"In conjunction with the US authorities, a massive response has been mobilised which is focussed immediately on containing and stopping the flow of oil. We will also continue to apply all of the necessary resources to the aftermath, both in the clean-up operation and in remediation and payment of legitimate claims. These are our most critical and immediate tasks. We will meet our obligations both as a responsible company and also as a necessary step to rebuilding trust in BP as a long term member of the business communities in the US and around the world. This is in the interest of all our stakeholders."

Turning to BP's financial position, Svanberg said: "It remains our aim as always to strike the right balance for shareholders between current returns through the dividend, sustained investment for long term growth and maintaining a prudent gearing level. We will do all we can to protect and grow the value of the company in which you have invested.

"We fully understand the importance of our dividend to our shareholders. Future decisions on the quarterly dividend will be made by the Board, as they always have been, on the basis of the circumstances at the time. All factors will be considered and the decision taken in the long term interests of the shareholders."

In commenting on the significant financial costs of the incident, the company pointed out that:

• BP has already spent over $1 billion in gross direct costs for the response, clean up and relief wells.
  
• Spending at this rate is expected to continue for some time beyond successful completion of work to stop the flow of oil from the damaged well. Any fines and penalties would present additional costs.
  
• The costs of containment, removal and clean up are likely to be largely complete in 2010.
  
• The longer-term costs of environmental remediation, claims and litigation are not predictable at this stage, but they will be sizeable and are likely to be spread over many years.

Hayward assured shareholders that the company was prepared to meet those costs. "We will also meet our obligations to our employees, and to our other stakeholders, including hundreds of thousands of shareholders, and millions more savers in mutual and pension funds, who rely on their investment in BP as part of their financial security and in many cases their retirement income. The financial consequences of this incident will undoubtedly be severe, but BP is a strong company and we have weathered many storms before."

Hayward said: "Everyone at BP is heartbroken by this event, by the loss of life and by the damage to the environment and to the livelihoods of the people of the Gulf Coast. It should not have happened and we are bound and determined to learn every lesson to try and ensure it never happens again."

"We will stand by our obligations," he added. "We will halt this spill and put right the damage that has been done. We will rebuild the confidence of the American people and the world in BP."

In its March presentation, prior to the Gulf of Mexico incident, BP indicated that its cash inflows and outflows were balanced at an oil price of around $60/barrel. "Under the current trading environment we are generating significant additional cash flow," Hayward said. "In addition, our gearing is currently below the targeted range, and our asset base is strong and valuable, with more than 18 billion barrels of proved reserves and 63 billion barrels of resources. All of this gives us significant flexibility in dealing with the costs of this incident."

Hayward announced that BP will create a separate stand-alone organisation to manage the long-term response once the spill is over. Managing Director Bob Dudley will lead this new organisation reporting directly to the Group Chief Executive.