Strategic Report Shell Ar18 PDF
Strategic Report Shell Ar18 PDF
Strategic Report Shell Ar18 PDF
We are making good progress in shaping Shell into one of the best Each member of our diverse Board brings invaluable perspectives to these
investment options for shareholders globally, while positioning it to thrive in discussions, blending experience from both the public and private sectors.
the transition to a lower-carbon world. This progress is described in Ben’s To highlight the contributions of our three newest members, Roberto Setubal
CEO review. brings insights from Brazil, a major developing country. Ann Godbehere
brings extensive mining, insurance and financial sector experience, and
Our ongoing work to provide more and cleaner energy should increase Catherine Hughes brings decades of experience in the oil and gas industry.
recognition of the positive contributions that Shell can make to society over The Board must scrutinise Shell’s plans and actions from different points of
the decades ahead. view.
But our success in achieving these goals will depend largely on whether Unfortunately, as a result of a settlement agreement Shell entered into in
society trusts us. 2011 in Nigeria for an oil block called OPL 245, we have seen Shell’s
name in news headlines around the world. This is a stark reminder that
Investors invest in companies they trust, governments allow trusted companies to building trust requires more than just complying with the law. Trust is also
operate and consumers buy things from people they trust. Trusted companies about perception. If people perceive you as not sharing their values,
are also likely to attract and retain the brightest minds, helping to ensure the concerns or hopes for the future, they are unlikely to trust you.
lasting vitality of the business.
This has been a difficult learning experience for us, particularly in terms of
Trust is clearly a virtuous circle. The question is, how can companies create how our behaviour is perceived. We are using this experience to remind all
and keep it? I believe this can only be achieved by everybody our employees that even the perception of wrongdoing can result in a loss
demonstrating unquestionable integrity – every day, in every way and of trust.
everywhere we work.
To gain and maintain trust across more than 70 countries in which we
Unquestionable integrity is essential for earning and maintaining the trust of operate, we also need to ensure we always work safely, without hurting
customers, investors and wider society. people or the environment, while rectifying problems that arise.
PUBLIC TRUST We are making good progress on improving the safety of our operations.
According to our independent research, Shell still enjoys high levels of For example, our process safety incidents were reduced by more than a
public trust in many Asian countries, including China and India. But trust in quarter in 2018, compared to 2017. Our personal injury rate was our
the oil and gas industry has declined in some parts of the world, particularly second-lowest on record, following a record low in 2017. But two people
in western Europe, over the last few decades. Shell is no exception. still tragically died while working for Shell in 2018. Our safety goal is zero
injuries and incidents.
Shell lost the trust of many investors in 2004, when senior executives
misrepresented the size of the company's oil reserves. The company has TRANSPARENCY
been working to restore that trust ever since. Trust can only be earned and kept if people see that we share their
concerns and hopes for the future. They can only see that if we are
Earning trust takes time. Losing it takes no time at all. transparent about what we do and why we do it. Transparency goes
beyond publishing financial results and executive pay figures. It is about
That is why we invest a lot of time in raising ethical standards and being as open as we can with governments, customers and partners. On
underscoring the importance of absolute integrity for all our employees. We tax, for example, Shell has signed up to The B Team Responsible Tax
can never stop working to ensure that the highest ethical standards are Principles. These include being open about the entities the Company owns
always followed by all Shell staff around the world. around the world, and why we own them.
And, because we strongly believe that all leaders must set an example, in The more transparent we are about our activities, the better equipped our
2018 we introduced mandatory ethical leadership workshops for senior investors, customers and wider society are to decide whether we are
executives across our global operations. I took part in one such workshop in worthy of their trust.
December 2018, together with fellow Board member Sir Nigel Sheinwald
and several senior managers. It was a great opportunity to learn from each Ultimately, we need to give them lots of reasons to trust us and no reasons
other about the challenges facing leaders at Shell. to distrust us. Perhaps nowhere is this more important than for the 30 million
daily retail customers who trust Shell to provide products they can rely on.
Ethical considerations are a key part of discussions in the Shell boardroom. We must live up to that trust every day.
Over the last year or more, we have made a concerted effort to use the
experiences of our Board members, gained from working in a variety of
countries and industries, to identify ethical dilemmas that could arise from
business opportunities.
We want all our retail customers to strongly believe that, when they are
filling up or charging their vehicles, we are providing all the products and
services they need safely, efficiently and ethically. We want all our business
customers to be equally sure of Shell. By constantly demonstrating the
unquestionable integrity of our businesses, people and partnerships, we
believe we can earn and keep their trust over the long term.
Chad Holliday
Chair
Shell delivered a very strong financial performance in 2018. We are Although our $30 billion divestment programme for 2016-18 has been
continuing to make good progress in building a world-class investment case. successfully completed, we expect to continue divestments at an average
rate of more than $5 billion a year until at least 2020. This will help us to
Higher oil and gas prices, combined with our ongoing work to improve the further strengthen the balance sheet, reduce debt and increase focus on our
performance and competitiveness of our businesses, contributed to a sharp strategic priorities.
increase in cash flow from operating activities to $53 billion in 2018. We
are on track with our outlook of annual free cash flow of between $30 Capital investment in 2018 was slightly below $25 billion, reflecting our
billion and $35 billion by 2020, at a Brent crude oil price of $60 a barrel disciplined capital investment approach. Our capital investment outlook
(real terms 2016). remains between $25 billion and $30 billion a year until 2020. We see
$30 billion as a ceiling, even in a high oil price environment. Our continued
We delivered on our promises for the year, including completing our $30- focus on capital efficiency and streamlining our portfolio will make us more
billion divestment programme and starting up key growth projects, while resilient and competitive.
maintaining discipline on capital investment. We paid our entire dividend in
cash, further reduced our debt and launched our share buyback We will continue to carefully control our costs and investment levels, but we
programme. are still investing in strong commercial opportunities for growth. For
example, we added deep-water exploration acreage in both the Mexican
But 2018 was not all good news for us. Tragically, a contractor died at our and US parts of the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Brazil, and off the
Rheinland refinery in Germany and another died at an onshore well in the coast of Mauritania in 2018. We also announced two large deep-water
USA. I am deeply unhappy about these incidents and call on all Shell discoveries in the US Gulf of Mexico.
employees, contractors and suppliers to redouble their focus on safety.
Natural gas will play a key role in the transition to a lower-carbon global
RESULTS energy system over the next few decades, with liquefied natural gas (LNG)
Income for the period was $23.9 billion in 2018, compared with $13.4 shipments playing an increasingly important part. This is one of the driving
billion in 2017. Earnings on a current cost of supplies basis increased to forces behind our taking the final investment decision in 2018 on LNG
$24.4 billion, compared with $12.5 billion in 2017. We distributed $15.7 Canada, a major project in which Shell has a 40% interest.
billion to shareholders in dividends in 2018.
LNG Canada is well positioned to help Shell meet some of the world’s
After cancelling the Scrip Dividend Programme with effect from the fourth growing gas needs. We expect the cash flow it generates to be significant
quarter 2017 dividend, our healthy free cash flow outlook and stronger and resilient. Sustainable development was considered in every aspect of
balance sheet gave us the confidence to start our share buyback the project. For example, it has been designed to achieve the lowest
programme in mid-2018. We intend to buy back at least $25 billion of carbon intensity of any LNG project in operation today, aided by the
shares by the end of 2020, subject to further progress with debt reduction partial use of hydropower.
and oil price conditions.
In December, Shell announced plans to set short-term targets for reducing the
With the continued strengthening of our balance sheet, cash flows and our Net Carbon Footprint of the energy products it sells – a carbon intensity
ongoing focus on capital efficiency, I am confident that we will do this while measure that includes our customers’ emissions when they use these products
continuing to grow our portfolio. – and to link these targets to executive remuneration. This is an industry first.
We continued to deliver new projects, including the completion of an Shell’s Remuneration Committee will include a new performance condition
important chemical plant expansion in China and starting production from a linked to the transition to lower-carbon energy for the Long-term Incentive
deep-water development in the US Gulf of Mexico a year ahead of Plan grant starting in 2019, one year earlier than planned. Further details
schedule. Overall, our production averaged 3.7 million barrels of oil are in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.
equivalent a day in 2018, unchanged from 2017. Increased production from
new field start-ups and ramp-ups, as well as lower maintenance activity, was In 2018, I also announced our ambition to provide a reliable electricity
offset by the impact of divestments and field declines. supply to 100 million people in the developing world by 2030. Economic
and social progress are being hindered in many countries by a lack of
Stronger crude oil and gas prices contributed to sharp increases in our reliable energy supplies that are essential to providing basic medical
Upstream and Integrated Gas earnings, while Downstream earnings fell services and clean water, for example. Better access to energy improves
slightly. people’s lives.
We continued to streamline our business – including the sale of our I am proud of Shell’s success in 2018. We will continue to focus on
Downstream business in Argentina; Upstream interests in Iraq, Ireland, delivering on our strategy in 2019, maintaining our disciplined approach to
Norway and Oman; and Integrated Gas interests in Malaysia, New capital investment while working to grow our cash flow and returns. Our
Zealand and Thailand. strategy to deliver a world-class investment case is working.
The progress of our divestments has helped us to reduce net debt, with Ben van Beurden
gearing standing at 20.3% at the end of 2018, down from 25.0% in 2017. Chief Executive Officer
to provide a world-class investment case. This involves growing free cash For more details on how the strategic themes are embedded into our
flow and increasing returns, all built upon a strong financial framework businesses, see “Business Overview” on page 13.
and resilient portfolio;
to thrive in the energy transition by responding to society’s desire for Our intention is to have an advantaged and resilient position in each
more and cleaner, convenient and competitive energy; and strategic theme to drive an optimal free cash flow and returns profile over
to sustain a strong societal licence to operate and make a positive multiple timelines. When we set our plans and goals, we do so on the basis
contribution to society through our activities. of delivering sustained returns over decades.
The execution of our strategy is founded on becoming a more customer- OUTLOOK FOR 2019 AND BEYOND
centric and simpler, more streamlined organisation, focused on growing We continuously seek to improve our operating performance and maximise
returns and free cash flow. By investing in competitive projects, driving down sustainable free cash flow, with an emphasis on health, safety, security,
costs and selling non-core businesses, we are continuously reshaping our environment and asset performance, as well as our ethics and compliance
portfolio to become a more resilient and focused company. principles. In order to achieve that, we strive for highly qualified and
motivated employees.
Our ability to achieve our strategic ambitions depends on how we respond
to competitive forces. We continuously assess the external environment – We are on track with our outlook of annual free cash flow of between $30
the markets as well as the underlying economic, political, social and billion and $35 billion by 2020, at a Brent crude oil price of $60 a barrel
environmental drivers that shape them – to evaluate changes in competitive (real terms 2016).
forces and business models. We use multiple future scenarios to assess the
resilience of our strategy. We undertake regular reviews of the markets we Our capital investment outlook remains between $25 billion and $30 billion
operate in and analyse trends and uncertainties, as well as our traditional a year until 2020. We see $30 billion as a ceiling, even in a high oil price
and non-traditional competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, to understand environment.
our competitive position. We maintain business strategies and plans that
focus on actions and capabilities to create and sustain competitive Following the successful delivery of our $30 billion divestment programme
advantage. We maintain a risk management framework that regularly during 2016-18, we will continue with an annual average outlook of at least
assesses our response to, and risk appetite for, identified risk factors (see $5 billion of divestments in 2019 and 2020.
“Risk factors” on page 15).
Following the delivery of an additional $10 billion of cash flow from
Our Executive Directors’ remuneration is linked to the successful delivery of operations between 2014 and 2018, key project start-ups and ramp-ups are
our strategy, based on performance indicators that are aligned with expected to generate an additional $5 billion cash flow from operations
shareholder interests. Long-term incentives form the majority of the Executive between 2018 and 2020, assuming $60 per barrel (real terms 2016) and
Directors’ remuneration for above-target performance. In 2018, the Long- mid-cycle Downstream industry conditions. We will remain highly selective
term Incentive Plan (LTIP) included cash generation, capital discipline, and on new investment decisions throughout 2019 and beyond.
value created for shareholders metrics. See the “Directors’ Remuneration
Report” on page 142.
We fully support the Paris Agreement’s goal to keep the rise in global
average temperature this century to well below two degrees Celsius above
pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit temperature increase even
further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. We have set a long-term ambition to reduce the
Net Carbon Footprint of our energy products, measured in grams of carbon-
dioxide equivalent per megajoule consumed, by around 20% by 2035 and
by around 50% by 2050, in pace with society. To operationalise this long-
term ambition, we will start setting specific Net Carbon Footprint targets for
shorter-term periods. The first target has been set for a three-year period and is
detailed in the Climate Change section on page 77. The target and other
measures will be linked to our executive remuneration and we have
introduced an additional performance condition in our Long-term Incentive
Plan (LTIP) in 2019 linked to the transition to lower-carbon energy. Further
details can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 124.
The statements in this “Strategy and outlook” section, including those related
to our growth strategies and our expected or potential future cash flow from
operations, free cash flow, share buybacks, capital investment, divestments,
production and Net Carbon Footprint are based on management’s current
expectations and certain material assumptions and, accordingly, involve
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or
events to differ materially from those expressed or implied herein. See
“About this Report” on pages 05-06 and “Risk factors” on pages 15-20.
This outlook does not include the impact of the application of the new
standard IFRS 16 Leases, which is effective as of January 1, 2019.
HISTORY We cool natural gas to produce liquefied natural gas (LNG) that can be
From 1907 until 2005, Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and The “Shell” safely shipped to markets around the world, and we convert gas into
Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c. were the two public parent liquids (GTL).
companies of a group of companies known collectively as the “Royal We transport and trade oil, gas and other energy-related products, such
Dutch/Shell Group”. Operating activities were conducted through the as electricity and carbon-emissions rights.
subsidiaries of these parent companies. In 2005, Royal Dutch Shell plc We have a portfolio of refineries and chemical plants which enables us
became the single parent company of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company to capture value from oil and gas production, turning them into a range
and of The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c., now The Shell of refined and petrochemical products which are moved and marketed
Transport and Trading Company Limited. around the world for domestic, industrial and transport use. The products
we sell include gasoline, diesel, heating oil, aviation fuel, marine fuel,
Royal Dutch Shell plc (the Company) is a public limited company registered LNG for transport, lubricants, bitumen and sulphur. We also produce and
in England and Wales and headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands. sell ethanol from sugar cane in Brazil, through our Raízen joint venture.
We invest in low-carbon energy solutions such as biofuels, hydrogen,
BUSINESS MODEL wind and solar power, and in other opportunities linked to the energy
Shell is an international energy company with expertise in the exploration, transition.
development, production, refining and marketing of oil and natural gas, as
well as in the manufacturing and marketing of chemicals. We are one of the The integration of our businesses is one of our competitive advantages,
world’s largest independent energy companies in terms of market allowing for optimisations across our global portfolio. Our key strengths
capitalisation, cash flow from operating activities, and production levels. include the development and application of innovation and technology, the
financial and project management skills that allow us to safely develop
We seek to create shareholder value through the following activities: large and integrated projects, the management of integrated value chains
and the marketing of energy products. The distinctive Shell pecten, a
We explore for crude oil and natural gas worldwide, both in trademark in use since the early part of the 20th century, and trademarks in
conventional fields and from sources such as tight rock, shale and coal which the word Shell appears, help raise the profile of our brand globally.
formations. We work to develop new crude oil and natural gas supplies
from major fields. We also extract bitumen from oil sands, which we
convert into synthetic crude oil.
Customers
B2B & Retail
Retail Lubricants Aviation Power Exploring for oil Exploring for oil
and gas; offshore and gas; onshore
Upgrading Refining oil into Converting gas into Producing Producing Generating
bitumen fuels and lubricants liquid products (GTL) petrochemicals biofuels power
Integrated Gas manages LNG activities and the conversion of natural gas SEGMENTAL REPORTING
into GTL fuels and other products. It includes natural gas exploration and Our reporting segments are Integrated Gas, Upstream, Downstream and
extraction, and the operation of upstream and midstream infrastructure Corporate. Upstream combines the operating segments Upstream
necessary to deliver gas to market. It markets and trades natural gas, LNG, (managed by our Upstream organisation) and Oil Sands (managed by our
electricity and carbon-emission rights and also markets and sells LNG as a Downstream organisation), which have similar economic characteristics.
fuel for heavy-duty vehicles and marine vessels. Integrated Gas, Upstream and Downstream include their respective
elements of our Projects & Technology organisation. The Corporate
In New Energies, we are exploring emerging opportunities and investing in segment comprises our holdings and treasury organisation, self-insurance
those where we believe sufficient commercial value is available. We focus activities, and headquarters and central functions. See Note 4 to the
on new fuels for transport, such as advanced biofuels, hydrogen and “Consolidated Financial Statements” on pages 181-184.
charging for battery-electric vehicles; and power, including from low-carbon
sources such as wind and solar as well as natural gas.
Revenue by business segment
UPSTREAM (including inter-segment sales) $ million
Our Upstream organisation covers three strategic themes: Conventional Oil and 2018 2017 2016
Gas, which is a cash engine; Deep water, which is a growth priority; and Shales, Integrated Gas
which is an emerging opportunity. Third parties 43,764 32,674 25,282
Inter-segment 4,853 3,978 3,908
It manages the exploration for and extraction of crude oil, natural gas and
Total 48,617 36,652 29,190
natural gas liquids. It also markets and transports oil and gas, and operates
infrastructure necessary to deliver them to market. Upstream
Third parties 9,892 7,723 6,412
DOWNSTREAM Inter-segment 37,841 32,469 26,524
Our Downstream organisation comprises two strategic themes: Oil Total 47,733 40,192 32,936
Products, which is a cash engine; and Chemicals, which is a growth priority.
Downstream
It manages different Oil Products and Chemicals activities as part of an Third parties 334,680 264,731 201,823
integrated value chain, that trades and refines crude oil, and other Inter-segment 5,358 4,248 1,727
feedstocks into a range of products which are moved and marketed around Total 340,038 268,979 203,550
the world for domestic, industrial and transport use. The products we sell Corporate
include gasoline, diesel, heating oil, aviation fuel, marine fuel, biofuel,
Third parties 43 51 74
lubricants, bitumen and sulphur. In addition, we produce and sell
petrochemicals for industrial use worldwide. Our Downstream organisation Total 43 51 74
also manages Oil Sands activities (the extraction of bitumen from mined oil
sands and its conversion into synthetic crude oil).
The risks discussed below could have a material adverse effect markets. Accordingly, failure to manage our costs as well as our
separately, or in combination, on our earnings, cash flows and operational performance could result in a material adverse effect on our
financial condition. Accordingly, investors should carefully consider earnings, cash flows and financial condition. We also compete with state-
these risks. owned oil and gas entities with vast access to financial resources. State-
Measures that we use to manage or mitigate our various risks are set out in owned entities could be motivated by political or other factors in making
the relevant sections of this Report, indicated by way of cross references their business decisions. Accordingly, when bidding on new leases or
under each risk factor. The Board’s responsibility for identifying, evaluating projects, we could find ourselves at a competitive disadvantage as these
and managing our significant risks is discussed in “Corporate governance” state-owned entities may not require a competitive return. If we are unable
on pages 103-104. to obtain competitive returns when bidding on new leases or projects, it
could have a material adverse effect on our earnings, cash flows and
We are exposed to fluctuating prices of crude oil, natural gas, oil financial condition.
products and chemicals.
The prices of crude oil, natural gas, oil products and chemicals are affected See “Strategy and outlook” on page 10.
by supply and demand, both globally and regionally. Government actions
may also affect the prices of crude oil, natural gas, oil products and We seek to execute divestments in the pursuit of our strategy. We may
chemicals. For example, if a government were to ban diesel automobiles not be able to successfully divest these assets in line with our strategy.
from entering a city or provide tax deductions for the purchase of We may not be able to successfully divest assets at acceptable prices or
renewable automobiles. Moreover, prices for oil and gas can move within the timeline envisaged due to market conditions or credit risk,
independently of each other. Factors that influence supply and demand resulting in increased pressure on our cash position and potential
include operational issues, natural disasters, weather, political instability, impairments. Additionally, in some cases, we have retained certain liabilities
conflicts, economic conditions and actions by major oil and gas producing following a divestment. Moreover, even in cases where we have not
countries. Additionally, in a low oil and gas price environment, we would expressly retained certain liabilities, we may be held liable for past acts,
generate less revenue from our Upstream and Integrated Gas businesses, failures to act or liabilities that are different from those foreseen. We may
and, as a result, parts of those businesses could become less profitable, or also face liabilities if a purchaser fails to honour its commitments.
could incur losses. Additionally, low oil and gas prices have resulted, and Accordingly, if we are unable to divest assets at acceptable prices or within
could continue to result, in the debooking of proved oil or gas reserves, if our envisaged timeframe, this could have a material adverse effect on our
they become uneconomic in this type of price environment. Prolonged earnings, cash flows and financial condition.
periods of low oil and gas prices, or rising costs, have resulted and could
continue to result in projects being delayed or cancelled. In addition, assets See “Strategy and outlook” on pages 10-11.
have been impaired in the past, and there could be impairments in the
future. Low oil and gas prices could also affect our ability to maintain our Our future hydrocarbon production depends on the delivery of large
long-term capital investment programme and dividend payments. Prolonged and integrated projects, as well as on our ability to replace proved oil
periods of low oil and gas prices could adversely affect the financial, fiscal, and gas reserves.
legal, political and social stability of countries that rely significantly on oil We face numerous challenges in developing capital projects, especially
and gas revenue. In a high oil and gas price environment, we could those which are large and integrated. Challenges include uncertain
experience sharp increases in costs, and, under some production-sharing geology, frontier conditions, the existence and availability of necessary
contracts, our entitlement to proved reserves would be reduced. Higher technology and engineering resources, the availability of skilled labour, the
prices could also reduce demand for our products, which could result in existence of transportation infrastructure, project delays, the expiration of
lower profitability, particularly in our Downstream business. Accordingly, licences and potential cost overruns, as well as technical, fiscal, regulatory,
price fluctuations could have a material adverse effect on our earnings, political and other conditions. These challenges are particularly relevant in
cash flows and financial condition. certain developing and emerging-market countries, in frontier areas and in
deep-water fields, such as off the coast of Brazil. We may fail to assess or
See “Market overview” on page 21. manage these and other risks properly. Such potential obstacles could
impair our delivery of these projects, our ability to fulfil the value potential at
Our ability to deliver competitive returns and pursue commercial the time of the project investment approval, and/or our ability to fulfil
opportunities depends in part on the accuracy of our price related contractual commitments. These could lead to impairments and
assumptions. could have a material adverse effect on our earnings, cash flows and
We use a range of oil and gas price assumptions, which we review on a financial condition.
periodic basis, to evaluate projects and commercial opportunities. If our
assumptions prove to be incorrect, it could have a material adverse effect Future oil and gas production will depend on our access to new proved
on our earnings, cash flows and financial condition. reserves through exploration, negotiations with governments and other
owners of proved reserves and acquisitions, as well as on developing and
See “Market overview” on page 22. applying new technologies and recovery processes to existing fields. Failure
to replace proved reserves could result in lower future production,
Our ability to achieve strategic objectives depends on how we react to potentially having a material adverse effect on our earnings, cash flows and
competitive forces. financial condition.
We face competition in each of our businesses. We seek to differentiate
our products; however, many of them are competing in commodity-type See “Business overview” on page 13.
fuels, either through taxes, fees, incentives to promote the sale of electric
Oil and gas production available for sale Million boe [A]
vehicles or even through the future prohibition of sales of new diesel or
2018 2017 2016
gasoline vehicles. This could result in lower revenue and, in the long term,
Shell subsidiaries 1,179 1,168 1,158 potential impairment of certain assets.
Shell share of joint ventures and associates 159 170 184
Total 1,338 1,338 1,342 Additionally, some groups are pressuring certain investors to divest their
[A] Natural gas volumes are converted into oil equivalent using a factor of 5,800 scf per barrel. investments in fossil fuel companies. If this were to continue, it could have a
material adverse effect on the price of our securities and our ability to
access equity capital markets. The World Bank has also announced plans
Proved developed and undeveloped oil
to stop financing upstream oil and gas projects in 2019. Similarly, according
and gas reserves [A][B] (at December 31) Million boe [C]
to press reports, other financial institutions also appear to be considering
2018 2017 2016
limiting their exposure to certain fossil fuel projects. Accordingly, our ability
Shell subsidiaries 10,294 10,177 11,040 to use financing for future projects may be adversely impacted. This could
Shell share of joint ventures and associates 1,285 2,056 2,208 also adversely impact our potential partners’ ability to finance their portion
Total 11,578 12,233 13,248 of costs, either through equity or debt.
Attributable to non-controlling interest in
Further, in some countries, governments, regulators, organisations and
Shell subsidiaries 331 325 5
[A] We manage our total proved reserves base without distinguishing between proved reserves from
individuals have filed lawsuits seeking to hold fossil fuel companies liable for
subsidiaries and those from joint ventures and associates. costs associated with climate change. While we believe these lawsuits to
[B] Includes proved reserves associated with future production that will be consumed in operations. be without merit, losing any of these lawsuits could have a material adverse
[C] Natural gas volumes are converted into oil equivalent using a factor of 5,800 scf per barrel.
effect on our earnings, cash flows and financial condition.
The estimation of proved oil and gas reserves involves subjective
judgements based on available information and the application of In addition, physical effects of climate change such as, but not limited to,
complex rules; therefore, subsequent downward adjustments are possible. rise in temperature, sea-level rise and fluctuations in water levels could
The estimation of proved oil and gas reserves involves subjective judgements adversely impact both our operations and supply chains.
and determinations based on available geological, technical, contractual and
economic information. Estimates could change because of new information If we are unable to find economically viable, as well as publicly
from production or drilling activities, or changes in economic factors, including acceptable, solutions that reduce our GHG emissions and/or GHG
changes in the price of oil or gas and changes in the regulatory policies of intensity for new and existing projects or for the products we sell, we could
host governments, or other events. Estimates could also be altered by experience additional costs or financial penalties, delayed or cancelled
acquisitions and divestments, new discoveries, and extensions of existing fields projects, and/or reduced production and reduced demand for
and mines, as well as the application of improved recovery techniques. hydrocarbons, which could have a material adverse effect on our earnings,
Published proved oil and gas reserves estimates could also be subject to cash flows and financial condition.
correction due to errors in the application of published rules and changes in
guidance. Downward adjustments could indicate lower future production Also, if we are unable to keep pace with society’s energy transition or we
volumes and could also lead to impairment of assets. This could have a are unable to provide the desired low GHG emissions products needed to
material adverse effect on our earnings, cash flows and financial condition. facilitate society’s energy transition, it could have a material adverse effect
on our earnings, cash flows and financial condition.
See “Supplementary information – oil and gas (unaudited)” on page 215.
See “Climate change and energy transition” on page 73.
Rising climate change concerns have led and could lead to additional
legal and/or regulatory measures which could result in project delays Our operations expose us to social instability, criminality, civil unrest,
or cancellations, a decrease in demand for fossil fuels, potential terrorism, piracy, cyber-disruption, acts of war and risks of pandemic
litigation and additional compliance obligations. diseases that could have a material adverse effect on our business.
In December 2015, 195 nations adopted the Paris Agreement, which we fully As seen in recent years in Nigeria, North Africa, the Middle East, South
support. The Paris Agreement aims to limit increases in global temperatures to America and South-East Asia, social and civil unrest, both in the countries in
well below two degrees Celsius. As a result, we expect continued and which we operate and elsewhere, can and do affect us. Such potential
increased attention to climate change from all sectors of society. This attention developments that could have a material adverse effect on our earnings,
has led, and we expect it to continue to lead, to additional regulations cash flows and financial condition include: acts of political or economic
designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. terrorism; acts of maritime piracy; cyber-espionage or disruptive cyber-
attacks; conflicts including war and civil unrest (including disruptions by non-
We expect that a growing share of our GHG emissions will be subject to governmental and political organisations); and local security concerns that
regulation, resulting in increased compliance costs and operational threaten the safe operation of our facilities, transport of our products and
restrictions. If our GHG emissions rise alongside our ambitions to increase the well-being of our people. Pandemic diseases can also affect our
the scale of our business, our regulatory burden will increase proportionally. operations directly and indirectly. If such risks materialise, they could result
We also expect that GHG regulation, as well as emission reduction actions in injuries, loss of life, environmental harm and disruption to business
by customers, will continue to focus more on suppressing demand for fossil activities, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our
earnings, cash flows and financial condition.
could harm our reputation and licence to operate or expose us to litigation We have substantial pension commitments, funding of which is subject
or sanctions. The associated costs of new technology are sometimes to capital market risks.
underestimated, or delays occur. If we are unable to develop the right Liabilities associated with defined benefit pension plans can be significant,
technologies and products in a timely and cost-effective manner, or if we as can the cash funding requirement of such plans; both depend on various
develop technologies and products that adversely impact the environment assumptions. Volatility in capital markets or government policies, and the resulting
or health of individuals, there could be a material adverse effect on our consequences for investment performance and interest rates, as well as changes
earnings, cash flows and financial condition. in assumptions for mortality, retirement age or pensionable remuneration at
retirement, could result in significant changes to the funding level of future
See “Business overview” on page 14. liabilities. We operate a number of defined benefit pension plans and, in case of
a shortfall, we could be required to make substantial cash contributions
We are exposed to treasury and trading risks, including liquidity risk, (depending on the applicable local regulations) resulting in a material adverse
interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk, commodity price risk and effect on our earnings, cash flows and financial condition.
credit risk. We are affected by the global macroeconomic environment
as well as financial and commodity market conditions. See “Liquidity and capital resources” on page 62.
Our subsidiaries, joint arrangements and associates are subject to differing
economic and financial market conditions around the world. Political or We mainly self-insure our risk exposure. We could incur significant
economic instability affects such markets. losses from different types of risks that are not covered by insurance
from third-party insurers.
We use debt instruments, such as bonds and commercial paper, to raise Our insurance subsidiaries provide hazard insurance coverage to other
significant amounts of capital. Should our access to debt markets become Shell entities and only reinsure a portion of their risk exposures. Such
more difficult, the potential impact on our liquidity could have a material reinsurance would not provide any material coverage in the event of a
adverse effect on our operations. Our financing costs could also be large-scale safety and environmental incident. Similarly, in the event of a
affected by interest rate fluctuations or any credit rating deterioration. material safety and environmental incident, there would be no material
proceeds available from third-party insurance companies to meet our
We are exposed to changes in currency values and to exchange controls as obligations. Therefore, we may incur significant losses from different types of
a result of our substantial international operations. Our reporting currency is risks that are not covered by insurance from third-party insurers, potentially
the dollar. However, to a material extent, we hold assets and are exposed to resulting in a material adverse effect on our earnings, cash flows and
liabilities in other currencies. Commodity trading is an important component of financial condition.
our Upstream, Integrated Gas and Downstream businesses and is integrated
with our supply business. While we undertake some foreign exchange and See “Corporate” on page 61.
commodity hedging, we do not do so for all our activities. Furthermore,
even where hedging is in place, it may not function as expected. An erosion of our business reputation could have a material adverse
effect on our brand, our ability to secure new resources or access
We are exposed to credit risk; our counterparties could fail or could be unable capital markets, and on our licence to operate.
to meet their payment and/or performance obligations under contractual Our reputation is an important asset. The Shell General Business Principles
arrangements. Although we do not have significant direct exposure to sovereign (Principles) govern how Shell and its individual companies conduct their
debt, it is possible that our partners and customers may have exposure which affairs, and the Shell Code of Conduct instructs employees and contract
could impair their ability to meet their obligations. In addition, our pension plans staff on how to behave in line with the Principles. Our challenge is to ensure
may invest in government bonds, and therefore could be affected by a that all employees and contract staff, more than 100,000 in total, comply
sovereign debt downgrade or other default. with the Principles and the Code of Conduct. Real or perceived failures of
governance or regulatory compliance could harm our reputation. This could
If any of the risks set out above materialise, they could have a material impact our licence to operate, damage our brand, reduce consumer
adverse effect on our earnings, cash flows and financial condition. demand for our branded products, harm our ability to secure new resources
and contracts, and limit our ability to access capital markets and attract
See “Liquidity and capital resources” on page 62 and Note 19 to the staff. Many other factors, including the materialisation of the risks discussed
“Consolidated Financial Statements” on pages 202-207. in several of the other risk factors, could negatively impact our reputation
and could have a material adverse effect on our earnings, cash flows and
financial condition.
See “Corporate governance” on page 104. Violations of data protection laws carry fines and expose us and/or
our employees to criminal sanctions and civil suits.
We rely heavily on information technology systems for our operations. Data protection laws apply to Shell and its joint ventures and associates in
The operation of many of our business processes depends on reliable the vast majority of countries in which we do business. Most of the countries
information technology (IT) systems. Our IT systems are increasingly we operate in have data protection laws and regulations. Additionally, the
dependent on key contractors supporting the delivery of IT services, and EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect in May
continue to expand in terms of the number of systems. Shell, like many other 2018, which increased penalties up to a maximum of 4% of global annual
multinational companies, is the target of attempts to gain unauthorised turnover for breach of the regulation. The GDPR requires mandatory breach
access to our IT systems and our data through various channels, including notification, the standard for which is also followed outside the EU
more sophisticated and coordinated attempts often referred to as (particularly in Asia). Non-compliance with data protection laws could
advanced persistent threats. While our IT systems have been breached in expose us to regulatory investigations, which could result in fines and
the past, we believe that to date, no significant breach has occurred. Timely penalties as well as harm our reputation. In addition to imposing fines,
detection is becoming increasingly complex but we seek to detect and regulators may also issue orders to stop processing personal data, which
investigate all such security incidents, aiming to prevent their recurrence. could disrupt operations. We could also be subject to litigation from
Disruption of critical IT services, or breaches of information security, could persons or corporations allegedly affected by data protection violations.
harm our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our earnings, Violation of data protection laws is a criminal offence in some countries,
cash flows and financial condition. and individuals can be imprisoned or fined. Any violation of these laws or
harm to our reputation could have a material adverse effect on our
See “Corporate” on page 61. earnings, cash flows and financial condition.
Violations of antitrust and competition laws carry fines and expose us See “Corporate governance” on pages 96-97.
and/or our employees to criminal sanctions and civil suits.
Antitrust and competition laws apply to Shell and its joint ventures and Violations of trade compliance laws and regulations, including
associates in the vast majority of countries in which we do business. Shell and its sanctions, carry fines and expose us and our employees to criminal
joint ventures and associates have been fined for violations of antitrust and sanctions and civil suits.
competition laws in the past. These include a number of fines by the European We use “trade compliance” as an umbrella term for various national and
Commission Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP). Due to DG international laws designed to regulate the movement of items across
COMP’s fining guidelines, any future conviction of Shell or any of its joint national boundaries and restrict or prohibit trade and other dealings with
ventures or associates for violation of EU competition law could result in certain parties. The number and breadth of such laws continue to expand.
significantly larger fines and have a material adverse effect on us. Violation of For example, the EU and the USA continue to impose restrictions and
antitrust laws is a criminal offence in many countries, and individuals can be prohibitions on certain transactions involving Syria. In addition, the USA
imprisoned or fined. In certain circumstances, directors may receive director continues to have comprehensive sanctions in place against Iran, while the
disqualification orders. Furthermore, it is now common for persons or EU and other nations continue to maintain targeted sanctions. Additional
corporations allegedly injured by antitrust violations to sue for damages. Any restrictions and controls directed at defined oil and gas activities in Russia,
violation of these laws can harm our reputation and could have a material which were imposed by the EU and the USA in 2014, are still in force.
adverse effect on our earnings, cash flows and financial condition. Further restrictions regarding Russia were introduced by the USA in 2017
and expanded in 2018. Both the EU and the USA introduced sectorial
See “Corporate governance” on pages 96-97. sanctions against Venezuela in 2017, which the USA expanded in 2018
and 2019. The US sanctions primarily target the government of Venezuela
and the oil industry. In addition to the significant trade-control programmes
administered by the EU and the USA, many other nations are also adopting
such programmes. This expansion of sanctions, including the frequent
additions of prohibited parties, combined with the number of markets in
which we operate and the large number of transactions we process, makes
ensuring compliance with all sanctions complex and at times challenging.
Any violation of one or more of these regimes could lead to loss of import
or export privileges, significant penalties on or prosecution of Shell or its
employees, and could harm our reputation and have a material adverse
effect on our earnings, cash flows and financial condition.
Investors should also consider the following, which could limit shareholder
remedies.
We maintain a large business portfolio across an integrated value chain CRUDE OIL
and are exposed to crude oil, natural gas, oil product and chemical prices Brent crude oil, an international benchmark, traded between $51 per barrel (/b)
(see “Risk factors” on page 15). This diversified portfolio helps us mitigate and $86/b in 2018, ending the year at the lower price of $51/b. It averaged
the impact of price volatility. Our annual planning cycle and periodic $71/b for the year, $17/b higher than in 2017, and $27/b higher than in 2016
portfolio reviews aim to ensure that our levels of capital investment and when the average price was at its lowest average level since 2004.
operating expenses are appropriate in the context of a volatile price
environment. We test the resilience of our projects and other opportunities On a yearly average basis, West Texas Intermediate crude oil traded at a
against a range of crude oil, natural gas, oil product and chemical prices $6/b discount to Brent in 2018, compared with $3/b in 2017. The discount
and costs. We also aim to maintain a strong balance sheet to provide widened from 2017, reflecting constrained pipeline capacity from the
resilience against weak market prices. landlocked Cushing storage hub to the US Gulf Coast. US oil exports increased
from 2017, which helped to limit further widening of the price differential.
GLOBAL ECONOMIC GROWTH
One of the key drivers of oil, natural gas and oil product demand growth is Reflecting the economic conditions described above, global oil demand
economic growth. According to the World Economic Outlook released by grew by 1.2 million barrels per day (b/d), or 1.2%, to 99.2 million b/d,
the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in January 2019, global economic according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Oil Market Report
growth for 2018 is estimated at 3.7%, 0.1% lower than in 2017. Economic published in January 2019 (Oil Market Report). This growth was driven by
growth moderated in some large advanced economies in the second half emerging economies, where demand grew by 0.9 million b/d. In advanced
of the year, after strong growth in 2017, while the group of emerging-market economies, demand grew by 0.3 million b/d. Oil demand growth in 2018
economies continued to expand at broadly the same pace as in 2017. was 0.4 million b/d lower than in 2017, when it rose by 1.6 million b/d.
According to the IMF’s latest estimate, economic growth accelerated in the Oil supply in 2018 is estimated in the Oil Market Report at 99.9 million b/d,
USA to 2.9% in 2018 from 2.2% in 2017, with private sector activity partly an increase of 2.5 million b/d compared with 2017. Because growth in oil
supported by sizable tax cuts and higher defense expenditures. But growth supply outpaced growth in demand, the trend of falling global crude oil and
slowed in the eurozone and in the United Kingdom due to weaker export oil products inventory levels, which started in mid-2016, began to reverse in
growth, higher energy prices and increased political uncertainty, such as the the middle of 2018. Average commercial inventory levels for OECD countries
prospect of the UK leaving the European Union (Brexit). Growth in emerging- in November 2018 were estimated at 2,850 million barrels in the Oil Market
market economies showed a divergent picture. In China, growth slowed from Report, around 50 million barrels less than in November 2017 and about 150
6.9% in 2017 to an estimated 6.6% in 2018, due to weaker credit growth and million barrels above the year average levels seen in 2014 when the Brent
additional US tariffs on imports from China. Argentina and Turkey slid into price was around $100/b before starting to fall in late 2014.
recession as financial conditions deteriorated and investors became
increasingly concerned about financial risks and political uncertainty. In Due to falling inventory levels, oil prices strengthened to a peak of $86/b
contrast, economic recovery continued in Brazil and India. Higher oil and gas in October 2018. Oil prices fell in November to below $60/b, driven by
prices lifted growth among fuel-exporting economies, such as some in sub- market expectations of higher supply growth and lower demand growth.
Saharan Africa (e.g. Nigeria), the Middle East and Russia. The outlook for supply growth became more bullish due to the US
government waiving some export sanctions on Iran and record production
For 2019, the IMF expects the weaker economic conditions seen towards levels in the USA and Saudi Arabia. At the same time, the outlook for
the end of 2018 to continue as many countries face headwinds from rising demand growth weakened as macroeconomic indicators deteriorated.
trade barriers, geopolitical tensions, and tightening financing conditions.
On the non-OPEC supply side, the US Energy Information Administration
GLOBAL PRICES, DEMAND AND SUPPLY reported another year of supply growth. US production is estimated to have
The following table provides an overview of the main crude oil and natural averaged 10.8 million b/d in 2018, 1.4 million b/d higher than in 2017, and
gas price markers that we are exposed to: 2.0 million b/d higher than in 2016. Like 2017, higher oil prices in 2018
reflected an attractive environment for US production to grow and for
Oil and gas average industry prices [A] drilling activity to increase, as indicated by a higher onshore oil rig count for
the year. Production from other non-OPEC countries increased by 1.2 million
2018 2017 2016
b/d in 2018 and averaged 56.6 million b/d.
Brent ($/b) 71 54 44
West Texas Intermediate ($/b) 65 51 43
To support oil prices, OPEC members agreed in November 2017 to extend
Henry Hub ($/MMBtu) 3.1 3.0 2.5 an agreement to reduce overall production by 1.2 million b/d, relative to
UK National Balancing Point production levels in October 2016. In December 2018, in response to a
(pence/therm) 60 45 35 40% fall in oil prices from the peak levels seen in October, OPEC and other
Japan Customs-cleared Crude ($/b) 74 54 42 non-OPEC resource holders, most notably Russia, agreed to reduce
[A] Yearly average prices are based on daily spot prices. The 2018 average price for Japan production by 1.2 million b/d from October levels. OPEC production
Customs-cleared Crude excludes December data. averaged 32.5 million b/d in 2018, a similar level to 2017 and about
0.5 million b/d less than in 2016.
Looking ahead, the IMF’s global economic outlook indicates a slightly compared to €6/tCO2 in 2017, resulting in higher preference for gas over
lower outlook for global economic growth. Additionally, according to the coal in power generation. Gas prices were also supported by lower nuclear
IEA, moderate oil price levels at the beginning of 2019 could create around power output, particularly in Belgium and Spain, lower than normal
1.4 million b/d of additional demand growth in 2019. If OPEC members temperatures early in the year, and competition from North-East Asian markets
and co-operating non-OPEC resource holders, such as Russia, successfully for LNG supplies for storage replenishment ahead of winter.
implement the December 2018 agreement, then demand growth and
production declines from existing operations would have to be balanced by We also produce and sell natural gas in regions where supply, demand
production growth from non-OPEC countries, mostly from the USA. As a and regulatory circumstances differ markedly from those in the USA or
consequence, markets could tighten, and prices could rise if supply growth Europe. Long-term contracted LNG prices in the Asia-Pacific region
from the USA moderates. Postponements and cancellations of new supply generally increased in 2018 as they are predominantly indexed to the price
projects over the last few years could lead to further market tightening in the of Japan Customs-cleared Crude, which has increased in line with global oil
next few years, given the long lead time of many of these projects. In such a prices. North Asia spot prices (reflected by the Japan Korea Marker) also
scenario, we believe that the average Brent crude oil price could be 10% to increased due to relatively strong demand, particularly from China.
40% higher in 2022 than the 2018 average.
Looking ahead, we expect gas markets in North America, Europe and Asia
On the other hand, we believe that the price environment could weaken if Pacific to be well supplied over the next few years, despite our expectation
OPEC and the non-OPEC resource holders abandon their production cuts, of LNG demand growth in Asia. Price developments are very uncertain and
global economic growth slows, or if other non-OPEC producers, such as US dependent on many factors.
shale producers, effectively deliver more and cheaper oil to the market. In
such a scenario, we believe that the average Brent crude oil price could be In the USA, Henry Hub gas prices may increase over the next few years due
10% to 30% lower in 2022 than the 2018 average. to increasing demand from LNG exports, exports to Mexico by pipeline, and
US residential/industrial users. On the other hand, increasing availability of
NATURAL GAS low-cost natural gas and oil, combined with technological improvements,
We estimate global gas demand to have grown by about 3.2% in 2018, could continue to place pressure on natural gas prices. Due to such
which is higher than the average annual growth rate of 2.4% since the uncertainty, we believe that average Henry Hub gas prices could be
beginning of the century. A combination of weather conditions, between 10% lower to 30% higher by 2022 than the 2018 average. In
implementation of new policies such as the partial substitution of coal by Europe, we believe gas prices will be increasingly influenced by the cost of
gas-fired power generation in China, and global economic growth led to LNG imports from the USA. We believe that the price at the UK NBP may
an increase in demand in most regions. average between 30% lower and 30% higher by 2022 than the 2018
average. In the Asia Pacific region, gas prices are expected to continue to be
Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports grew by 28 million tonnes (9.6%) strongly influenced by oil prices, but also increasingly by Henry Hub gas
in 2018. LNG demand growth was supported by weather conditions, lower prices. By 2022, we believe that the price of LNG delivered under contract to
nuclear power generation and the start-up of new regasification capacity in the Asia-Pacific market may average between 30% lower and 30% higher
Asia. China and India alone increased their regasification capacity by 19% than the 2018 average.
and 33% from 2017 respectively, equal to 21 million tonnes per annum, in
total. Supply growth was primarily driven by the start-up of new projects in CRUDE OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRICE ASSUMPTIONS
Australia, the USA and Russia. The majority of additional LNG supply was Our ability to deliver competitive returns and pursue commercial opportunities
absorbed by Asia, offsetting declines in the Middle East and North Africa. ultimately depends on the accuracy of our price assumptions (see “Risk factors”
on page 15). The range of possible future crude oil and natural gas prices used
Natural gas prices can vary from region to region. in project and portfolio evaluations is determined after a rigorous assessment of
short, medium and long-term market drivers. Historical analyses, trends and
In the USA, the natural gas price at the Henry Hub averaged $3.1 per
statistical volatility are considered in this assessment, as are analyses of market
million British thermal units (MMBtu) in 2018, 3% higher than in 2017, and
fundamentals such as possible future economic conditions, geopolitics, actions
traded in a range of $2.5-4.9/MMBtu. There was some downward
by OPEC and other major resource holders, production costs and the balance
pressure on prices due to strong gas supply growth, which averaged 11%
of supply and demand. Sensitivity analyses are used to test the impact of low-
higher than in 2017, helped by higher oil prices and new gas pipeline
price drivers, such as economic weakness, and high-price drivers, such as strong
capacity. However, gas prices were also supported by a range of other
economic growth and low investment in new production capacity. Short-term
factors, such as below-normal storage inventory levels, and demand growth
events, such as relatively warm winters or cool summers, affect demand. Supply
due to colder than normal weather in the second half of 2018, the
disruptions, due to weather or political instability, contribute to price volatility.
completion of LNG liquefaction projects, increased exports to Mexico by
See also Note 8 to the “Consolidated Financial Statements” on page 188.
pipeline and US industrial demand.
In Europe, natural gas prices were higher than in 2017. The average price at
the UK National Balancing Point (NBP) was 33% higher in 2018. At the main
continental gas trading hubs – in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany –
prices were also stronger, as reflected by stronger Dutch Title Transfer Facility
(TTF) prices. European gas prices were supported by record prices for carbon
dioxide (CO2) allowances (EUAs) which averaged €16/tCO2 in 2018
Industry gross refining margins were lower on average in 2018 than in 2017 in
each of the key refining hubs of Europe, Singapore and the USA. Oil products
demand growth has slowed in line with global economic growth. Periods of high
crude prices led to reductions in oil products demand. Refinery capacity
additions, especially in the Middle East and Asia, combined with tempered
demand growth have led to generally lower refinery utilisations. Refinery activity
continued to be low in Latin America.
PETROCHEMICAL MARGINS
Cracker industry margins fell in all three main regions in 2018. Asian naphtha
cracker margins fell sharply in the fourth quarter, amid continuing concerns
over the potential impact of US tariffs, while US ethane cracker margins came
under pressure from new cracker unit start-ups. Supported by healthy
European demand, European naphtha cracker margins decreased the least
during 2018.
The statements in this “Market overview” section, including those related to our
price forecasts, are forward-looking statements based on management’s
current expectations and certain material assumptions and, accordingly,
involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or
events to differ materially from those expressed or implied herein. See “About
this Report” on pages 05-06 and “Risk factors” on pages 15-20.
EARNINGS 2018-2017 Downstream earnings in 2018 were $7,601 million, compared with $8,258
Income for the period was $23,906 million in 2018, compared with million in 2017. The decrease was mainly driven by higher operating
$13,435 million in 2017. After current cost of supplies adjustment, total expenses, unfavourable exchange rate effects, and lower realised base
segment earnings were $24,364 million in 2018, compared with chemicals and refining margins. This was partly offset by higher realised
$12,471 million in 2017. marketing margins, lower charges related to provisions, the impact of fair
value accounting of commodity derivatives and higher gains on divestments.
Earnings on a current cost of supplies basis (CCS earnings) exclude the There was also a charge in 2017 as a result of US tax reform legislation.
effect of changes in the oil price on inventory carrying amounts, after See “Downstream” on pages 53-54.
making allowance for the tax effect. The purchase price of volumes sold in
the period is based on the current cost of supplies during the same period, Corporate earnings in 2018 were a loss of $1,479 million, compared with a
rather than on the historic cost calculated on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. loss of $2,416 million in 2017. The lower loss was mainly driven by lower
Therefore, when oil prices are decreasing, CCS earnings are likely to be net foreign exchange losses and net interest expense, partially offset by
higher than earnings calculated on a FIFO basis and, when prices are higher costs. There was also a charge in 2017 as a result of US tax reform
increasing, CCS earnings are likely to be lower than earnings calculated on legislation. See “Corporate” on page 61.
a FIFO basis.
EARNINGS 2017-2016
Integrated Gas earnings in 2018 were $11,444 million, compared with Income for the period was $13,435 million in 2017, compared with $4,777
$5,078 million in 2017. The increase was mainly driven by higher realised million in 2016. After current cost of supplies adjustment, total segment
oil, gas, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices, higher gains on earnings were $12,471 million in 2017, compared with $3,692 million in
divestments, increased contributions from LNG trading, the impact of fair 2016. BG Group plc (BG) was consolidated within Shell’s results with effect
value accounting of commodity derivatives, and higher production. These from February 2016 following its acquisition.
effects were partly offset by the absence of a gain from the strengthening
Australian dollar on a deferred tax position in 2017 and by higher Integrated Gas earnings in 2017 were $5,078 million, compared with
operating expenses. See “Integrated Gas” on pages 29-30. $2,529 million in 2016. The increase was mainly driven by higher realised
oil, gas, and LNG prices, as well as the impact of the strengthening
Upstream earnings in 2018 were $6,798 million, compared with $1,551 Australian dollar on a deferred tax position, and lower impairment charges.
million in 2017. The increase was mainly driven by higher realised oil and These effects were partly offset by the impacts in 2017 of a charge for fair
gas prices, lower impairment charges, the absence of a charge as a result value accounting of commodity derivatives, a charge as a result of US tax
of US tax reform legislation in 2017, and lower well write-offs. This was reform legislation, and by lower liquids production partially offset by higher
partly offset by the movements in deferred tax positions, lower gains on LNG liquefaction volumes.
divestments, lower production, and a charge related to the impact of the
weakening Brazilian real on a deferred tax position. See “Upstream” on
pages 36-37.
Downstream earnings in 2017 were $8,258 million, compared with $6,588 In 2018, total oil and gas production was 1,388 million boe, of which 1,338
million in 2016. The increase was mainly driven by improved refining and million boe was available for sale and 50 million boe was consumed in
chemicals industry conditions, the impact of fair value accounting of operations. Production available for sale from subsidiaries was 1,179 million
commodity derivatives, and lower taxation, redundancy and impairment boe and 43 million boe was consumed in operations. The Shell share of the
charges. This was partly offset by lower gains on divestments and higher production available for sale of joint ventures and associates was
depreciation charges. 159 million boe and 7 million boe was consumed in operations.
Corporate earnings in 2017 were a loss of $2,416 million, compared with a Accordingly, after taking production into account, our proved reserves
loss of $1,751 million in 2016. The higher loss was mainly driven by higher decreased by 655 million boe in 2018, to 11,578 million boe at December
interest expense and net foreign exchange losses, partly offset by lower 31, 2018, with an increase of 117 million boe from subsidiaries and a
operating expenses. There was also a charge in 2017 as a result of US tax decrease of 771 million boe from the Shell share of joint ventures and
reform legislation. associates.
PROVED RESERVES
The proved oil and gas reserves of Shell subsidiaries and the Shell share of
the proved oil and gas reserves of joint ventures and associates are
summarised in “Oil and gas information” on pages 44-46 and set out in
more detail in “Supplementary information – oil and gas (unaudited)” on
pages 215-226.
Shares Million
2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
Basic weighted average number of A and B shares 8,282.8 8,223.4 7,833.7 6,320.3 6,311.5
Diluted weighted average number of A and B shares 8,348.7 8,299.0 7,891.7 6,393.8 6,311.6
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Earnings on a current cost of supplies basis (CCS earnings) is the income
for the period, adjusted for the after-tax effect of oil-price changes on
Total shareholder return * inventory. Segment earnings presented on a current cost of supplies basis is
the earnings measure used by the Chief Executive Officer for the purposes
2018 (4.2)% 2017 30.0%
of making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance.
Total shareholder return (TSR) is the difference between the share price at See “Summary of results” on page 24 and “Non-GAAP measures
the beginning of the year and the share price at the end of the year (each reconciliations” on page 263.
averaged over 90 days), plus gross dividends delivered during the
calendar year (reinvested quarterly), expressed as a percentage of the CCS earnings per share, which is on a diluted basis above, is calculated by
share price at the beginning of the year (averaged over 90 days). The data dividing CCS earnings attributable to shareholders (see “Non-GAAP
used are a weighted average in dollars for A and B shares. The TSRs of measures reconciliations” on page 263) by the average number of shares
major publicly-traded oil and gas companies can be compared directly, outstanding over the year, increased by the average number of dilutive
providing a way to determine how we are performing in relation to our shares related to share-based compensation plans.
industry peers.
Capital investment ($ million)
Cash flow from operating activities ($ million) *
2018 24,779 2017 24,006
2018 53,085 2017 35,650
Capital investment is defined as capital expenditure and investments in joint
Cash flow from operating activities is the total of all cash receipts and ventures and associates, as reported in the “Consolidated Statement of
payments associated with our sales of oil, gas, chemicals and other Cash Flows”, plus exploration expense, excluding exploration wells written
products. The components that provide a reconciliation from income for the off, new finance leases and investments in Integrated Gas, Upstream and
period are listed in the “Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows”. This Downstream equity securities, adjusted to an accruals basis. Capital
indicator reflects our ability to generate cash to service and reduce our investment is a measure used to make decisions about allocating resources
debt and for distributions to shareholders and investments. See “Liquidity and assessing performance. See “Liquidity and capital resources” on page
and capital resources” on page 63. 63 and “Non-GAAP measures reconciliations” on page 263.
OTHER PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Upstream and Integrated Gas greenhouse gas intensity
(tonnes of CO2 equivalent/tonne of hydrocarbon
Production available for sale (thousand boe/d) * production available for sale) *
2018 3,666 2017 3,664 2018 0.158 2017 0.166
Production is the sum of all average daily volumes of unrefined oil and Upstream/midstream greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity is a measure of GHG
natural gas produced for sale by Shell subsidiaries and Shell’s share of emissions (direct and indirect GHG emissions associated with imported energy,
those produced for sale by joint ventures and associates. The unrefined oil excluding emissions from exported energy), expressed in metric tonnes of carbon
comprises crude oil, natural gas liquids, synthetic crude oil and bitumen. The dioxide (CO2) equivalent, emitted into the atmosphere per metric tonne of
hydrocarbon production available for sale. See “Climate change and energy
gas volume is converted into equivalent barrels of oil to make the
transition” on pages 77-78.
summation possible. See “Summary of results” on page 25.
Refining greenhouse gas intensity
LNG liquefaction volumes (million tonnes) * (tonnes of CO2 equivalent/UEDCTM) *
2018 34.3 2017 33.2 2018 1.05 2017 1.14
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) liquefaction volumes is a measure of the Refining GHG intensity is a measure of GHG emissions (direct and indirect
operational performance of our Integrated Gas business and LNG market GHG emissions associated with imported energy, excluding emissions from
demand. See “Integrated Gas” on page 29. exported energy), expressed in metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent, emitted into the
atmosphere per unit of Utilized Equivalent Distillation Capacity (UEDCTM).
Refinery and chemical plant availability * UEDCTM is a proprietary metric of Solomon Associates. It is a complexity-
2018 91.9% 2017 90.7% weighted normalisation parameter that reflects the operating cost intensity of a
refinery based on size and configuration of its particular mix of process and non-
Refinery and chemical plant availability is the weighted average of the actual
process facilities. See “Climate change and energy transition” on pages 77-78.
uptime of plants as a percentage of their maximum possible uptime. The
weighting is based on the capital employed, adjusted for cash and non- Chemicals greenhouse gas intensity
current liabilities. This indicator is a measure of the operational excellence of (tonnes of CO2 equivalent/tonne petrochemicals produced) *
our Downstream manufacturing facilities. See “Downstream” on page 53. 2018 0.96 2017 0.95
Chemicals GHG intensity is a measure of GHG emissions (direct and indirect
Project delivery on schedule * GHG emissions associated with imported energy, excluding emissions from
2018 75% 2017 86% exported energy), expressed in metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent, emitted into the
atmosphere per metric tonne of steam cracker high value petrochemicals
Project delivery on budget *
production. The 2017 comparative has been revised to align with the current
2018 97% 2017 93% definition (previously petrochemical production only). See “Climate change and
Project delivery reflects our capability to complete major projects on time energy transition” on pages 77-78.
and within budget on the basis of targets set in our annual Business Plan. Proved oil and gas reserves (million boe)
Project delivery on schedule measures the percentage of projects delivered 2018 11,578 2017 12,233
on schedule. Project delivery on budget reflects the aggregate cost against
Proved oil and gas reserves are the total estimated quantities of oil and gas from
the aggregate budget for those projects.
Shell subsidiaries and Shell’s share from joint ventures and associates that
Total recordable case frequency geoscience and engineering data demonstrate, with reasonable certainty, to be
(injuries per million working hours) * recoverable in future years from known reservoirs, at December 31, under
2018 0.9 2017 0.8 existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations.
Gas volumes are converted into barrels of oil equivalent (boe) using a factor of
Total recordable case frequency (TRCF) is the number of employees and
5,800 standard cubic feet per barrel. Reserves are crucial to an oil and gas
contract staff injuries requiring medical treatment or time off for every million
company, since they constitute the source of future production. Reserves
hours worked. It is a standard measure of occupational safety. See “Environment estimates are subject to change due to a wide variety of factors, some of which
and society” on page 67. are unpredictable. See “Risk factors” on pages 15-16, “Summary of results” on
page 25, “Oil and gas information” on pages 44-46 and “Supplementary
Number of operational Tier 1 and 2 process safety events *
information – oil and gas (unaudited)” on pages 215-226.
2018 121 2017 166
Number of operational spills of more than 100 kilograms
A Tier 1 process safety event is an unplanned or uncontrolled release of any
2018 92 2017 104
material, including non-toxic and non-flammable materials, from a process with
the greatest actual consequence resulting in harm to employees and contract The operational spills indicator is the number of incidents in respect of activities
where we are the operator in which 100 kilograms or more of oil or oil products
staff, or a neighbouring community, damage to equipment, or exceeding a
were spilled as a result of those activities and reached the environment. The 2017
threshold quantity as defined by the API Recommended Practice 754 and
number was updated from 99 to reflect the completion of investigations into spills.
IOGP Standard 456. A Tier 2 process safety event is a release of lesser
See “Environment and society” on page 68.
consequence. See “Environment and society” on page 67.
Direct greenhouse gas emissions
(million tonnes of CO2 equivalent)
2018 71 2017 73
Direct GHG emissions from facilities operated by Shell, expressed in CO2
equivalent. See “Climate change and energy transition” on pages 77-78.
Global LNG imports grew by 28 million tonnes (9.6%) in 2018. LNG demand LNG LIQUEFACTION VOLUMES
growth was supported by weather conditions, lower nuclear power LNG liquefaction volumes of 34.3 million tonnes in 2018 were 3% higher
generation and the start-up of new regasification capacity in Asia. China and than in 2017, driven by increased feed gas availability in Atlantic LNG in
India alone increased their regasification capacity by 19% and 33% from Trinidad and Tobago, Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG) in Australia and
2017 respectively, equal to 21 million tonnes per annum, in total. Supply Oman LNG; less maintenance mainly in Gorgon and QCLNG in Australia;
growth was primarily driven by the start-up of new projects in Australia, the and incremental volumes from Gorgon with all trains operational for a full
USA and Russia. The majority of additional LNG supply was absorbed by year; partly offset by divestments of our interests in Woodside Petroleum
Asia, offsetting declines in the Middle East and North Africa. Limited (Woodside) in 2017 and Malaysia LNG in 2018.
Natural gas prices can vary from region to region. LNG sales volumes of 71.21 million tonnes in 2018 were 8% higher than in
2017, driven by our increased LNG purchases from third parties and higher
In the USA, the natural gas price at the Henry Hub averaged $3.1 per LNG liquefaction volumes.
million British thermal units (MMBtu) in 2018, 3% higher than in 2017,
and traded in a range of $2.5-4.9/MMBtu.
In Europe, natural gas prices were higher than in 2017. The average price
at the UK National Balancing Point was $7.9/MMBtu, compared with
$5.8/MMBtu in 2017. At the main continental European gas trading hubs –
in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany – prices were also stronger, as
reflected by stronger Dutch Title Transfer Facility prices.
In 2018, the impact of exchange rate movements of the Australian dollar on In February 2019, we acquired sonnen, a provider of smart energy storage
deferred tax balances was significantly reduced, as a result of the change systems and innovative energy services for households, and Limejump, a UK-
in the fiscal functional currency of a number of Shell entities in Australia to based digital energy-technology company.
the US dollar with effect from January 1, 2018.
The following major milestones were reached in 2018:
EARNINGS 2017-2016
Segment earnings in 2017 were $5,078 million, which included a net Ŷ In June, the final investment decision was taken on the Borssele III and IV
charge of $190 million as described above. offshore wind farm projects in the Netherlands (Shell interest 20%).
Ŷ In October, the final investment decision was taken on LNG Canada
Segment earnings in 2016 were $2,529 million, which included a net (Shell interest 40%). Construction has started and first LNG is expected
charge of $1,171 million. The net charge included impairments of before the middle of the next decade.
$451 million, reported mainly in share of profit of joint ventures and Ŷ In December, wells were opened at the Prelude floating liquified natural
associates, the reassessment of a deferred tax asset in Australia of gas (FLNG) facility in Australia (Shell interest 67.5%). During this initial
$533 million, onerous contract provisions in Europe and the USA of phase of production, gas and condensate are produced and moved
$390 million, and redundancy and restructuring charges of $245 million, through the facility. Once this has been completed, the facility will be
partly offset by gains on divestments of $212 million and on the accounting prepared for reliable production of LNG and LPG.
reclassification of Shell’s interest in Woodside in Australia of $479 million
(both reported in interest and other income). We continued to divest selected assets during 2018, including:
Ŷ In Greece, we sold our 49% interests in Attiki Gas Supply Company S.A.
Excluding the net charges described above, segment earnings were
and Attiki Natural Gas Distribution Company S.A.
$5,268 million in 2017 compared with $3,700 million in 2016. Earnings were
Ŷ In India, we reduced our interest in Mahanagar Gas Limited from 32.5% to 10%.
positively impacted by higher realised oil, gas and LNG prices (around
Ŷ In Malaysia, we sold our 15% interest in Malaysia LNG Tiga Sdn Bhd to
$1,620 million), lower operating expenses (around $110 million), lower
the Sarawak State Financial Secretary.
exploration charges (around $170 million), and lower well write-offs (around
Ŷ In New Zealand, we sold our shares in Shell entities to OMV.
$100 million). Earnings were negatively impacted by a total of around
Ŷ In Thailand, we sold our 22.2% interest in the offshore Bongkot field and
$230 million from lower liquids production, mainly as a result of the shutdown
adjoining acreage to PTT Exploration & Production Public Company Limited.
at Pearl, partially offset by higher LNG liquefaction volumes across the
portfolio. Other items, which included lower contributions from trading and
In November 2018, we agreed to sell our interest in the undeveloped Sunrise
higher taxation, had a net negative impact of around $200 million.
gas field in the Timor Sea (Shell interest 26.6%) to the government of Timor-
Leste. The transaction is pending regulatory approval and expected to close
in the first half of 2019.
Netherlands Iran
We have access to import and storage capacity at the GATE LNG terminal Shell transactions with Iran are disclosed separately. See “Section 13(r) of
in the Netherlands (Shell capacity rights 1.4 million tonnes per annum, the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Disclosure” on page 262.
mtpa), enabling us to supply LNG to marine and road transport customers
in northwest Europe. We are also using the terminal to supply LNG to our Malaysia
growing truck-refuelling network in the Netherlands. We operate a GTL plant, Shell MDS (Shell interest 72%), adjacent to the
Malaysia LNG facilities. Using Shell technology, the plant converts gas into
Norway high-quality middle distillates, drilling fluids, waxes and specialty products.
Gasnor AS (Shell interest 100%) provides LNG fuel for ships and industrial In 2018, we sold our 15% interest in Malaysia LNG Tiga Sdn Bhd to the
customers and has a natural gas pipeline network. Sarawak State Financial Secretary.
UK Oman
We have a 50% interest in the Dragon LNG regasification terminal,
We have a 30% interest in Oman LNG LLC, which mainly supplies Asian
with long-term arrangements in place governing the use of capacity rights.
markets under long-term contracts. We also have an 11% interest in Qalhat
LNG, which is part of the Oman LNG complex.
Rest of Europe
We also have interests in Cyprus.
Qatar
We operate the Pearl GTL plant (Shell interest 100%) in Qatar under a
ASIA (INCLUDING THE MIDDLE EAST AND RUSSIA)
development and PSC with the government. The fully-integrated facility has
Brunei
capacity for production, processing and transportation of 1.6 billion
We have a 25% interest in Brunei LNG Sendirian Berhad, which sells most
standard cubic feet per day (scf/d) of gas from Qatar’s North Field. It has
of its LNG on long-term contracts to customers in Asia.
an installed capacity of about 140 thousand boe/d of high-quality liquid
China hydrocarbon products and 120 thousand boe/d of natural gas liquids
We jointly develop and produce from the onshore Changbei tight-gas field (NGL) and ethane.
under a PSC with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). In 2016,
We have a 30% interest in Qatargas 4, which comprises integrated
we completed the Changbei I development programme under the PSC and
facilities to produce about 1.4 billion scf/d of gas from Qatar’s North Field,
subsequently handed over the production operatorship to CNPC. In
an onshore gas-processing facility and one LNG train with a collective
December 2017, we took the final investment decision on the Changbei II
production capacity of 7.8 mtpa of LNG and 70 thousand boe/d of
Phase 1 project, and we expect the drilling programme and construction of
condensate and NGL.
facilities to be completed in 2021. Shell remains the operator of Changbei II.
Russia
In 2018, we completed the handover of the Jinqiu block in Sichuan to CNPC.
We have a 27.5% interest in Sakhalin-2, the joint venture with Gazprom, an
India integrated oil and gas project located in a subarctic environment.
We have a 30% interest in the producing oil and gas field Panna/Mukta.
We have a 50% interest in Salym Petroleum Development N.V., the joint
We also have a 30% interest in the Mid Tapti and South Tapti fields, which
venture with GazpromNeft, developing the Salym fields in western Siberia,
ceased production in the first quarter of 2016.
Khanty Mansiysk Autonomous District, where production was approximately
We decreased our interest in the publicly-listed Mahanagar Gas Limited 120 thousand boe/d in 2018.
from 32.5% to 10%, a natural gas distribution company in Mumbai.
We have a 50% interest in Khanty-Mansiysk Petroleum Alliance VOF
In December, we acquired Total’s 26% interest in the Hazira LNG and Port partnership with GazpromNeft.
venture, increasing our interest from 74% to 100%. The Hazira LNG and
With effect from January 1, 2019, Salym and Khanty-Mansiysk Petroleum
Port venture, located in the state of Gujarat on the west coast, comprises
Alliance VOF partnership will be reported in the Upstream segment.
two companies: Hazira LNG Pvt Ltd, which operates a regasification
Comparative information will not be adjusted.
terminal; and Hazira Port Pvt Ltd, which manages a cargo port at Hazira.
As a result of European Union and US sanctions prohibiting certain defined A gas sales agreement between Arrow and QCLNG has been signed,
oil and gas activities in Russia, we suspended our support to Salym and under which gas from Arrow’s Surat Basin fields would flow to the QCLNG
Khanty-Mansiysk Petroleum Alliance VOF partnership in relation to shale oil venture, that would then both sell gas to local customers and export it
activities in 2014. Salym and Khanty-Mansiysk Petroleum Alliance VOF through its gas plant on Curtis Island.
partnership also suspended any shale oil related activities in 2014.
AFRICA
Singapore Egypt
We have a 50% interest in a joint venture with KS Investments (the We have interests of 35.5% and 38%, respectively, in trains one and two of
investment arm of Keppel Group) that holds a licence to supply LNG fuel the Egyptian LNG (ELNG) plant. In January 2014, force majeure notices
for vessels in the Port of Singapore. We have aggregator licences to import were issued under the LNG agreements as a result of domestic gas
LNG into Singapore. diversions severely restricting volumes available to ELNG. These notices
remain in place. See “Oil and gas information” on page 45.
Rest of Asia
We also have interests in Myanmar. Mozambique
A feasibility study is ongoing for a potential GTL project, under a
OCEANIA memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with the government of
Australia Mozambique in 2017.
We have interests in offshore production, LNG liquefaction and exploration
licences in the North West Shelf (NWS) and Greater Gorgon areas of the Nigeria
Carnarvon Basin, as well as in the Browse Basin and Timor Sea. Woodside We have a 25.6% interest in Nigeria LNG Ltd, which operates six LNG
is the operator on behalf of the NWS joint venture, which produced more trains located on Bonny Island.
than 500 thousand boe/d of gas and condensates in 2018.
Tanzania
We have a 25% interest in the Gorgon LNG joint venture, which is operated by We have a 60% interest in, and are the operator of, Blocks 1 and 4
Chevron. The venture started operating in 2016, producing from the offshore offshore southern Tanzania. The blocks cover approximately 4,000 square
Gorgon and Jansz-Io fields via a three train LNG plant on Barrow Island. kilometres of the Mafia Deep Offshore Basin and the northern part of the
Rovuma Basin. We continue to develop a potential LNG project with
We are the operator of a permit in the Browse Basin in which two separate partners in Block 2 in line with the Block 1 and 4 appraisal programme
gas fields were found: Prelude and Concerto (Shell interest 67.5% in each). agreed with the Tanzanian government. We are engaging with the
Our development concept for these fields is based on our floating liquified government to extend the Block 4 licence. The government has confirmed
natural gas (FLNG) technology. The Prelude FLNG project, at its peak, is that the Block 4 licence, due to initially expire on October 31, 2017,
expected to produce about 130 thousand boe/d of gas and NGL, 3.6 remains in full force pending the grant of the licence extension.
mtpa of LNG, 1.3 mtpa of condensate and 0.4 mtpa of liquefied petroleum
gas. During 2018, milestones included starting to commission the facilities Rest of Africa
and successful receipt of LNG and propane into the tanks. In December, We have a 17.9% share in the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited
wells were opened, entering the start-up phase. Our other interests in the which owns and operates a 678-kilometre pipeline that transports gas from
basin include a joint arrangement, with Shell as the operator, for the Crux Nigeria to Ghana, Benin and Togo. We also have interests in Gabon and
gas and condensate field (Shell interest 82%). Morocco.
We are also a partner in the Browse joint arrangement (Shell interest 27%) NORTH AMERICA
covering the Brecknock, Calliance and Torosa gas fields, which is operated Canada
by Woodside. In November 2018, we agreed to sell our interest in the In 2018, we took the final investment decision on LNG Canada, a liquified
undeveloped Sunrise gas field in the Timor Sea (Shell interest 26.6%) to the natural gas project in Kitimat, British Columbia. We also completed the
government of Timor-Leste. We are a partner in both Shell-operated and dilution of interest from 50% to 40% in LNG Canada to Petronas. With
other exploration joint arrangements in multiple basins, including Bonaparte, LNG Canada’s other joint venture partners also having taken final
Browse, Exmouth Plateau, Greater Gorgon and Outer Canning. investment decisions, construction started in October 2018. First LNG is
expected before the middle of the next decade.
We have a 50% interest in Arrow, a Queensland-based joint venture with
CNPC. Arrow owns coal-bed methane assets and a domestic power business. USA
We have offtake rights to 100% of the capacity (2.5 mtpa) of the Kinder
We have a 50% interest in train one and a 97.5% interest in train two of the Morgan-owned Elba Island liquefaction plant, which is under construction.
Shell-operated QCLNG venture. The two-train liquefaction plant has an Elba Island also has a regasification terminal in which we have contracted
installed capacity of 8.5 mtpa. We also operate the venture’s natural gas capacity of 11.6 mtpa.
operations, which include wells, compression stations and processing plants,
in Queensland’s Surat Basin. We have interests ranging from 44% to 74% We have 13.1 mtpa of contracted capacity in the Lake Charles
in 24 field compression stations and six central processing plants. Our regasification terminal in Louisiana. We are also evaluating a project to
production of natural gas from the onshore Surat Basin supplies the convert the existing regasification facility owned by Energy Transfer into a
liquefaction plant and the domestic gas market. liquefaction plant in which we would have capacity rights.
The New Energies portfolio is being built through organic growth and In 2018, we completed the acquisition of a 43.8% interest in Silicon Ranch
acquisitions. Most of these opportunities are in business sectors that are Corporation, a developer, owner and operator of solar energy assets in the
different from Shell’s existing oil and gas businesses but have some USA. In December 2018, a solar park started at Shell Moerdijk, the
similarities and/or adjacencies to our Downstream and gas and power Netherlands, providing power to our chemicals plants.
trading businesses. New Energies companies are subject to the Shell
Control Framework. Some are not yet in full compliance and we are In January 2019, we acquired a 49% interest in Cleantech Solar, which
working to bring them into compliance with the Shell Control Framework in provides solar power to commercial and industrial customers across South-
a fit-for-purpose manner. East Asia and India.
New fuels In February 2018, we completed the acquisition of First Utility, a leading
We have a demonstration plant at the Shell Technology Centre Bangalore, independent UK household energy and broadband provider. In February
India, that demonstrates a technology called IH2 that turns waste feedstock 2019, we acquired sonnen, a provider of smart energy storage systems and
innovative energy services for households, and Limejump, a UK-based
into transport fuel. The plant is in its final research and development stage,
digital energy-technology company.
ahead of potentially scaling up for commercial production. We are also
OVERVIEW
Our Upstream business explores for and extracts crude oil, natural gas and In Europe, natural gas prices were higher than in 2017. The average price at
natural gas liquids. It also markets and transports oil and gas, and operates the UK National Balancing Point (NBP) was 33% higher in 2018. At the main
infrastructure necessary to deliver them to market. We are also involved continental gas trading hubs – in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany –
in the extraction of bitumen from mined oil sands and its conversion into prices were also stronger, as reflected by stronger Dutch Title Transfer Facility
synthetic crude oil. (TTF) prices. European gas prices were supported by record prices for carbon
dioxide (CO2) allowances (EUAs) which averaged €16/tCO2 in 2018
BUSINESS CONDITIONS compared to €6/tCO2 in 2017, resulting in higher preference for gas over
Global oil demand grew by 1.2 million barrels per day (b/d), or 1.2%, to coal in power generation. Gas prices were also supported by lower nuclear
99.2 million b/d in 2018, according to the International Energy Agency’s power output, particularly in Belgium and Spain, lower than normal
Oil Market Report published in January 2019. Brent crude oil, an temperatures early in the year, and competition from North-East Asian markets
international benchmark, traded between $51 per barrel (/b) and $86/b in for LNG supplies for storage replenishment ahead of winter.
2018, ending the year at the lower price of $51/b. It averaged $71/b for
the year, $17/b higher than in 2017, and $27/b higher than in 2016 when See “Market overview” on pages 21-23.
the average price was at its lowest average level since 2004.
PRODUCTION AVAILABLE FOR SALE
On a yearly average basis, West Texas Intermediate crude oil traded at a In 2018, production was 989 million boe, or 2,709 thousand boe/d,
$6/b discount to Brent in 2018, compared with $3/b in 2017. The discount compared with 1,014 million boe, or 2,777 thousand boe/d in 2017. Liquids
widened from 2017, reflecting constrained pipeline capacity from the production decreased by 2% and natural gas production decreased by 3%
landlocked Cushing storage hub to the US Gulf Coast. US oil exports compared with 2017.
increased from 2017, which helped to limit further widening of the price
differential. Decreases were mainly due to divestments (around 199 thousand boe/d)
and field declines (around 66 thousand boe/d). Increases were mainly from
Global gas demand is estimated to have grown by about 3.2% in 2018, new field start-ups and the continuing ramp-up of existing fields (around 173
which is higher than the average annual growth rate of 2.4% since the thousand boe/d), in particular in the Permian Basin in the USA, Lula South in
beginning of the century. A combination of weather conditions, Brazil, Schiehallion, Loyal and Clair phase 2 in the UK, Kaikias and Stones in
implementation of new policies such as the partial substitution of coal by the US Gulf of Mexico, and stronger operational performance, which
gas-fired power generation in China, and global economic growth led to contributed additional volumes of around 38 thousand boe/d. Other items
an increase in demand in most regions. had a net negative impact of around 14 thousand boe/d.
In the USA, the natural gas price at the Henry Hub averaged $3.1 per
million British thermal units (MMBtu) in 2018, 3% higher than in 2017, and
traded in a range of $2.5-4.9/MMBtu. There was some downward
pressure on prices due to strong supply growth, which averaged 11% higher
than 2017, helped by higher oil prices and new gas pipeline capacity.
However, gas prices were also supported by a range of factors, such as
below-normal storage inventory levels, and demand growth due to colder
than normal weather in the second half of 2018, the completion of LNG
liquefaction projects, increased exports to Mexico by pipeline, and US
industrial demand.
Segment earnings in 2017 were $1,551 million, which included a net charge In Argentina, we started developing three blocks in the Vaca Muerta shales
of $1,540 million. The net charge included impairment charges of $2,557 basin – Cruz de Lorena and Sierras Blancas (Shell interest 90%) and
million, mainly related to divestments of our oil sands interests in Canada, Coiron Amargo Sur Oeste (Shell interest 80%).
onshore assets in Gabon and our interest in the Corrib gas project in Ireland, In Brazil’s Santos Basin, we signed 35-year PSCs for the Saturno (Shell
a charge of $1,089 million related to US tax reform legislation, and interest 50% as operator) and Tres Marias (Shell interest 40%) deep-water
redundancy and restructuring charges of $163 million. These charges were exploration blocks.
partly offset by gains on divestments of $1,463 million, mainly related to a Also in Brazil, we won four deep-water blocks in the Campos and Potiguar
package of assets in the UK North Sea, a credit of $772 million mainly basins; we solely secured one exploration block as operator and secured
reflecting the release of tax liabilities, and other items with a net positive three blocks in joint-bids (Shell interest 40%).
impact of $34 million. Additionally, in Brazil, we took the final investment decisions (FID) for the
Berbigão (P68) and Atapu I (P70) floating production, storage and
Excluding the net gains described above, segment earnings in 2018 were offloading (FPSO) vessels (Shell interest 25%, subject to unitisation), and
$6,775 million, compared with $3,091 million in 2017. Earnings benefited Mero I, located in the Libra block (Shell interest 20%).
from higher realised oil and gas prices (around $4,770 million) and lower In Egypt, we approved the FID for the development of Phase 9B of the
well write-offs (around $400 million). These impacts were partly offset by the West Delta Deep Marine (WDDM) offshore concession (Shell interest
impact of movements in deferred tax positions (around $1,520 million) and 50%).
lower production volumes (around $510 million). In Kazakhstan, we took the FID for the development of the Karachaganak
Gas Debottlenecking project (Shell interest 29.3%).
EARNINGS 2017-2016 In Malaysia, we took the FID for the development of the Gorek, Larak and
Segment earnings in 2017 were $1,551 million, which included a net charge Bakong gas fields in Block SK408 offshore Sarawak (Shell interest 30%)
of $1,540 million as described above. and the development of the Pegaga gas field in Block SK320 offshore
Sarawak (Shell interest 20%).
Segment earnings in 2016 were a loss of $3,674 million, which included a net In Mauritania, we signed two PSCs with the government for the exploration
charge of $970 million. The net charge included impairment charges of and potential future production of hydrocarbons in the offshore blocks C-10
$1,147 million, redundancy and restructuring charges of $654 million; a $235 and C-19 (Shell interest 90% as operator). The blocks, which have a total
million provision for onerous drilling rig contracts; $198 million related to the area of approximately 23,675 square kilometres, are located in the West
reassessment of deferred tax positions in Malaysia; and a net charge on fair African Atlantic Margin exploration basin.
value accounting of certain commodity derivatives and gas contracts of $145 In Mexico, we won nine deep-water exploration blocks; four blocks on our
million. These charges were partly offset by a gain of $661 million related to own (Shell interest 100%), four with our partner Qatar Petroleum
the impact of a strengthening Brazilian real on a deferred tax position, International Limited (Shell interest 60%), and one with our partner Pemex
divestment gains of $645 million, and a credit of $103 million reflecting a Exploración y Producción (Shell interest 50%). The total area of these nine
statutory tax rate reduction in the UK. blocks is 18,996 square kilometres. We will be the operator of all nine
blocks.
Excluding the net charges described above, segment earnings in 2017 were In Nigeria, we renewed a number of onshore oil mining leases in the Niger
$3,091 million compared with a loss of $2,704 million in 2016, principally as Delta for 20 years (Shell interest 30%).
a result of higher realised oil and gas prices, lower deferred tax positions and Also in Nigeria, we took the FID on Assa North, Gbaran Enwhe and
depreciation, partly offset by lower production volumes mainly due to Gbaran Nodal Compression projects (Shell interest 30%).
divestments and higher well write-offs. In the UK North Sea, we announced the FID for the redevelopment of the
Penguins oil and gas field (Shell interest 50%). The project will use a FPSO
CAPITAL INVESTMENT and is expected to have a peak production of around 45 thousand boe/d.
Capital investment in 2018 was $12.5 billion, compared with $13.6 billion in Also in the UK North Sea, we announced FIDs for development of our
2017. Capital investment in 2017 included $1.5 billion related to the operated oil and gas fields – Fram (Shell interest 32%), Arran (Shell interest
acquisition of a 50% interest in 1745844 Alberta Ltd. (formerly known as 44.6%) and Gannet E (Shell interest 50%) along with the Gannet Export
Marathon Oil Canada Corporation). The lower capital investment in 2018 infrastructure investment in the central North Sea and the Shearwater gas
reflected our continuing efforts to improve capital efficiency by pursuing lower- infrastructure hub; and the non-operated Alligin oil field West of Shetland
cost development solutions, partly offset by increased investments in (Shell interest 50%).
exploration acreage additions and lease renewals in Nigeria.
Additionally, in the UK, we acquired a 22.5% non-operated interest in the In the Netherlands, the shareholders of the Nederlandse Aardolie
P1830 licence and a 30% interest in the P1028 and P1189 licences; P1189 Maatschappij B.V. (NAM) (Shell interest 50%) and the Dutch government
includes the Cambo discovery north-west of Shetland, where the successful signed a heads of agreement (HoA) that includes measures to support the
conclusion of well-testing operations on the appraisal well was confirmed. reduction of production and to ensure the financial robustness of NAM. As
In the US Gulf of Mexico, we announced the FID to develop the Vito deep- part of the agreement, NAM’s shareholders have agreed for NAM not to
water field. Vito (Shell interest 63.1%) is expected to reach an average declare dividends for 2018 or 2019.
peak production of 100 thousand boe/d.
We continued to divest selected assets during 2018, including:
In January 2019, we announced the FID for the Basrah Gas Company
Natural Gas Liquids expansion project in Iraq that will increase the capacity In Iraq, we sold our 19.6% interest in the West Qurna 1 field. We also
to 1.4 billion scf/d (Shell interest 44%). handed over operations of the Majnoon field to the Iraqi government.
In Ireland, we sold our 45% interest in the Corrib gas project.
In February 2019, we agreed the heads of terms for the resolution of the OML In Malaysia, we completed the sale of our 50% interest in the 2011 North
118 negotiations, including the PSC dispute with the Nigerian National Sabah EOR Production Sharing Contract.
Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), following which we have a clear commercial In Norway, we sold our entire 44.6% interest in the Draugen field and
framework for a potential Bonga South West Aparo FID, and announced an 12% interest in the Gjøa field.
invitation to tender. In Oman, we sold our 17% interest in the Mukhaizna oil field.
In the UK, we sold our interest in the Triton Cluster, which comprises the
We achieved the following operational milestones in 2018: central UK North Sea assets: Bittern (Shell interest 39.6%), Triton FPSO
(Shell interest 26.4%), Gannet E (Shell interest 50%) and Belinda/Evelyn
In Brazil, we announced first production from our fourteenth FPSO (P69), in (Shell interest 100%).
Lula Extreme South, which is expected to ramp up to full production In the US Permian Basin, we divested approximately 10,500 non-core net
capacity in 2019 (Shell interest 25%, pre-unitisation). mineral acres and primarily undeveloped assets.
In Nigeria, we announced a notable discovery, Epu Deep, which is a near-
field gas discovery in the greater Gbaran area, onshore Niger Delta. It In Denmark, we announced the sale of our 36.8% non-operating interest in our
was discovered in the Epu Field block OML 28, located beneath the joint venture, the Danish Underground Consortium. The transaction is expected
producing Epu Field in the Central Swamp area of the Niger Delta (Shell to complete in 2019, subject to partner and regulatory approvals.
interest 30%).
In the UK, we announced the start-up of the second phase of the Clair field, BUSINESS AND PROPERTY
with an expected peak production of 106 thousand boe/d (Shell interest Our subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are involved in all aspects of
28%). upstream activities, including matters such as land tenure, entitlement to
In the US Permian Basin, we nearly doubled our production in 2018 and produced hydrocarbons, production rates, royalties, pricing, environmental
matured an inventory of resources in excess of 1 billion boe that breaks protection, social impact, exports, taxes and foreign exchange.
even at less than $40 per barrel.
In the US Gulf of Mexico, we announced one of our largest exploration The conditions of the leases, licences and contracts under which oil and gas
finds in the past decade from the Whale deep-water well (Shell interest interests are held vary from country to country. In almost all cases outside
60%). It was discovered in the Alaminos Canyon Block 772, adjacent to North America, the legal agreements are generally granted by, or entered
the Shell-operated Silvertip field and approximately 16 kilometres from the into with, a government, state-owned company, government-run oil and gas
Shell-operated Perdido platform. company or agency, and the exploration risk usually rests with the
Also, in the US Gulf of Mexico, we announced a large deep-water independent oil and gas company. In North America, these agreements may
discovery, in the Dover well (Shell interest 100%). The Dover discovery is also be with private parties that own mineral rights. Of these agreements, the
our sixth in the Norphlet geologic play. It is located approximately 21 following are most relevant to our interests:
kilometres from the Appomattox deep-water platform.
We also completed the construction of the Appomattox deep-water Licences (or concessions), which entitle the holder to explore for
platform in the US Gulf of Mexico. We expect to start production in 2019, hydrocarbons and exploit any commercial discoveries. Under a licence, the
with an expected average peak production of approximately 175,000 holder bears the risk of exploration, development and production activities,
thousand boe/d (Shell interest 79%). and is responsible for financing these activities. In principle, the licence
Additionally, in the US Gulf of Mexico, we commenced production from holder is entitled to the totality of production less any royalties in kind. The
Coulomb phase 2 (Shell interest 100%). government, state-owned company or government-run oil and gas
We announced the start of production of Kaikias Phase 1, a subsea company may sometimes enter into a joint arrangement as a participant
development in the US Gulf of Mexico with an estimated peak production sharing the rights and obligations of the licence but usually without sharing
of 40 thousand boe/d (Shell interest 80%). It will produce oil and gas the exploration risk. In a few cases, the state-owned company, government-
through a subsea tie-back to the nearby Shell-operated Ursa production run oil and gas company or agency has an option to purchase a certain
hub. share of production.
Lease agreements, which are typically used in North America and are usually
In February 2019, we announced the start of production from our fifteenth governed by terms similar to licences. Participants may include governments
FPSO (P67), in Lula North, which is expected to ramp up to full production or private entities, and royalties are either paid in cash or in kind.
capacity in 2019 (Shell interest 25%, pre-unitisation).
Since 2013, the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate (the Minister) In January 2018, we announced the FID for the redevelopment of the Penguins
has set an annual production level for the Groningen field taking into account oil and gas field (Shell interest 50%) in the UK North Sea. Also, in 2018, we
all interests, including safety of the residents, security of supply in the domestic announced FIDs for development of our operated oil and gas fields – Fram
gas market as well as supply commitments in EU member states. Production in (Shell interest 32%), Arran (Shell interest 44.6%) and Gannet E (Shell interest
the gas year 2017-2018 (ending October 1, 2018) was capped at 21.6 billion 50%) along with the Gannet Export infrastructure investment in the central
cubic metres; actual production in this period was 20.1 billion cubic metres. North Sea and the Shearwater gas infrastructure hub; and a non-operated
In March 2018, the Minister announced a government decision to close in the Alligin oil field West of Shetland (Shell interest 50%).
Groningen field as soon as possible, with production expected to end around
2030, as a base scenario. In May 2018, we acquired a 22.5% non-operated stake in the P1830 licence
and a 30% stake in the P1028 and P1189 licences. P1189 includes the Cambo
Apart from production reductions, over the years, a variety of other discovery north-west of Shetland and in August 2018 the successful conclusion
measures have been taken by NAM, the Minister and the government.
of well-testing operations on the appraisal well in the Cambo field was We have a 16.8% interest in the North Caspian Sea Production Sharing
confirmed. Agreement which includes the Kashagan field in the Kazakh sector of the
Caspian Sea. The North Caspian Operating Company is the operator. This
In September 2018, we sold our interest in the Triton cluster, which comprises shallow-water field covers an area of approximately 3,400 square kilometres.
the central UK North Sea assets: Bittern (Shell interest 39.6%), Triton FPSO Phase 1 development of the field is expected to lead to plateau oil production
(Shell interest 26.4%), Gannet E (Shell interest 50%) and Belinda/Evelyn capacity of about 370 thousand b/d by 2019, on a 100% basis, with the
(Shell interest 100%). possibility of increases with additional phases of development. Production
started in 2016.
In November 2018, we announced the start-up of the second phase of the
Clair field, with an expected peak production of 106 thousand boe/d (Shell We also have an interest of 55% in the Pearls PSC in the Kazakh sector of the
interest 28%). Caspian Sea. It includes two oil fields, Auezov and Khazar, and covers an
area of around 520 square kilometres.
Rest of Europe
We also have interests in Albania, Bulgaria, Germany and Greenland. We also have a 7.4% interest in Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which owns
and operates an oil pipeline running from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea
ASIA (INCLUDING THE MIDDLE EAST AND RUSSIA) across parts of Kazakhstan and Russia.
Brunei In 2018, we took the FID for the development of the Karachaganak Gas
Shell and the Brunei government are 50:50 shareholders in Brunei Shell Debottlenecking project (Shell interest 29.3%).
Petroleum Company Sendirian Berhad (BSP). BSP has long-term oil and gas
concession rights onshore and offshore Brunei, and sells most of its gas Malaysia
production to Brunei LNG Sendirian Berhad (see “Integrated Gas” on We explore for and produce oil and gas offshore Sabah and Sarawak under
page 31), with the remainder (12% in 2018) sold in the domestic market. 17 PSCs, in which our interests range from 20% to 85%.
In addition to our interest in BSP, we are the operator of the Block A Offshore Sabah, we operate two producing oil fields (Shell interests ranging
concession (Shell interest 53.9%), which is under exploration and from 29% to 35%). These include the Gumusut-Kakap deep-water field (Shell
development. We have a 35% non-operating interest in the Block B interest 29%), where production is via a dedicated floating production system,
concession, where gas and condensate are produced from the Maharaja and the Malikai deep-water field (Shell interest 35%). We also have a 21%
Lela field. interest in the Siakap North-Petai deep-water field and a 30% interest in the
Kebabangan field, both operated by third parties. In March 2018, we
We also have non-operating interests in deep-water exploration Block CA-2 completed the sale of our 50% interest in the 2011 North Sabah EOR PSC.
(Shell interest 12.5%) and in exploration Block N (Shell interest 50%), both Additionally, we have exploration interests in Blocks SB-J, SB-G, SB-N, SB-3G,
under PSCs. ND-6 and ND-7 PSCs.
Iran Offshore Sarawak, we are the operator of 10 producing gas fields (Shell
Shell transactions with Iran are disclosed separately. See “Section 13(r) of the interests ranging from 37.5% to 50%). The M3S field (Shell interest 70%),
US Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Disclosure” on page 262. F23SW field (Shell interest 50%) and Serai field (Shell interest 37.5%)
reached the end of life. F23SW was abandoned successfully in 2018, while
Iraq the abandonment for M3S will be completed in 2019 and Serai
We have a 44% interest in the Basrah Gas Company, which gathers, treats abandonment will be completed between 2019 and 2020. Nearly all the
and processes associated gas that was previously being flared from the gas produced offshore Sarawak is supplied to Malaysia LNG (we divested
Rumaila, West Qurna 1 and Zubair fields. The processed gas and associated our remaining 15% interest in June 2018) and to our gas-to-liquids plant in
products, such as condensate and LPG, are sold to the domestic market and Bintulu. See “Integrated Gas” on page 31.
surplus condensate and LPG are exported. In 2018, Basrah Gas processed
on average around 800 million scf/d of associated gas into dry gas, In 2018, we took the FID for the development of Gorek, Larak and Bakong
condensate and LPG. gas fields in Block SK408 offshore Sarawak (Shell interest 30%) and the
development of Pegaga gas field in Block SK320 offshore Sarawak (Shell
In January 2019, we announced the FID for the Basrah Gas Company interest 20%).
Natural Gas Liquids expansion project that will increase the capacity to 1.4
billion scf/d (Shell interest 44%). We also have a 40% interest in the 2011 Baram Delta EOR PSC and a 50%
interest in Block SK-307, and interests in exploration Blocks SK318, SK320,
In March 2018, we sold our 19.6% interest in the West Qurna 1 field. In June SK408 and SK319 (operational extension application submitted to the
2018, we handed over operations of the Majnoon field to the Iraqi government. regulator).
Kazakhstan Oman
We are the joint operator of the onshore Karachaganak oil and condensate We have a 34% interest in Petroleum Development Oman (PDO); the Omani
field (Shell interest 29.3%), where we have a licence to the end of 2037. government has a 60% interest. PDO is the operator of more than 160 oil
Karachaganak produced around 399 thousand boe/d, on a 100% basis, fields, mainly located in central and southern Oman, over an area of
in 2018. 76,152 square kilometres. The concession expires in 2044.
In April 2018, we approved the FID for the development of Phase 9B of the In our Nigerian operations, we face various risks and adverse conditions
WDDM offshore concession (Shell interest 50%). which could have a material adverse effect on our operational performance,
earnings, cash flows and financial condition (see “Risk factors” on page 17).
Nigeria There are limitations to the extent to which we can mitigate these risks. We
Our share of production, onshore and offshore, in Nigeria was carry out regular portfolio assessments to remain a competitive player in
255 thousand boe/d in 2018, compared with 266 thousand boe/d in Nigeria for the long term. We support the Nigerian government’s efforts to
2017. Security issues, sabotage and crude oil theft in the Niger Delta improve the efficiency, functionality and domestic benefits of Nigeria’s oil and
continued to be significant challenges in 2018. gas industry, and we monitor legislative developments. We monitor the
security situation and liaise with host communities, governmental and non-
Onshore governmental organisations to help promote peace and safe operations. We
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) is the continue to provide transparency of spills management and reporting, along
operator of a joint venture (Shell interest 30%) that has 17 Niger Delta with our deployment of oil-spill response capability and technology. We
onshore oil mining leases (OML). The 20-year renewals of 16 oil mining leases execute a maintenance strategy to support sustainable equipment reliability
(OMLs): 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 43, 45 and 46 and have implemented a multi-year programme to reduce routine flaring of
were achieved in December 2018. These OMLs expire in October 2038. To associated gas. See “Climate change and energy transition” on page 77.
provide funding, alternative funding arrangements, including with commercial
banks, are in place for certain key projects. Rest of Africa
We also have interests in Algeria, Mauritania, Namibia and Tunisia.
SPDC supplies gas to Nigeria LNG Ltd (see “Integrated Gas” on page 32)
mainly through its Gbaran-Ubie and Soku projects.
In 2018, we took the FIDs on Assa North, Gbaran Enwhe and Gbaran Nodal
Compression projects (Shell interest 30%).
NORTH AMERICA as operator). It was discovered in the Alaminos Canyon Block 772, adjacent
Canada to our Silvertip field and approximately 16 kilometres from the Shell-operated
We have approximately 1,400 mineral leases in Canada, mainly in Alberta Perdido platform.
and British Columbia. We produce and market natural gas, natural gas
liquids, synthetic crude oil and bitumen. We are the operator of seven production hubs – Mars A, Mars B, Auger,
Perdido, Ursa, Enchilada/Salsa and Stones – as well as the West Delta 143
Shales Processing Facilities (Shell interests ranging from 38% to 100%). We also have
We have approximately 1,200 mineral leases with over 1.7 million net mineral non-operating interests in Nakika (Shell interest 50%) and Caesar Tonga
acres (2017: 2.6 million revised to 2.1 million). During the year, we (Shell interest 22.5%).
relinquished 0.5 million net mineral acres. Our position is primarily in the
Duvernay play in Alberta and the Montney play in British Columbia. Activity In 2018, we commenced production from Coulomb phase 2 (Shell interest
includes drill-to-fill of our existing infrastructure and an investment focus on our 100% as operator). Coulomb ties into the Nakika non-operated platform.
liquid-rich shale acreage.
In April 2018, we announced the FID to develop the Vito deep-water field.
In 2018, we drilled 70 wells. We have interests in 937 productive wells. We Vito is expected to reach an average peak production of 100 thousand
operate four natural gas processing and extraction plants in Alberta and four
boe/d (Shell interest 63.1%).
natural gas processing plants in British Columbia.
We continued with the development of the Appomattox project, with first oil
With the announcement of the FID for LNG Canada in 2018, our
expected in 2019. In May 2018, we announced a large exploration discovery
Groundbirch asset is positioned as a possible feedstock to the project.
in the Norphlet geologic play from the Dover deep-water well. Dover is
Bitumen and synthetic crude oil operated by us (100%) and is Shell’s sixth discovery in the Norphlet. The
Synthetic crude oil is produced by mining bitumen-saturated sands, extracting discovery is located approximately 20 kilometres from the Appomattox
the bitumen from the sands and transporting it to a processing facility where platform.
hydrogen is added to produce a wide range of feedstocks for refineries. We
have a 50% interest in 1745844 Alberta Ltd. (formerly known as Marathon In May 2018, production started from the Kaikias deep-water project. Kaikias
Oil Canada Corporation), which holds a 20% interest in the Athabasca Oil (Shell interest 80%) is a subsea tie-back to the Shell-operated Ursa platform.
Sands Project. The Kaikias estimated peak production is 40 thousand boe/d.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) From November 2017 to July 2018, our production from the Gulf of Mexico
We operate the Quest CCS project (Shell interest 10%), which captured was adversely impacted by the shut-in of the Enchilada/Salsa assets (ESA),
and safely stored more than 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2018. with subsequent impact on Auger and its associated fields (Llano, Macaroni
and Habanero) – all driven by a November 2017 ESA incident involving a
Offshore third-party owned and operated gas export pipeline. Production for Auger
In December 2018, the Sable Offshore Energy project (Shell interest 31.3%) and associated fields resumed in May 2018 and production from ESA
stopped natural gas production off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. A resumed in July 2018.
multi-year decommissioning and restoration phase has begun. We have also
relinquished all our exploration licences off the west coast of British Columbia. After our acquisition of the Stones FPSO (Shell interest 100%) in January 2018,
we shut it down for maintenance in February and resumed production in June.
USA
We have approximately 25,000 mineral leases in the USA. We produce oil Shales
and gas in deep water in the Gulf of Mexico, heavy oil in California and oil We have approximately 23,000 mineral leases with nearly 1.3 million net
and gas from shale in Pennsylvania, Texas and Louisiana. The majority of our mineral acres. Our activity is focused in the Permian Basin in West Texas and
oil and gas production interests are acquired under leases granted by the the Marcellus and Utica plays in Pennsylvania. We also have a non-Shell-
owner of the minerals underlying the relevant acreage, including many leases operated interest in the Haynesville shale gas formation in Northern Louisiana.
for federal onshore and offshore tracts. Such leases usually run on an initial
fixed term that is automatically extended by the establishment of production In 2018, we drilled 340 wells. We have interests in more than 2,300
for as long as production continues, subject to compliance with the terms of productive wells and operate seven central processing facilities. The USA
the lease (including, in the case of federal leases, extensive regulations represents 65% of our shales proved reserves and 76% of our shales liquids
imposed by federal law). proved reserves. In the Permian Basin, we nearly doubled our production in
2018, ending the year with an output of around 147 thousand boe/d and
Gulf of Mexico have matured an inventory of resources in excess of 1 billion boe that breaks
The Gulf of Mexico is our major production area in the USA and accounts for even at less than $40 per barrel.
around 54% of our oil and gas production in the country. We have an interest
in approximately 264 federal offshore leases and our share of production In April 2018, we sold approximately 10,500 non-core net mineral acres and
averaged 299 thousand boe/d in 2018. associated assets in the Permian Basin.
Brazil
We operate several producing fields in the Campos Basin, offshore Brazil.
They consist of the Bijupirá and Salema fields (Shell interest 80%) and the BC-
10 field (Shell interest 50%). Our operated portfolio also includes the Gato do
Mato field in the Santos Basin and the adjacent Sul de Gato do Mato area
(Shell interest 80%), for which development options are being evaluated.
Additionally, in the operated portfolio, in the Santos Basin, we have 10
offshore exploration concessions in the Barreirinhas Basin (Shell interests
ranging from 50% to 100%) and a pre-salt PSC for Alto Cabo Frio Oeste
(Shell interest 55% as operator).
In March 2018, during the fifteenth deep-water bid round organised by the
Brazilian National Petroleum Agency (ANP), we secured two exploration
blocks as operator, one in the Potiguar Basin (Shell Interest 100%) and one in
the Campos Basin (Shell Interest 40%). In September 2018, we added the
Saturno block in the fifth pre-salt bid round (Shell interest 50%), in the Santos
Basin.
Proved developed and undeveloped reserves of Shell subsidiaries and Shell share of joint ventures and associates
PROVED RESERVES Before taking production into account, our proved reserves increased by
The proved oil and gas reserves of Shell subsidiaries and the Shell share of 733 million boe in 2018. This comprised of increases of 1,337 million boe
the proved oil and gas reserves of joint ventures and associates are set out from Shell subsidiaries and of decreases of 604 million boe from the Shell
in more detail in “Supplementary information – oil and gas (unaudited)” share of joint ventures and associates
on pages 215-226.
After taking production into account, our proved reserves decreased by
655 million boe in 2018 to 11,578 million boe at December 31, 2018.
PUD held for five years or more (PUD5+) at December 31, 2018, amounted
to 272 million boe, a decrease of 280 million boe compared with the end
of 2017. These PUD5+ remain undeveloped because development either
Summary of proved oil and gas reserves of Shell subsidiaries and Shell share of joint ventures and associates
(at December 31, 2018)
Based on average prices for 2018
Crude oil and
natural gas liquids Natural gas Synthetic crude oil Total
(million barrels) (thousand million scf) (million barrels) (million boe)[A]
Proved developed
Europe 252 3,794 — 906
Asia 1,568 14,032 — 3,988
Oceania 108 5,844 — 1,116
Africa 335 1,573 — 606
North America
USA 629 1,706 — 923
Canada 21 721 661 807
South America 633 1,238 — 847
Total proved developed 3,546 28,908 661 9,193
Proved undeveloped
Europe 125 969 — 292
Asia 215 1,180 — 419
Oceania 21 2,607 — 470
Africa 85 971 — 252
North America
USA 388 441 — 464
Canada 2 268 — 48
South America 394 271 — 440
Total proved undeveloped 1,230 6,707 — 2,385
Total proved developed and undeveloped
Europe 377 4,763 — 1,198
Asia 1,783 15,212 — 4,406
Oceania 129 8,451 — 1,586
Africa 420 2,544 — 858
North America —
USA 1,017 2,147 — 1,387
Canada 23 989 661 855
South America 1,027 1,509 — 1,288
Total 4,776 35,615 661 11,578
Reserves attributable to non-controlling interest in Shell subsidiaries — — 331 331
[A] Natural gas volumes are converted into oil equivalent using a factor of 5,800 scf per barrel.
Location of oil and gas exploration and production activities [A] (at December 31, 2018)
Development
and/or
Exploration production Shell operator[B]
Europe
Albania Ŷ Ŷ
Bulgaria Ŷ Ŷ
Cyprus Ŷ
Denmark Ŷ
Germany Ŷ Ŷ
Greenland Ŷ
Italy Ŷ Ŷ
Netherlands Ŷ Ŷ Ŷ
Norway Ŷ Ŷ Ŷ
UK Ŷ Ŷ Ŷ
Asia
Brunei Ŷ Ŷ Ŷ
China Ŷ Ŷ
India Ŷ Ŷ
Indonesia Ŷ
Jordan Ŷ Ŷ
Kazakhstan Ŷ Ŷ
Malaysia Ŷ Ŷ Ŷ
Myanmar Ŷ Ŷ
Oman Ŷ Ŷ
Philippines Ŷ Ŷ Ŷ
Qatar Ŷ Ŷ
Russia Ŷ Ŷ
Turkey Ŷ Ŷ
Oceania
Australia Ŷ Ŷ Ŷ
Africa
Algeria Ŷ Ŷ
Egypt Ŷ Ŷ Ŷ
Gabon Ŷ Ŷ
Mauritania Ŷ Ŷ
Morocco Ŷ
Namibia Ŷ Ŷ
Nigeria Ŷ Ŷ Ŷ
Tanzania Ŷ Ŷ Ŷ
Tunisia Ŷ Ŷ
North America
Canada Ŷ Ŷ Ŷ
Mexico Ŷ Ŷ
USA Ŷ Ŷ Ŷ
South America
Argentina Ŷ Ŷ Ŷ
Bolivia Ŷ Ŷ Ŷ
Brazil Ŷ Ŷ Ŷ
Colombia Ŷ Ŷ
Trinidad and Tobago Ŷ Ŷ Ŷ
Uruguay Ŷ Ŷ
[A] Includes joint ventures and associates. Where a joint venture or an associate has properties outside its base country, those properties are not shown in this table.
[B] In several countries where “Shell operator” is indicated, Shell is the operator of some but not all exploration and/or production ventures.
Bitumen $/barrel
2018 2017 2016
Shell Shell Shell
subsidiaries subsidiaries subsidiaries
North America – Canada — 34.46 25.74
Crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas [A] $/boe
2018 2017 2016
Shell share of Shell share of Shell share of
Shell joint ventures Shell joint ventures Shell joint ventures
subsidiaries and associates subsidiaries and associates subsidiaries and associates
Europe 15.03 6.37 13.19 5.58 13.70 5.45 [B]
Asia 6.52 6.24 7.71 6.87 6.32 6.62
Oceania 8.41 32.18 9.24 28.83 8.87 16.19 [C]
Africa 8.25 — 9.53 — 9.93 —
North America – USA 12.78 — 16.11 — 21.44 —
North America – Canada 11.58 — 14.53 — 13.59 —
South America 8.60 — 8.08 — 7.64 —
Total 9.66 6.81 10.55 6.82 10.92 6.57 [B]
[A] Natural gas volumes are converted into oil equivalent using a factor of 5,800 scf per barrel.
[B] As revised following a reassessment.
[C] Included Shell’s 14% share of Woodside from January 2016 to April 2016. Woodside is a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange for which we have limited access to data;
accordingly, the numbers are estimated. The accounting classification of Woodside was changed from an associate to an investment in securities in April 2016.
Bitumen $/barrel
2018 2017 2016
Shell Shell Shell
subsidiaries subsidiaries subsidiaries
North America – Canada — 16.19 14.19
OVERVIEW over the potential impact of US tariffs, while US ethane cracker margins
Our Downstream business is made up of a number of different Oil Products came under pressure from new cracker unit start-ups. Supported by healthy
and Chemicals activities, part of an integrated value chain, that trades and European demand, European naphtha cracker margins decreased the least
refines crude oil, and other feedstocks into a range of products which are during 2018.
moved and marketed around the world for domestic, industrial and transport
use. The products we sell include gasoline, diesel, heating oil, aviation fuel, See “Market overview” on page 23.
marine fuel, biofuel, lubricants, bitumen and sulphur. In addition, we produce
and sell petrochemicals for industrial use worldwide. REFINERY AND CHEMICAL PLANT AVAILABILITY
Refinery availability was 91% in 2018, unchanged from 2017.
Our Oil Products activities comprise Refining and Trading, and Marketing,
referred to as classes of business. Marketing includes Retail, Lubricants, Chemicals plant availability was 93% in 2018, compared with 92% in 2017,
Business to Business (B2B), Pipelines and Biofuels. Chemicals has major benefiting from lower unplanned downtime at three of our sites (Moerdijk,
manufacturing plants, located close to refineries, and its own marketing Pernis and Scotford).
network. In Trading and Supply, we trade crude oil, oil products and
petrochemicals, to optimise feedstocks for Refining and Chemicals, to supply OIL PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS SALES
our Marketing businesses and third parties, and for our own profit. Oil products sales volumes increased by 3% in 2018 compared with 2017,
reflecting higher trading volumes and, to a lesser extent, higher marketing
BUSINESS CONDITIONS volumes despite the sale of the Downstream Argentina business to Raízen
Global oil demand grew by 1.2 million barrels per day (b/d), or 1.2%, to (volumes reported at 50% Shell share).
99.2 million b/d, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Oil
Market Report published in January 2019 (Oil Market Report). Oil demand Chemicals sales volumes decreased by 3% in 2018 compared with 2017,
growth in 2018 was 0.4 million b/d lower than in 2017. principally due to the divestment of assets in Japan and operational issues,
including Rhine water levels affecting supply in Germany and a fire at the
Industry gross refining margins were lower on average in 2018 than in 2017 plant in Stanlow in the UK.
in each of the key refining hubs of Europe, Singapore and the USA. Periods
of high crude prices led to reductions in oil products demand. Refinery EARNINGS 2018-2017
capacity additions, especially in the Middle East and Asia, combined with Segment earnings in 2018 of $7,601 million are presented on a current cost
tempered demand growth have led to generally lower refinery utilisations. of supplies basis (see “Summary of results” on page 24). Segment earnings
Refinery activity continued to be low in Latin America. on a first-in, first-out basis were $7,143 million, which were $458 million
lower than on a current cost of supplies basis (2017 first-in, first-out segment
Cracker industry margins fell in all three main regions in 2018. Asian naphtha earnings were $964 million higher). See “Non-GAAP measures
cracker margins fell sharply in the fourth quarter, amid continuing concerns reconciliations” on page 263.
Segment earnings in 2018 of $7,601 million were 8% lower than in 2017. changes in the Netherlands and the USA). Other net charges of $47 million
Earnings in 2018 included a net gain of $34 million, compared with a net included a one-off gain from the Ontario cap-and-trade scheme and
charge in 2017 of $824 million, described at the end of this section. onerous contracts related to Stanlow.
Excluding the impact of these items, earnings in 2018 were $7,567 million, Segment earnings in 2017 included a net charge of $824 million, reflecting
compared with $9,082 million in 2017. Refining and Trading accounted for impairment charges of $315 million reported in depreciation (mainly
20% of these 2018 earnings, Marketing for 53% and Chemicals for 27%. expenditure at Bukom and charges in relation to the Phenol 3 unit at the
Chemicals cracker at Deer Park), redundancy and restructuring charges of
The decrease in Downstream earnings, excluding the net charges, of $200 million, charges of $142 million related to US tax reform legislation and
$1,515 million (-17%) compared with 2017 was driven by higher operating a tax rate change in France and other net charges of $231 million (mainly
costs (around $700 million), adverse foreign exchange effects (around onerous contract provisions in Refining and Trading and a legal provision in
$530 million), lower base Chemicals margins (around $370 million), and Chemicals). Partly offsetting these impacts were divestment gains of $39
lower refining margins (around $150 million), partly offset by higher million (including a $546 million net charge from the Motiva transaction,
Marketing margins (around $360 million). Other impacts were a net charge mainly related to tax, which were more than offset by gains on the sale of
of around $120 million. Operating costs were higher due to higher assets in Saudi Arabia, Africa, Australia, Hong Kong and Macau) and a net
maintenance costs (Chemicals and Refining assets) and higher costs for gain from fair value accounting of commodity derivatives of $25 million.
Marketing growth opportunities. Chemicals margins were impacted by
higher feedstock costs globally, higher utility costs and new cracker start-ups EARNINGS 2017-2016
in the USA, and operational issues in Europe. Marketing margins benefited Segment earnings were presented on a current cost of supplies basis which
from favourable market conditions at the end of the year. The other net were $964 million lower in 2017 than on a first-in, first-out basis (2016:
negative impacts were mainly portfolio effects. $1,085 million lower).
The decrease in earnings of $1,515 million analysed by class of business Segment earnings in 2017 of $8,258 million were 25% higher than in 2016.
was as follows: Earnings in 2017 included a net charge of $824 million described above.
Earnings in 2016 included a net charge of $655 million, reflecting
Refining and Trading earnings were $949 million lower than in 2017, redundancy and restructuring charges of $523 million, impairments of
principally due to higher costs (including impact of a full year of former $506 million, a net charge from fair value accounting of commodity
Motiva site costs) and adverse currency rate exchange effects. derivatives of $373 million and other net charges of $25 million. These were
Realised refining margins were lower, with weaker margins in all partly offset by net gains on divestments of $772 million reported in interest
regions except Canada. In the USA, weaker margins were offset by and other income.
improved operations, particularly at Deer Park following Hurricane
Harvey in 2017. Canada saw significant margin improvement due to Excluding the impact of these items, earnings in 2017 were $9,082 million,
positive market conditions. Europe suffered a weaker margin compared with $7,243 million in 2016. Refining and Trading accounted for
environment although boosted by improved operations at our Pernis 27% of these 2017 earnings, Marketing for 44% and Chemicals for 29%.
refinery in the Netherlands. Asia suffered a very low margin
environment. Trading earnings were lower than in 2017 from losses The increase in Downstream earnings, excluding the net charges, of
due to weaker trading opportunities. $1,839 million (25%) compared with 2016 was driven by higher realised
Marketing earnings were $20 million lower than in 2017. Weaker refining and trading margins (around $1,230 million), improved chemical
Lubricants results were due to higher costs and foreign exchange margins (around $870 million), a lower effective tax rate (around $380 million)
effects. Raízen earnings were lower due to lower sugar prices. Other and other net negative impacts (around $640 million). Refining and trading
negative impacts included the absence of one-off tax gains from 2017 margins were higher in part following the Motiva transaction in May 2017.
and higher pension costs. Partly offsetting these impacts were Chemicals margins were higher from improved operating performance and the
improved earnings from our Retail business, benefiting from favourable lower effective tax rate resulting from one-off impacts and a change in the
market conditions at the end of the year. Results from our Retail China geographical split of earnings. The other net negative impacts included higher
ventures fell due to a new tax policy. depreciation charges and costs, following the Motiva transaction, and lower
Chemicals earnings were $546 million lower than in 2017. Results marketing margins, impacted by a shortage of feedstock from our Pearl gas-to-
were impacted by higher feedstock costs in the East, higher utility costs liquids (GTL) plant in Qatar to our Lubricants business.
and cracker start-ups in the USA and operational issues in Europe
(mainly at Stanlow and Rheinland). CAPITAL INVESTMENT
Capital investment was $7.6 billion in 2018, compared with $6.4 billion in
Segment earnings in 2018 included a net gain of $34 million. A number of 2017. Capital investment in Refining was in line with 2017 at $2.4 billion
offsetting items included charges for impairment of $386 million (mainly (including capital investment to our former Motiva assets in both years).
expenditure at Bukom and assets at Stanlow), and costs related to Capital investment in Marketing increased by $0.5 billion to $2.0 billion
restructuring of $109 million (a number of initiatives across Downstream) (mainly attributable to growth in China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and
more than offset by net gains from fair value accounting of commodity Russia). In Chemicals, capital investment increased by $0.7 billion to $3.2
derivatives of $233 million, gains from disposal of assets $225 million billion (increase mainly from investment in our new cracker facilities in
(mainly our Downstream assets in Argentina and other smaller disposals) Pennsylvania).
and a gain from one-off tax items of $118 million (mainly corporation tax rate
Shell Bitumen supplies over 1,600 customers across 36 countries and DOWNSTREAM BUSINESS ACTIVITIES WITH IRAN,
provides enough bitumen to resurface 450 kilometres of road lanes every SUDAN AND SYRIA
day. It also invests in technology research and development to create IRAN
innovative products. Shell transactions with Iran are disclosed separately. See “Section 13(r) of
the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Disclosure” on page 262.
Shell Sulphur Solutions is a business that manages the complete value chain
of sulphur, from refining to marketing. The business provides sulphur for SUDAN
industries such as mining and textiles and also develops new products that We ceased all operational activities in Sudan in 2008.
incorporate sulphur, such as fertilisers.
SYRIA
Pipelines We ceased supplying polyols, via a Netherlands-based distributor, to
Shell Pipeline Company LP (Shell interest 100%) owns and operates 10 tank private sector customers in Syria in 2018. Polyols are commonly used for the
farms across the USA. It transports more than 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil production of foam in mattresses and soft furnishings.
and refined products a year through about 6,000 kilometres of pipelines in
the Gulf of Mexico and five US states. Our various non-Shell-operated DOWNSTREAM DATA TABLES
ownership interests provide about a further 13,000 pipeline kilometres. The tables below reflect Shell subsidiaries and instances where Shell owns
the crude oil or feedstocks processed by a refinery. In addition, the tables
We carry more than 40 types of crude oil and more than 20 grades of include the Buenos Aires refinery on a 50% basis following the sale to
gasoline, as well as diesel, aviation fuel, chemicals and ethylene. Raízen in October 2018 (100% basis up to that date). Other joint ventures
and associates are only included where explicitly stated.
Shell Midstream Partners, L.P., a midstream limited partnership, owns,
operates, develops and acquires pipelines and other midstream assets in Oil products – cost of crude oil $/barrel
the USA. Its assets consist of interests in entities that own crude oil and processed or consumed [A]
refined products pipelines and terminals that serve as key infrastructure to 2018 2017 2016
transport onshore and offshore crude oil production to Gulf Coast and
Total 59.94 46.78 34.47
Midwest refining markets. It also delivers refined products from those
[A] Includes Upstream and Integrated Gas margins on crude oil supplied by Shell subsidiaries, joint
markets to major demand centres. Its assets also include interests in entities ventures and associates.
that own natural gas and refinery gas pipelines that transport offshore
natural gas to market hubs and deliver refinery gas from refineries and
plants to chemical sites along the Gulf Coast. Shell controls the general Crude distillation capacity [A] Thousand b/calendar day [B]
partner. 2018 2017 2016
Europe 970 970 973
Biofuels Asia 704 704 808
Raízen, our joint venture in Brazil (Shell interest 50%), produces ethanol from
Oceania — — —
sugar cane, with an annual production capacity of more than 2 billion litres;
exports sugar, with an annual production of about 4.2 million tonnes; and Africa 82 82 82
manages a retail network. Raízen opened its first cellulosic ethanol plant at Americas 1,157 1,176 1,223
its Costa Pinto mill in Brazil in 2015, which produced almost 15.5 million Total 2,913 2,932 3,086
litres in 2018. When fully operational, the mill is expected to produce [A] Average operating capacity for the year, excluding mothballed capacity.
[B] Calendar day capacity is the maximum sustainable capacity adjusted for normal unit downtime.
around 40 million litres a year of advanced biofuels from sugar-cane
residues.
Ethylene capacity [A] Thousand tonnes/year
CHEMICALS 2018 2017 2016
Manufacturing Europe 1,701 1,702 1,702
Our plants produce a range of base chemicals, including ethylene,
Asia 2,529 1,904 2,222
propylene and aromatics, as well as intermediate chemicals such as styrene
Oceania — — —
monomer, propylene oxide, solvents, detergent alcohols, ethylene oxide
and ethylene glycol. We have the capacity to produce around 6.5 million Africa — — —
tonnes of ethylene a year. Americas 2,268 2,267 2,235
Total 6,498 5,873 6,159
Marketing [A] Includes the Shell share of capacity entitlement (offtake rights) of joint ventures and associates,
which may be different from nominal equity interest. Nominal capacity is quoted at December 31.
Each year, we supply about 18 million tonnes of petrochemicals to around
1,000 industrial customers worldwide. Our products are used to make
numerous everyday items, from clothing and cars to detergents and bicycle
helmets.
Refineries in operation
Thousand barrels/calendar day, 100% capacity [B]
Thermal
Crude cracking/
Shell interest (%) distillation visbreaking/ Catalytic Hydro-
Location Asset class [A] capacity coking cracking cracking
Europe
Denmark Fredericia Ɣ 100 68 39 — —
Germany Miro [C] 32 287 36 87 —
Rheinland 100 325 44 — 80
Schwedt [C] 38 214 40 54 —
Netherlands Pernis 100 404 45 48 83
Asia
Japan Mizue (Toa)
[C] 2 64 24 38 —
Yamaguchi
[C] 1 110 — 25 —
Yokkaichi [C] 3 234 — 55 —
Pakistan Karachi [C] 4 43 — — —
Philippines Tabangao 55 96 31 — —
Saudi Arabia Al Jubail [C] 50 292 61 — 45
Singapore Pulau Bukom 100 463 72 34 55
Africa
South Africa Durban [C] ی 36 165 23 34 —
Americas
Argentina Buenos Aires
[C] 50 99 18 20 —
Canada
Alberta Scotford 100 92 — — 74
Ontario Sarnia 100 73 4 19 9
USA
California Martinez 100 144 43 65 38
Louisiana Convent 100 239 — 83 49
Norco 100 229 26 108 39
Texas Deer Park 50 312 82 68 53
Washington Puget Sound 100 137 23 52 —
[A] Shell interest is rounded to the nearest whole percentage point; Shell share of production capacity may differ.
[B] Calendar day capacity is the maximum sustainable capacity adjusted for normal unit downtime.
[C] Not operated by Shell.
Earnings $ million
2018 2017 2016
Segment earnings (1,479 ) (2,416 ) (1,751 )
Comprising:
Net interest and investment expense [A] (2,192 ) (2,413 ) (1,824 )
Net foreign exchange gains/(losses) [B] (67 ) (292 ) 3
Taxation and other [C] 780 289 70
[A] Mainly Shell’s interest expense (excluding accretion expense) and interest income, together with the Shell share of joint ventures and associates’ net interest expense, and net gains on sales from Shell
insurance entities’ portfolio of debt securities.
[B] On Shell’s financing activities, together with the Shell share of joint ventures and associates’ net foreign exchange gains/(losses) on financing activities.
[C] Other earnings mainly comprise headquarters and central functions’ costs not recovered from business segments, and net gains on sale of properties.
OVERVIEW charges. In 2017, taxation and other earnings increased by $219 million
The Corporate segment covers the non-operating activities supporting Shell. compared with 2016, due to lower costs incurred in connection with the BG
It comprises Shell’s holdings and treasury organisation, its self-insurance acquisition and integration in 2017, which were partly offset by a charge in
activities and its headquarters and central functions. All finance expense 2017 due to US tax reform legislation.
and income as well as related taxes are included in the Corporate segment
SELF-INSURANCE
earnings rather than in the earnings of the business segments.
We mainly rely on self-insurance for many of our risk exposures and capital
The holdings and treasury organisation manages many of the Corporate is set aside to meet self-insurance obligations (see “Risk factors” on page
entities and is the point of contact between Shell and external capital 18). We seek to ensure that the capital held to support the self-insurance
markets. It conducts a broad range of transactions – from raising debt obligations is at a level at least equivalent to what would be held in the
instruments to transacting foreign exchange. Treasury centres in London and third-party insurance market. Periodically, surveys of key assets are
Singapore support these activities. undertaken that provide risk-engineering knowledge and best practices to
Shell subsidiaries with the aim to reduce their exposure to hazard risks.
Headquarters and central functions provide business support in the areas of
Actions identified during these surveys are monitored to completion.
communications, finance, health, human resources, information technology,
legal services, real estate and security. They also provide support for the INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND CYBER SECURITY
shareholder-related activities of the Company. The central functions are Given our digitalisation efforts and increasing reliance on information
supported by business service centres located around the world, which technology (IT) systems for our operations, we continuously monitor external
process transactions, manage data and produce statutory returns, among developments and actively share information on threats and security
other services. The majority of the headquarters and central-function costs incidents. Shell employees and contract staff are subject to mandatory
are recovered from the business segments. Those costs that are not courses and regular awareness campaigns aimed at protecting us against
recovered are retained in Corporate. cyber threats. We periodically test and adapt cyber-security response
processes and seek to enhance our security monitoring capability.
EARNINGS 2018-2016
Segment earnings in 2018 were a loss of $1,479 million, compared with a Given our dependence on IT systems for our operations and the increasing
loss of $2,416 million in 2017 and a $1,751 million loss in 2016. role of digital technologies across our business, we are aware that cyber-
security attacks could cause significant harm to Shell in the form of loss of
Net interest and investment expense decreased by $221 million compared
productivity, loss of intellectual property, regulatory fines and/or reputational
with 2017. This was due to a decrease in interest expense due to more
damage. As a result, we continuously measure and, where required, further
capitalised interest, coupled with higher interest income from increases to
improve our cyber-security capabilities to reduce the likelihood of successful
both cash levels and higher interest rates. In 2017, net interest and
cyberattacks. Our cyber-security capabilities are embedded into our IT
investment expense increased by $589 million compared with 2016.
systems and our IT landscape is protected by various detective and protective
Interest expense increased due to the inclusion of a full year of interest on
technologies. The identification and assessment capabilities are built into our
debt assumed on the BG acquisition in 2016, finance leases entered into
support processes and adhere to industry best practices. The security of IT
during 2017 and higher interest rates (see Note 14 to the “Consolidated
services, operated by external IT companies, is managed through contractual
Financial Statements” on page 191).
clauses and through formal supplier assurance reports.
The Corporate segment includes net foreign exchange gains/(losses) from
Shell is frequently subject to cyberattacks. In 2018, none of these events led
financing positions. Net foreign exchange gains/(losses) generally relate to
to breaches of our business-critical IT landscape and, as such, did not result
the impact of changes in exchange rates on non-functional currency loans
in any material business impact. When significant incidents occur, they are
and cash balances in operating companies. In 2018, unfavourable
followed up with a thorough root-cause analysis and, if needed, will result in
exchange rate movements resulted in a net foreign exchange loss. In 2017
appropriate follow-up actions.
there were exchange rate gains, but these were more than offset by a
charge of $545 million from restructuring of funding in North America. See “Risk factors” on page 19.
We manage our businesses to deliver strong cash flows to fund investment Our total debt decreased by $8.8 billion in 2018 to $76.8 billion at
for profitable growth. Our aim is that, across the business cycle, “cash in” December 31, 2018. The amount excluding finance leases will mature as
(including cash from operations and divestments) at least equals “cash out” follows: 15% in 2019; 9% in 2020; 8% in 2021; 7% in 2022; and 61% in
(including capital expenditure, interest and dividends), while maintaining a 2023 and beyond. The portion of debt maturing in 2019 is expected to be
strong balance sheet. Our priorities for applying our cash are the servicing repaid from a combination of cash balances, cash generated from
and reduction of debt commitments, payment of dividends, followed by a operations, divestments and the issuance of new debt.
balance of capital investment and share buybacks.
In 2018, we issued $3 billion of bonds under our US shelf registration.
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY Periodically, for working capital purposes, we issued CP. We believe our
Strong operational performance in 2018, together with improved commodity current working capital is sufficient for our present requirements.
prices and proceeds from our divestment programme, supported the
commencement of a share buyback programme of at least $25 billion, by the While our subsidiaries are subject to restrictions, such as foreign withholding
end of 2020, subject to further progress with debt reduction and oil price taxes on the transfer of funds in the form of cash dividends, loans or
conditions. $3.9 billion of share buybacks were completed in 2018. Gearing advances, such restrictions are not expected to have a material impact on
was reduced in the year and, at December 31, 2018, was 20.3% (2017: our ability to meet our cash obligations.
25.0%). Gearing is a key measure of our capital structure and is defined as net
debt (total debt less cash and cash equivalents) as a percentage of total MARKET RISK AND CREDIT RISK
capital (net debt plus total equity). With effect from 2018, the net debt In the normal course of business, financial instruments of various kinds are used
calculation includes the fair value of derivative financial instruments used to for the purposes of managing exposure to commodity price, foreign exchange
hedge foreign exchange and interest rate risks relating to debt and associated and interest rate movements. Our treasury and trading operations are highly
collateral balances. We believe that this amendment is useful, because it centralised and seek to manage credit exposures associated with our
reduces the volatility of net debt caused by fluctuations in foreign exchange substantial cash, commodity, foreign exchange and interest rate positions. Our
and interest rates and eliminates the potential impact of related collateral portfolio of cash investments is diversified to avoid concentrating risk in any
payments or receipts. Across the business cycle, we aim to manage gearing one instrument, country, or counterparty. We monitor our investments and
within a range of 0-30%. Note 14 to the “Consolidated Financial Statements” adjust them in light of new market information. Exposure to failed financial and
on page 191 provides information on our debt arrangements, including trading counterparties was not material in 2018. Treasury standards are
gearing. applicable to all our subsidiaries, and each subsidiary is required to adopt a
treasury policy consistent with these standards. Other than in exceptional
We are affected by the global macroeconomic environment, as well as cases, the use of external derivative instruments is confined to specialist trading
financial and commodity market conditions. This exposes us to treasury and and central treasury organisations that have appropriate skills, experience,
trading risks, including liquidity risk, market risk (interest rate risk, foreign supervision, control and reporting systems.
exchange risk and commodity price risk) and credit risk. See “Risk factors” on
page 18 and Note 19 to the “Consolidated Financial Statements” on pages PENSION COMMITMENTS
202-207. The size and scope of our businesses require a robust financial We have substantial pension commitments, the funding of which is subject to
control framework and effective management of our various risk exposures. capital market risks (see “Risk factors” on page 18). We address key
pension risks in a number of ways. Principal among these is the Pensions
LIQUIDITY Forum, chaired by the Chief Financial Officer, which oversees Shell’s input to
We satisfy our funding and working capital requirements from the cash pension strategy, policy and operation. The forum is supported by a risk
generated from our operations, the issuance of debt and divestments. In committee in reviewing the results of assurance processes with respect to
2018, access to the international debt capital markets remained strong, pension risks. In general, local trustees manage the funded defined benefit
with our debt principally financed from these markets through central debt pension plans, with contributions paid based on independent actuarial
programmes consisting of: valuations in accordance with local regulations. Our total employer
contributions to funded and unfunded defined benefit pension plans were
Ŷ a $10 billion global commercial paper (CP) programme, with maturities $0.8 billion in 2018 and are estimated to be $0.9 billion in 2019.
not exceeding 270 days;
Ŷ a $10 billion US CP programme, with maturities not exceeding 397 days;
Capitalisation table $ million
Ŷ an unlimited Euro medium-term note (EMTN) programme (also referred to
Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
as the Multi-Currency Debt Securities Programme); and
Equity attributable to Royal Dutch Shell
Ŷ an unlimited US universal shelf (US shelf) registration.
plc shareholders 198,646 194,356
All these CP, EMTN and US shelf issuances are issued by Shell International Current debt 10,134 11,795
Finance B.V., the issuance company for Shell, with its debt being Non-current debt 66,690 73,870
guaranteed by Royal Dutch Shell plc (the Company).
Total debt [A] 76,824 85,665
We also maintain a committed credit facility, which was increased in September Total capitalisation 275,470 280,021
[A] Of total debt, $62.7 billion (2017: $70.1 billion) was unsecured and $14.1 billion (2017:
2018 to $8.8 billion and which expires in 2020. It remained undrawn at
$15.6 billion) was secured. See Note 14 to the “Consolidated Financial Statements” on
December 31, 2018. This facility and internally available liquidity provide back-up pages 191-193 for further disclosure on debt.
coverage for our CP programmes. Other than certain borrowing by local
subsidiaries, we do not have any other committed credit facilities.
The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited and BG Group Limited
have each issued a dividend access share to Computershare Trustees
(Jersey) Limited (the Trustee). For the years 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Trust
recorded income before tax of £5,328 million, £4,567 million, and
£3,879 million respectively. In each period, this reflected the amount of
dividends received on the dividend access shares.
Our success in business depends on our ability to meet a range of Our three Golden Rules require our employees and contract staff to comply
environmental and social challenges. We must operate safely and manage with laws and regulations as well as our standards and procedures, to
the effect our activities can have on neighbouring communities and wider intervene in unsafe or non-compliant situations, and to respect our
society. If we fail to do this, we may incur liabilities or sanctions, lose neighbours.
business opportunities, harm our reputation, or our licence to operate may
We expect ventures not operated by us to apply standards and principles
be impacted (see “Risk factors” on page 17).
similar to our own. We support these ventures in their implementation of our
Data in this section are reported on a 100% basis in respect of activities HSSE & SP Control Framework, or of a similar framework, and offer to
where we are the operator. Reporting on this operational control basis review the effectiveness of their implementation. Even if such a review is not
differs from that applied for financial reporting purposes in the carried out, we periodically evaluate HSSE & SP risks faced by the ventures
“Consolidated Financial Statements” on pages 167-214. Detailed data and which we do not operate. If one of these ventures does not meet our
information on our 2018 environmental and social performance will be expectations, we work to put plans in place, in agreement with our partners,
published in the Shell Sustainability Report in April 2019. to improve performance.
CONTROL FRAMEWORK Shell aims to work with suppliers that behave in a safe, economically,
The Shell General Business Principles set out our responsibilities to environmentally and socially-responsible manner. Our approach to suppliers
shareholders, customers, employees, business partners and society. They set is set out in our Shell General Business Principles and Shell Supplier
the standards for the way we conduct business, with integrity and respect Principles. These principles cover expectations in areas such as business
for people, the environment and communities. All ventures that we operate integrity, health and safety, and human rights. Working with suppliers in this
must conduct their activities in line with our business principles. way is central to maintaining a strong societal support for our operations.
We aim to minimise the environmental impact of new projects and existing
SAFETY
operations and we engage with local communities and non-governmental
Safety is central to the responsible delivery of energy. We develop and
organisations to understand and respond to their concerns. Shell conducts
operate our facilities with the aim of preventing any incidents that may harm
an environmental, social and health impact assessment for every major
our employees, contract staff or nearby communities, or cause damage to
project. This helps us to understand and manage the effects our projects
our assets or adversely impact the environment. We manage safety risks
could have on the surrounding environment and local communities. We
across our businesses through clear standards, controls and compliance
have standards and a clear governance structure in place to help manage
systems, combined with a safety-focused culture. We focus on the three
potential impacts. Our standards are defined in our Health, Safety, Security,
areas of safety with the highest risks associated with our activities: personal,
Environment and Social Performance (HSSE & SP) Control Framework
process, and transport. We ensure that people responsible for tasks
(Control Framework), in line with the Shell Commitment and Policy on
involving a significant safety hazard have the necessary training and skills.
Health, Security, Safety, the Environment and Social Performance and the
Safety performance is included in our annual bonus scorecard for all our
Shell Code of Conduct, and are supported by a number of guidance
employees. Also see “Directors’ Remuneration Report” on page 133.
documents. They apply to every Shell entity, including all employees and
contract staff, and to Shell-operated ventures. The Control Framework We continue to strengthen the safety culture and leadership among our
defines standards and accountabilities at each level of the organisation and employees and contract staff, with the focus on caring for people. Our
sets out the procedures and processes people are required to follow. We safety goal is to achieve no harm and no leaks across all our operations.
manage HSSE & SP risks to as low as reasonably practicable, which is a We refer to this as our Goal Zero ambition.
business responsibility supported by the HSSE & SP function. The process
safety and HSSE & SP assurance team provides assurance on the We expect everyone working for us to intervene and stop work that may
effectiveness of HSSE & SP controls to the Board. appear to be unsafe. In addition to our ongoing safety awareness
programmes, we hold an annual global safety day to give employees and
HSSE & SP Control Framework contract staff time to reflect on how to prevent incidents. We expect
everyone working for us to comply with our 12 mandatory Life-Saving Rules.
Mandatory
If employees break these rules, they face disciplinary action up to and
HSE Policy & Commitment including termination of employment. If contract staff break the Life-Saving
HSSE & SP Standards Rules, they can be removed from the worksite.
Manuals
Projects Transport
Transporting large numbers of people, products and equipment by road, Shell Pakistan Limited continues to work with regulators, emergency services
rail, sea and air poses safety risks. We develop best-practice standards and the wider oil and gas industry in Pakistan with a view to improving
within Shell to find ways of reducing travel and transport safety risks, and safety standards. Shell Pakistan Limited has also required the road transport
work with specialist contractors, industry bodies, non-governmental companies it hires to improve the safety of their transport fleets and has
organisations and governments. ongoing safety engagements with hauliers and their drivers, seeking to help
them to identify and address the risks associated with driving fuel tankers.
Shell employees and contractors drove a combined distance of around This has included emergency-response drills to build and test capability.
600 million kilometres on business in 2018 in more than 60 countries. We
run road safety programmes, such as those that promote safe driving Road transportation remains a challenging and complex area for industry
techniques and behaviour. We require everyone driving more than 7,500 worldwide. Sadly, in October 2018, there was another roll-over incident in
kilometres a year on company business on public roads and those who Pakistan involving a customer tanker, which resulted in the death of the relief
drive in road safety high-risk countries to take a defensive driving course. driver and a spill. This incident was outside of Shell’s operational control
Outside our operations, we also work to improve road safety in several and outside of our reporting scope. See “Directors’ Remuneration Report”
communities and countries where we operate. on page 119.
See “Climate change and energy transition” on pages 71-78 for more To reduce the number of operational spills, SPDC is focused on
information on how we manage our GHG emissions. implementing its ongoing work programme to appraise, maintain and
replace key sections of pipelines and flow lines. Over the last seven years,
SPILLS approximately 1,300 kilometres of pipelines and flow lines have been
Large spills of crude oil, oil products and chemicals associated with our replaced. This is managed through a pipeline and flow line integrity
operations can adversely impact the environment and result in major clean- management system that proactively manages pipeline integrity, puts
up costs as well as fines and other damages. They can also affect our barriers in place where necessary, and recommends when and where
licence to operate and harm our reputation. We have requirements and pipeline sections should be replaced to prevent failures. In 2018, this
procedures designed to prevent spills. integrity management system was enhanced to manage integrity threats
arising from frequent pipeline sabotage or vandalism.
Our business units are responsible for organising and executing oil-spill
responses in line with Shell guidelines as well as with relevant legal and SPDC continues to undertake initiatives to prevent and minimise spills
regulatory requirements. All our offshore installations have plans in place to caused by theft and sabotage of its facilities in the Niger Delta. In 2018,
respond to spills. These plans detail response strategies and techniques, SPDC continued on-ground surveillance efforts on the SPDC joint venture’s
available equipment, and trained personnel and contracts. We are able to areas of operation, including its pipeline network, to mitigate incidences of
call upon site-managed resources such as containment booms. We are also third-party interference and ensure that spills are detected and responded
able to draw upon the contracted services of oil-spill response organisations to as quickly as possible. There are also daily overflights of the pipeline
their containment booms, collection vessels, aircraft or other equipment if network to identify any new spill incidents or illegal activities. SPDC has
required for large spills. We conduct regular exercises that seek to ensure also implemented anti-theft protection mechanisms on key infrastructure,
these plans remain effective. We have further developed our capability to such as wellheads and manifolds.
respond to spills to water and maintain a Global Response Support
SECURITY
Our operations expose us to civil unrest, criminality, terrorism, piracy, acts of
war, cyber disruption and risks of pandemic diseases that could have a
material adverse effect on our business (see “Risk factors” on page 16). We
seek to obtain the best possible information to enable us to assess threats
and risks. We conduct detailed assessments for all sites and activities, and
implement appropriate risk-mitigation measures to detect, deter and
respond to security threats. This includes building strong and open
relationships with government security agencies, the physical hardening of
Shell has long recognised that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the This includes the work of the Board, which discussed a number of regular
use of fossil fuels are contributing to the warming of the climate system. In agenda items, among them reporting on environmental topics. Throughout
December 2015, 195 nations adopted the Paris Agreement. We welcomed 2018, the Board discussed the businesses’ Net Carbon Footprint ambition.
the efforts made by governments to reach this global climate agreement, In addition, some of the Non-executive Directors received dedicated
which entered into force in November 2016. We fully support the Paris updates from management and external experts on New Energies, the
Agreement’s goal to keep the rise in global average temperature this various business models, advantages and disadvantages of having positions
century to well below two degrees Celsius (2°C) above pre-industrial levels along the power value chain, and the opportunities for Shell in the New
and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5°C. Energies area. During the annual dedicated strategy meeting, the Board
In pursuit of this goal, we also support the vision of a transition towards a debated the longer-term challenges of the future of mobility and the
net-zero emissions energy system. Shell agrees with the Intergovernmental changing mobility landscape in the context of climate change and energy
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 1.5°C special report, which states that in transition.
order to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the world
economy would need to transform in a number of complex and connected The Board committees (see “Corporate governance” on page 100) play an
ways. Meeting this challenge would require an even more rapid escalation important role in assisting the Board with regard to governance and
in the scale and pace of change in the coming decades than was foreseen management of climate change risks and opportunities.
in the Paris Agreement.
The role of the Corporate and Social Responsibility Committee (CSRC) is to
Society faces a dual challenge: how to transition to a low-carbon energy review and advise the Board on Shell’s strategy, policies and performance
future to manage the risks of climate change, while also extending the in the areas of safety, environment, ethics and reputation. It regularly
economic and social benefits of energy to everyone on the planet. This is discusses the Company’s approach to combatting climate change. In 2018,
an ambition that requires changes in the way energy is produced, used and this included the energy transition, GHG emission targets (including advice
made accessible to more people while drastically cutting emissions. to the Remuneration Committee), policy on methane, Shell’s Net Carbon
Footprint and nature-based solutions.
We believe that the need to reduce GHG emissions, which are largely
caused by burning fossil fuels, will transform the energy system in this The Remuneration Committee (REMCO) is responsible for determining the
century. This transformation will generate both challenges and opportunities Directors’ Remuneration Policy in alignment with our business strategy. In
for our existing and future portfolio. 2018, activities for REMCO included setting annual bonus performance
measures and targets, for example, by continuing to include GHG intensity
We welcome and support efforts, such as those led by the Task Force on metrics in the scorecard following recommendations by the CSRC
Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), to increase transparency and to embedding the energy transition into the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and
promote investors’ understanding of companies’ strategies to respond to the Chief Financial Officer’s (CFO) personal performance goals, and discussing
risks and opportunities presented by climate change. We believe that the incorporation of energy transition measures into long-term incentives. In
companies should be clear about how they plan to be resilient in the energy 2018, Shell took a major step forward in delivering our strategy by
transition. In 2017, we joined the Oil and Gas Preparer Forum, initiated by the announcing plans to link short-term targets to reduce the Net Carbon
TCFD and convened by the World Business Council for Sustainable Footprint of energy products we sell to executive remuneration. In 2019,
Development. The forum´s objectives are to review the current state of REMCO decided to include an energy transition condition into the 2019
climate-related financial disclosures, to identify examples of effective Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) based on recommendations from CSRC. This
disclosure practices and make proposals on how disclosures may evolve condition will include our first three-year target towards achieving our Net
over time. The Shell Energy Transition Report published in April 2018 (2018 Carbon Footprint ambition along with other measures that will help us to
SET report) described the energy transition and considered Shell’s resilience achieve our strategic ambitions in the long term, related to growth of Shell’s
against future scenarios. The 2018 SET report followed our discussions with power business, commercialising opportunities in advanced biofuel
the TCFD about increasing transparency to help investors understand climate- technology and the development of sinks to capture and store carbon. See
related risks and opportunities. Our approach to the energy transition as “Directors’ Remuneration Report” on pages 119-147. The Shell employee
described in the 2018 SET report, in combination with the Shell Sustainability scorecard structure for determining employees’ annual bonus in 2018 was
Report (April 2019) aims to complement this Report in responding to TCFD consistent with the Executive Directors’ scorecard. The energy transition
recommendations, including discussing the energy transition and Shell´s condition in the 2019 LTIP will apply to all Senior Executives as well as the
portfolio resilience. Executive Directors.
OUR GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF CLIMATE The Audit Committee has key responsibilities in assisting the Board in
CHANGE RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES
fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in relation to areas such as the
Climate change and risks resulting from GHG emissions have been
effectiveness of the system of risk management and internal control. Any
identified as a significant risk factor for Shell and are managed in
concerns regarding improvement needed are promptly reported to the
accordance with other significant risks through the Board and Executive
Board.
Committee. See “Corporate governance” on pages 103-104.
The CEO is the most senior individual with accountability for climate change
Shell has a climate change risk management structure in place which is
risk. We have set up several dedicated climate change and GHG-related
supported by standards, policies and controls.
forums at different levels of the organisation where climate change issues
are addressed, monitored and reviewed, and each Shell subsidiary has
A senior manager – the Executive Vice President for Safety and Environment
Board of Royal
– reporting directly to the Projects & Technology Director is accountable,
Dutch Shell plc [1]
among other things, for oversight of GHG issues. This manager´s
department includes the dedicated Group Carbon team, which is
accountable for monitoring and examining the strategic implications of
climate change for Shell and the impact of developments in governmental
policy and regulation. The Group Carbon team is responsible for preparing Corporate and Audit Remuneration
proposed policy positions based on analysis within Shell and external input. Social Responsibility Committee Committee
The team also provides advice to Shell companies to ensure consistency in Committee (CSRC) [2] (AC) [3] (REMCO) [4]
The above-mentioned teams and experts have provided their input to shape
This structured approach supports the prioritisation of risks and opportunities.
a set of mandatory manuals and complementary guidance documents
We actively monitor the GHG footprint of all our assets, as well as our
which are ultimately based on our HSSE & SP Control Framework. These
products, to quantify future regulatory costs related to GHG or other climate-
documents provide guidance on how to monitor, communicate and report
related policies. This allows us to effectively prioritise areas of greater concern
changes in the risk environment, and how to review the effectiveness of
and assess mitigation options and the most viable responses. Climate-related
actions taken to manage the identified risks, including ways to:
risks are analysed in context of other identified material risks. See “Risk factors”
on pages 15-20.
Ŷ ensure consistent assessment of climate risk across Shell;
Ŷ clarify expectations for risk management and reporting, including roles Our portfolio exposure is reviewed annually against changing GHG
and responsibilities; regulatory regimes and physical conditions to identify emerging risks. We
Ŷ strengthen decision-making through better visibility and understanding of test the resilience of our portfolio against externally published future
the climate risk by line of business; and pathways, including a low emissions pathway. In 2017, Shell announced a
Ŷ enable integration of Shell’s reporting. long-term ambition to reduce the Net Carbon Footprint of its energy
products. This was followed by an announcement, in December 2018, of
For more detail on our definition of risk categories and their relationship to
our intention to set short-term targets in line with that ambition.
different time horizons, see page 75.
Meeting the Net Carbon Footprint ambition requires evolving our portfolio
over the medium to longer term, to reduce the carbon intensity of the
products that we sell. We plan for this by developing future aspired
portfolio shapes that would meet our ambition and use these to guide
investment decisions. Within the selected portfolio shapes, individual
projects are developed to be as resilient to the future scenarios as possible.
emissions from these sources in line with regulations and industry standards. In CO2 capture test centre in Mongstad, Norway, the Northern Lights CCS
2017, we joined the Climate and Clean Air Coalition Oil & Gas Methane project for capturing and storing industrial CO2, also in Norway, and the
Partnership. It brings together industry, governments and non-governmental development of the Gorgon CO2 injection project in Australia, which is due to
organisations to improve quantification of methane emissions globally and work start up in 2019. We also have technology that can remove both CO2 and
towards reducing them. In November 2017, Shell – along with seven other sulphur dioxide from industrial flue gases. It is being used at Boundary Dam, a
energy companies – signed guiding principles for reducing methane emissions third-party coal-fired power plant in Canada.
across the natural gas value chain. The principles focus on: continually reducing
methane emissions; advancing strong performance across gas value chains; ENERGY EFFICIENCY
improving accuracy of methane emissions data; advocating sound policies and We continue to work on improving energy efficiency at our oil and gas
regulations on methane emissions; and increasing transparency. In 2018, we production facilities, refineries and chemical plants. Measures include our
succeeded in encouraging a further 10 companies to sign up to them. GHG and energy management programme that focuses on the efficient
operation of existing equipment. This means, for example, using monitoring
In September 2018, Shell announced a target to maintain Shell’s methane systems which give us real-time information that we can use to make energy-
emissions intensity below 0.20% by 2025. This target covers all Upstream and saving changes and identify opportunities for energy-saving investments in
Integrated Gas oil and gas assets for which Shell is the operator. The intensity the medium term. Shell’s scorecard incorporates GHG metrics that help
baseline and target are presented as percentage figures, which represent the create additional incentives for all our employees to reduce GHG emissions
estimated amount of methane emissions for Shell’s operated gas and oil in our portfolio. Also see “Directors’ Remuneration Report” on page 133.
assets as a percentage of the amount of the total gas marketed or, for those
assets that have no marketed gas, the amount of marketed oil and NEW ENERGIES
condensate (e.g. assets that re-inject produced gas). Methane emissions Our New Energies business explores emerging opportunities linked to the
include those from unintentional leaks, venting and incomplete combustion, for energy transition and invests in those where we believe sufficient value is
example in flares and turbines. In 2018, our overall methane intensity was available. New Energies is an emerging opportunity, in which we plan to
0.08% for assets with marketed gas and 0.01% for assets without marketed invest on average $1-2 billion a year until 2020 as we look for commercial
gas. Asset level intensities ranged from below 0.01% to 0.9%. Our methane investments that build on our strengths in new and fast-growing segments of
emissions are calculated using the best methods currently available: a the energy industry. We focus on new fuels for transport, such as advanced
combination of industry standard emission factors (established emissions rates biofuels, hydrogen and charging for battery-electric vehicles; and power,
per throughput or per piece of equipment), engineering calculations and some including from low-carbon sources such as wind and solar as well as natural
actual measurements. There are uncertainties associated with methane gas. Alongside our work in new fuels and power, we are exploring how
emissions quantification. To reduce these uncertainties, our Upstream and digital technologies can best support our activities and customers. See
Integrated Gas businesses are rolling out methane improvement programmes “Integrated Gas” on page 33.
that focus on further improving data quality and reporting, and on continued
implementation of leak detection and repair programmes and methane New fuels
abatement opportunities. By 2025, all Shell-operated assets are expected to We invest in a range of low-carbon technologies and fuels, including
have implemented more robust quantification methodologies. Externally, we hydrogen and battery-electric vehicle charging. We believe that hydrogen
continue to work on new technologies and improved quantification methods has the potential to be an important low-carbon transport fuel. We are
through partnerships and several other initiatives. involved in several initiatives to encourage the adoption of hydrogen-
electric energy. See “Integrated Gas” on page 33.
Shell is also a member of the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI), a CEO-
led initiative to lead the industry’s response to climate change. One of Biofuels
OGCI’s focus areas is methane management. In September 2018, OGCI We believe that low-carbon biofuels will continue to play a valuable part in
announced a target to reduce the collective average methane intensity of its reducing CO2 emissions in the transport sector in the coming decades. The
members’ aggregated upstream gas and oil operations by one fifth to below international market for biofuels has grown over the past decade, driven
0.25% by 2025, with an ambition to achieve 0.20%, corresponding to a largely by the introduction of new energy policies in Europe and the USA
reduction of one third. that call for more renewable, lower-carbon fuels for transport. They
represent approximately 4% of global transport fuels today.
Detailed information on our approach to managing methane emissions and
performance will be published in the Shell Sustainability Report in April 2019. In 2018, we used around 9.5 billion litres of biofuel in our gasoline and
diesel blends worldwide to comply with applicable mandates and targets
CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE in the markets where we operate. Through our own long-established
CCS is a technology used for capturing CO2 before it is emitted into the sustainability clauses in supply contracts, we request that the biofuels we
atmosphere, then transporting it by pipelines or ships and injecting it into a buy are produced in a way that is environmentally and socially responsible
deep geological formation for permanent storage. In the IPCC Global across the life cycle of the production chain.
Warming of 1.5°C special report, the middle-of-the-road scenario (P3) shows
cumulative abatement provided by CCS of 687 billion tonnes of CO2 by From cultivation to use, some biofuels emit significantly less CO 2 compared
2100, compared with 230 million tonnes of man-made CO2 that has been with conventional gasoline. But this depends on several factors, such as
injected to date, according to the Global CCS Institute (Global Status of how the feedstock is cultivated and the way biofuels are produced. Other
CCS 2018 report). In November 2015, we launched our Quest CCS project challenges include concerns over land competing with food crops, labour
in Canada (Shell interest 10%), which has captured and safely stored more rights, and the water used in the production process.
than 3 million tonnes of CO2 since it began operating. We are involved in a
Outside Brazil, we continue to invest in new ways of producing biofuels Ŷ societal risk: the potential for a deteriorating relationship with the public,
from sustainable feedstocks, such as biofuels made from waste products or other companies, and governments in countries where Shell operates;
cellulosic biomass. In 2017, we completed construction of a demonstration Ŷ commercial risk: the potential for structural shifts in demand profiles for
plant at the Shell Technology Centre Bangalore, India. The plant industry products;
demonstrates a technology called IH2 that turns waste feedstock into Ŷ regulatory risk: the potential for strengthening of existing and introduction
transport fuel. The plant can process around five tonnes per day of of new regulations; and
feedstock, such as agricultural waste, and aims to demonstrate the Ŷ physical risk: the potential impact on our facilities and the communities in
technology for possible scaling up and commercialisation. which we operate due to changing physical conditions.
We continue to look for opportunities to invest in third-party technologies This is how we describe the different time horizons and the relevance for the
and to collaborate in scaling these up for commercialisation. In 2018, we identification of risks and business planning:
announced our support, together with British Airways, for a project led by Ŷ Short term (up to three years): detailed financial projections are
Velocys to install a waste-to-renewable jet fuel plant in the UK. If installed, a developed and used to manage performance and expectations on a
plant would use post-recycled waste, destined for landfill or incineration, three-year cycle. This three-year plan is shared with the Board;
and convert it into cleaner-burning, sustainable fuels. Ŷ Medium term (three years up to around 10 years): the majority of
production and earnings expected to be generated in this period come
In line with our strategy of developing more sustainable feedstocks for from our existing assets; and
transport, we are also investing in renewable natural gas (RNG) for use in Ŷ Long term (beyond around 10 years): for this period, the current Shell
natural-gas fuelled vehicles, in the USA and in Europe. RNG is collected portfolio is not representative of our future performance or the potential
from landfill sites, food waste or manure and then processed until it is fully risks. Decision making and risk identification on the thematic structure of
interchangeable with conventional natural gas. The use of RNG in natural- the future portfolio are guided by associated emerging questions.
gas vehicles, either in the form of compressed natural gas (CNG) or LNG,
offers customers already using these vehicles an attractive alternative for Shell has a rigorous approach to understanding, managing and mitigating
lowering their CO2 footprint. climate risks to its facilities. Shell also requires each business and function to
monitor, communicate and report changes in the risk environment and the
In the USA, in August 2018, we announced plans to expand and upgrade
effectiveness of actions taken to manage identified risks on an ongoing
the JC Biomethane plant in Junction City, Oregon, which we acquired in
basis. This is outlined in a toolkit for risk management including our Risk
May 2018. This will increase the facility’s capacity to produce RNG from
Management Manual and complementary guidance documents that cover
agricultural waste, through a process called anaerobic digestion.
specific aspects such as climate risk.
Power
Each Shell business unit needs to consider the acceptability of climate-
Power is the fastest-growing segment of the energy system. We expect that
related risks in their portfolios. To ensure that informed judgements are
people and companies around the world will use more electricity to power
made, businesses´ senior managers present their current assessments of the
likelihood of the climate-related risks discussed above materialising and their from elements of this life cycle not owned by Shell, such as oil and gas
potential impact, along with summaries of current mitigation efforts under processed by Shell but not produced by Shell, or from oil products and
way within their business unit. Each risk is then categorised as either electricity marketed by Shell that have not been processed or generated at
acceptable or as needing improvement. a Shell facility. The calculation also includes biofuels, as well as emissions
that we offset by using CCS or natural carbon sinks, such as forests and
We aim to reduce the GHG intensity of our portfolio and we continue to wetlands. Chemicals and lubricants products, which are not used to
work on improving the energy efficiency of our existing operations. In produce energy, are excluded from the scope of this ambition.
addition, and as a better way to inform and drive our investment choices
and adapt our business over time, in November 2017 we announced our When selecting our Net Carbon Footprint ambition, we have purposefully
ambition to reduce the Net Carbon Footprint of our energy products in step chosen a wide and meaningful frame against which to manage our
with society’s drive to reduce GHG emissions. We aim to reduce the Net performance. The calculation of the Net Carbon Footprint includes not only
Carbon Footprint of the energy products we sell – expressed in grams of emissions from our own operations and those from third parties in parts of our
CO2 equivalent per megajoule consumed – by around half by 2050. As an supply chains that produce and bring energy to the market but also emissions
interim step, by 2035, and predicated on societal progress, we aim for a of our customers from the use of the energy products we sell to them. The
reduction of around 20% compared with our 2016 level. Our approach to emissions from our operations are important but those of our customers from
calculating the Net Carbon Footprint covers emissions directly from Shell their use of the energy products are much larger in proportion.
operations (including from the extraction, transportation and processing of
raw materials, and transportation of products), those generated by third The diagram below illustrates the scope of the Net Carbon Footprint
parties who supply energy to us for production, and our customers’ calculation:
emissions from their use of our energy products. Also included are emissions
Renewable Biofuels
Processing 1 Sales 3 4
Energy and Power
Third-party products 2
1 Emissions from bringing own products to market 3 Emissions from use of own products 5 Emissions from use of own products
2 Emissions from bringing third-party products to market 4 Emissions from use of third-party products
1 The ‘life cycle’ calculation tracks the energy molecules end-to-end but does not include emissions associated with construction or decommissioning of facilities.
2 Nature Based Solutions.
Performing competitively in the evolving energy landscape requires views and has had a consistently high response rate. In 2018, the response
competent and empowered people working safely together across Shell. rate was 82%, which was an increase of 2% compared with 2017, and the
We recruit, train and recompense people according to a strategy that aims average employee engagement score was 77 points out of 100, which was
to organise our businesses effectively. We accelerate development of our an increase of one point compared with 2017.
people; grow and strengthen our leadership capabilities; and enhance
employee performance through strong engagement. Our people are We promote safe reporting of views about our processes and practices. In
essential to the successful delivery of the Shell strategy and to sustaining addition to local channels, the Shell Global Helpline enables our people
business performance over the long term. and third parties to report potential breaches of the Shell General Business
Principles and Shell Code of Conduct, confidentially and anonymously, in a
EMPLOYEE OVERVIEW variety of languages. Shell Internal Audit (SIA) is the custodian of the Shell
The employee numbers presented here are the full-time equivalent number Global Helpline process in Shell, which is managed by an independent
of people employed by Shell on a full- or part-time basis, working in Shell third party. SIA is accountable for ensuring that the Shell Global Helpline
subsidiaries, Shell-operated joint operations, non-Shell-operated joint functions as intended and that all allegations of Code of Conduct breaches
operations, or seconded to joint ventures and associates. (including bribery and corruption) are investigated and followed up on as
appropriate. The Board has formally delegated the responsibility for
At December 31, 2018, there were 81,000 Shell employees, compared with reviewing the functioning of the Shell Global Helpline, and the reports
83,000 at December 31, 2017, and 91,000 at December 31, 2016. The arising from its operation, to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is
reduction in 2018 was driven by portfolio activities and our continued effort also authorised to ensure that arrangements are in place for the
to improve operational efficiency and to reduce costs. These changes were proportionate and independent investigation of reported matters and for
partly offset by the insourcing of specific skill sets into the organisation follow-up action.
(predominantly in IT) and other external recruitment to build our talent
pipeline. We continue to leverage and expand capabilities to ensure a DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
sustainable talent pool. Our intention is to sustain a diverse workforce and an inclusive environment
that respects and shows care for all our people and helps improve our
During 2018, we employed an average of 82,000 people, shown by business performance. Our diversity and inclusion (D&I) approach focuses
geographical area in the table below and by business segment in Note 26 on talent acquisition, progression, retention, leadership visibility, and on
to the “Consolidated Financial Statements” on page 213. inclusive culture. Our leaders aim to be role models for D&I and assume
accountability for continuous progress. We believe that diverse teams led
by inclusive leaders are more engaged, and therefore deliver better safety
Average number of employees
and business performance. By embedding D&I into our operations, we have
by geographical area Thousand a better understanding of the needs of our people as well as the needs of
2018 2017 [A] 2016 [A] our varied customers, partners and stakeholders throughout the world. It
Europe 24 25 26 also allows us to benefit from a wider external talent pool for recruitment
Asia 28 28 28 purposes.
Oceania 2 2 2
We provide equal opportunity in recruitment, career development,
Africa 4 5 6
promotion, training and rewards for all our people, including those with
North America 21 24 29
disabilities. In 2018, we introduced our workplace accessibility service,
South America 2 2 4 which currently serves 62 locations globally. This service ensures that all
Total 82 86 95 employees have access to reasonable adjustments so that they can work
[A] As revised, to align with the current year definition. effectively and productively. In addition, we implemented a global minimum
standard for maternity leave of 16 weeks.
EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATION AND INVOLVEMENT
We strive to maintain a healthy employee and industrial relations
Our focus on workplace inclusion also continues in other areas. For
environment in which dialogue between management and our employees –
example, in 2018, we were recognised as one of the top three
both directly and, where appropriate, through employee representative
organisations in the Workplace Pride global lesbian, gay, bisexual,
bodies – is embedded in our work practices. On a regular basis,
transgender and intersexed (LGBTI) inclusive workplace benchmark and
management engages with our employees through a range of formal and
earned a 100% score in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s
informal channels, including emails from the Chief Executive Officer,
Corporate Equality Index. In addition, the 2018 Hampton Alexander Review
webcasts, townhalls, team meetings, face-to-face gatherings, breakfast
ranked Shell first out of the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 350 Oil
briefings, interviews, helplines and online publications via our intranet. For
& Gas Industry index companies and seventh out of the FTSE 100 Top 10
further information on stakeholder engagement, see the Corporate
Best Performers. We actively monitor representation of women and local
governance section on pages 98-99.
nationals in senior leadership positions and have talent-development
processes to support us in mitigating any biases and delivering a more
Strong employee engagement is especially important in maintaining strong
diverse representation.
business delivery in times of change. The annual Shell People Survey is one
of the principal tools used to measure employee engagement, motivation,
affiliation and commitment to Shell. It provides insights into employees’
In 2018, 46% of our graduate recruits were female. At the end of 2018, the The workshops focus on values, behaviours, business pressures and
proportion of women in senior leadership positions was 24% compared with leadership practices. The workshops are part of our wider work to cultivate
22% at the end of 2017. “Senior leadership positions” is a Shell measure a strong corporate culture where impeccable ethics are a matter of
based on senior salary group levels and is distinct from the term “senior personal pride for every employee, rather than only a compliance issue.
manager” in the statutory disclosures set out below.
As part of our commitment to ethics and compliance, we ensure that our
policies, standards and procedures are communicated to Shell employees
Gender diversity data (at December 31, 2018) Number
and contract staff and, where necessary and appropriate, to agents and
Men Women
business partners. Particular areas of focus with third parties include our due
Directors of the Company 6 55% 5 45% diligence procedures, and clearly articulated requirements (for example,
Senior managers [A] 701 73% 264 27% through the use of standard contract clauses). In addition, we publish our
Employees (thousand) 56 69% 25 31% Ethics and Compliance Manual on shell.com to demonstrate our commitment
[A] Senior manager is defined in section 414C(9) of the Companies Act 2006 and, accordingly, the in this area.
number disclosed comprises the Executive Committee members who were not Directors of the
Company, as well as other directors of Shell subsidiaries.
The Shell Ethics and Compliance Office assists the businesses and functions
with the ABC/AML and other programme implementation, and monitors
The local national coverage is the number of senior local nationals (both
and reports on progress. Legal counsel provides legal advice globally and
those working in their respective base country and those expatriated) as a
supports the programme’s implementation. The Shell Ethics and Compliance
percentage of the number of senior leadership positions in their base
Office regularly reviews and revises the ABC/AML and other programmes
country.
to ensure they remain up to date with applicable laws, regulations and best
practices. This includes incorporating results from relevant internal audits,
Local national coverage (at December 31) reviews and investigations.
Number of selected key business countries
2018 2017 2016 We have a duty to investigate all good faith allegations of breaches of the
Greater than 80% 10 10 10 Code of Conduct, however they are raised. We are committed to ensuring
all such incidents are investigated by specialists in accordance with our
Less than 80% 10 10 10
Investigation Principles. Violation of the Code of Conduct or its policies can
Total 20 20 20
result in disciplinary action, up to and including contract termination or
dismissal. In some cases, we may report a violation to the relevant
CODE OF CONDUCT authorities, which could lead to legal action, fines or imprisonment.
In line with the UN Global Compact Principle 10 (Businesses should work
against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery), we maintain Internal investigations confirmed 370 substantiated breaches of the Code
a global anti-bribery and corruption/anti-money laundering (ABC/AML) of Conduct in 2018. As a result, we dismissed or terminated the contracts of
programme designed to prevent or detect, and remediate and learn from, a total of 92 employees and contract staff.
potential violations. The programme is underpinned by our commitment to
prohibit bribery, money laundering and tax evasion, and to our Shell General EMPLOYEE SHARE PLANS
Business Principles and Code of Conduct. We have a number of share plans designed to align employees’ interests
with our performance through share ownership. For information on the
We do not tolerate the direct or indirect offer, payment, solicitation or
share-based compensation plans for Executive Directors, see the “Directors’
acceptance of bribes in any form. Facilitation payments are also bribes and
Remuneration Report” on pages 119-147.
are prohibited. The Shell Code of Conduct includes specific guidance for
Shell staff (which comprises employees and contract staff) on requirements to
PERFORMANCE SHARE PLAN, LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
avoid or declare actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest, and on
AND EXCHANGED AWARDS UNDER THE BG LONG-TERM
offering or accepting gifts and hospitality.
INCENTIVE PLAN
Conditional awards of the Company’s shares are made under the terms of
Communications from leaders emphasise both the importance of these
the Performance Share Plan (PSP) to around 16,000 employees each year.
commitments and compliance with requirements. These are reinforced with
Senior executives receive conditional awards of the Company’s shares
both global and targeted communications to ensure that Shell staff are
under the terms of the Long-term Incentive Plan (LTIP) rather than under the
frequently reminded of their obligations. Supporting the Code of Conduct,
terms of the PSP. The extent to which the awards vest under both plans is
we have mandatory risk-based procedures and controls that address a
determined over a three-year performance period, but the performance
range of compliance risks and ensure we focus resources, reporting and
conditions applicable to each plan are different. Under the PSP, 50% of the
attention appropriately. By making a commitment to our core values –
award is linked to certain of the indicators described in “Performance
honesty, integrity and respect – and following the Code of Conduct, we
indicators” on pages 27-28, averaged over the period. From 2017
protect Shell’s reputation.
onwards, 12.5% of the award is linked to free cash flow (FCF) and the
remaining 37.5% is linked to a comparative performance condition which
In 2018, we introduced mandatory ethical leadership workshops for senior
involves a comparison with four of our main competitors over the period,
executives across our global operations, to reinforce and explore the level
based on three measures. Under the LTIP, from 2017, 25% of the award is
of commitment to ethics and compliance expected of leaders at this level.
linked to the FCF measure and the remaining 75% is linked to the
UK SHARESAVE SCHEME
Eligible employees of participating Shell companies in the UK have been
able to participate in the UK Sharesave Scheme. Options have been
granted over the Company’s shares at market value on the invitation date.
These options are normally exercisable after completion of a three-year or
five-year contractual savings period. No further grants will be made under
this plan.