OIL: BP reports better second quarter 2014 results

BP announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2014. Underlying replacement cost profit for the quarter of 2014 was $3.6 billion, 34% higher than the $2.7 billion reported for the same period in 2013 and 13% higher than the $3.2 billion result for the first quarter of 2014.

The company also announced a quarterly dividend of 9.75 cents per ordinary share, the same level as the previous quarter but 8.3% higher than a year earlier. As previously announced, BP’s board will review the level of the dividend with the first and third quarter results each year.

“This was another successful quarter, delivering both operational progress and robust cash flow. We are continuing to ramp up the major new projects that drive delivery of cash flow and are also now seeing benefits from our focus on operating with greater reliability and efficiency. This operational momentum keeps us well on track to meet our 2014 targets and underpins our longer-term commitment to grow distributions to our shareholders.” said Bob Dudley, BP group chief executive.

Rising oil and gas production from new and recently-started higher-margin upstream projects and increased processing of heavy crude oil by the newly-modernised Whiting refinery contributed to operating cash flow of $7.9 billion in the quarter. Total operating cash flow for the first half of 2014 was $16.1 billion.

In exploration, BP has participated in 10 completed wells to date in 2014 which have so far resulted in two significant discoveries – Notus in Egypt and Orca in Angola. 15-17 wells are expected to be completed over the whole year.

In the quarter the provision for litigation related to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill was increased by $260 million. The total cumulative pre-tax charge for the incident to date is now $43.0 billion. The provision does not include any amounts for business economic loss claims that are yet to be received, processed and paid.