SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 6-K
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
for the period ended 24 April, 2007
BP p.l.c.
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
1 ST JAMES'S SQUARE, LONDON, SW1Y 4PD, ENGLAND
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F |X| Form 40-F
--------------- ----------------
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
Yes No |X|
--------------- ----------------
April 24, 2007
BP MAKES THIRTEENTH OIL DISCOVERY IN
ULTRA-DEEP WATER BLOCK 31 ANGOLA
Sociedade Nacional de Combustiveis de Angola (Sonangol) and BP Exploration
(Angola) Limited today announced the Miranda oil discovery in ultra-deepwater
Block 31, offshore Angola. Miranda is the thirteenth discovery that BP has
drilled in Block 31. The well is located 11 kilometres south of the recently
announced Titania discovery.
Miranda was drilled by the Jack Ryan drill ship, in a water depth of 2,436
metres, some 375 kilometres northwest of Luanda and reached a total depth of
5,116 metres TVD below sea level.
The well was tested at a flow rate of 3,822 barrels of oil per day (b/d) through
a 48/64ths inch choke.
Sonangol is the concessionaire of Block 31. BP Exploration (Angola) Limited as
operator holds 26.67 per cent. The other interest owners in Block 31 are Esso
Exploration and Production Angola (Block 31) Limited (25 per cent), Sonangol
E.P. (20 per cent), Statoil Angola A.S. (13.33 per cent), Marathon International
Petroleum Angola Block 31 Limited (10 per cent) and TEPA (BLOCK 31) LIMITED, (a
subsidiary of the Total Group) with 5 per cent.
Notes to Editors
BP's involvement with Angola goes back to the mid 1970s. During the 1990s, BP
made very substantial investments in Angola's offshore oil and it is now an
important part of the company's upstream portfolio. BP has interests in four
blocks with operated interests in two.
Operatorship of Block 31 was awarded to BP Exploration (Angola) Limited in May
1999. The block covers an area of 5,349 square kilometres and lies in water
depths of between 1,500 and 2,500 metres.
BP also has operated interests (BP 50.00 per cent equity) in Block 18 where the
Greater Plutonio Project is currently being developed and is due to come on
stream in 2007.
BP has non-operated interests in Block 15, operated by Esso Exploration Angola
(Block 15) Limited (BP 26.67 per cent equity) and in Block 17 operated by Total
(BP 16.67 per cent equity).
BP also has a 13.6 per cent interest in the Angola LNG project.
Further enquiries:
Robert Wine, BP Press Office, London: +44 (0) 20 7496 4827
Amilcar da Costa, BP Angola, Luanda: +244 2 22637408
- ENDS -
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BP p.l.c.
(Registrant)
Dated: 24 April, 2007 /s/ D. J. PEARL
..............................
D. J. PEARL
Deputy Company Secretary