BP eyes Guyana asset exit, shares trade lower in London

By Thomas Klein, Operations & Strategy desk. Reviewed prior to publication on 2026-06-25, 15:57.

BP plc (GB0007980591) is reported to be considering an exit from its exploration position offshore Guyana, a move that would mark another portfolio adjustment for the FTSE 100 energy major as sector peers also streamline assets, according to market commentary citing people familiar with the matter on Thursday. The London-listed group’s American Depositary Shares last closed at 37.86 US dollars on the NYSE, with the stock recently trading lower in London as weaker oil prices weigh on integrated oil and gas names.

Report points to Guyana stake review

According to a recent Bloomberg report on BP’s Guyana options, the company is exploring a possible sale of its interest in the Kawa-1 discovery in the Corentyne block, where it entered as a partner to Canada’s Frontera Energy and CGX Energy. The discussions are described as preliminary and BP has not formally announced a transaction, but the review reflects its ongoing capital discipline, with management previously emphasizing prioritization of higher-return projects in the Gulf of Mexico, Azerbaijan and US shale.

Guyana has emerged as one of the most significant new offshore oil provinces of the past decade, led by ExxonMobil and Hess in the Stabroek block, and a potential BP exit would underline the group’s willingness to recycle exploration positions in favor of more immediate cash-generating assets. Strategically, any sale could free up capital for BP’s existing upstream hubs and for its targeted 8 billion US dollars of additional investment in transition businesses by the end of the decade, as outlined at recent capital markets presentations.

Sector sentiment and analyst views

Integrated oil peers such as Shell and TotalEnergies have also been reshaping portfolios, while analysts continue to highlight the trade-off between shareholder distributions and energy transition spending across the European majors. A recent Reuters sector overview of European oil companies noted that investors remain sensitive to capital allocation moves, with share buybacks and dividends closely watched against project commitments.

On consensus data compiled by MarketBeat, BP’s NYSE-listed shares carry an average analyst rating of "Moderate Buy" with a consensus price target around 50 US dollars, signalling upside versus the latest close of 37.86 dollars, although confidence is tempered by commodity price volatility and execution risks in low-carbon projects. MarketBeat’s BP coverage also highlights a dividend yield above 5 percent, which remains a key element of the investment case compared with global energy peers.

How BP earns its money

BP’s business model spans traditional hydrocarbons and growing transition businesses. The company produces oil and gas in regions including the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico and Azerbaijan, refines crude into fuels and petrochemicals, and markets those products through retail networks and commercial channels worldwide. At the same time, BP has been expanding in biofuels, renewable power and electric vehicle charging, aiming to grow earnings from these areas while maintaining disciplined capital returns from its legacy upstream and downstream operations.

Where the BP shares trade today

The BP shares (GB0007980591) trade on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker BP., with the NYSE-listed ADSs (BP) last closing at 37.86 US dollars on 2026-06-24 at 16:00 Eastern Time.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell any security, or a solicitation of any transaction. Figures and dates are based on publicly available sources believed to be reliable at the time of publication but may change without notice.