Last checked at 24 Mar 2016 07:00
24 March 2016
BP p.l.c.
Fourth quarter interim dividend for 2015
Allotments for Scrip Dividend Programme
Ordinary shares
BP p.l.c. confirms the allotment and issue of 154,362,716 ordinary shares of US$0.25 each ('shares') to shareholders who elected to receive ordinary shares (ISIN number GB0007980591) under the Scrip Dividend Programme as an alternative for the fourth quarter interim dividend for 2015, payable on 24 March 2016. This allotment and issue includes the election made by the Depositary, JPMorgan Chase Bank in order to issue ADSs to ADS holders who elected to receive ADSs under the Scrip Dividend Programme, as outlined below. The shares rank pari passu with the existing issued ordinary shares of BP p.l.c.
Following the issue of the above shares, the number of ordinary shares in issue will be 20,263,133,689 of which 1,621,982,833 are held as treasury shares leaving a balance of 18,641,150,856 ordinary shares with voting rights.
Application has been made to the Financial Conduct Authority for the shares to be admitted to the Official List and to the London Stock Exchange for the shares to be admitted to trading. Dealings in the shares are expected to commence on 24 March 2016.
American Depositary Shares ('ADSs')
In accordance with the terms of the Scrip Dividend Programme for ADS holders and the Deposit Agreement between BP p.l.c. and the Depositary, JPMorgan Chase Bank, 3,629,418.36 ADRs (ISIN number US0556221044) (each representing 6 ordinary shares) are to be issued to ADS holders who elected to receive ADSs under the Scrip Dividend Programme. This number reflects an adjustment for the fee payable to the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement ($0.05 per ADS). Prior to the 2012 first quarter dividend payment stamp duty reserve tax ("SDRT") of 1.5% was deducted from this calculation, but following a tax tribunal decision in 2012, HM Revenue & Customs will no longer seek to impose 1.5% SDRT on issues of UK shares and securities to non-EU clearance services and depositary receipt systems. Application has been made to the New York Stock Exchange for the listing of the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange. Dealings in the ADSs are expected to commence on 24 March 2016.
Details of the fourth quarter 2015 dividend are available at www.bp.com/dividends and details of the Scrip Dividend Programme are available at www.bp.com/scrip.
Jens Bertelsen
Deputy Secretary