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 09 May, 2006
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
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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|
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press release
May 9, 2006
BP TO MARKET FOR SALE DUTCH E&P AND GAS INFRASTRUCTURE BUSINESS
BP announced today that intends to market for sale its exploration and
production (E&P) and gas infrastructure business in the Netherlands, comprising
its onshore and offshore production assets and its Piek Gas Installatie (PGI) at
Alkmaar.
The business will be offered as an ongoing, fully staffed operation and BP does
not expect any redundancies as a result of the sale.
It is expected that the sale will be completed by the end of the year, subject
to consultation with the Works Council.
BP's Dutch E&P/gas infrastructure business has a staff of around 120 employees
and long term contractors. It operates assets both onshore and offshore in the
Netherlands and had net gas production of around 1.8 million cubic metres a day
(62 million cubic feet a day) in 2005.
This sale does not affect BP's other significant business activities in the
Netherlands which comprise energy trading, refining and marketing of fuels and
lubricants as well as a renewable energy business.
Notes to editors:
- BP's E&P assets in the Netherlands comprise interests in multiple mature
gas fields, both offshore and onshore, their associated production
facilities and the suspended Rijn oil field. These BP-operated assets have a
total, gross gas production of more than 4.5 million cubic metres a day (160
million cubic feet a day), enough to meet the yearly demand of approximately
one million Dutch households.
- The Piek Gas Installatie (PGI) is a gas supply facility and is located
onshore near Alkmaar. It delivers a significant contribution to the
Netherlands' continuation of gas supply during extreme cold weather
conditions.
- The E&P/gas infrastructure business in the Netherlands employs around 85
staff and 35 long-term contractors.
- BP's 2,300 BP employees in the Netherlands are primarily engaged in the
refining and marketing of fuels and lubricants as well as the production and
supply of gas. In addition, the company is actively marketing gas and is
working in the renewable energy segment - primarily focused on wind and
solar. The company's customers can be found in almost all segments,
including aviation and shipping, agriculture and the large industrial
companies. Car drivers in the Netherlands are served via 400 BP retail
sites, which together represent a market share of 14 per cent and the number
two position in the Dutch fuels market.
Further information:
Jacoline Poldervaart, Manager Communications & External Affairs,
BP Netherlands: +31 (0)10 249 1372
Geesje van Niejenhuis, Communications & External Affairs Advisor,
BP Exploration and Production, Netherlands: +31 (0)70 333 7625
David Nicholas, BP press office, London: +44 (0)20 7496 4708
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: 09 May, 2006 /s/ D. J. PEARL
..............................
D. J. PEARL
Deputy Company Secretary