Disposal

BP PLC
09 May 2006


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: [phone]


Geesje van Niejenhuis, Communications & External Affairs Advisor,

BP Exploration and Production, Netherlands: [phone]


David Nicholas, BP press office, London: [phone]


- ENDS -




                      This information is provided by RNS
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