We believe that net debt and net debt ratio provide useful information to investors. Net debt enables investors to see the economic effect of gross debt, related hedges and cash and cash equivalents in total. The net debt ratio enables investors to see how significant net debt is relative to equity from shareholders. The net debt ratio is defined as the ratio of finance debt (borrowings, including the fair value of associated derivative financial instruments that are used to hedge foreign exchange and interest rate risks relating to finance debt, plus obligations under finance leases) to the total of finance debt plus shareholders' interest.

 

Net wind generation capacity is the sum of the rated capacities of the assets/turbines that have entered into commercial operation, including BP's share of equity-accounted entities. The gross data is the equivalent capacity on a gross-JV basis, which includes 100% of the capacity of equity-accounted entities where BP has partial ownership.

 

Non-operating itemsare charges and credits arising in consolidated entities and in TNK-BP and Rosneft that are included in the financial statements and that BP discloses separately because it considers such disclosures to be meaningful and relevant to investors. They are items that management considers not to be part of underlying business operations and are disclosed in order to enable investors better to understand and evaluate the group's reported financial performance. An analysis of non-operating items by region is shown on pages 5, 7 and 9, and by segment and type is shown on page 28.

 

Organic capital expenditureexcludes acquisitions, asset exchanges, and other inorganic capital expenditure. An analysis of capital expenditure by segment and region is shown on page 27.

 

Proved reserves replacement ratio is the extent to which production is replaced by proved reserves additions. This ratio is expressed in oil equivalent terms and includes changes resulting from revisions to previous estimates, improved recovery, and extensions and discoveries.

 

Refining availabilityrepresents Solomon Associates' operational availability, which is defined as the percentage of the year that a unit is available for processing after subtracting the annualized time lost due to turnaround activity and all planned mechanical, process and regulatory downtime.

 

The Refining marker margin (RMM) is the average of regional indicator margins weighted for BP's crude refining capacity in each region. Each regional marker margin is based on product yields and a marker crude oil deemed appropriate for the region. The regional indicator margins may not be representative of the margins achieved by BP in any period because of BP's particular refinery configurations and crude and product slate.

 

 

Top of page 32

Glossary (continued)


 

Replacement cost (RC) profit or loss reflects the replacement cost of inventories sold in the period and is arrived at by excluding inventory holding gains and losses from profit or loss. RC profit or loss is the measure of profit or loss that is required to be disclosed for each operating segment under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). RC profit or loss for the group is not a recognized GAAP measure. Management believes this measure is useful to illustrate to investors the fact that crude oil and product prices can vary significantly from period to period and that the impact on our reported result under IFRS can be significant. Inventory holding gains and losses vary from period to period due to changes in prices as well as changes in underlying inventory levels. In order for investors to understand the operating performance of the group excluding the impact of price changes on the replacement of inventories, and to make comparisons of operating performance between reporting periods, BP's management believes it is helpful to disclose this measure.

 

Underlying production -2014 underlying production, when compared with 2013, is after adjusting for the effects of the Abu Dhabi onshore concession expiry in January 2014, divestments and entitlement impacts in our production-sharing agreements. 2015 underlying production, when comparing with 2014, is after adjusting for divestments and entitlement impacts in our production-sharing agreements.

 

Underlying RC profit or lossis RC profit or loss after adjusting for non-operating items and fair value accounting effects. Underlying RC profit or loss and fair value accounting effects are not recognized GAAP measures. See pages 28 and 29 for additional information on the non-operating items and fair value accounting effects that are used to arrive at underlying RC profit or loss in order to enable a full understanding of the events and their financial impact.

 

BP believes that underlying RC profit or loss is a useful measure for investors because it is a measure closely tracked by management to evaluate BP's operating performance and to make financial, strategic and operating decisions and because it may help investors to understand and evaluate, in the same manner as management, the underlying trends in BP's operational performance on a comparable basis, period on period, by adjusting for the effects of these non-operating items and fair value accounting effects. The nearest equivalent measure on an IFRS basis for the group is profit or loss for the year attributable to BP shareholders. The nearest equivalent measure on an IFRS basis for segments is RC profit or loss before interest and taxation.

 

 

Top of page 33

Legal proceedings


 

The following discussion sets out the material developments in the group's material legal proceedings during the recent period. For a full discussion of the group's material legal proceedings, see pages 257-267 of BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2013, pages 42-44 of our second-quarter 2014 results announcement and pages 33-36 of our third-quarter 2014 results announcement.

 

Matters relating to the Deepwater Horizon accident and oil spill (the Incident)

 

Federal multi-district litigation proceeding in New Orleans (MDL 2179) and related matters

US Department of Justice (DoJ) Action - Liability under Section 311(b)(7)(A) of the Clean Water Act - As previously disclosed, on 8 December 2011, the US brought a motion for partial summary judgment in the DoJ Action seeking, among other things, an order finding that BP Exploration & Production Inc. (BPXP), Transocean Ltd. and Anadarko Petroleum Company (Anadarko) are strictly liable for a civil penalty under Section 311(b)(7)(A) of the Clean Water Act. On 22 February 2012, the federal district court in New Orleans (the District Court) held that the subsurface discharge which occurred during the Incident was from the Macondo well, rather than from the Deepwater Horizon vessel, and that BPXP and Anadarko, and not Transocean Ltd., are strictly liable for civil penalties under Section 311 of the Clean Water Act as owners of the well. On 4 June 2014, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (Fifth Circuit) unanimously affirmed the District Court's 22 February 2012 decision. On 21 July 2014, Anadarko and BPXP filed petitions requesting that all active judges of the Fifth Circuit review the 4 June 2014 decision. On 9 January 2015, the Fifth Circuit denied the petitions on a 7-6 vote. Absent an extension, BPXP's deadline for seeking US Supreme Court review is 9 April 2015.

 

Trial Phases. On 4 September 2014, the District Court issued its ruling on Findings of Fact and Conclusion of Law for Phase 1 (the Phase 1 Ruling) of the Trial of Liability, Limitation, Exoneration and Fault Allocation in MDL 2179. The District Court found that BPXP, BP America Production Company (BPAPC), Transocean Holdings LLC, Transocean Deepwater Inc., Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling Inc. (Transocean, but excluding Transocean Ltd), and Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. (Halliburton) are each liable under general maritime law for the blowout, explosion, and oil spill from the Macondo well.  

 

With respect to the US' claims against BPXP under the Clean Water Act, the District Court found that the discharge of oil was the result of BPXP's gross negligence and wilful misconduct and that BPXP is therefore subject to enhanced civil penalties. The court further found that BPXP was an 'operator' and 'person in charge' of the Macondo well and the Deepwater Horizon vessel for the purposes of the Clean Water Act.

 

On 2 October 2014, BPXP and BPAPC filed a motion with the District Court to amend the findings in the Phase 1 Ruling, to alter or amend the judgment, or for a new trial on the grounds that the court's allocation of fault and findings of gross negligence and wilful misconduct relied upon testimony which had been excluded from the evidence presented at the Phase 1 trial and as to which BPXP and BPAPC did not have adequate notice and opportunity to present evidence in rebuttal. On 13 November 2014, the court denied BPXP's and BPAPC's motion to amend the Phase 1 Ruling. On 11 December 2014, BPXP and BPAPC filed a notice of appeal of the Phase 1 Ruling to the Fifth Circuit, and subsequently notices of appeal were also filed by the PSC, Transocean, Halliburton and the State of Alabama.

 

On 15 January 2015, the District Court issued its ruling for Phase 2 of MDL 2179 on the quantification of oil spilled and BP's source control efforts following the accident. The District Court found that 3.19 million barrels of oil were discharged into the Gulf of Mexico and are therefore subject to a Clean Water Act penalty. In addition, the District Court found that BP was not grossly negligent in its source control efforts.

 

Trial in the penalty phase of MDL 2179 (the Penalty Phase) commenced on 20 January 2015 and is scheduled to last three weeks. In the Penalty Phase, the District Court will determine the amount of civil penalties owed to the US under the Clean Water Act based on the court's rulings (or ultimate determinations on appeal) in Phases 1 and 2, and the application of the penalty factors under the Clean Water Act. On 7 January 2015, the court established a post-trial briefing schedule for the Penalty Phase under which briefing is to be concluded on 24 April 2015. The District Court has wide discretion in its application of statutory penalty factors.

 

For further information, see pages 257-265 of BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2013 and Note 2 on page 16.

 

Plaintiffs' Steering Committee (PSC) Settlements - Deepwater Horizon Court Supervised Settlement Program (DHCSSP) and interpretation of the Economic and Property Damages Settlement Agreement. As previously disclosed, on 1 August 2014, BP filed a petition for certiorari with the US Supreme Court for review of the Fifth Circuit's decision upholding the District Court's ruling that the Economic and Property Damages Settlement Agreement contained no causation requirement beyond the revenue and related tests set forth in an exhibit to that agreement, as well as a related decision by a different panel of the Fifth Circuit interpreting the Economic and Property Damages Settlement Agreement to permit payment to business economic loss claimants whose losses (if any) were not caused by the spill. On 8 December 2014, the US Supreme Court denied that petition. Accordingly, the effective date of the Economic and Property Damages Settlement Agreement is 8 December 2014, and the final deadline for filing all claims other than those that fall under the Seafood Compensation Program is 8 June 2015.

 

 

Top of page 34

Legal proceedings (continued)


 

On 2 September 2014, BP filed a motion seeking an order removing Patrick Juneau from his roles as Claims Administrator and Settlement Trustee for the Economic and Property Damages Settlement. On 10 November 2014, the District Court denied BP's motion. BP appealed this decision to the Fifth Circuit on 18 November 2014 and oral argument has been scheduled for 3 February 2015.

 

For information about BP's current estimate of the total cost of the PSC settlements, see Note 2 on page 16.

 

PSC settlements - Seafood Compensation Fund (Fund) - Pursuant to the Economic and Property Damages Settlement, BP paid $2.3 billion to the Fund to help resolve economic loss claims related to the Gulf seafood industry, a portion of which has not yet been distributed. On 19 September 2014, the District Court designated-neutrals appointed to preside over the settlement of the seafood program (the Neutrals) submitted to the District Court their report on Recommendations for Seafood Compensation Program Supplement Distribution (Recommendations). The Neutrals observed that there remain some claims against the Fund which have not been paid, and that BP has filed a motion which seeks a return of part of the Fund, on the basis that it is currently impossible to fully distribute the balance of the Fund. The Neutrals recommended that the Court target a $500-million partial distribution in the second round of payments using a proportionate distribution method. The District Court issued an Order filing the Recommendations into the court record and requiring that any objections to or comments on the Recommendations to be filed by 20 October 2014. BP filed a motion asserting that the District Court should not yet order second round distributions on the basis that, amongst other things, the first round distributions are not complete. On 18 November 2014, the District Court approved the Neutrals' Recommendations.

 

Medical Benefits Class Action Settlement (Medical Settlement) - The District Court approved the Medical Settlement Agreement (MSA) in a final order and judgment on 11 January 2013. The effective date was 12 February 2014 and the deadline for submitting claims for Specified Physical Conditions (SPC) under the MSA is 12 February 2015. Claimants filed a motion to extend the date to 12 August 2015. The Medical Claims Administrator issued a policy statement, with which BP agrees, classifying physical conditions first diagnosed after 16 April 2012 as Later-Manifested Physical Conditions (LMPC), requiring a class member seeking compensation to file a notice of intent to sue that allows BP the option to mediate the claim in lieu of litigation. On 23 July 2014, the District Court issued an order affirming the policy statement. On 26 November 2014, the District Court directed the Medical Claims Administrator to issue another policy statement regarding the impact of the release provisions under the MSA on the filing of SPC and LMPC claims, which was filed on 17 December. The court's decision to adopt, modify or reject the policy statement is pending.

 

MDL 2185 and other securities-related litigation

Securities class litigation - The trial of the consolidated securities fraud complaint filed on behalf of a certified class of BP ADS holders who purchased ADSs between 26 April 2010 and 28 May 2010 has been scheduled to commence on 11 January 2016.

 

ERISA - On 30 March 2012, the federal district court in Houston in MDL 2185 issued a decision granting the defendants' motions to dismiss the ERISA case related to BP share funds in several employee benefit savings plans. Final judgment dismissing the case was entered on 4 September 2012 and, on 25 September 2012, the plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the Fifth Circuit. On 15 July 2014, the Fifth Circuit remanded the case to the district court in light of new pleading standards recently set forth by the US Supreme Court. BP opposed that motion. On 15 January 2015, the district court granted in part and denied in part the motion to amend, permitting plaintiffs to amend their complaint to allege some of their proposed claims against certain defendants. Plaintiffs must file an amended complaint by 12 February 2015.

 

For further information about MDL 2185 and other securities-related litigation, see pages 257-264 of BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2013, pages 43-44 of our second-quarter 2014 results announcement and page 35 of our third-quarter 2014 results announcement.

 

 

Top of page 35

Legal proceedings (continued)


 

Other legal proceedings

 

Bolivia - In March 2012 Pan American Energy (PAE) commenced an arbitration proceeding against the Republic of Bolivia (Bolivia) in connection with the expropriation of its shares in Empresa Petrolera Chaco S.A. On 18 December 2014 Bolivia and PAE signed a $357-million settlement agreement and agreed to terminate the arbitration.

 

California False Claims Act matters - On 4 November 2014 the California Attorney General filed a notice in California state court that it was intervening in a previously-sealed California False Claims Act (CFCA) lawsuit filed by relator Christopher Schroen against BP p.l.c., BP Energy Company, BP Corporation North America Inc., BP Products and BPAPC. On 7 January 2015, the California Attorney General filed a complaint in intervention alleging that BP violated the CFCA and the California Unfair Competition Law by falsely and fraudulently overcharging California state entities for natural gas. The relator's complaint makes similar allegations, in addition to individual claims. The complaints seek treble damages, punitive damages, penalties and injunctive relief.

 

US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) matters - The CFTC is currently investigating certain practices relating to crude oil pipeline nominations procedures on Canadian pipelines. On 17 November 2014, the CFTC Enforcement staff notified BP that it intends to recommend an enforcement action naming certain parties, including several BP entities, alleging violations of the anti-fraud and false reporting provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act in connection with these nomination procedures and related trades. On 17 December 2014 BP submitted a detailed defence responding to the allegations in the notice and challenging the CFTC's jurisdiction over the alleged conduct.

 

Investigations by the CFTC and the FERC into BP's trading activities continue to be conducted from time to time.

 

 

Other matters


 

During 2014 the US and the EU have imposed sanctions on certain Russian activities, individuals and entities, including Rosneft. To date, these sanctions have had no material adverse impact on BP or Ruhr Oel GmbH.

 

 

Top of page 36

Cautionary statement


 

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements: The discussion in this results announcement contains certain forecasts, projections and forward-looking statements - that is, statements related to future, not past events - with respect to the financial condition, results of operation and businesses of BP and certain of the plans and objectives of BP with respect to these items. These statements may generally, but not always, be identified by the use of words such as 'will', 'expects', 'is expected to', 'aims', 'should', 'may', 'objective', 'is likely to', 'intends', 'believes', 'anticipates', 'plans', 'we see' or similar expressions. In particular, among other statements, the expected level of organic capital expenditure in 2015; plans regarding the divestment of $10 billion in assets by the end of 2015; the expected quarterly dividend payment and timing of such payment; expectations regarding the underlying effective tax rate during 2015; expectations regarding the 2015 charge for depreciation, depletion and amortization; expectations regarding BP's operatorship in the onshore Nile Delta and future investments in that region; expectations and plans regarding the formation of a new ownership and operating model with Chevron and ConocoPhillips in deepwater Gulf of Mexico; expectations regarding the level of reported production for first quarter 2015 and full year 2015; the expected level of underlying production in full year 2015; expectations regarding the refining environment and the financial impact of refinery turnarounds in 2015; expectations regarding gradual improvement in the petrochemicals margin environment; the expected level of Other businesses and corporate average quarterly charges in 2015; and certain statements regarding the legal and trial proceedings, court decisions, potential investigations and civil actions by regulators, government entities and/or other entities or parties, and the risks associated with such proceedings; are all forward looking in nature. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will or may occur in the future. Actual results may differ from those expressed in such statements, depending on a variety of factors including the timing of bringing new fields onstream; the timing and level of maintenance and/or turnaround activity; the nature, timing and volume of refinery additions and outages; the timing, quantum and nature of divestments; the receipt of relevant third-party and/or regulatory approvals; future levels of industry product supply, demand and pricing; OPEC quota restrictions; PSA effects; operational problems; economic and financial market conditions generally or in various countries and regions; political stability and economic growth in relevant areas of the world; changes in laws and governmental regulations; regulatory or legal actions including court decisions, the types of enforcement action pursued and the nature of remedies sought or imposed; the impact on our reputation following the Gulf of Mexico oil spill; exchange rate fluctuations; development and use of new technology; the success or otherwise of partnering; the actions of competitors, trading partners, creditors, rating agencies and others; natural disasters and adverse weather conditions; changes in public expectations and other changes to business conditions; wars and acts of terrorism, cyber-attacks or sabotage; and other factors discussed under "Principal risks and uncertainties" in our Form 6-K for the period ended 30 June 2014 and under "Risk factors" in BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2013, each as filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Notice to investors: BP has received written comments from the US Securities and Exchange Commission regarding its Form 6-K for the fiscal quarter ended 30 September 2014 in a letter dated 17 December 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contacts


 


London

United States




Press Office

David Nicholas

Scott Dean


+44 (0)20 7496 4708

+1 630 420 4990




Investor Relations

Jessica Mitchell

Craig Marshall

bp.com/investors

+44 (0)20 7496 4962

+1 281 366 3123

 


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