British oil giant BP surpassed analyst expectations with a Q2 adjusted profit of $2.35 billion, well above the $1.82 billion forecast, despite a 15% year-over-year decline. The company showcased operational strength, with cash flow from operations surging to $6.3 billion—up from $2.8 billion in Q1—even after a $1.1 billion Gulf of Mexico settlement payment. Production rose 2.5% to 1.52 million barrels per day, though lower crude prices squeezed margins. BP increased dividends by 4% and extended its $750 million share buyback program while reducing net debt to $26 billion.
Strategic Boost from Brazilian Discovery
BP’s stock gained momentum after a potential game-changing oil discovery off Brazil’s coast—a 500-meter oil-and-gas column in the Santos Basin, its largest find in 25 years. The discovery aligns with plans to boost daily output to 2.5 million barrels by 2030. While full evaluation is pending, the news lifted shares by 1.74% on the London exchange. Despite Q3 production headwinds, the dual tailwinds of robust earnings and exploration success position BP for renewed investor confidence.
