BP (BP)

Derivative financial instruments (concluded)

For the purpose of hedge accounting, hedges are classified as either fair value hedges when they hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability; or cash flow hedges where they hedge exposure to variability in cash flows that is either attributable to a particular risk associated with a recognized asset or liability or a forecast transaction.

In relation to fair value hedges which meet the conditions for hedge accounting, any gain or loss from remeasuring the hedging instrument at fair value is recognized immediately in the income statement.  Any gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk is adjusted against the carrying amount of the hedged item and recognized in the income statement.  Where the adjustment is to the carrying amount of a hedged interest-bearing financial instrument, the adjustment is amortized to the net profit and loss such that it is fully amortized by maturity.

In relation to cash flow hedges of firm commitments which meet the conditions for hedge accounting, the portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument that is determined to be an effective hedge is recognized directly in equity and the ineffective portion is recognized in net profit or loss.

If a cash flow hedge of a forecast transaction subsequently results in the recognition of a non-financial asset or a non-financial liability, or a forecast transaction for a non-financial asset or non-financial liability becomes a firm commitment for which fair value hedge accounting is applied, then the associated gains and losses that were recognized directly in equity are included in the initial cost or other carrying amount of the asset or liability. For all other cash flow hedges, the gains or losses that are recognized in equity are transferred to the income statement in the same period in which the hedged firm commitment affects the net profit and loss, for example when the future sale actually occurs.

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting.  At that point in time, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument recognized in equity is kept in equity until the forecasted transaction occurs.  If a hedged transaction is no longer expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss recognized in equity is transferred to net profit or loss for the period.

Sales and purchase contracts with pricing terms that are not closely related to the host contract are categorized as having embedded derivatives. These embedded derivatives are measured at fair value at each period end. Any gains or losses arising from changes in fair value are taken directly to net profit or loss for the period.