Shell: LNG Sales Down 5 Percent (The Netherlands)

Shell said today that it has sold 4.57 million tonnes of LNG in the second quarter 2012, 5% lower than in the same quarter a year ago.

Key features of the second quarter 2012

• Second quarter 2012 CCS earnings were $5,964 million, 25% lower than in the same quarter a year ago.
• Second quarter 2012 CCS earnings, excluding identified items, were $5,719 million compared with $6,552 million in the second quarter 2011, a decrease of 13%.
• Basic CCS earnings per share decreased by 26% versus the same quarter a year ago.
• Basic CCS earnings per share excluding identified items decreased by 13% versus the same quarter a year ago.
• Cash flow from operating activities for the second quarter 2012 was $13.3 billion, compared with $10.0 billion in the same quarter last year. Excluding movements in working capital, cash flow from operating activities in the second quarter 2012 was $9.5 billion, compared with $12.3 billion in the same quarter last year.
• Net capital investment (see Note 1) for the second quarter 2012 was $6.3 billion. Capital investment for the second quarter 2012 was $8.1 billion and proceeds from divestments were some $1.8 billion.
• Total dividends distributed in the second quarter 2012 were $2.8 billion, of which some $0.6 billion were settled by issuing some 19.8 million Class A shares under the Scrip Dividend Programme for the first quarter 2012. Under the company’s share buyback programme some 26.5 million Class B shares were bought back for cancellation during the quarter for a consideration of $0.9 billion.
• Return on average capital employed at the end of the second quarter 2012, on a reported income basis, was 12.9%.
• Gearing was 8.1% at the end of the second quarter 2012 versus 12.1% at the end of the second quarter 2011.
• Oil and gas production for the second quarter 2012 was 3,103 thousand boe/d. Excluding the impact of divestments, exits, production-sharing contract (PSC) price effects and security impacts onshore Nigeria, second quarter 2012 production volumes were 4% higher than in the same period last year.

Royal Dutch Shell Chief Executive Officer Peter Voser commented:

“We are moving forward in volatile times. Our profits have fallen with energy prices, but our growth strategy is delivering to the bottom line.

Shell’s second quarter 2012 earnings declined from year-ago levels, with weaker oil and North American gas prices offsetting the benefit of increased upstream volumes and improved refining margins. Our profits pay for Shell’s dividends and substantial investments in new projects, to ensure affordable and reliable energy supplies for our customers, adding value for our shareholders.”

Voser continued: “Our industry continues to see significant energy price volatility as a result of economic and political developments. Shell is implementing a long-term, consistent strategy against this volatile backdrop. Our plans for organic capital investment of around $32 billion in 2012 and medium-term financial and production growth are on track.

Shell has continuous improvement programmes in place to increase operational uptime and performance and to control costs. The new projects we’ve built in recent years are driving growth in the company today, and our investment decisions should drive oil and gas production for decades to come, with more than 20 key upstream projects under construction today.”

“We want leadership positions in the plays where we choose to invest, such as deepwater, integrated gas, tight gas and traditional basins, creating value for shareholders with Shell’s investment, people and innovation,” Voser said.

“Looking further into the future, Shell is following a deliberate strategy to bring more choice into the company’s next tranche of investment decisions, generating a larger range of new investment choices and growth pathways. Capital efficiency is an important part of Shell’s approach, with on-going actions to sell non-core positions, to form strategic partnerships and to add new growth positions.

Shell has continued to build high potential exploration acreage positions in 2012, including new liquids-rich shale and deepwater plays, and we are drilling important new wells over the next few months. In addition, Shell is assessing new integrated gas options in North America.”

Voser concluded: “Our strategy is focused on innovation and competitiveness. There is more to come from Shell.”

[mappress]

LNG World News Staff, July 26, 2012; Image: Shell