BP p.l.c. filed a Form 6-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on 30 October 2026, reporting its third-quarter and nine-months 2026 group financial results, including an underlying replacement cost profit of $8.458 billion for the quarter.

Key Highlights

  • Underlying RC profit of $8,458 million in the third quarter 2026, up from $5,732 million in the second quarter 2026, according to the filing.
  • Operating cash flow of $14,829 million for the third quarter 2026, compared with $10,858 million for the second quarter 2026.
  • Net debt reduced to $13,870 million as of the third quarter 2026, down from $22,251 million at the end of the second quarter 2026, an $8.4 billion reduction.
  • Reported profit attributable to BP shareholders was $4,696 million for the third quarter 2026, versus $3,911 million in the second quarter 2026.
  • Dividend of 8.660 cents per ordinary share announced for the third quarter 2026, consistent with the second quarter 2026 dividend.
  • Post-tax net impairments of $4.0 billion recognized in the quarter, linked largely to transition businesses, per the filing.
  • Upstream plant reliability of 95.3% in the third quarter 2026, up from 92.4% in the second quarter 2026.

BP's Third-Quarter 2026 Results: Profit Growth, Debt Reduction, and Portfolio Changes

According to the filing, BP p.l.c. reported an underlying replacement cost (RC) profit of $8,458 million for the third quarter 2026, compared with $5,732 million for the second quarter 2026. The company disclosed that the improvement "mainly reflects significantly higher realized refining margins and significantly higher gas and marketing trading result." The underlying effective tax rate for the quarter was 28%, down from 34% in the prior quarter, which the filing attributed to changes in the geographical mix of profits.

The filing reported operating cash flow of $14,829 million for the third quarter 2026, which included an adjusted working capital release of $0.5 billion. Capital expenditure for the quarter was $3,036 million. Net debt fell to $13,870 million from $22,251 million at the end of the second quarter 2026. The filing stated that the company has "now delivered our net debt and structural cost reductions targets." Underlying operating expenditure for the quarter was $5,264 million, compared with $5,333 million in the second quarter 2026.

On portfolio activity, the filing disclosed that in the quarter BP agreed to sell its Austrian mobility and convenience business, completed the sale of the Gelsenkirchen refinery, and announced plans to market its North Sea and Archaea businesses. The filing also noted the expected imminent closure of the Castrol divestment, described as "unlocking $6 billion to further strengthen the balance sheet." The filing noted that BP recognized $4.0 billion of post-tax net impairments in the quarter, linked largely to transition businesses. Refining availability improved to 96.5% from 94.7% in the second quarter 2026, while refining throughput was 1,396 mb/d, down from 1,467 mb/d, which the filing attributed to the Gelsenkirchen refinery divestment. A strategy and outlook update was noted as scheduled for 15 December 2026.

What Was Disclosed

BP p.l.c. disclosed its third-quarter and nine-months 2026 group financial results via a Form 6-K filed 30 October 2026, covering underlying RC profit, operating cash flow, net debt, capital expenditure, dividends, operational metrics, and portfolio divestment activity.