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 19 October 2004
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
October 19, 2004
BP SEEKS TO SELL ORMEN LANGE INTERESTS
BP announced today that it is seeking offers for its interests in the Ormen
Lange gas field, offshore Norway, and related gas export pipeline. The company
hopes to reach agreement on a sale by the end of 2004 with completion early in
2005.
BP's Norwegian subsidiary, BP Norge, holds a 10.34 per cent equity interest in
the Ormen Lange field and a 10.2 per cent participating interest in the Langeled
pipeline system.
Scott Kerr, managing director BP Norge, said: "BP holds a non-strategic,
non-operating minority stake in the Ormen Lange field and we prefer to use our
resources in projects that are strategic for BP."
The Ormen Lange field, discovered in 1997, is the second largest gas field on
the Norwegian continental shelf. The field is located 120 kilometres off the
west coast of Norway, covering an area of 350 square kilometres in water depths
of 800-1200 metres. The field's development plan is based on 14 trillion cubic
feet (397 billion cubic metres) of gas resources.
Gas from the field will be exported to UK and European markets via the new 1200
kilometre Langeled pipeline.
Development of the field was approved by the Norwegian parliament in April 2004
and first production is expected in 2007.
JPMorgan Chase & Co have been retained by BP to advise on the planned sale.
Notes to editors:
- The partners in the Ormen Lange development are: Norsk Hydro
(18.07 per cent and development phase operator), Shell (17.04 per cent and
production phase operator), Petoro (36.48 per cent), Statoil (10.84 per cent),
BP Norge (10.34 per cent) and Exxon Mobil (7.23 per cent).
Further information:
Jan Erik Geirmo, BP Norge press spokesman: +47 52 01 3205.
Olav Fjellsa, manager Government & Public Affairs, BP Norge: +47 52 01 3490.
David Nicholas, BP press office, London: +44 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: 19 October 2004 /s/ D. J. PEARL
..............................
D. J. PEARL
Deputy Company Secretary