SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549



                                    Form 6-K

                            Report of Foreign Issuer

                      Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                       for the period ended 29 March 2004


                                    BP p.l.c.
                 (Translation of registrant's name into English)


                 1 ST JAMES'S SQUARE, LONDON, SW1Y 4PD, ENGLAND
                    (Address of principal executive offices)


     Indicate  by check mark  whether the  registrant  files or will file annual
     reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.


              Form 20-F        |X|          Form 40-F
                         ---------------               ----------------


     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
     contained in this Form is also thereby  furnishing  the  information to the
     Commission  pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
     1934.


                    Yes                            No        |X|
                         ---------------               ----------------




PRESS RELEASE


March 29, 2004

BP close period share repurchase programme

BP p.l.c. announced today that it has commenced an irrevocable,
non-discretionary programme to purchase shares on its own behalf, for
cancellation, during its close period which commences on April 1, 2004 and ends
on April 26, 2004.

Any acquisitions will be effected within certain pre-set parameters, and in
accordance with both BP's general authority to repurchase shares and Chapter 15
of the Listing Rules which requires that the maximum price paid be limited to no
more than 105 per cent of the average middle market closing price of BP shares
for the five dealing days preceding the date of purchase.

The company confirms that it currently has no unpublished price sensitive
information.

Further enquiries:

BP press office: +44(0)20 7496 4076

- ENDS -




                                         SIGNATURES





Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



                                         BP p.l.c.
                                        (Registrant)



Dated: 29 March 2004                          /s/ D. J. PEARL
                                                  ..............................
                                                  D. J. PEARL
                                                  Deputy Company Secretary