Shares of bp plc were gaining more than 3 percent in the pre-market activity on the NYSE, as well as in London after the British Oil and gas major reported Tuesday higher replacement cost or RC profit in its first quarter. Sales were higher with increased upstream production. Meanwhile, the firm warned on sequentially lower production in second quarter, and weak upstream production in fiscal 2026.
Meg O'Neill, Chief executive officer, stated, "Overall, our business continues to run well. This was another quarter of strong operational and financial delivery, and we made further progress towards our 2027 targets. We had high plant reliability, high refining availability and increased production in the Gulf of America and at bpx Energy, our US onshore business - keeping production levels steady despite the ongoing disruption."
Looking ahead, bp expects second-quarter reported upstream production to be lower sequentially, due to seasonal maintenance predominantly in the Gulf of America and the effects of disruption in the Middle East. The heightened volatility in the oil and gas prices could also impact PSA contracts.
Further, for fiscal 2026, bp now expects reported upstream production to be lower due to effects of disruption in the Middle East, and underlying upstream production to be broadly flat compared with 2025.
The company expects underlying production from oil production & operations to be broadly flat and production from gas & low carbon energy to be lower.
In the first quarter, RC profit grew to $662 million from last year's $569 million. Underlying RC profit was $3.20 billion, compared to $1.38 billion a year ago.
Underlying RC profit per share increased to 20.67 cents from 8.75 cents last year. Underlying RC profit per ADS was $1.24, up from $0.53 a year earlier.
Profit before taxation surged to $7.37 billion from prior year's $3.13 billion. Profit attributable to bp shareholders was $3.84 billion, significantly higher than $0.69 billion in the same period of 2025. Earnings per ADS were $1.47, up from $0.26 last year.
Total revenues and other income grew to $53.37 billion from last year's $47.88 billion. Sales and other operating revenues were $52.26 billion, up from $46.91 billion in the prior year.
Upstream production was 2,339 mboe/d, up from 2,239 mboe/d last year.
In pre-market activity on the NYSE, bp shares were gaining around 3.91 percent, at $47.76, after closing Monday's regular trading 0.6 percent lower.
On the LSE, the shares were trading at 590.48 pence, up 3.16 percent.
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April 24, 2026 15:15 ET Economics news flow was relatively light this week even as the conflict in the Middle East continued, raising concerns for policymakers. In the U.S., spending data, initial jobless claims and pending home sales were the highlights. Business confidence in the biggest euro area economy was in focus in Europe. Inflation data from Japan gained attention in Asia.