Key facts and figures

Shell Chemicals defined

Shell Chemicals is the term used to refer to the various Shell companies that carry out the chemicals operations of the Shell Group. With a collective multi-billion dollar annual turnover and significant investments in manufacturing assets around the world - both direct and through joint ventures - we number among the largest petrochemical operations in the world.

Financial data

Fourth quarter Downstream earnings excluding identified items were $1,163 million compared with a loss of $278 million in the fourth quarter 2011. Identified items were a net charge of $89 million, reflecting losses related to divestments, partly offset by a tax credit. Downstream earnings for the fourth quarter 2011 included a net gain of $34 million.

Compared with the fourth quarter 2011, Downstream earnings excluding identified items benefited from higher realised refining margins and Shell’s improved operating performance, as well as increased contributions from marketing and trading. Chemicals earnings were lower, mainly as a result of higher operating expenses and, in the United States, supply constraints of advantaged feedstock.

Oil products sales volumes were 3% higher compared with the same period a year ago, mainly as a result of increased trading volumes.

Chemicals sales volumes increased by 4% compared with the same quarter last year, due to improved operating performance and demand. Chemicals manufacturing plant availability was 91% compared with 86% in the fourth quarter 2011, mainly due to lower planned maintenance activities.

Refinery intake volumes were 5% higher compared with the fourth quarter 2011. Excluding portfolio impacts, refinery intake volumes were 8% higher than in the same period a year ago. Refinery availability was 92%, in line with the fourth quarter 2011.

In the United States, the crude distillation unit at the expansion of Motiva’s refinery (Shell share 50%) in Port Arthur, Texas was restarted in January 2013 and is expected to ramp-up during early 2013.

Full year Downstream earnings excluding identified items were $5,311 million compared with $4,274 million in 2011. Identified items were a net gain of $39 million, compared with a net gain of $15 million in 2011.

Compared with 2011, Downstream earnings excluding identified items reflected higher realised refining margins and lower operating expenses, mainly as a result of favourable currency exchange rate effects. Trading contributions were lower, while marketing contributions were broadly in line with 2011. Chemicals earnings were lower, mainly as a result of the impact of the global economic slowdown and, in the United States, supply constraints of advantaged feedstock and the impact of hurricane Isaac on operations.

Oil products sales volumes were 1% higher compared with 2011. Lower marketing volumes, mainly as a result of portfolio divestments, were more than offset by higher trading volumes. Excluding the impact of divestments and the effect of the formation of the Raízen joint venture, sales volumes were 3% higher than in 2011.

Chemicals sales volumes were 1% lower compared with 2011, as reductions in European manufacturing capacity and rationalisation of the contract portfolio were largely offset by improved operating performance. Chemicals manufacturing plant availability increased to 91% compared with 89% in 2011.

Refinery intake volumes were 1% lower compared with 2012. Excluding portfolio impacts, refinery intake volumes were 4% higher than in 2011. Refinery availability increased to 93% compared with 92% in 2011.

Key manufacturing sites

Listed below are our principal manufacturing facilities. For a complete listing of locations at which chemicals products are made, return to the factsheets index and select the 'manufacturing locations' factsheet.

Principal joint ventures

Saudi Arabia Petrochemical Company (Sadaf)
Ellba BV and ELLBA Eastern (Pte) Ltd
Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore (PCS)
The Polyolefin Company Pte Ltd (TPC)
CNOOC and Shell Petrochemicals Company Limited (CSPCL)
Infineum International Limited