GPS News
OIL AND GAS
BP profit slumps on falling energy prices
BP profit slumps on falling energy prices
By Ben PERRY
London (AFP) Aug 1, 2023

British energy giant BP on Tuesday announced a drop in second-quarter net profit as oil and gas prices retreated from peaks reached a year earlier following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Profit after tax plunged to $1.8 billion in the three months to the end of June compared with $9.3 billion in the second quarter last year, BP said in a statement, mirroring hefty falls across the sector.

"Our financial performance is impacted by fluctuating prices of oil, gas and refined products," it added.

Energy prices soared a year ago following the Ukraine invasion by key producer Russia, sending global inflation to the highest levels in decades while providing record profits for oil and gas companies.

Russia cut gas shipments to Europe while oil markets were also rocked by supply concerns.

Gas and oil prices have since pulled back but remain at elevated levels.

- Shareholder rewards -

Despite the slump in profits, BP said it was hiking its dividend and returning $1.5 billion to shareholders by repurchasing stock.

"This reflects confidence in our performance and the outlook for cash flow," chief executive Bernard Looney said in the earnings statement.

BP's share price advanced 1.9 percent in early London trading following the earnings update.

"BP's move to boost shareholder returns is in line with moves by some of the other leading oil producers as they focus on ensuring investors benefit from the strength of cash flow the industry is currently enjoying," said Steve Clayton, head of equity funds at Hargreaves Lansdown.

Natural gas prices have pulled back sharply as European countries found new suppliers, built up reserves and experienced a mild winter.

Oil prices have also tumbled, partly on fears of falling demand as the global economy slows, with major consumer China's post-Covid recovery stumbling.

Profits remain hefty, however, as oil and gas firms stay focused on pumping out fossil fuels while pivoting toward cleaner energy.

The UK government said Monday that it would issue "hundreds" of new oil and gas licences in the North Sea to secure energy reserves while still aiming for net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The announcement has angered environmental groups.

"Handing out new oil and gas licences will do nothing to improve our energy security," Charlie Kronick, senior climate advisor at Greenpeace UK, said Tuesday.

He added in a statement that it would instead allow "companies like BP and Shell to rake in even more money for their shareholders".

bcp/js

BP

Related Links
All About Oil and Gas News at OilGasDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
OIL AND GAS
UAE oil giant pledges to 'accelerate' zero-carbon plan
Dubai (AFP) July 31, 2023
The national oil giant of the United Arab Emirates, host of this year's UN climate talks, said Monday it had accelerated its emission reduction goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company "is accelerating its decarbonisation plan to advance its net-zero ambition to 2045, compared to its previous target of 2050," ADNOC said in a statement. It said is intends to "increase its investments and redouble efforts in decarbonisation," relying on an initial financing of ... read more

OIL AND GAS
SatSure Partners with Rabo Partnerships to Revolutionize Cash Flow-based Lending for Smallholder Farmers

Ukraine lacks defences against Russian strikes: Putin offers grain to Africa

NATO slams Russia's 'dangerous' Black Sea grain block

Ukraine alleges deliberate plan to tank grain pact; Record world harvests will blunt impact

OIL AND GAS
A novel catalyst for efficient hydrogen production

Controlling the electro-optic response of a perovskite coupled to a phonon-resonant cavity

New quantum magnet unleashes electronics potential

Chip giant TSMC determined to 'keep roots in Taiwan': CEO

OIL AND GAS
France and Japan hold first-ever joint air force exercises

Crew dead as Saudi fighter jet crashes in training: statement

Rafale sales help France reach arms exports record

On the wing-lets of innovation with NASA Armstrong

OIL AND GAS
Biden administration proposes new vehicle fuel efficiency targets

Uber reports surprise profit in Q2

Court green lights expanding London's road pollution charge

Volkswagen profits dip as it struggles in China

OIL AND GAS
China announces consumption-boosting measures as data disappoints

Decoupling from China 'an illusion', French finance minister says

Markets drop as US downgrade jolts latest rally

HSBC reports bumper profits on rising interest rates

OIL AND GAS
Coal versus forest: Turkish locals mobilised to save trees

How forests can cut carbon, restore ecosystems, and create jobs

Philippines top court orders re-arrest of suspect in activist killing

Why trees outcompete shrubs to shift upward?

OIL AND GAS
NASA-led Mission to Map Air Pollution in 3D Over Megacities

PlanetiQ Commences Daily Deliveries of High-Quality GNSS-RO Data to NOAA

Groundbreaking method to speed up aerosol retrieval data from Chinese optical satellite

Crews head down river, out to sea to prep new SWOT water satellite

OIL AND GAS
World Nano Foundation highlights nanotech's role in space materials science

Single-molecule valve: a breakthrough in nanoscale control

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.