Aker BP

Regulatory Filings • Jun 9, 2020

Tax changes trigger new investments

Tax changes trigger new investments

A broad political majority in Norway has announced an agreement to make

temporary changes to the Norwegian petroleum tax system. The changes will

strengthen Aker BP's investment capacity and help to unlock new field

development projects. This will contribute to higher activity and increased

value creation for Aker BP, its suppliers and the Norwegian society at large.

The Hod development in the Valhall area is the first project to be launched as a

direct result of the tax changes. This project benefits from the experience and

competence gained from the recently completed development of Valhall Flank West.

Aker BP's board has today approved the project and authorized a fast track

investment decision to be concluded as soon as possible. The employment effect

of this project is estimated to 5,000 FTEs, and the project is also expected to

generate significant tax revenues for Norway.

Karl Johnny Hersvik, CEO of Aker BP comments:

"The petroleum industry is going through a very challenging time, and we are

very pleased to see the rapid and strong response from Norwegian lawmakers. The

proposed changes are appropriate and necessary and will strengthen our capacity

to invest while at the same time contribute to improved profitability of new

field developments. In Aker BP, we will not let this opportunity go to waste.

With projects like Hod, we will create significant value both for our owners and

for the society at large, and we will contribute to maintaining the capabilities

of Norway's world-class supply industry."

The tax changes are scheduled for consideration by the Storting (Norway's

parliament) on 12 June 2020.

Investor contact:

Kjetil Bakken, VP Investor Relations, tel.: +47 91 889 889

Lars Mattis Hanssen, Senior IR Professional, tel.: +47 99 459 460

Media contact:

Tore Langballe, VP Communications, tel.: +47 907 77 841

Ole-Johan Faret, Press Spokesman, tel.: +47 402 24 217

About Aker BP:

Aker BP is a fully-fledged E&P company with exploration, development and

production activities on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Aker BP is the

operator of Alvheim, Ivar Aasen, Skarv, Valhall, Hod, Ula and Tambar. The

company is also a partner in the Johan Sverdrup field. Aker BP is headquartered

at Fornebu, Norway, and is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker

'AKERBP'. More about Aker BP at www.akerbp.com.