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Derivative financial instruments
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Financial Instruments [Abstract]  
Derivative financial instruments Derivative financial instruments
In the normal course of business the group enters into derivative financial instruments (derivatives) to manage its normal business exposures in relation to commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, including management of the balance between floating rate and fixed rate debt, consistent with risk management policies and objectives. An outline of the group’s financial risks and the objectives and policies pursued in relation to those risks is set out in Note 29. Additionally, the group has a well-established entrepreneurial trading operation that is undertaken in conjunction with these activities using a similar range of contracts.
For information on significant estimates and judgements made in relation to the valuation of derivatives see Derivative financial instruments within Note 1.
The fair values of derivative financial instruments at 31 December are set out below.
Exchange traded derivatives are valued using closing prices provided by the exchange as at the balance sheet date. These derivatives are categorized within level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Exchange traded derivatives are typically considered settled through the (normally daily) payment or receipt of variation margin.
Over-the-counter (OTC) financial swaps and physical commodity sale and purchase contracts are generally valued using readily available information in the public markets and quotations provided by brokers and price index developers. These quotes are corroborated with market data and are categorized within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
In certain less liquid markets, or for longer-term contracts, forward prices are not as readily available. In these circumstances, OTC financial swaps and physical commodity sale and purchase contracts are valued using internally developed methodologies that consider historical relationships between various commodities, and that result in management’s best estimate of fair value. These contracts are categorized within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
30. Derivative financial instruments – continued
Financial OTC and physical commodity options are valued using industry standard models that consider various assumptions, including quoted forward prices for commodities, time value, volatility factors, and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic factors. The degree to which these inputs are observable in the forward markets determines whether the option is categorized within level 2 or level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
$ million
20202019
Fair value
asset
Fair value
liability
Fair value
asset
Fair value
liability
Derivatives held for trading
Currency derivatives858 (694)81 (744)
Oil price derivatives1,519 (1,093)1,918 (1,478)
Natural gas price derivatives6,406 (5,489)6,569 (4,871)
Power price derivatives1,258 (1,037)1,306 (952)
Other derivatives7  110 — 
10,048 (8,313)9,984 (8,045)
Embedded derivatives
Other embedded derivatives1 (7)— (77)
1 (7)— (77)
Cash flow hedges
Currency forwards4  (4)
Gas price futures
  — — 
4  (4)
Fair value hedges
Currency swaps2,614 (82)344 (637)
Interest rate swaps80  138 (35)
2,694 (82)482 (672)
12,747 (8,402)10,467 (8,798)
Of which – current2,992 (2,998)4,153 (3,261)
– non-current
9,755 (5,404)6,314 (5,537)
Derivatives held for trading
The group maintains active trading positions in a variety of derivatives. The contracts may be entered into for risk management purposes, to satisfy supply requirements or for entrepreneurial trading. Certain contracts are classified as held for trading, regardless of their original business objective, and are recognized at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in the income statement. Trading activities are undertaken by using a range of contract types in combination to create incremental gains by arbitraging prices between markets, locations and time periods. The net of these exposures is monitored using market value-at-risk techniques as described in Note 29.
The following tables show further information on the fair value of derivatives and other financial instruments held for trading purposes.
Derivative assets held for trading have the following fair values and maturities.
$ million
2020
Less than
1 year
1-2 years2-3 years3-4 years4-5 yearsOver
5 years
Total
Currency derivatives153 9 3 2 2 689 858 
Oil price derivatives1,159 197 90 63 7 3 1,519 
Natural gas price derivatives1,210 731 596 525 476 2,868 6,406 
Power price derivatives425 223 161 107 76 266 1,258 
Other derivatives  7    7 
2,947 1,160 857 697 561 3,826 10,048 
$ million
2019
Less than
1 year
1-2 years2-3 years3-4 years4-5 yearsOver
5 years
Total
Currency derivatives48 23 — — 81 
Oil price derivatives1,619 114 76 53 45 11 1,918 
Natural gas price derivatives1,889 824 615 489 433 2,319 6,569 
Power price derivatives556 269 146 94 67 174 1,306 
Other derivatives33 — — 77 — — 110 
4,145 1,230 846 714 545 2,504 9,984 
30. Derivative financial instruments – continued
Derivative liabilities held for trading have the following fair values and maturities.
$ million
2020
Less than
1 year
1-2 years2-3 years3-4 years4-5 yearsOver
5 years
Total
Currency derivatives(502)(117)(11)(1) (63)(694)
Oil price derivatives(1,000)(83)(9)(1)  (1,093)
Natural gas price derivatives(1,095)(595)(479)(422)(348)(2,550)(5,489)
Power price derivatives(345)(184)(126)(81)(68)(233)(1,037)
(2,942)(979)(625)(505)(416)(2,846)(8,313)
$ million
2019
Less than
1 year
1-2 years2-3 years3-4 years4-5 yearsOver
5 years
Total
Currency derivatives(166)(283)(201)(1)(23)(70)(744)
Oil price derivatives(1,405)(56)(14)(2)(1)— (1,478)
Natural gas price derivatives(1,070)(522)(446)(399)(363)(2,071)(4,871)
Power price derivatives(395)(165)(104)(76)(51)(161)(952)
(3,036)(1,026)(765)(478)(438)(2,302)(8,045)
The following table shows the fair value of derivative assets and derivative liabilities held for trading, analysed by maturity period and by methodology of fair value estimation. This information is presented on a gross basis, that is, before netting by counterparty.
$ million
2020
Less than
1 year
1-2 years2-3 years3-4 years4-5 yearsOver
5 years
Total
Fair value of derivative assets
Level 148 9 15 3 5 1 81 
Level 23,342 858 367 212 100 709 5,588 
Level 3739 546 552 520 493 3,548 6,398 
4,129 1,413 934 735 598 4,258 12,067 
Less: netting by counterparty(1,182)(253)(77)(38)(37)(432)(2,019)
2,947 1,160 857 697 561 3,826 10,048 
Fair value of derivative liabilities
Level 1(55)(9)(13)(3)(5)(1)(86)
Level 2(3,577)(809)(263)(136)(41)(79)(4,905)
Level 3(492)(414)(426)(404)(407)(3,198)(5,341)
(4,124)(1,232)(702)(543)(453)(3,278)(10,332)
Less: netting by counterparty1,182 253 77 38 37 432 2,019 
(2,942)(979)(625)(505)(416)(2,846)(8,313)
Net fair value5 181 232 192 145 980 1,735 
 $ million
 2019
Less than
1 year
1-2 years2-3 years3-4 years4-5 yearsOver
5 years
Total
Fair value of derivative assets
Level 163 — 74 
Level 25,344 1,014 439 210 120 42 7,169 
Level 3779 501 485 540 452 2,708 5,465 
6,186 1,521 926 750 574 2,751 12,708 
Less: netting by counterparty(2,041)(291)(80)(36)(29)(247)(2,724)
4,145 1,230 846 714 545 2,504 9,984 
Fair value of derivative liabilities
Level 1(49)(8)(4)(1)(2)(1)(65)
Level 2(4,522)(932)(458)(146)(113)(101)(6,272)
Level 3(506)(377)(383)(367)(352)(2,447)(4,432)
(5,077)(1,317)(845)(514)(467)(2,549)(10,769)
Less: netting by counterparty2,041 291 80 36 29 247 2,724 
(3,036)(1,026)(765)(478)(438)(2,302)(8,045)
Net fair value1,109 204 81 236 107 202 1,939 
30. Derivative financial instruments – continued
Level 3 derivatives
The following table shows the changes during the year in the net fair value of derivatives held for trading purposes within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
$ million
Oil
price
Natural gas
price
Power
price
Currency and otherTotal
Fair value contracts at 1 January 202071 28 (125)110 84 
Gains (losses) recognized in the income statement250 184 162 (66)530 
Sales   (32)(32)
Settlements(135)(22)(189) (346)
Transfers out of level 35 (43)(21)(1)(60)
Net fair value of contracts at 31 December 2020191 147 (173)11 176 
Deferred day-one gains (losses)881 
Derivative asset (liability)1,057 
$ million
Oil
price
Natural gas
price
Power
price
OtherTotal
Fair value contracts at 1 January 201923 (13)(148)107 (31)
Gains (losses) recognized in the income statement128 82 244 456 
Gains (losses) recognized in other comprehensive income— — (18)— (18)
Settlements(79)(21)(179)— (279)
Transfers out of level 3(1)(20)(24)(44)
Net fair value of contracts at 31 December 201971 28 (125)110 84 
Deferred day-one gains (losses)949 
Derivative asset (liability)1,033 
The amount recognized in the income statement for the year relating to level 3 held-for-trading derivatives still held at 31 December 2020 was a $315-million gain (2019 $250-million gain related to derivatives still held at 31 December 2019).
Derivative gains and losses
The group enters into derivative contracts including futures, options, swaps and certain forward sales and forward purchases contracts, relating to both currency and commodity trading activities. Gains or losses arise on contracts entered into for risk management purposes, optimization activity and entrepreneurial trading. They also arise on certain contracts that are for normal procurement or sales activity for the group but that are required to be fair valued under accounting standards. These gains and losses are included within sales and other operating revenues in the income statement. Also included within this line item are gains and losses on inventory held for trading purposes. The total amount relating to all these items was a net gain of $2,808 million. This number does not include gains and losses on the change in value of contracts which are not recognized under IFRS such as transportation and storage contracts, but does include the associated financially settled contracts. The net amounts for actual gains and losses relating to these derivative contracts and all related items therefore differ significantly from the amounts disclosed above.
The group also enters into derivative contracts relating to foreign currency risk management activities including contracts that the group has entered into to manage the foreign currency exposure relating to the non-US dollar hybrid bonds to their respective first call periods. Gains and losses on these contracts are included within production and manufacturing expenses in the income statement. The change in the unrealized value of these contracts was a net gain of $829 million (2019 $160 million net gain and 2018 $351 million net loss), however where these gains and losses arise on derivatives hedging finance debt they are largely offset by opposing net foreign exchange differences on retranslation of the associated non-US dollar debt. The net amounts for actual gains and losses relating to these derivative contracts and all related items therefore differ significantly from the amounts disclosed above.
Cash flow hedges
(i) Foreign currency risk of highly probable forecast capital expenditure
At 31 December 2020, the group held currency forwards designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedge relationships of highly probable forecast non-US dollar capital expenditure. Note 29 outlines the group’s approach to foreign currency exchange risk management. When the highly probable forecast capital expenditure designated as a hedged item occurs, a non-financial asset is recognized and is presented within the fixed asset section of the balance sheet.
The group claims hedge accounting only for the spot value of the currency exposure in line with the strategy to fix the volatility in the spot exchange rate element. The fair value on the instrument attributable to forward points and foreign currency basis spreads is taken immediately to the income statement.
The group applies hedge accounting where there is an economic relationship between the hedged item and hedging instrument. The existence of an economic relationship is determined at inception and prospectively by comparing the critical terms of the hedging instrument and those of the hedged item. The group enters into hedging derivatives that match the currency and notional of the hedged items on a 1:1 hedge ratio basis. The hedge ratio is determined by comparing the notional amount of the derivative with the notional designated on the forecast transaction. The group determines the extent to which it hedges highly probable forecast capital expenditures on a project by project basis.
The group has identified the following sources of ineffectiveness, which are not expected to be material:
counterparty's credit risk, the group mitigates counterparty credit risk by entering into derivative transactions with high credit quality counterparties; and
30. Derivative financial instruments – continued
differences in settlement timing between the derivative and hedged items. The latter impacts the discount factor used in the calculation of the hedge ineffectiveness. The group mitigates differences in timing between the derivatives and hedged items by applying a rolling strategy and by hedging currency pairs from stable economies (i.e. sterling/US dollar, Korean won/US dollar). The group's cash flow hedge designations are highly effective as the sources of ineffectiveness identified are expected to result in minimal hedge ineffectiveness.
The group has not designated any net positions as hedged items in cash flow hedges of foreign currency risk.
(ii) Commodity price risk of highly probable forecast sales
During the period the group held Henry Hub NYMEX futures designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedge relationships of certain highly probable forecast future sales. Henry Hub NYMEX futures are subject to daily settlement, where their fair value at the end of each day is required to be cash settled, such that the carrying amount of these hedging instruments within continuing hedge relationships is always zero at the end of each day.
The group is exposed to the variability in the gas price, but only applied hedge accounting to the risk of Henry Hub price movements for a percentage of future gas sales from its BPX Energy business.
The group applied hedge accounting in relation to these highly probable future sales where there was an economic relationship between the hedged item and hedging instrument. The existence of an economic relationship was determined at inception and prospectively by comparing the critical terms of the hedging instrument and those of the hedged item. The group entered into hedging derivatives that matched the notional amounts of the hedged items on a 1:1 hedge ratio basis. The hedge ratio was determined by comparing the notional amount of the derivative with the notional amount designated on the forecast transaction.
The hedge was highly effective due to the price index of the hedging instruments matching the price index of the hedged item. The group did not designate any net positions as hedged items in cash flow hedges of commodity price risk.
The tables below summarize the change in the fair value of hedging instruments and the hedged item used to calculate ineffectiveness in the period.
$ million
Change in fair value of hedging instrument used to calculate ineffectivenessChange in fair value of hedged item used to calculate ineffectivenessHedge ineffectiveness recognized in profit or (loss)
At 31 December 2020
Cash flow hedges
Foreign exchange risk
Highly probable forecast capital expenditure4 (4) 
Commodity price risk
Highly probable forecast sales78 (78) 
At 31 December 2019
Cash flow hedges
Foreign exchange risk
Highly probable forecast capital expenditure(1)— 
Commodity price risk
Highly probable forecast sales(100)100 — 

The tables below summarize the carrying amount and nominal amount of the derivatives designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedge relationships.
Carrying amount of hedging instrumentNominal amounts of hedging instruments
AssetsLiabilities
At 31 December 2020$ million$ million$ millionmmBtu
Cash flow hedges
Foreign exchange risk
Highly probable forecast capital expenditure4  162 
Commodity price risk
Highly probable forecast sales  (175)
At 31 December 2019
Cash flow hedges
Foreign exchange risk
Highly probable forecast capital expenditure(4)150 
All hedging instruments are presented within derivative financial instruments on the group balance sheet.
All of the nominal amount of hedging instruments at 31 December 2020 and 2019 relating to highly probably forecast capital expenditure matures within 12 months of the relevant balance sheet date. Of the nominal amount of hedging instruments at 31 December 2020 relating to highly probably forecast sales 135 mmBtu matures within 12 months and 40 mmBtu within one to two years.
30. Derivative financial instruments – continued
The table below summarizes the weighted average exchange rates and the weighted average sales price in relation to the derivatives designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedge relationships at 31 December.
Weighted average price/rate
20202019
At 31 DecemberForecast capital expenditureForecast salesForecast capital expenditure
Sterling/US dollar1.35 1.35 
Euro/US dollar 1.11 
Korean won/US dollar1,174.47 1,115.66 
Henry Hub $/mmBtu2.88 
Fair value hedges
At 31 December 2020, the group held interest rate and cross-currency interest rate swap contracts as fair value hedges of the interest rate risk and foreign currency risk arising from group fixed rate debt issuances. Note 29 outlines the group’s approach to interest rate and foreign currency exchange risk management. The interest rate swaps are used to convert US dollar denominated fixed rate borrowings into floating rate debt. The cross-currency interest rate swaps are used to convert sterling, euro, Swiss franc, Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone denominated fixed rate borrowings into US dollar floating rate debt. The group manages all risks derived from debt issuance, such as credit risk, however, the group applies hedge accounting only to certain components of interest rate and foreign currency risk in order to minimize hedge ineffectiveness. The interest rate and foreign currency exposures are identified and hedged on an instrument-by-instrument basis. For interest rate exposures, the group designates as a fair value hedge the benchmark interest rate component only. This is an observable and reliably measurable component of interest rate risk.
All of the fair value hedge accounting relationships currently in place are directly affected by the interest rate benchmark reform which will replace interbank offered rates (IBORs) with alternative benchmark rates as they all manage interest rate risk. The Group is significantly exposed to benchmark interest rate components; predominantly USD LIBOR, GBP LIBOR, EURIBOR and CHF LIBOR. The nominal amounts of the applicable hedging instruments represent the extent of the risk exposure bp manages for financial derivatives designated in fair value hedge relationships that is directly affected by the interest rate benchmark reform. These are disclosed in the table below. Uncertainty around the method and timing of transition from Inter-bank Offered Rates (IBORs) to alternative risk-free rates (RfRs) may impact the assessment of whether hedge accounting can be applied to certain hedging relationships. However, the temporary reliefs provided by IFRS 9 allow bp to assume that in the event that significant uncertainty around the reform arises:
the interest rate benchmark component of fair value hedges only needs to be assessed as separately identifiable at initial designation; and
the interest rate benchmark is not altered for the purposes of assessing the economic relationship between the hedged item and the hedging instrument for fair value hedges.
Judgement will be required to determine when the uncertainty arising from interest rate benchmark reform is no longer present and when the temporary reliefs no longer apply. However, at 31 December 2020 the reliefs apply and bp continues to monitor regulatory and market developments as it manages the contractual transition.
For foreign currency exposures, the group excludes from the designation the foreign currency basis spread component implicit in the cross-currency interest rate swaps. This is separately calculated at hedge designation, is recognized in other comprehensive income over the life of the hedge and amortized to the income statement on a straight-line basis, in accordance with the group’s policy on costs of hedging.
The group applies hedge accounting where there is an economic relationship between the hedged item and the hedging instrument. The existence of an economic relationship is determined initially by comparing the critical terms of the hedging instrument and those of the hedged item and it is prospectively assessed using linear regression analysis. The group issues fixed rate debt and enters into interest rate and cross-currency interest rate swaps with critical terms that match those of the debt and on a 1:1 hedge ratio basis. The hedge ratio is determined by comparing the notional amount of the derivative with the notional amount of the debt. The hedge relationship is designated for the full term and notional value of the debt. Both the hedging instrument and the hedged item are expected to be held to maturity.
The group has identified the following sources of ineffectiveness, which are not expected to be material:
derivative counterparty’s credit risk which is not offset by the hedged item. This risk is mitigated by entering into derivative transactions only with high credit quality counterparties; and
sensitivity to interest rate between the hedged item and the derivatives. This is driven by differences in payment frequencies between the instrument and the bond.
The tables below summarize the change in the fair value of hedging instruments and the hedged item used to calculate ineffectiveness in the period. The signage convention for changes in fair value presented in this table is consistent with that presented in Note 27.
$ million
Change in fair value of hedging instrument used to calculate ineffectivenessChange in fair value of hedged item used to calculate ineffectivenessHedge ineffectiveness recognized in profit or (loss)
At 31 December 2020
Fair value hedges
Interest rate risk on finance debt(258)258  
Interest rate and foreign currency risk on finance debt(2,743)2,549 194 
At 31 December 2019
Fair value hedges
Interest rate risk on finance debt(764)737 27 
Interest rate and foreign currency risk on finance debt(336)286 50 
30. Derivative financial instruments – continued
The tables below summarize the carrying amount of the derivatives designated as hedging instruments in fair value hedge relationships at 31 December.
$ million
Carrying amount of hedging instrumentNominal amounts of hedging instruments
At 31 December 2020AssetsLiabilities
Fair value hedges
Interest rate risk on finance debt80  4,104 
Interest rate and foreign currency risk on finance debt2,614 (82)23,313 
At 31 December 2019
Fair value hedges
Interest rate risk on finance debt138 (35)13,442 
Interest rate and foreign currency risk on finance debt344 (637)21,296 

All hedging instruments are presented within derivative financial instruments on the group balance sheet. Ineffectiveness arising on fair value hedges is included within the production and manufacturing expenses section of the income statement.
The tables below summarize the profile by tenor of the nominal amount of the derivatives designated as hedging instruments in fair value hedge relationships at 31 December.
$ million
At 31 December 2020Less than 1 year1-2 years2-3 years3-4 years4-5 years5-10 yearsOver 10 yearsTotal
Fair value hedges
Interest rate risk on finance debt2,705 996  227  176  4,104 
Interest rate and foreign currency risk on finance debt737 1,056 2,039 3,175 2,804 8,587 4,915 23,313 
At 31 December 2019
Fair value hedges
Interest rate risk on finance debt3,000 2,576 4,039 1,200 206 2,421 — 13,442 
Interest rate and foreign currency risk on finance debt882 672 1,400 2,777 3,109 10,216 2,240 21,296 

The table below summarizes the weighted average floating interest rate and the weighted average exchange rates in relation to the derivatives designated as hedging instruments in fair value hedge relationships at 31 December.
At 31 December20202019
Interest rate swapsCross-currency interest rate swapsInterest rate swapsCross-currency interest rate swaps
Interest rate0.58 %1.88 %2.36 %3.27 %
Sterling/US dollar1.331.32
Euro/US dollar1.141.15
Canadian dollar/US dollar0.780.87
The tables below summarize the carrying amount, and the accumulated fair value adjustments included within the carrying amount, of the hedged items designated in fair value hedge relationships at 31 December.
$ million
Carrying amount of hedged itemAccumulated fair value adjustment included in the carrying amount of hedged items
At 31 December 2020AssetsLiabilitiesAssetsLiabilitiesDiscontinued hedges
Fair value hedges
Interest rate risk on finance debt (4,196) (81)(775)
Interest rate and foreign currency risk on finance debt (23,253) (938) 
At 31 December 2019
Fair value hedges
Interest rate risk on finance debt— (13,441)— (100)(714)
Interest rate and foreign currency risk on finance debt— (21,240)— (525)— 
The hedged item for all fair value hedges is presented within finance debt on the group balance sheet.
30. Derivative financial instruments – continued
Movement in reserves related to hedge accounting
The table below provides a reconciliation of the cash flow hedge and costs of hedging reserves on a pre-tax basis by risk category. The signage convention of this table is consistent with that presented in Note 32.
$ million
Cash flow hedge reserveCosts of hedging reserve
Highly probable forecast capital expenditureHighly probable forecast sales
Purchase of equitya
Interest rate and foreign currency risk on finance debtTotal
At 1 January 2020(1) (651)(170)(822)
Recognized in other comprehensive income
Cash flow hedges marked to market
7 78   85 
Cash flow hedges reclassified to the income statement - hedged item affected profit or loss
 (37)  (37)
Costs of hedging marked to market   42 42 
Costs of hedging reclassified to the income statement   22 22 
7 41  64 112 
Cash flow hedges transferred to the balance sheet
6    6 
At 31 December 202012 41 (651)(106)(704)
$ million
Cash flow hedge reserveCosts of hedging reserve
Highly probable forecast capital expenditureHighly probable forecast sales
Purchase of equitya
Interest rate and foreign currency risk on finance debtTotal
At 1 January 2019(21)(6)(651)(223)(901)
Recognized in other comprehensive income
Cash flow hedges marked to market
(3)(100)— — (103)
Cash flow hedges reclassified to the income statement - hedged item affected profit or loss
— 106 — — 106 
Costs of hedging marked to market— — — (4)(4)
Costs of hedging reclassified to the income statement— — — 57 57 
(3)— 53 56 
Cash flow hedges transferred to the balance sheet
23 — — — 23 
At 31 December 2019(1)— (651)(170)(822)
a See Note 32 for further information on the cash flow hedge reserve relating to the purchase of equity.
Substantially all of the cash flow hedge reserve balances and all of the amounts reclassified from the cash flow hedge reserve into profit or loss during the year relate to continuing hedge relationships. Amounts deferred in the cash flow hedge reserve that have been reclassified to profit or loss are presented in sales and other operating revenues in the income statement.
Costs of hedging relates to the foreign currency basis spreads of hedging instruments used to hedge the group's interest rate and foreign currency risk on debt which is a time-period related item.