BP p.l.c. Announces Early Tender Results of Cash Tender Offer for Up to $1.3 Billion Aggregate Principal Amount of One Series of USD Notes

Rhea-AI Summary

BP announces the early tender results for its cash tender offer by its subsidiary BP Capital Markets to purchase up to $1.3 billion of Notes. The Offer was oversubscribed with 65.6% of Notes tendered. Holders of Early Tender Notes will receive $990.00 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The early tender results of BP Capital Markets p.l.c.'s cash tender offer indicate a strong demand for the buyback, with submissions exceeding the Offer Cap by approximately 26%. This oversubscription suggests a positive market perception of BP's creditworthiness and liquidity position. From a financial perspective, the decision to retire and cancel the purchased Notes will reduce the company's outstanding debt and could lead to an improvement in debt ratios such as the debt-to-equity ratio. However, the prorated acceptance due to oversubscription may cause dissatisfaction among some investors who were willing to offload more of their holdings.

The Total Consideration of $990 per $1,000 principal amount indicates a slight discount on the face value, which is a common practice in tender offers aimed at incentivizing early participation. This could have a minor dilutive effect on earnings for BP if the cost of the tender offer exceeds the carrying value of the debt. The early settlement date of March 12, 2024, allows for a swift execution of the transaction, which is typically viewed favorably by the market as it reduces uncertainty.

Legal Expert

The exclusion of certain jurisdictions such as Italy, the United Kingdom, France and Belgium from the tender offer due to regulatory restrictions highlights the complexities of international securities law. The adherence to specific local regulations, such as the Financial Services Act in Italy and the Financial Services and Markets Act in the UK, is crucial for the legality of the tender process. This careful navigation of international law ensures that BP avoids potential legal pitfalls that could arise from non-compliance.

Furthermore, the lack of recommendation from the Offeror, the Guarantor, or the Dealer Managers regarding whether Holders should tender their Notes underscores the importance of impartiality in such financial transactions. This neutrality helps to maintain the integrity of the tender offer process and ensures that investors make their decisions based on their own financial interests and the information provided in the Offer to Purchase.

Market Research Analyst

The tender offer's oversubscription is an indicator of market sentiment towards BP's financial strategy. Investors' eagerness to participate could reflect a consensus that the tender offer was priced attractively or a desire to reallocate capital amidst market conditions. This can be a signal to other market participants about the perceived value of BP's debt instruments. In the broader context, such a transaction could influence the secondary market pricing of BP's remaining Notes, as supply diminishes and the company's leverage profile changes.

It's also worth considering the broader market implications of such a tender offer. If other companies in the energy sector or similar industries observe BP's success in executing this tender offer, it may lead to a trend of similar debt reduction strategies, especially in a market environment where managing debt levels is becoming increasingly important.

NEW YORK, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BP p.l.c. ("BP") (NYSE: BP) (LSE: BP) today announced the early tender results for the previously announced cash tender offer by its wholly-owned subsidiary BP Capital Markets p.l.c. (the "Offeror") to purchase for cash any validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) and accepted Notes up to an aggregate principal amount of $1,300,000,000 (the "Offer Cap") of Notes issued by the Offeror (the "Tender Offer"). The Tender Offer is being made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the offer to purchase dated February 26, 2024 (the "Offer to Purchase"). Terms not defined in this announcement have the meanings given to them in the Offer to Purchase.

As of the previously announced early tender deadline of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Friday, March 8, 2024 (the "Early Tender Time"), the Offeror has been advised by the Tender and Information Agent, D.F. King & Co., that an aggregate principal amount of $1,640,940,000 of Notes had been validly tendered and not withdrawn in the Tender Offer, representing approximately 65.6% of the outstanding Notes. The withdrawal deadline relating to the Tender Offer occurred at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Friday, March 8, 2024 (the "Withdrawal Deadline"). Notes previously tendered and not withdrawn prior to the Withdrawal Deadline may no longer be withdrawn, except as required by law.

The aggregate principal amount of Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) exceeds the Offer Cap, and the Tender Offer was therefore oversubscribed. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer and due to oversubscription, the Offeror will accept Early Tender Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn before the withdrawal deadline on a prorated basis, as described in the Offer to Purchase. As a result and subject to the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer, the Offeror will not purchase any Late Tender Notes.

Notes purchased in the Tender Offer will be retired and cancelled.

The "Total Consideration" per $1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the Early Tender Time and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer is $990.00. Holders of the Early Tender Notes will receive the applicable Total Consideration, plus Accrued Interest on such Notes from the last interest payment date up to, but not including, the Early Settlement Date. 

The Offeror has elected to exercise its right to have an early settlement date. The settlement date for all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the Early Tender Time and accepted for purchase is expected to be on March 12, 2024 (the "Early Settlement Date").

Copies of the Offer to Purchase are available to holders of the Notes (each, a "Holder" and collectively, the "Holders") through the Tender and Information Agent, D.F. King & Co., Inc. by calling +1 (877) 896-3192 (toll free) or +1 (212) 269-5550 (for banks and brokers).

The Lead Dealer Managers for the Tender Offer are:
MUFG Securities Americas Inc. 1221 Avenue of the Americas, 6th Floor New York, NY 10020 Attention: Liability Management Telephone (U.S. Collect): +1 (212) 405-7481 Telephone (U.S. Toll-Free): +1 (877) 744-4532 Email: DCM-LiabilityManagement@int.sc.mufg.jp	TD Securities (USA) LLC 1 Vanderbilt Avenue, 11th Floor New York, NY 10017 Attention: Liability Management Group Telephone (U.S. Collect): +1 (212) 827-2842 Telephone (U.S. Toll-Free): +1 (866) 584 2096 Email: LM@tdsecurities.com
The Tender and Information Agent for the Tender Offer is:
D.F. King & Co., Inc.
In New York:  48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor New York, NY 10005 United States Banks and brokers Call Collect: +1 (212) 269-5550 All Other, Please Call Toll-Free: +1 (877) 896-3192	In London: 65 Gresham Street London, EC2V 7NQ United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7920 9700
Email: BP@dfking.com
By Facsimile (Eligible Institutions Only): Telephone: +1 (212) 709-3328 Confirmation: +1 (212) 269-5552 Attention: Michael Horthman
By Mail, Overnight Courier or Hand: D.F. King & Co., Inc. 48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor New York, NY 10005

Non-U.S. Distribution Restrictions

Italy. None of the Tender Offer, this Offer to Purchase or any other documents or materials relating to the Tender Offer have been or will be submitted to the clearance procedure of the Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa ("CONSOB") pursuant to Italian laws and regulations. The Tender Offer is being carried out in the Republic of Italy ("Italy") as an exempt offer pursuant to article 101-bis, paragraph 3-bis of the Legislative Decree No. 58 of February 24, 1998, as amended (the "Financial Services Act") and article 35-bis, paragraph 4 of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of May 14, 1999, as amended. Holders or beneficial owners of the Notes that are resident or located in Italy can tender their Notes for purchase through authorized persons (such as investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in Italy in accordance with the Financial Services Act, CONSOB Regulation No. 20307 of February 15, 2018, as amended, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of September 1, 1993, as amended) and in compliance with any other applicable laws and regulations and with any requirements imposed by CONSOB or any other Italian authority. Each intermediary must comply with the applicable laws and regulations concerning information duties vis-à-vis its clients in connection with the Notes or this Offer to Purchase.

United Kingdom. The communication of this Offer to Purchase and any other documents or materials relating to the Tender Offer is not being made by and such documents and/or materials have not been approved by an "authorised person" for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the "FSMA"). Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials is exempt from the restriction on financial promotions under section 21(1) of the FSMA on the basis that it is only directed at and may only be communicated to: (1) persons who are outside of the United Kingdom; (2) investment professionals falling within the definition contained in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Financial Promotion Order"); (3) those persons who are existing members or creditors of the Offeror or other persons falling within Article 43(2) of the Financial Promotion Order; or (4) any other persons to whom such documents and/or materials may lawfully be communicated in accordance with the Financial Promotion Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). This Offer to Purchase and any other documents or materials relating to the Tender Offer is only available to relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

France. The Tender Offer is not being made, directly or indirectly, to the public in the Republic of France. Neither this Offer to Purchase nor any other document or material relating to the Tender Offer has been or shall be distributed to the public in the Republic of France other than to qualified investors as defined in Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the "Prospectus Regulation"). Neither this Offer to Purchase nor any other documents or materials relating to the Tender Offer have been or will be submitted for clearance to the Autorité des marchés financiers.

Belgium. Neither this Offer to Purchase nor any other documents or materials relating to the Tender Offer has been, or will be, submitted or notified to, or approved or recognized by, the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority ("Autorité des services et marchés financiers"/"Autoriteit voor Financiële Diensten en Markten"). The Tender Offer is not being made in Belgium by way of a public offering within the meaning of Articles 3, §1, 1° and 6, §1 of the Belgian Law of April 1, 2007 on public takeover bids ("loi relative aux offres publiques d'acquisition"/ "wet op de openbare overnamebiedingen"), as amended or replaced from time to time. Accordingly, the Tender Offer may not be, and is not being, advertised and the Tender Offer will not be extended and this Offer to Purchase and any other documents or materials relating to the Tender Offer (including any memorandum, information circular, brochure or any similar documents) may not, have not, and will not, be distributed or made available, directly or indirectly, to any person in Belgium other than to "qualified investors" ("investisseur qualifié"/"gekwalificeerde belegger") within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation acting on their own account. Insofar as Belgium is concerned, the Tender Offer is made only to qualified investors, as this term is defined above. Accordingly, the information contained in this Offer to Purchase or in any other documents or materials relating to the Tender Offer may not be used for any other purpose or disclosed or distributed to any other person in Belgium.

Legal Notices
This announcement is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to purchase, a solicitation of an offer to purchase or a solicitation of consents with respect to any securities. This announcement does not describe all the material terms of the Tender Offer and no decision should be made by any Holder on the basis of this announcement. The terms and conditions of the Tender Offer are described in the Offer to Purchase. This announcement must be read in conjunction with the Offer to Purchase. The Offer to Purchase contains important information which should be read carefully before any decision is made with respect to the Tender Offer. If any Holder is in any doubt as to the contents of this announcement, or the Offer to Purchase, or the action it should take, it is recommended to seek its own financial and legal advice, including in respect of any tax consequences, immediately from its stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other independent financial, tax or legal adviser. Any individual or company whose Notes are held on its behalf by a broker, dealer, bank, custodian, trust company or other nominee must contact such entity if it wishes to tender such Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer.

None of the Offeror, the Guarantor, the Dealer Managers or their affiliates, their respective boards of directors, the Tender and Information Agent, the trustee or any of their respective affiliates makes any recommendation, or has expressed an opinion, as to whether or not Holders should tender their Notes, or refrain from doing so, pursuant to the Tender Offer. Each Holder should make its own decision as to whether to tender its Notes and if so, the principal amount of the Notes to tender.

The Offeror has not filed this announcement or the Offer to Purchase with, and they have not been reviewed by, any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority of any country. No authority has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Tender Offer, and it is unlawful and may be a criminal offense to make any representation to the contrary.

The Offer to Purchase does not constitute an offer to purchase Notes in any jurisdiction in which, or to or from any person to or from whom, it is unlawful to make such offer under applicable securities or blue sky laws. The distribution of the Offer to Purchase in certain jurisdictions is restricted by law. Persons into whose possession the Offer to Purchase comes are required by the Offeror, the Guarantor, the Dealer Managers and the Tender and Information Agent to inform themselves about, and to observe, any such restrictions.

Cautionary Statement 
In order to utilize the 'safe harbor' provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the 'PSLRA'), BP is providing the following cautionary statement:

This press release contains certain forecasts, projections and forward-looking statements - that is, statements related to future, not past events and circumstances - with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of BP and certain of the plans and objectives of BP with respect to these items. These statements may generally, but not always, be identified by the use of words such as 'will', 'expects', 'is expected to', 'aims', 'should', 'may', 'objective', 'is likely to', 'intends', 'believes', 'anticipates', 'plans', 'we see' or similar expressions.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will or may occur in the future and are outside the control of BP.

Actual results or outcomes, may differ materially from those expressed in such statements, depending on a variety of factors, including: the extent and duration of the impact of current market conditions including the volatility of oil prices, the effects of BP's plan to exit its shareholding in Rosneft and other investments in Russia, the impact of COVID-19, overall global economic and business conditions impacting BP's business and demand for BP's products as well as the specific factors identified in the discussions accompanying such forward looking statements; changes in consumer preferences and societal expectations; the pace of development and adoption of alternative energy solutions; developments in policy, law, regulation, technology and markets, including societal and investor sentiment related to the issue of climate change; the receipt of relevant third party and/or regulatory approvals; the timing and level of maintenance and/or turnaround activity; the timing and volume of refinery additions and outages; the timing of bringing new fields onstream; the timing, quantum and nature of certain acquisitions and divestments; future levels of industry product supply, demand and pricing, including supply growth in North America and continued base oil and additive supply shortages; OPEC+ quota restrictions; PSA and TSC effects; operational and safety problems; potential lapses in product quality; economic and financial market conditions generally or in various countries and regions; political stability and economic growth in relevant areas of the world; changes in laws and governmental regulations and policies, including related to climate change; changes in social attitudes and customer preferences; regulatory or legal actions including the types of enforcement action pursued and the nature of remedies sought or imposed; the actions of prosecutors, regulatory authorities and courts; delays in the processes for resolving claims; amounts ultimately payable and timing of payments relating to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill; exchange rate fluctuations; development and use of new technology; recruitment and retention of a skilled workforce; the success or otherwise of partnering; the actions of competitors, trading partners, contractors, subcontractors, creditors, rating agencies and others; BP's access to future credit resources; business disruption and crisis management; the impact on BP's reputation of ethical misconduct and non-compliance with regulatory obligations; trading losses; major uninsured losses; the possibility that international sanctions or other steps taken by any competent authorities or any other relevant persons may limit or otherwise impact BP's ability to sell its interests in Rosneft, or the price for which it could sell such interests; the actions of contractors; natural disasters and adverse weather conditions; changes in public expectations and other changes to business conditions; wars and acts of terrorism; cyber-attacks or sabotage; and other factors discussed in the Offer to Purchase, including under "Certain Considerations," as well as those factors discussed under "Risk factors" in BP's Annual Report and Form 20-F 2023, as filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contacts

	London	Houston
Press Office	David Nicholas	Paul Takahashi
	+44 (0) 7831 095541	+1 713 903 9729
Investor Relations	Craig Marshall	Graham Collins
bp.com/investors	+44 (0) 203 401 5592	+1 832 753 5116

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SOURCE BP Capital Markets p.l.c.

FAQ

What is the purpose of the tender offer announced by BP?

BP announced a cash tender offer by its subsidiary BP Capital Markets to purchase up to $1.3 billion of Notes.

What percentage of outstanding Notes were tendered in the offer?

Approximately 65.6% of the outstanding Notes were tendered in the offer.

What is the Total Consideration per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for Early Tender Notes?

The Total Consideration per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for Early Tender Notes is $990.00.

When is the expected Early Settlement Date for the Notes tendered?

The expected Early Settlement Date for the Notes tendered is March 12, 2024.