Despite Ruling, BP Says Committed To Partner With Russia

BP said Thursday that an arbitral tribunal has ruled that the interim injunction issued to prevent BP’s proposed transaction with Rosneft, which includes Arctic exploration and a share swap transaction, from proceeding should continue.

BP said it will now apply for a determination whether the share swap may proceed on its own.

BP said it looks forward to finding a way to resolve its differences with its Russian partners to allow these important Russian Arctic developments to proceed in future.

“BP has a long history as a leader in oil and gas exploration and the development of new technologies. BP intends to continue in that role for decades to come as the world looks to satisfy its increasing demand for secure, affordable energy supplies. BP has the scale and experience to use these new technologies to develop frontiers like the Russian Arctic,” the company said.

BP said it was disappointed that these agreements, which are important for Russia, for Rosneft and for BP, cannot for now go ahead in the form intended, due to legal challenge by AAR. BP intends to continue to honour the TNK-BP shareholders’ agreement to which it is a party with AAR, and will respect the decision of the arbitrators.

The arbitral tribunal was convened to resolve the issues raised by AAR relating to the share swap agreement and Arctic exploration arrangements agreed between BP and Rosneft and the parties’ obligations under the TNK-BP shareholders’ agreement.

BP has always been and remains, fully committed to investing in Russia. TNK-BP is BP’s primary business vehicle in Russia and BP fully supports its strategy and investment programme. BP is also continuing with its exploration programme with Rosneft offshore Sakhalin.