* To take $2-$3 bln charge
* Ahead of schedule on $10 bln divestment target
(Recasts, adds detail, shares)
By Ron Bousso
LONDON, Oct 11 (Reuters) - BP will take charges of $2
to $3 billion in the third quarter, the British energy firm said
on Friday, as it looks to reach divestments worth $10 billion by
the end of 2019, a year ahead of schedule.
In a statement, London-based BP said it expects to agree
asset sales of $10 billion by end-year after its $5.6 billion
sale of its Alaskan business to Hilcorp and
divestments in U.S. shale gas.
BP shares were down 1.1% by 0948 GMT compared with a 1.3%
gain in the broader European energy index.
The non-cash, non-operating, after-tax charge will impact
the company's headline profit figure but not its underlying
cashflow, a spokesman said.
BP announced the disposal programme following its $10.25
billion acquisition of BHP's shale business last year, its
largest purchase in three decades.
The planned third-quarter impairment charges are expected to
increase BP's gearing - the ratio between debt and market
capitalisation - to the top end of the 20% to 30% target, BP
said.
Debt levels and gearing are expected to move to the middle
of the range through 2020.
BP's third-quarter oil and gas production will be impacted
by maintenance in some high-margin regions, BP said.
Output in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico was "significantly
disrupted" by Hurricane Barry, with facilities shut down for
around 14 days.
BP is scheduled to report its results on October 29.
(Reporting by Ron Bousso; editing by Jason Neely)
BP (BP.)