BP Q4 Earnings Call Highlights

Core Insights - BP reported operational achievements including the startup of seven new major projects and a record in upstream plant reliability, leading to broadly flat underlying production compared to 2024 and exceeding prior guidance [1] - The company has decided to suspend share buybacks to strengthen its balance sheet, reallocating excess cash for this purpose [2] - BP's CFO highlighted a focus on safety, noting four fatalities in 2025, and emphasized the company's commitment to reducing process safety events [5][6] Financial Performance - BP's adjusted free cash flow increased by approximately 55% in 2025 on a price-adjusted basis, with net debt decreasing by $800 million compared to the end of 2024 [10] - The company reported a group underlying replacement cost profit of $1.5 billion for the fourth quarter, impacted by a weaker price environment [14] - Fourth-quarter operating cash flow was $7.6 billion, with capital expenditures of $4.2 billion, including $600 million related to a deferred payment for a previous transaction [16] Strategic Actions - BP concluded a strategic review of Castrol, agreeing to sell a 65% stake for expected net proceeds of around $6 billion, which will be used to reduce net debt [8] - The company has completed over $11 billion in divestments, more than halfway toward a $20 billion disposal program within a year [8] - BP's Boomerang discovery is noted as the largest in 25 years, with an initial estimate of around 8 billion barrels of liquids in place [7] Future Guidance - For 2026, BP expects reported upstream production to be slightly lower, with capital expenditures projected between $13.0 billion and $13.5 billion [18] - Divestment proceeds for 2026 are anticipated to be between $9 billion and $10 billion, significantly weighted to the second half of the year [18] - The company expects net debt to increase in the first half of 2026 before falling significantly in the second half, depending on macroeconomic conditions and prices [18]