bp201504286k.htm
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
 
 
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
 
 
Form 6-K
 
 
 
Report of Foreign Issuer
 
 
 
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
 
 

 
for the period ended March, 2015


BP p.l.c.
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
 
 

1 ST JAMES'S SQUARE, LONDON, SW1Y 4PD, ENGLAND
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 

Indicate  by check mark  whether the  registrant  files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
 
Form 20-F        |X|          Form 40-F
     ---------------               ----------------
 
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby  furnishing  the  information to the
Commission  pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
     1934.
 
Yes                            No        |X|
      ---------------           ----------------
 

 
Top of page 1
 
BP p.l.c.
Group results
First quarter 2015
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                                        London 28 April 2015
 
 
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
Profit (loss) for the period(a)
 
2,602
(4,407)
3,528
Inventory holding (gains) losses*, net of tax
 
(499)
3,438
(53)
Replacement cost profit (loss)*
 
2,103
(969)
3,475
Net (favourable) unfavourable impact of non-operating items* and fair
       
  value accounting effects*, net of tax
 
474
3,208
(250)
Underlying replacement cost profit*
 
2,577
2,239
3,225
Replacement cost profit (loss)
       
    per ordinary share (cents)
 
11.54
(5.32)
18.80
    per ADS (dollars)
 
0.69
(0.32)
1.13
Underlying replacement cost profit
       
    per ordinary share (cents)
 
14.14
12.28
17.45
    per ADS (dollars)
 
0.85
0.74
1.05
 
  · 
BP's first-quarter replacement cost (RC) profit was $2,103 million, compared with $3,475 million a year ago. After adjusting for a net charge for non-operating items of $413 million and net unfavourable fair value accounting effects of $61 million (both on a post-tax basis), underlying RC profit for the first quarter was $2,577 million, compared with $3,225 million for the same period in 2014. The underlying result for the group was lower, mainly due to reduced profit in Upstream, which was partly offset by an improved result in Downstream, as well as certain favourable tax impacts. The Upstream result for the first quarter was a profit of $604 million comprising a loss of $545 million in the US and a profit of $1,149 million for non-US. This compares with a profit of $4,401 million for Upstream for the first quarter of 2014. 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 27.
 
 · 
All amounts relating to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill have been treated as non-operating items, with a net pre-tax charge of $332 million for the first quarter. 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 31.
 
  · 
Including the impact of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, net cash provided by operating activities for the first quarter was $1.9 billion, compared with $8.2 billion for the same period in 2014. Excluding amounts related to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, net cash provided by operating activities for the first quarter was $2.5 billion, compared with $8.8 billion for the same period in 2014.
 
  · 
Net debt* at 31 March 2015 was $25.1 billion, compared with $25.3 billion a year ago. The net debt ratio* at 31 March 2015 was 18.4%, compared with 16.2% a year ago. Net debt and the net debt ratio are non-GAAP measures. See page 24 for more information.
 
  · 
Total capital expenditure on an accruals basis for the first quarter was $4.5 billion, of which organic capital expenditure* was $4.4 billion, compared with $6.1 billion for the same period in 2014, of which organic capital expenditure was $5.4 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. Transactions to date have reached around $7.1 billion. Disposal proceeds were $1.7 billion for the first quarter. The amounts include proceeds from our Toledo refinery partner, Husky Energy, in place of capital commitments relating to the original divestment transaction that have not been subsequently sanctioned.
 
  · 
The effective tax rate (ETR) on RC profit for the first quarter was -42%, compared with 31% for the same period in 2014. Adjusting for non-operating items and fair value accounting effects, the underlying ETR for the first quarter was -21%, compared with 33% for the same period in 2014. The tax credit for the quarter reflects a one-off deferred tax adjustment as a result of the reduction in the rate of the UK North Sea supplementary charge. The opposite effect was reported in 2011 when the supplementary charge was increased. In the near term we do not expect that there will be any cash flow impact from this change. Excluding this one-off adjustment for the North Sea, the underlying ETR for the first quarter would have been 21% compared with 33% a year ago mainly due to changes in the mix of our profits and certain one-off items, partly offset by foreign exchange effects from a stronger US dollar.
 
  · 
Finance costs and net finance expense relating to pensions and other post-retirement benefits were a charge of $358 million for the first quarter, compared with $367 million for the same period in 2014.
 
  · 
BP today announced a quarterly dividend of 10.00 cents per ordinary share ($0.600 per ADS), which is expected to be paid on 19 June 2015. The corresponding amount in sterling will be announced on 8 June 2015. See page 23 for further information.
 
 
*
 
For items marked with an asterisk throughout this document, definitions are provided in the Glossary on page 29.
(a)    
Profit (loss) attributable to BP shareholders.
 
 
 
The commentaries above should be read in conjunction with the cautionary statement on page 33.
 
 
Top of page 2
 
 
 
 
 
THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
 
 
 
 
Top of page 3
Analysis of RC profit before interest and tax
and reconciliation to profit for the period
 
 
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
RC profit (loss) before interest and tax*
       
  Upstream
 
372
(3,085)
4,659
  Downstream
 
2,083
780
794
  Rosneft
 
183
451
518
  Other businesses and corporate
 
(308)
(647)
(497)
  Gulf of Mexico oil spill response(a)
 
(323)
(468)
(29)
  Consolidation adjustment - UPII*
 
(129)
257
90
RC profit (loss) before interest and tax
 
1,878
(2,712)
5,535
Finance costs and net finance expense relating to pensions and other
       
  post-retirement benefits
 
(358)
(381)
(367)
Taxation on a RC basis
 
632
2,158
(1,602)
Non-controlling interests
 
(49)
(34)
(91)
RC profit (loss) attributable to BP shareholders
 
2,103
(969)
3,475
Inventory holding gains (losses)
 
756
(4,985)
102
Taxation (charge) credit on inventory holding gains and losses
 
(257)
1,547
(49)
Profit (loss) for the period attributable to BP shareholders
 
2,602
(4,407)
3,528
 
 
(a)    
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
 
 
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
Underlying RC profit before interest and tax*
       
  Upstream
 
604
2,246
4,401
  Downstream
 
2,158
1,213
1,011
  Rosneft
 
183
470
271
  Other businesses and corporate
 
(290)
(120)
(489)
  Consolidation adjustment - UPII
 
(129)
257
90
Underlying RC profit before interest and tax
 
2,526
4,066
5,284
Finance costs and net finance expense relating to pensions and other
       
  post-retirement benefits
 
(349)
(372)
(357)
Taxation on an underlying RC basis
 
449
(1,421)
(1,611)
Non-controlling interests
 
(49)
(34)
(91)
Underlying RC profit attributable to BP shareholders
 
2,577
2,239
3,225
 
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
 
 
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
Profit (loss) before interest and tax
 
390
(3,165)
4,653
Inventory holding (gains) losses*
 
(18)
80
6
RC profit (loss) before interest and tax
 
372
(3,085)
4,659
Net (favourable) unfavourable impact of non-operating items* and fair
       
  value accounting effects*
 
232
5,331
(258)
Underlying RC profit before interest and tax*(a)
 
604
2,246
4,401
 
 
(a)    
See page 5 for a reconciliation to segment RC profit before interest and tax by region.
 
Financial results
 
The replacement cost profit before interest and tax for the first quarter was $372 million, compared with $4,659 million for the same period in 2014. The first quarter included a net non-operating charge of $242 million, compared with a net non-operating gain of $276 million a year ago. Fair value accounting effects in the first quarter had a favourable impact of $10 million, compared with an unfavourable impact of $18 million in the same period of 2014.
 
After adjusting for non-operating items and fair value accounting effects, the underlying replacement cost profit before interest and tax for the first quarter was $604 million, compared with $4,401 million for the same period in 2014. The result for the first quarter reflected significantly lower liquids and gas realizations, and lower gas marketing and trading results compared with strong results in the first quarter last year, partly offset by increased production and lower costs. Costs were lower, mainly due to lower exploration write-offs, and also reflecting simplification and efficiency activities, but this was partially offset by rig cancellation costs of $375 million for two deepwater rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. These factors contributed to a $545-million first-quarter loss in the US.
 
Production
 
Production for the quarter was 2,307mboe/d, 8.3% higher than the first quarter of 2014. Underlying production* increased by 3.7%, mainly due to the ramp-up of major projects which started up in 2014.
 
Key events
 
In March, BP announced a gas discovery in the North Damietta Offshore Concession in the East Nile Delta in Egypt at the Atoll-1 Deepwater exploration well (BP 100%). In addition, BP signed final agreements for two West Nile Delta projects Taurus/Libra and Giza/Fayoum/Raven (BP 65%) with an estimated investment of around $12 billion by BP and its partner. Production from West Nile Delta is expected to start in 2017.
 
Following the start of steam generation at the Sunrise Phase 1 in-situ oil sands project in Alberta, Canada (BP 50%) in December 2014, oil production began in March. Production is expected to ramp up to full capacity of 60,000 barrels per day around the end of 2016.
 
On 23 April, BP announced the sale of its equity in the Central Area Transmission System (CATS) business in the UK North Sea to Antin Infrastructure Partners for $486 million. BP is currently the operator of CATS. Subject to the receipt of regulatory and other third-party approvals, BP aims to complete the sale and transfer of operatorship before the end of 2015.
 
Outlook
 
Looking ahead, we expect second-quarter 2015 reported production to be lower than the first quarter, reflecting significant seasonal turnaround and maintenance activity, primarily in the Gulf of Mexico, and PSA* entitlement impacts.
 
 
The commentary above contains forward-looking statements and should be read in conjunction with the cautionary statement on page 33.
 
 
 
Top of page 5
Upstream
 
 
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
Underlying RC profit (loss) before interest and tax
       
US
 
(545)
1,007
731
Non-US
 
1,149
1,239
3,670
   
604
2,246
4,401
Non-operating items
       
US
 
(68)
(30)
(59)
Non-US(a)
 
(174)
(5,527)
335
   
(242)
(5,557)
276
Fair value accounting effects
       
US
 
(3)
152
(49)
Non-US
 
13
74
31
   
10
226
(18)
RC profit (loss) before interest and tax
       
US
 
(616)
1,129
623
Non-US
 
988
(4,214)
4,036
   
372
(3,085)
4,659
Exploration expense
       
US(b)
 
78
426
659
Non-US(c)
 
94
1,029
289
   
172
1,455
948
Production (net of royalties)(d)
       
Liquids* (mb/d)
       
US
 
392
407
396
Europe
 
112
85
106
Rest of World
 
754
656
582
   
1,258
1,149
1,085
Natural gas (mmcf/d)
       
US
 
1,517
1,526
1,478
Europe
 
264
163
199
Rest of World
 
4,307
4,332
4,390
   
6,088
6,021
6,067
Total hydrocarbons* (mboe/d)
       
US
 
653
670
651
Europe
 
158
114
140
Rest of World
 
1,496
1,403
1,339
   
2,307
2,187
2,131
Average realizations*(e)
       
Total liquids ($/bbl)
 
46.79
69.03
97.16
Natural gas ($/mcf)
 
4.44
5.54
6.20
Total hydrocarbons ($/boe)
 
37.00
51.53
66.16
 
 
(a)   
Fourth quarter 2014 includes impairment losses of $5,663 million. See page 26 for more information.
(b)   
Fourth quarter 2014 includes the write-off of costs relating to the Moccasin discovery in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. First quarter 2014 includes a $521-million write-off relating to the Utica shale acreage in Ohio, following the decision not to proceed with development plans.
(c)
Fourth quarter 2014 includes the write-off of $524 million relating to the Bourarhat Sud block licence in the Illizi Basin of Algeria.
(d)
Includes BP's share of production of equity-accounted entities in the Upstream segment.
(e)
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
 
 
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
Profit (loss) before interest and tax
 
2,783
(4,064)
871
Inventory holding (gains) losses*
 
(700)
4,844
(77)
RC profit before interest and tax
 
2,083
780
794
Net (favourable) unfavourable impact of non-operating items* and fair
       
  value accounting effects*
 
75
433
217
Underlying RC profit before interest and tax*(a)
 
2,158
1,213
1,011
 
 
(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 was $2,083 million for the first quarter, compared with $794 million for the same period in 2014. 
 
The first-quarter result includes a net non-operating gain of $37 million, compared with a net non-operating charge of $278 million for the same period in 2014 (see pages 7 and 26 for further information on non-operating items). Fair value accounting effects had unfavourable impacts of $112 million for the first quarter, compared with favourable impacts of $61 million in the same period of 2014. 
 
After adjusting for non-operating items and fair value accounting effects, the underlying replacement cost profit before interest and tax for the first quarter was $2,158 million, compared with $1,011 million for the same period in 2014.   
 
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 $1,796 million for the first quarter compared with $700 million for the same period in 2014. The result reflects a stronger overall refining environment, despite weaker crude oil differentials in the US, increased refining optimization and production and improved marketing performance.  Additionally, the first quarter saw a stronger contribution from oil supply and trading as well as the benefits of our simplification and efficiency programmes resulting in lower costs.     
 
In the quarter we announced the sale of our bitumen business in Australia and completed the sale of our interest in UTA, a European fuel cards business.
 
Lubricants business
 
The lubricants business reported an underlying replacement cost profit before interest and tax of $345 million in the first quarter compared with $307 million in the same period last year. This performance reflects continued momentum in growth markets and improved efficiency resulting in lower costs, partially offset by adverse foreign exchange impacts.
 
Petrochemicals business
 
The petrochemicals business reported an underlying replacement cost profit before interest and tax of $17 million in the first quarter, compared with $4 million in the same period last year. The benefit from lower costs was partially offset by a slightly weaker environment. 
 
In March, we started up the new advanced technology purified terephthalic acid (PTA) plant in Zhuhai, China which will add over one million tonnes of PTA capacity per year.
 
Outlook
 
In the second quarter we expect refining margins to be similar to the first quarter and a significantly higher level of turnaround activity. 
 
 
 
The commentary above contains forward-looking statements and should be read in conjunction with the cautionary statement on page 33.
 
 
Top of page 7
Downstream
 
 
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
Underlying RC profit before interest and tax - by region
       
US
 
661
338
412
Non-US
 
1,497
875
599
   
2,158
1,213
1,011
Non-operating items
       
US
 
(4)
(337)
(1)
Non-US
 
41
(453)
(277)
   
37
(790)
(278)
Fair value accounting effects
       
US
 
(127)
379
91
Non-US
 
15
(22)
(30)
   
(112)
357
61
RC profit before interest and tax
       
US
 
530
380
502
Non-US
 
1,553
400
292
   
2,083
780
794
Underlying RC profit before interest and tax - by business(a)(b)
       
Fuels
 
1,796
925
700
Lubricants
 
345
313
307
Petrochemicals
 
17
(25)
4
   
2,158
1,213
1,011
Non-operating items and fair value accounting effects(c)
       
Fuels
 
(60)
(383)
(217)
Lubricants
 
(14)
(45)
-
Petrochemicals
 
(1)
(5)
-
   
(75)
(433)
(217)
RC profit (loss) before interest and tax(a)(b)
       
Fuels
 
1,736
542
483
Lubricants
 
331
268
307
Petrochemicals
 
16
(30)
4
   
2,083
780
794
         
BP average refining marker margin (RMM)* ($/bbl)
 
15.2
13.0
13.3
Refinery throughputs (mb/d)
       
US
 
623
657
614
Europe
 
805
807
798
Rest of World
 
324
318
308
   
1,752
1,782
1,720
Refining availability* (%)
 
94.3
94.8
95.0
Marketing sales of refined products (mb/d)
       
US
 
1,098
1,166
1,120
Europe
 
1,174
1,173
1,139
Rest of World
 
607
534
545
   
2,879
2,873
2,804
Trading/supply sales of refined products
 
2,544
2,470
2,416
Total sales volumes of refined products
 
5,423
5,343
5,220
Petrochemicals production (kte)
       
US
 
905
872
1,071
Europe
 
972
937
972
Rest of World
 
1,663
1,719
1,422
   
3,540
3,528
3,465
 
 
(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
 
 
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015(a)
2014
2014
Profit before interest and tax(b)
 
221
390
549
Inventory holding (gains) losses*
 
(38)
61
(31)
RC profit before interest and tax
 
183
451
518
Net charge (credit) for non-operating items*
 
-
19
(247)
Underlying RC profit before interest and tax*
 
183
470
271
 
Replacement cost profit before interest and tax for the first quarter was $183 million, compared with $518 million for the same period in 2014.
 
There were no non-operating items in the first quarter of 2015 and a non-operating gain of $247 million in the first quarter of 2014.
 
After adjusting for non-operating items, the underlying replacement cost profit for the first quarter was $183 million, compared with $271 million for the same period in 2014. Compared with the first quarter 2014, the result was affected by lower oil prices and the unfavourable impact of changes in minerals extraction tax and export duty rates offset by favourable foreign exchange effects.
 
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.
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
   
2015(a)
2014
2014
Production (net of royalties) (BP share)
       
Liquids* (mb/d)
 
816
819
829
Natural gas (mmcf/d)
 
1,225
1,203
1,023
Total hydrocarbons* (mboe/d)
 
1,027
1,027
1,006
 
 
(a)
The operational and financial information of the Rosneft segment for the first quarter is based on preliminary operational and financial results of Rosneft for the three months ended 31 March 2015. 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. These adjustments have increased the reported profit for the first quarter 2015, as shown in the table above, compared with the equivalent amount in Russian roubles that we expect Rosneft to report in its own financial statements under IFRS. BP's share of Rosneft's profit before interest and tax for each year-to-date period is calculated by translating the amounts reported in Russian roubles into US dollars using the average exchange rate for the year to date.
 
 
Top of page 9
Other businesses and corporate
 
 
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
Profit (loss) before interest and tax
 
(308)
(647)
(497)
Inventory holding (gains) losses*
 
-
-
-
RC profit (loss) before interest and tax
 
(308)
(647)
(497)
Net charge (credit) for non-operating items*
 
18
527
8
Underlying RC profit (loss) before interest and tax*
 
(290)
(120)
(489)
Underlying RC profit (loss) before interest and tax
       
US
 
(62)
(167)
(99)
Non-US
 
(228)
47
(390)
   
(290)
(120)
(489)
Non-operating items
       
US
 
(1)
(219)
(1)
Non-US
 
(17)
(308)
(7)
   
(18)
(527)
(8)
RC profit (loss) before interest and tax
       
US
 
(63)
(386)
(100)
Non-US
 
(245)
(261)
(397)
   
(308)
(647)
(497)
 
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 first quarter was $308 million, compared with $497 million for the same period in 2014.
 
The first-quarter result included a net non-operating charge of $18 million, compared with a net charge of $8 million a year ago.
 
After adjusting for non-operating items, the underlying replacement cost loss before interest and tax for the first quarter was $290 million, compared with $489 million for the same period in 2014.
 
The lower charge in the first quarter results from improved business performance and lower corporate and functional costs compared with the same period in 2014.
 
Biofuels
 
The first quarter is the inter-harvest period in Brazil so our three operating mills were on planned turnaround; hence there was no production.
 
Wind
 
Net wind generation capacity*(a) was 1,588MW at 31 March 2015, compared with 1,590MW at 31 March 2014. BP's net share of wind generation for the first quarter was 1,128GWh, compared with 1,292GWh for the same period in 2014.
 
 
(a)
Capacity figures include 32MW in the Netherlands managed by our Downstream segment.
 
 
Top of page 10
Gulf of Mexico oil spill
 
 
 
Financial update
 
The replacement cost loss before interest and tax for the first quarter was $323 million, compared with $29 million for the same period last year. The first-quarter loss reflects additional business economic loss claims under the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee settlement, as well as the ongoing costs of the Gulf Coast Restoration Organization. The cumulative pre-tax charge recognized to date amounts to $43.8 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 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, the cumulative charges to be paid from the Trust, and the associated reimbursement asset recognized, reached $20 billion during 2014. Subsequent additional costs are being charged to the income statement as incurred. See Note 2 on page 16 for further details.
 
During the first quarter, $472 million was paid out of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Trust (the Trust) and qualified settlement funds (QSFs), including $435 million for claims payments, administrative costs of the Deepwater Horizon Court Supervised Settlement Program (DHCSSP) and other resolved items, and $37 million for natural resource damage early restoration projects and assessment. At 31 March 2015, the aggregate cash balances in the Trust and the QSFs amounted to $4.3 billion, including $0.8 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
 
In March 2015, following a detailed review of internal controls and fraud prevention and detection measures at the DHCSSP, which was facilitated by Special Master Louis Freeh, BP withdrew its appeal related to its motion to remove the claims administrator. This action is contributing to a more constructive relationship with the claims programme.
 
The penalty phase of the Trial of Liability, Limitation, Exoneration and Fault Allocation in the Federal multi-district litigation proceeding in New Orleans (MDL 2179) concluded in February 2015. 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. Post-trial briefing on the penalty phase concluded on 24 April 2015 and the court could issue its decision at any time.
 
For further details, see Legal proceedings on page 31.
 
 
Top of page 11
Financial statements
 
 
 
Group income statement
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
         
Sales and other operating revenues (Note 4)
 
54,196
73,997
91,710
Earnings from joint ventures - after interest and tax
 
104
181
115
Earnings from associates - after interest and tax
 
362
519
783
Interest and other income
 
120
238
331
Gains on sale of businesses and fixed assets
 
138
161
49
Total revenues and other income
 
54,920
75,096
92,988
Purchases
 
37,936
60,411
71,468
Production and manufacturing expenses
 
7,000
7,002
6,831
Production and similar taxes (Note 5)
 
362
412
986
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
3,836
3,866
3,590
Impairment and losses on sale of businesses and fixed assets
 
197
6,768
426
Exploration expense
 
172
1,455
948
Distribution and administration expenses
 
2,783
2,879
3,102
Profit (loss) before interest and taxation
 
2,634
(7,697)
5,637
Finance costs
 
281
299
287
Net finance expense relating to pensions and other post-retirement benefits
 
77
82
80
Profit (loss) before taxation
 
2,276
(8,078)
5,270
Taxation
 
(375)
(3,705)
1,651
Profit (loss) for the period
 
2,651
(4,373)
3,619
Attributable to
       
  BP shareholders
 
2,602
(4,407)
3,528
  Non-controlling interests
 
49
34
91
   
2,651
(4,373)
3,619
         
Earnings per share (Note 6)
       
Profit (loss) for the period attributable to BP shareholders
       
  Per ordinary share (cents)
       
    Basic
 
14.28
(24.18)
19.09
    Diluted
 
14.21
(24.18)
18.97
  Per ADS (dollars)
       
    Basic
 
0.86
(1.45)
1.15
    Diluted
 
0.85
(1.45)
1.14
 
 
Top of page 12
Financial statements (continued)
 
 
 
Group statement of comprehensive income
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
         
Profit (loss) for the period
 
2,651
(4,373)
3,619
Other comprehensive income
       
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
       
  Currency translation differences
 
(1,612)
(3,496)
(913)
  Exchange gains (losses) on translation of foreign operations reclassified
       
    to gain or loss on sale of businesses and fixed assets
 
-
54
-
  Available-for-sale investments marked to market
 
-
-
(3)
  Cash flow hedges marked to market
 
(212)
(111)
23
  Cash flow hedges reclassified to the income statement
 
74
17
(20)
  Cash flow hedges reclassified to the balance sheet
 
5
-
(1)
  Share of items relating to equity-accounted entities, net of tax(a)
 
(80)
(2,418)
(73)
  Income tax relating to items that may be reclassified
 
124
151
-
   
(1,701)
(5,803)
(987)
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss
       
  Remeasurements of the net pension and other post-retirement benefit
       
    liability or asset
 
(568)
(2,825)
(936)
  Share of items relating to equity-accounted entities, net of tax
 
-
(1)
5
  Income tax relating to items that will not be reclassified
 
158
856
294
   
(410)
(1,970)
(637)
Other comprehensive income
 
(2,111)
(7,773)
(1,624)
Total comprehensive income
 
540
(12,146)
1,995
Attributable to
       
  BP shareholders
 
513
(12,155)
1,903
  Non-controlling interests
 
27
9
92
   
540
(12,146)
1,995
 
 
(a)
Includes the effects of hedge accounting adopted by Rosneft from 1 October 2014 in relation to a portion of future export revenue denominated in US dollars. For further information see BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2014 - Financial statements - Note 15.
 
 
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 2015
 
111,441
1,201
112,642
         
Total comprehensive income
 
513
27
540
Dividends
 
(1,709)
(12)
(1,721)
Share-based payments, net of tax
 
51
-
51
Transactions involving non-controlling interests
 
-
(3)
(3)
At 31 March 2015
 
110,296
1,213
111,509
         
   
BP
   
   
shareholders'
Non-controlling
Total
$ million
 
equity
interests
equity
         
At 1 January 2014
 
129,302
1,105
130,407
         
Total comprehensive income
 
1,903
92
1,995
Dividends
 
(1,426)
(79)
(1,505)
Repurchases of ordinary share capital
 
(1,026)
-
(1,026)
Share-based payments, net of tax
 
327
-
327
Transactions involving non-controlling interests
 
-
2
2
At 31 March 2014
 
129,080
1,120
130,200
 
 
Top of page 14
Financial statements (continued)
 
 
 
Group balance sheet
 
 
   
31 March
31 December
$ million
 
2015
2014
Non-current assets
     
Property, plant and equipment
 
129,113
130,692
Goodwill
 
11,633
11,868
Intangible assets
 
20,809
20,907
Investments in joint ventures
 
8,871
8,753
Investments in associates
 
10,312
10,403
Other investments
 
1,133
1,228
Fixed assets
 
181,871
183,851
Loans
 
599
659
Trade and other receivables
 
4,334
4,787
Derivative financial instruments
 
4,829
4,442
Prepayments
 
968
964
Deferred tax assets
 
2,349
2,309
Defined benefit pension plan surpluses
 
31
31
   
194,981
197,043
Current assets
     
Loans
 
374
333
Inventories
 
18,925
18,373
Trade and other receivables
 
28,756
31,038
Derivative financial instruments
 
4,103
5,165
Prepayments
 
1,736
1,424
Current tax receivable
 
793
837
Other investments
 
309
329
Cash and cash equivalents
 
32,434
29,763
   
87,430
87,262
Total assets
 
282,411
284,305
Current liabilities
     
Trade and other payables
 
37,817
40,118
Derivative financial instruments
 
3,167
3,689
Accruals
 
5,777
7,102
Finance debt
 
8,538
6,877
Current tax payable
 
1,977
2,011
Provisions
 
3,495
3,818
   
60,771
63,615
Non-current liabilities
     
Other payables
 
2,941
3,587
Derivative financial instruments
 
4,425
3,199
Accruals
 
858
861
Finance debt
 
49,193
45,977
Deferred tax liabilities
 
12,903
13,893
Provisions
 
28,569
29,080
Defined benefit pension plan and other post-retirement benefit plan deficits
 
11,242
11,451
   
110,131
108,048
Total liabilities
 
170,902
171,663
Net assets
 
111,509
112,642
Equity
     
BP shareholders' equity
 
110,296
111,441
Non-controlling interests
 
1,213
1,201
   
111,509
112,642
 
 
Top of page 15
Financial statements (continued)
 
 
 
Condensed group cash flow statement
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
Operating activities
       
Profit (loss) before taxation
 
2,276
(8,078)
5,270
Adjustments to reconcile profit (loss) before taxation to net cash
       
  provided by operating activities
       
  Depreciation, depletion and amortization and exploration
       
    expenditure written off
 
3,928
5,215
4,422
  Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses and fixed assets
 
59
6,607
377
  Earnings from equity-accounted entities, less dividends received
 
(276)
(224)
(684)
  Net charge for interest and other finance expense, less net interest paid
 
129
49
170
  Share-based payments
 
(238)
(58)
106
  Net operating charge for pensions and other post-retirement benefits,
       
    less contributions and benefit payments for unfunded plans
 
(57)
(664)
(102)
  Net charge for provisions, less payments
 
388
551
(193)
  Movements in inventories and other current and non-current
       
    assets and liabilities
 
(3,858)
4,842
(315)
  Income taxes paid
 
(493)
(993)
(820)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
1,858
7,247
8,231
Investing activities
       
Capital expenditure
 
(4,636)
(5,900)
(5,891)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 
-
(118)
(10)
Investment in joint ventures
 
(69)
(65)
(33)
Investment in associates
 
(87)
(128)
(88)
Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets
 
653
224
978
Proceeds from disposal of businesses, net of cash disposed
 
1,087
880
26
Proceeds from loan repayments
 
3
48
17
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(3,049)
(5,059)
(5,001)
Financing activities
       
Net repurchase of shares
 
-
(793)
(1,726)
Proceeds from long-term financing
 
7,788
2,779
5,979
Repayments of long-term financing
 
(2,307)
(2,937)
(1,237)
Net increase (decrease) in short-term debt
 
725
(186)
77
Net increase in non-controlling interests
 
-
9
-
Dividends paid 
- BP shareholders
 
(1,709)
(1,729)
(1,427)
 
- non-controlling interests
 
(12)
(40)
(13)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
4,485
(2,897)
1,653
Currency translation differences relating to cash and cash equivalents
 
(623)
(257)
(45)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
2,671
(966)
4,838
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
29,763
30,729
22,520
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
32,434
29,763
27,358
 
 
Top of page 16
Financial statements (continued)
 
 
 
Notes
 
1.       Basis of preparation
 
The interim financial information included in this report has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting'.
 
The results for the interim periods 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 2014 included in the BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2014.
 
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. 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 2015, which do not differ significantly from those used in BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2014.
 
 
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 2014 - Financial statements - Note 2 and Legal proceedings on page 228 and on page 31 of this report.
 
The group income statement includes a pre-tax charge of $332 million for the first quarter in relation to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The first-quarter charge reflects additional business economic loss claims under the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee (PSC) settlement 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 $43,827 million.
 
The cumulative income statement charge does not include amounts for obligations that BP currently considers are not possible, at this time, to measure reliably. For further information, see Provisions below.
 
The total amounts that will ultimately be paid by BP in relation 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.
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
Income statement
       
Production and manufacturing expenses
 
323
468
29
Profit (loss) before interest and taxation
 
(323)
(468)
(29)
Finance costs
 
9
9
10
Profit (loss) before taxation
 
(332)
(477)
(39)
Taxation
 
112
163
10
Profit (loss) for the period
 
(220)
(314)
(29)
 
 
Top of page 17
Financial statements (continued)
 
 
 
Notes
 
2.       Gulf of Mexico oil spill (continued)
 
 
   
31 March
31 December
$ million
 
2015
2014
Balance sheet
     
Current assets
     
  Trade and other receivables
 
1,079
1,154
Current liabilities
     
  Trade and other payables
 
(724)
(655)
  Provisions
 
(1,562)
(1,702)
Net current assets (liabilities)
 
(1,207)
(1,203)
Non-current assets
     
  Trade and other receivables
 
2,304
2,701
Non-current liabilities
     
  Other payables
 
(2,098)
(2,412)
  Accruals
 
(154)
(169)
  Provisions
 
(6,472)
(6,903)
  Deferred tax
 
1,835
1,723
Net non-current assets (liabilities)
 
(4,585)
(5,060)
Net assets (liabilities)
 
(5,792)
(6,263)
 
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
Cash flow statement - Operating activities
       
Profit (loss) before taxation
 
(332)
(477)
(39)
Adjustments to reconcile profit (loss) before taxation to net cash
       
  provided by operating activities
       
  Net charge for interest and other finance expense, less net
       
    interest paid
 
9
9
10
  Net charge for provisions, less payments
 
227
334
(97)
  Movements in inventories and other current and non-current
       
    assets and liabilities
 
(595)
3
(578)
Pre-tax cash flows
 
(691)
(131)
(704)
 
Net cash from operating activities relating to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, on a post-tax basis, amounted to an outflow of $691 million in the first quarter. For the first quarter and fourth quarter of 2014, the amounts were an outflow of $584 million and an inflow of $304 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. During 2014, cumulative charges to be paid by the Trust reached $20 billion. Subsequent additional costs, over and above those provided within the $20 billion, are expensed to the income statement as incurred.
 
At 31 March 2015, $3,383 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, of which $1,079 million is classified as current and $2,304 million as non-current. During the first quarter of 2015, $470 million of provisions and $2 million of payables were paid from the Trust.
 
At 31 March 2015, the aggregate cash balances in the Trust and the associated qualifying settlement funds amounted to $4.3 billion, including $0.8 billion remaining in the seafood compensation fund which has yet to be distributed and $0.4 billion held for natural resource damage early restoration projects. 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.
 
 
Top of page 18
Financial statements (continued)
 
 
 
Notes
 
2.       Gulf of Mexico oil spill (continued)
 
(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 2014 - 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 first quarter are presented in the table below.
 
 
       
Litigation
Clean
 
       
and
Water Act
 
$ million 
 
Environmental
claims
penalties
Total
At 1 January 2015
 
1,141
3,954
3,510
8,605
Net increase in provision
 
1
294
-
295
Unwinding of discount
 
1
-
-
1
Reclassified to other payables
 
(329)
-
-
(329)
Utilization
- paid by BP
 
(19)
(49)
-
(68)
              
- paid by the trust fund
 
(35)
(435)
-
(470)
At 31 March 2015
 
760
3,764
3,510
8,034
Of which
- current
 
405
1,157
-
1,562
              
- non-current
 
355
2,607
3,510
6,472
 
Environmental
 
The environmental provision includes amounts for estimated natural resource damage assessment costs and natural resource damage early restoration projects under the $1-billion framework agreement with natural resource trustees for the US and five Gulf coast states. 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). Amounts that cannot be measured reliably and which have therefore not been provided for are described under Contingent liabilities below. Claims administration costs and legal costs have also been provided for. The timing of payment of litigation and claims provisions classified as non-current is dependent upon ongoing legal and claims facility activity and is therefore uncertain.
 
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 2014, 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 228-237 of BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2014 and page 31 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, as described further below.
 
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 in the short term regarding the volume of claims, 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.
 
 
Top of page 19
Financial statements (continued)
 
 
 
Notes
 
2.       Gulf of Mexico oil spill (continued)
 
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 specialized 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.
 
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, including amounts already paid, is $10.3 billion. The DHCSSP has issued eligibility notices, most of which are disputed by BP, in respect of business economic loss claims of approximately $377 million which have not been provided for. 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 $10.3 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 228-237 of BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2014 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 31 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 and in relation to future legal costs.
 
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 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 the finding of gross negligence and wilful misconduct and in December 2014 filed notice of appeal of the Phase 1 ruling.
 
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. The estimates of cumulative discharge presented by experts testifying in the Phase 2 trial varied significantly. BPXP and the Department of Justice have appealed the district court's ruling with regard to the quantity of oil discharged. Other parties have also appealed the Phase 2 ruling. Therefore, the findings from the Phase 2 trial remain subject to uncertainty.
 
BP continues to believe that a provision of $3,510 million represents a reliable estimate of the amount of the liability if the appeal of the Phase 1 ruling is successful and this provision, calculated on the basis of the previous assumptions, has been maintained in the accounts.
 
 
Top of page 20
Financial statements (continued)
 
 
 
Notes
 
2.       Gulf of Mexico oil spill (continued)
 
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, which as noted above is also subject to appeal, 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. Post-trial briefing on the trial phase to determine the amount of the Clean Water Act penalty concluded on 24 April 2015 and the court could issue its decision at any time.
 
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 the pending appeals 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 2014 - Financial statements - Note 2 for further details and Legal proceedings on pages 228-237 and on page 31 of this report.
 
Provision movements and analysis of income statement charge
A net increase in provisions of $295 million for the first quarter arises primarily due to increases in the provision for business economic loss claims. The following table shows an analysis of the income statement charge.
 
 
   
First
Fourth
Cumulative
   
quarter
quarter
since the
$ million 
 
2015
2014
incident
Environmental costs
 
1
2
3,224
Spill response costs
 
-
-
14,304
Litigation and claims costs
 
294
435
27,074
Clean Water Act penalties - amount provided
 
-
-
3,510
Other costs charged directly to the income statement
 
28
31
1,285
Recoveries credited to the income statement
 
-
-
(5,681)
Charge (credit) related to the trust fund
 
-
-
(137)
Other costs of the trust fund
 
-
-
8
Loss before interest and taxation
 
323
468
43,587
Finance costs
- related to the trust funds
 
-
-
137
 
- not related to the trust funds
 
9
9
103
Loss before taxation
 
332
477
43,827
 
Further information on provisions is provided in BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2014 - Financial statements - Note 2.
 
 
Top of page 21
Financial statements (continued)
 
 
 
Notes
 
2.       Gulf of Mexico oil spill (continued)
 
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 228-237 of BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2014 and page 31 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, or if any appeal of the Phase 2 ruling results in the determination of a higher volume of oil discharged.
 
  ·  
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).
 
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 2014 - Financial statements - Note 2.
 
3.        Analysis of replacement cost profit before interest and tax and reconciliation to
           profit before taxation
 
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
Upstream
 
372
(3,085)
4,659
Downstream
 
2,083
780
794
Rosneft
 
183
451
518
Other businesses and corporate
 
(308)
(647)
(497)
   
2,330
(2,501)
5,474
Gulf of Mexico oil spill response
 
(323)
(468)
(29)
Consolidation adjustment - UPII*
 
(129)
257
90
RC profit (loss) before interest and tax
 
1,878
(2,712)
5,535
Inventory holding gains (losses)*
       
  Upstream
 
18
(80)
(6)
  Downstream
 
700
(4,844)
77
  Rosneft (net of tax)
 
38
(61)
31
Profit (loss) before interest and tax
 
2,634
(7,697)
5,637
Finance costs
 
281
299
287
Net finance expense relating to pensions and other
       
  post-retirement benefits
 
77
82
80
Profit (loss) before taxation
 
2,276
(8,078)
5,270
         
RC profit (loss) before interest and tax*
       
US
 
(497)
683
1,125
Non-US
 
2,375
(3,395)
4,410
   
1,878
(2,712)
5,535
 
 
Top of page 22
Financial statements (continued)
 
 
 
Notes
 
4.        Sales and other operating revenues
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
By segment
       
Upstream
 
11,630
15,800
17,006
Downstream
 
48,125
65,249
84,298
Other businesses and corporate
 
428
616
431
   
60,183
81,665
101,735
         
Less: sales and other operating revenues between segments
       
Upstream
 
5,563
8,270
9,217
Downstream
 
176
(814)
562
Other businesses and corporate
 
248
212
246
   
5,987
7,668
10,025
         
Third party sales and other operating revenues
       
Upstream
 
6,067
7,530
7,789
Downstream
 
47,949
66,063
83,736
Other businesses and corporate
 
180
404
185
Total third party sales and other operating revenues
 
54,196
73,997
91,710
         
By geographical area
       
US
 
18,841
27,300
34,825
Non-US
 
38,688
51,933
66,305
   
57,529
79,233
101,130
Less: sales and other operating revenues between areas
 
3,333
5,236
9,420
   
54,196
73,997
91,710
 
 
5.     Production and similar taxes
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
US
 
34
56
279
Non-US
 
328
356
707
   
362
412
986
 
 
6.        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.
 
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.
Top of page 23
Financial statements (continued)
 
 
 
Notes
 
6.        Earnings per share and shares in issue (continued)
 
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.
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
Results for the period
       
Profit (loss) for the period attributable to BP shareholders
 
2,602
(4,407)
3,528
Less: preference dividend
 
-
1
-
Profit (loss) attributable to BP ordinary shareholders
 
2,602
(4,408)
3,528
         
Number of shares (thousand)(a)
       
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding
 
18,220,486
18,232,147
18,480,826
ADS equivalent
 
3,036,747
3,038,691
3,080,137
         
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used
       
  to calculate diluted earnings per share
 
18,309,730
18,332,091
18,594,518
ADS equivalent
 
3,051,621
3,055,348
3,099,086
         
Shares in issue at period-end
 
18,249,422
18,199,882
18,457,009
ADS equivalent
 
3,041,570
3,033,313
3,076,168
 
 
(a)
Excludes treasury shares and includes certain shares that will be issued in the future under employee share-based payment plans.
 
 
7.        Dividends
 
Dividends payable
 
BP today announced an interim dividend of 10.00 cents per ordinary share which is expected to be paid on 19 June 2015 to shareholders and American Depositary Share (ADS) holders on the register on 8 May 2015. The corresponding amount in sterling is due to be announced on 8 June 2015, calculated based on the average of the market exchange rates for the four dealing days commencing on 2 June 2015. Holders of ADSs are expected to receive $0.600 per ADS. With effect from and including this dividend, an annual fee of $0.02 per ADS (or $0.005 per ADS per quarter) will be charged. 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 first-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
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
   
2015
2014
2014
Dividends paid per ordinary share
       
  cents
 
10.000
10.000
9.500
  pence
 
6.670
6.377
5.707
Dividends paid per ADS (cents)
 
60.00
60.00
57.00
Scrip dividends
       
Number of shares issued (millions)
 
15.7
13.7
40.2
Value of shares issued ($ million)
 
109
95
326
 
 
Top of page 24
Financial statements (continued)
 
 
 
Notes
 
8.       Net debt*
 
Net debt ratio*
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
Gross debt
 
57,731
52,854
53,249
Fair value asset of hedges related to finance debt(a)
 
(174)
(445)
(633)
   
57,557
52,409
52,616
Less: cash and cash equivalents
 
32,434
29,763
27,358
Net debt
 
25,123
22,646
25,258
Equity
 
111,509
112,642
130,200
Net debt ratio
 
18.4%
16.7%
16.2%
 
 
Analysis of changes in net debt
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
Opening balance
       
Finance debt
 
52,854
53,610
48,192
Fair value asset of hedges related to finance debt(a)
 
(445)
(434)
(477)
Less: cash and cash equivalents
 
29,763
30,729
22,520
Opening net debt
 
22,646
22,447
25,195
Closing balance
       
Finance debt
 
57,731
52,854
53,249
Fair value asset of hedges related to finance debt(a)
 
(174)
(445)
(633)
Less: cash and cash equivalents
 
32,434
29,763
27,358
Closing net debt
 
25,123
22,646
25,258
Decrease (increase) in net debt
 
(2,477)
(199)
(63)
Movement in cash and cash equivalents
       
  (excluding exchange adjustments)
 
3,294
(709)
4,883
Net cash outflow (inflow) from financing
       
  (excluding share capital and dividends)
 
(6,206)
344
(4,819)
Other movements
 
11
(3)
(118)
Movement in net debt before exchange effects
 
(2,901)
(368)
(54)
Exchange adjustments
 
424
169
(9)
Decrease (increase) in net debt
 
(2,477)
(199)
(63)
 
 
(a)
Derivative financial instruments entered into for the purpose of managing interest rate and foreign currency exchange risk associated with net debt with a fair value liability position of $1,650 million (fourth quarter 2014 liability of $774 million and first quarter 2014 asset of $44 million) are not included in the calculation of net debt shown above as hedge accounting was not applied for these instruments.
 
 
9.     Inventory valuation
 
A provision of $797 million was held at 31 March 2015 ($2,879 million at 31 December 2014 and $410 million at 31 March 2014) to write inventories down to their net realizable value. The net movement credited to the income statement during the first quarter 2015 was $2,024 million (fourth quarter 2014 was a charge of $1,924 million and first quarter 2014 was a charge of $88 million).
 
 
10.    Statutory accounts
 
The financial information shown in this publication, which was approved by the Board of Directors on 27 April 2015, is unaudited and does not constitute statutory financial statements. BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2014 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 25
Additional information
 
 
 
Capital expenditure and acquisitions
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
By segment
       
Upstream
       
US
 
1,135
1,560
1,698
Non-US(a)
 
2,896
3,546
3,699
   
4,031
5,106
5,397
Downstream
       
US
 
145
265
206
Non-US
 
199
984
344
   
344
1,249
550
Other businesses and corporate
       
US
 
16
38
3
Non-US
 
74
341
135
   
90
379
138
   
4,465
6,734
6,085
By geographical area
       
US
 
1,296
1,863
1,907
Non-US(a)
 
3,169
4,871
4,178
   
4,465
6,734
6,085
Included above:
       
Acquisitions and asset exchanges
 
28
150
236
Other inorganic capital expenditure(a)
 
-
27
442
 
 
(a)
First quarter and fourth quarter 2014 include $442 million and $27 million respectively relating to the purchase of additional 3.3% equity in Shah Deniz, Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus Pipeline.
 
Capital expenditure shown in the table above is presented on an accruals basis.
 
 
Top of page 26
Additional information (continued)
 
 
 
Non-operating items*
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
Upstream
       
Impairment and gain (loss) on sale of businesses and fixed assets(a)
 
(113)
(5,685)
(116)
Environmental and other provisions
 
11
(1)
-
Restructuring, integration and rationalization costs
 
(181)
(100)
-
Fair value gain (loss) on embedded derivatives
 
41
187
98
Other
 
-
42
294
   
(242)
(5,557)
276
Downstream
       
Impairment and gain (loss) on sale of businesses and fixed assets
 
66
(614)
(255)
Environmental and other provisions
 
-
(5)
-
Restructuring, integration and rationalization costs
 
(28)
(158)
(1)
Fair value gain (loss) on embedded derivatives
 
-
-
-
Other
 
(1)
(13)
(22)
   
37
(790)
(278)
Rosneft
       
Impairment and gain (loss) on sale of businesses and fixed assets
 
-
(19)
247
Environmental and other provisions
 
-
-
-
Restructuring, integration and rationalization costs
 
-
-
-
Fair value gain (loss) on embedded derivatives
 
-
-
-
Other
 
-
-
-
   
-
(19)
247
Other businesses and corporate
       
Impairment and gain (loss) on sale of businesses and fixed assets
 
(12)
(308)
(6)
Environmental and other provisions
 
-
(35)
-
Restructuring, integration and rationalization costs
 
(6)
(175)
(1)
Fair value gain (loss) on embedded derivatives
 
-
-
-
Other
 
-
(9)
(1)
   
(18)
(527)
(8)
Gulf of Mexico oil spill response
 
(323)
(468)
(29)
Total before interest and taxation
 
(546)
(7,361)
208
Finance costs(b)
 
(9)
(9)
(10)
Total before taxation
 
(555)
(7,370)
198
Taxation credit (charge)(c)
 
142
3,805
26
Total after taxation for period
 
(413)
(3,565)
224
 
 
(a)
The main elements of Upstream fourth quarter 2014 impairment losses were in the North Sea ($4,518 million) and in Angola ($968 million).
(b)
Finance costs relate to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. See Note 2 for further details.
(c)
Non-operating items reported within the equity-accounted earnings of Rosneft are reported net of income tax.
 
 
Top of page 27
Additional information (continued)
 
 
 
Non-GAAP information on fair value accounting effects
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
Favourable (unfavourable) impact relative to management's
       
  measure of performance
       
Upstream
 
10
226
(18)
Downstream
 
(112)
357
61
   
(102)
583
43
Taxation credit (charge)
 
41
(226)
(17)
   
(61)
357
26
 
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 is 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.
 
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
$ million
 
2015
2014
2014
Upstream
       
Replacement cost profit (loss) before interest and tax adjusted for fair value
       
  accounting effects
 
362
(3,311)
4,677
Impact of fair value accounting effects
 
10
226
(18)
Replacement cost profit (loss) before interest and tax
 
372
(3,085)
4,659
Downstream
       
Replacement cost profit before interest and tax adjusted for fair value
       
  accounting effects
 
2,195
423
733
Impact of fair value accounting effects
 
(112)
357
61
Replacement cost profit before interest and tax
 
2,083
780
794
Total group
       
Profit (loss) before interest and tax adjusted for fair value accounting effects
 
2,736
(8,280)
5,594
Impact of fair value accounting effects
 
(102)
583
43
Profit (loss) before interest and tax
 
2,634
(7,697)
5,637
 
 
Top of page 28
Additional information (continued)
 
 
 
Realizations* and marker prices
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
   
2015
2014
2014
Average realizations(a)
       
Liquids* ($/bbl)
       
US
 
46.24
71.41
89.81
Europe
 
52.28
71.10
104.10
Rest of World
 
46.13
66.61
102.69
BP Average
 
46.79
69.03
97.16
Natural gas ($/mcf)
       
US
 
2.39
3.30
4.62
Europe
 
7.32
8.19
9.76
Rest of World
 
5.05
6.33
6.62
BP Average
 
4.44
5.54
6.20
Total hydrocarbons* ($/boe)
       
US
 
33.20
51.92
65.70
Europe
 
49.35
65.35
92.63
Rest of World
 
37.41
49.88
62.76
BP Average
 
37.00
51.53
66.16
Average oil marker prices ($/bbl)
       
Brent
 
53.94
76.58
108.21
West Texas Intermediate
 
48.49
73.62
98.69
Western Canadian Select
 
36.69
57.47
76.98
Alaska North Slope
 
51.95
74.66
105.73
Mars
 
49.15
72.69
100.83
Urals (NWE - cif)
 
52.59
75.19
106.24
Average natural gas marker prices
       
Henry Hub gas price ($/mmBtu)(b)
 
2.99
4.04
4.95
UK Gas - National Balancing Point (p/therm)
 
47.90
52.83
60.28
 
 
(a)
Based on sales of consolidated subsidiaries only - this excludes equity-accounted entities.
(b)
Henry Hub First of Month Index.
 
Exchange rates
 
   
First
Fourth
First
   
quarter
quarter
quarter
   
2015
2014
2014
$/£ average rate for the period
 
1.51
1.58
1.65
$/£ period-end rate
 
1.48
1.56
1.66
         
$/€ average rate for the period
 
1.12
1.25
1.37
$/€ period-end rate
 
1.08
1.22
1.38
         
Rouble/$ average rate for the period
 
63.03
47.71
35.07
Rouble/$ period-end rate
 
57.79
55.65
35.69
 
 
Top of page 29
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 27.
 
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 is calculated as gross finance debt, as shown in the balance sheet, plus the fair value of associated derivative financial instruments that are used to hedge foreign currency exchange and interest rate risks relating to finance debt, for which hedge accounting is applied, less cash and cash equivalents. The net debt ratio is defined as the ratio of net debt to the total of net debt plus shareholders' equity. All components of equity are included in the denominator of the calculation. BP believes these measures 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 derivatives are reported on the balance sheet within the headings 'Derivative financial instruments'.
 
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 included in the financial statements 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. Non-operating items within equity-accounted earnings are reported net of incremental income tax reported by the equity-accounted entity. 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 26.
 
Organic capital expenditureexcludes acquisitions, asset exchanges, and other inorganic capital expenditure. An analysis of capital expenditure by segment and region is shown on page 25.
 
Production-sharing agreement (PSA) is an arrangement through which an oil company bears the risks and costs of exploration, development and production. In return, if exploration is successful, the oil company receives entitlement to variable physical volumes of hydrocarbons, representing recovery of the costs incurred and a stipulated share of the production remaining after such cost recovery.
 
Realizations are the result of dividing revenue generated from hydrocarbon sales, excluding revenue generated from purchases made for resale and royalty volumes, by revenue generating hydrocarbon production volumes. Revenue generating hydrocarbon production reflects the BP share of production as adjusted for any production which does not generate revenue. Adjustments may include losses due to shrinkage, amounts consumed during processing, and contractual or regulatory host committed volumes such as royalties.
 
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.
 
 
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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 is production 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 26 and 27 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.
 
 
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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 228-238 of BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2014.
 
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 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 BP Exploration & Production Inc. (BPXP) and Anadarko Petroleum Company (Anadarko), and not Transocean Ltd., are liable for civil penalties under Section 311 of the Clean Water Act as owners of the well. Following an unsuccessful appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (the Fifth Circuit), on 21 July 2014, Anadarko and BPXP filed petitions requesting that all active judges of the Fifth Circuit review the appeal. On 9 January 2015, the Fifth Circuit issued an order denying the petition for rehearing, on a 7-6 vote. On 24 March 2015 and 9 April 2015, Anadarko and BPXP, respectively, filed petitions for certiorari with the US Supreme Court seeking review of the Fifth Circuit's order.
 
Trial Phases - As previously disclosed, on 4 September 2014, the District Court issued its ruling on Findings of Fact and Conclusion of Law for Phase 1 (Phase 1) of the Trial of Liability, Limitation, Exoneration and Fault Allocation in MDL 2179. The court found that BPXP, BP America Production Company's (BPAPC), Transocean Holdings LLC, Transocean Deepwater Inc., Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling Inc. (Transocean Entities), and Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. (Halliburton) are each liable under general maritime law for the blowout, explosion, and oil spill from the Macondo well. The court found that the conduct of BPXP and BPAPC was reckless, and apportioned the fault for the blowout, explosion, and oil spill among the liable parties.
 
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 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. The Fifth Circuit has set a briefing schedule for the Phase 1 appeal under which BP's opening brief is due on 11 May 2015 and briefing is to be completed by September 2015. 
 
On 15 January 2015, the District Court issued its ruling for phase 2 of MDL 2179 (Phase 2) 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 and that BP was not grossly negligent in its source control efforts. On 23 February 2015, BPXP filed a notice of appeal of the Phase 2 ruling to the Fifth Circuit. On 13 March 2015, the United States also filed a notice of appeal. Other parties have also appealed the Phase 2 ruling. No briefing schedule has yet been issued for the Phase 2 appeal.
 
Trial in the penalty phase of MDL 2179 (the Penalty Phase) commenced on 20 January 2015 and concluded on 2 February 2015. 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. Post-trial briefing concluded on 24 April 2015. The District Court has wide discretion in its application of statutory penalty factors. BP is not aware of the timing of the District Court's ruling in respect of the Penalty Phase and the District Court could issue its decision at any time.
 
For further information, see pages 228-237 of BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2014 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. On 24 December 2013, the District Court issued a ruling on the issues remanded to it in October 2013 by the business economic loss panel of the Fifth Circuit. Part of that ruling directed the claims administrator, in administering business economic loss claims, to match revenue with corresponding variable expenses. On 13 March 2014, the claims administrator issued a revised matching policy reflecting this order. On 5 May 2014, the District Court approved the revised policy. The PSC filed a motion on 27 May 2014 seeking to alter or amend the revised policy.  This motion was denied by the district court on 31 March 2015 and, on 23 April 2015, the PSC appealed this decision to the Fifth Circuit. 
 
On 10 November 2014, the District Court denied BP's motion seeking an order removing Patrick Juneau from his roles as claims administrator and settlement trustee for the Economic and Property Damages Settlement. BP appealed this decision to the Fifth Circuit on 18 November 2014. On 6 March 2015, BP gave notice that it was not proceeding with this appeal.
 
For information about BP's current estimate of the total cost of the PSC settlements, see Note 2 on page 16.
 
 
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Legal proceedings (continued)
 
 
 
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 (SPCs) under the MSA was 12 February 2015. As of 3 April 2015, the MSA claims administrator had received 16,274 claim forms, including 15,367 for certain SPCs, and has determined 1,453 claims to be eligible for monetary compensation totaling approximately $2.7 million. For those claimants seeking benefits under the Periodic Medical Consultation Program, approximately 9,850 claims have been determined to be eligible. A final count of total claim forms received by the bar date is expected shortly. Given the District Court's decision to classify all physical conditions first diagnosed after 16 April 2012 as Later-Manifested Physical Conditions (LMPC), class members must pursue compensation for LMPCs by submitting a Notice of Intent to Sue (NOIS) under the Back-End Litigation Option (BELO). As of 15 April 2015, 16 compliant NOISs have been received by the MSA claims administrator, of which four have filed BELO lawsuits.
 
State and local civil claims, including under OPA 90 - State of Alabama Damages Case Proceedings. On 19 April 2013, the State of Alabama filed an action against BP alleging general maritime law claims of negligence, gross negligence, and wilful misconduct; claims under OPA 90 seeking damages for removal costs, natural resource damages, property damage, lost tax and other revenue and damages for providing increased public services during or after removal activities; and various state law claims. On 14 February 2014, BP moved to strike the State of Alabama's jury trial demand as to its claim for compensatory damages under OPA 90. On 30 March 2015, the District Court denied BP's motion and BP has asked the District Court to certify its ruling for appeal to the Fifth Circuit. On 16 March 2015 the District Court issued an amended scheduling order for the State of Alabama's claims against BP and other parties under which the pre-trial matters will be concluded in April 2016.
 
MDL 2185 and other securities-related litigation
Canadian Class Action - On 26 March 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the plaintiff's appeal to the August 2014 decision by the Ontario Court of Appeal which held that claims made on behalf of Canadian residents who purchased BP ordinary shares and ADSs on exchanges outside of Canada should be litigated in those countries, and that only claims asserted on behalf of Canadian residents who purchased ADSs on the Toronto Stock Exchange could be litigated in Canada. On 27 March 2015, the plaintiff filed a complaint in Texas federal court asserting claims under Canadian law against BP on behalf of a class of Canadian residents who allegedly suffered losses because of their purchase of BP ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange. That action has been transferred to the judge presiding over MDL 2185.
 
Other legal proceedings
Scharfstein v. BP West Coast Products, LLC - A purported class action lawsuit was filed against BP West Coast Products, LLC in Oregon State Court under the Oregon Unlawful Trade Practices Act on behalf of customers who used a debit card at ARCO gasoline stations in Oregon during the period 1 January 2011 to 30 August 2013, alleging that ARCO's Oregon sites failed to provide sufficient notice of the 35 cents per transaction debit card fee. After a jury trial and subsequent hearing, in 2014 the jury rendered judgment against BP and determined that statutory damages of $200 per class member should be awarded. A post-trial claims process in late 2014 identified approximately 1.7 million class members, subject to final determination. BP disputes the judgment and intends to appeal. No provision has been made for damages arising out of this class action.
 
 
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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 operations 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, 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 and the effect of the change in the UK North Sea supplementary charge on cash flow; expectations regarding projects in Egypt and future investments in that region; expectations regarding projects in Alberta Canada; expectations regarding the level of reported production for second quarter 2015; expectations regarding second quarter refining margins and level of turnaround activity; expectations regarding the new plant in Zhuhai, China; and certain statements regarding the legal and trial proceedings, court decisions, claims, penalties, potential investigations and civil actions by regulators, government entities and/or other entities or parties, 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 and are outside the control of BP. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in such statements, depending on a variety of factors, including: the specific factors identified in the discussions accompanying such forward-looking statements; the receipt of relevant third party and/or regulatory approvals; the timing and level of maintenance and/or turnaround activity; the timing and volume of refinery additions and outages; the timing of bringing new fields onstream; the timing, quantum and nature of certain divestments; future levels of industry product supply, demand and pricing, including supply growth in North America; OPEC quota restrictions; PSA effects; operational and safety problems; potential lapses in product quality; 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 the types of enforcement action pursued and the nature of remedies sought or imposed; the actions of prosecutors, regulatory authorities and courts; the impact on our reputation following the Gulf of Mexico oil spill; the timing and amount of future payments relating to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill; exchange rate fluctuations; development and use of new technology; recruitment and retention of a skilled workforce; the success or otherwise of partnering; the actions of competitors, trading partners, contractors, subcontractors, creditors, rating agencies and others; our access to future credit resources; business disruption and crisis management; the impact on our reputation of ethical misconduct and non-compliance with regulatory obligations; trading losses; major uninsured losses; decisions by Rosneft's management and board of directors; the actions of contractors; 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 elsewhere in this report and under "Risk factors" in BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2014 as filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
 
 
 
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SIGNATURES
 

 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
  
 
 
 
BP p.l.c.
(Registrant)
 
 

Dated: 28 April, 2015
 
/s/ J. BERTELSEN
...............................
J. BERTELSEN
Deputy Company Secretary