The Netherlands: Shell’s 3Q10 Results Significantly Better Compared to Year-ago Levels

Royal Dutch Shell’s third quarter 2010 earnings, on a current cost of supplies (CCS) basis, were $3.5 billion compared to $3.0 billion a year ago. Basic CCS earnings per share increased by 16% versus the same quarter a year ago.

Third quarter 2010 CCS earnings, excluding identified items , were $4.9 billion compared to $2.6 billion in the third quarter 2009.

Cash flow from operating activities for the third quarter 2010 was $9.0 billion.

Net capital investment for the quarter was $10.3 billion, including the business acquisition of East Resources, Inc. in the USA and the joint acquisition of Arrow Energy Limited in Australia. Total dividends paid to shareholders during the third quarter 2010 were $2.6 billion.

Gearing at the end of the third quarter 2010 was 19.0%.

A third quarter 2010 dividend has been announced of $0.42 per ordinary share. With the introduction of the Scrip Dividend Programme, effective from the third quarter 2010 interim dividend, eligible shareholders have a choice to receive dividends in cash or in new shares.

Royal Dutch Shell Chief Executive Officer Peter Voser commented:

“Our results have rebounded substantially from year-ago levels, driven by some improvement in industry conditions, and Shell’s strategy. We are seeing new growth, with improved earnings and cash flow, underpinned by a 5% increase in oil and gas production, a 22% increase in LNG sales and increased downstream volumes. This is a better performance from Shell, achieved despite continued difficult industry conditions in refining and natural gas markets.

We are making good progress on implementing our strategy, with a focus on performance improvement, delivering a new wave of growth, and maturing the next generation of growth options for shareholders, with achievements in all of these themes during the quarter.

With an emphasis on continuous improvement, Shell is driving down costs and improving capital efficiency. We have achieved some $2 billion of asset sales so far in 2010, and announced the disposal of late-life oil and gas positions at Statfjord in Norway, and refining capacity at Heide in Germany during the quarter. Our cash generation from operations continues to improve. We expect some $7-8 billion of asset sales in the 2010-11 timeframe, including exits from non-core refining and marketing positions in Europe and Africa, and rationalisation of our tight gas portfolio in North America, following recent acquisitions there.”

Turning to growth delivery, Voser commented: “We are in a delivery window for new growth. Our new oil sands mine – Jackpine – started production during the quarter, part of the 100,000 boe/d Athabasca Oil Sands Project Expansion 1. AOSP-1 is the 5th start-up in a sequence of 13 new projects for 2010-11, which will drive us to achieve our cash flow and production targets for 2012.

Shell has continued to make progress with longer term growth options during the quarter, with the final investment decision on two new deep water projects – the 100,000 boe/d Mars B development in the Gulf of Mexico, and Phase 2 of the BC-10 development in Brazil. We have signed a purchase agreement with East Resources, Inc., acquiring tight gas acreage in the USA, bringing our total North America gas potential resources to some 40 tcfe, completed the joint acquisition of Arrow Energy Limited, an Australian CBM-LNG play, and progressed our Brazil retail and biofuels joint venture with Cosan.”

Voser concluded: “We are making good progress against our targets, and there is more to come from Shell.”

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Source: Shell, October  28, 2010;