Aker ASA (0MJX.IL)

Aker BP Q1 beats forecast as costs fall, Tyrving to start sooner

Norwegian independent oil company Aker BP on Wednesday posted higher-than-expected net profit for the first quarter as costs fell, and said its Tyrving field development could start production sooner than previously planned. The company, partly owned by BP, reported a net profit of $531 million for the January to March period, up from $187 million a year earlier, beating a $470 million forecast in a company-compiled poll of analysts. Oslo-listed Aker BP shares were trading around 1% up by 0823 GMT, outperforming the European oil and gas sector, which was 0.5% higher.