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4th quarter and full year 2008 unaudited results

The 4th quarter and full year 2008 unaudited results can be viewed below or downloaded in PDF format (PDF, 548 KB) - opens in new window.

4TH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2008 UNAUDITED RESULTS

  • Royal Dutch Shell’s fourth quarter 2008 earnings, on a current cost of supplies (CCS) basis, were $4.8 billion compared to $6.7 billion a year ago. Basic CCS earnings per share decreased by 27% versus the same quarter a year ago.
  • Full year 2008 CCS earnings were $31.4 billion compared to $27.6 billion for the full year 2007. Basic CCS earnings per share for the full year 2008 increased by 16% when compared to 2007.
  • Cash flow from operating activities for the fourth quarter 2008 was $10.3 billion. Net capital investment for the quarter was $6.8 billion. Total cash returned to shareholders, in the form of dividends and share repurchases, was $2.7 billion.
  • A fourth quarter 2008 dividend has been announced of $0.40 per share, an increase of 11% over the US dollar dividend for the same period in 2007.
  • The first quarter 2009 dividend is expected to be declared at $0.42 per share, an increase of 5% compared to the first quarter 2008 US dollar dividend.

Royal Dutch Shell Chief Executive Jeroen van der Veer commented: "We delivered satisfactory performance in the fourth quarter of 2008, given the pressure on demand for oil and gas due to a weaker global economy. Our strategy remains to pay competitive and progressive dividends, and to make significant investments in the company for future profitability. Industry conditions remain challenging, and we are continuing the focus on capital and cost discipline in Shell."


SUMMARY OF UNAUDITED RESULTS

Quarters

$ million

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

%1

 

2008

2007

%

(2,810)

8,448

8,467

-

Income attributable to shareholders

26,277

31,331

-16

(7,595)

(2,455)

1,783

 

Less: Estimated CCS adjustment for Oil Products and Chemicals (see Note 2)

(5,089)

3,767

 

4,785

10,903

6,684

-28

CCS earnings

31,366

27,564

+14

(0.44)

1.37

1.36

-

Basic earnings per share ($)

4.27

5.00

-15

(1.22)

(0.40)

0.29

 

Less: Estimated CCS adjustment per share ($)

(0.82)

0.60

 

0.78

1.77

1.07

-27

Basic CCS earnings per share ($)

5.09

4.40

+16

0.40

0.40

0.36

+11

Dividend per ordinary share ($)

1.60

1.44

+11

1 Q4 on Q4 change

 



KEY FEATURES OF THE FOURTH QUARTER 2008 AND FULL YEAR 2008

 

  • Fourth quarter 2008 CCS earnings were $4,785 million, 28% lower than in the same quarter a year ago. Full year 2008 CCS earnings were $31,366 million, 14% higher than in 2007.
  • Fourth quarter 2008 reported results were a loss of $2,810 million compared to earnings of $8,467 million in the same quarter a year ago, reflecting the impact of downstream net realised inventory effects as a consequence of applying the first-in, first-out (FIFO) inventory accounting method, under IFRS accounting rules. Full year 2008 reported income was $26,277 million, 16% lower than in 2007.

To facilitate a better understanding of the underlying business performance, the financial results are also analysed on an estimated current cost of supplies (CCS) basis as applied for the Downstream segments (see Note 2).

  • Basic CCS earnings per share decreased by 27% versus the same quarter a year ago. Full year 2008 basic CCS earnings per share increased 16% when compared to 2007.
  • Total cash returned to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases in the fourth quarter 2008 was $2.7 billion, bringing the total for the full year 2008 to $13.1 billion.
  • Cash flow from operating activities was $10.3 billion compared to $5.3 billion for the same quarter last year. Full year 2008 cash flow from operating activities was $43.9 billion compared to $34.5 billion in 2007.
  • Capital investment for the fourth quarter 2008 was $9.2 billion. Net capital investment (capital investment, less divestment proceeds) for the fourth quarter 2008 was $6.8 billion, bringing the total for the full year 2008 to some $32 billion, lower than previously planned, as divestment proceeds for the year exceeded prior expectations. Net capital investment for 2009 is expected to be in the range of $31 to $32 billion, balancing Shell's commitments to projects under construction and growth, with the more challenging economic landscape in 2009.
  • Return on average capital employed (ROACE), on a reported income basis (see Note 3), was 18.3%.
  • Gearing was 7.5% at the end of the fourth quarter 2008 versus 7.9% at the end of the fourth quarter 2007. Gearing including certain off-balance sheet obligations was 23.1% at the end of the fourth quarter 2008 versus 16.6% at the end of the fourth quarter 2007 (see Note 5).
  • Oil and gas production, including oil sands production, for the fourth quarter 2008 was 3,415 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), essentially unchanged compared to the same quarter last year (3,436 thousand boe/d). New field start-ups and increased production from existing producing facilities offset natural field declines and the residual impact to production resulting from hurricane-related shut-ins in the USA during the third quarter 2008. Production in the fourth quarter 2008 excluding the impact of divestments, production sharing contracts (PSC) pricing effects, OPEC quota restrictions and hurricanes increased by 2% compared to the same quarter last year.

Full year 2008 oil and gas production, including oil sands production, was 3,248 thousand boe/d, compared to 3,315 thousand boe/d in 2007. Production for the full year 2008 excluding the impact of divestments, production sharing contracts (PSC) pricing effects, OPEC quota restrictions and hurricanes was in line with 2007.

  • Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sales volumes of 3.36 million tonnes were 1% higher than in the same quarter a year ago. Full year 2008 LNG sales were 13.05 million tonnes compared to 13.18 million tonnes in 2007.
  • Oil Products refinery availability was 90%, compared to 94% in the fourth quarter 2007 (91% for the full year 2008 which is at the same level as in 2007). Chemicals manufacturing plant availability was 93%, unchanged from the fourth quarter 2007 (94% for the full year 2008 versus 93% in 2007). Oil Sands upgrader availability was 87%, 8% higher than in the same quarter last year (93% for the full year 2008 versus 89% in 2007).

  • Oil Products marketing sales volumes in the fourth quarter 2008 decreased by 6% compared to the same quarter last year. Volumes were impacted by weaker global demand and, excluding the impact of divestments, decreased by 3%. Volumes for the full year 2008 decreased by 2% versus 2007 levels and were unchanged when excluding the impact of divestments. Chemical product sales volumes in the fourth quarter 2008 were impacted by weaker global demand and decreased by 20% compared to the fourth quarter 2007. Volumes for the full year 2008 decreased by 10% versus 2007 levels.


SUMMARY OF UNAUDITED RESULTS

Quarters

$ million

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

%1

 

2008

2007

%

3,710

5,501

4,867

 

Exploration & Production

20,235

14,686

 

981

2,774

631

 

Gas & Power

5,328

2,781

 

(30)

371

82

 

Oil Sands

941

582

 

582

2,304

876

 

Oil Products (CCS basis)

5,155

6,951

 

(19)

116

348

 

Chemicals (CCS basis)

156

1,682

 

(373)

(43)

(4)

 

Corporate

(69)

1,387

 

(66)

(120)

(116)

 

Minority interest

(380)

(505)

 

4,785

10,903

6,684

-28

CCS earnings

31,366

27,564

+14

1 Q4 on Q4 change

 

 



SUMMARY OF IDENTIFIED ITEMS

Earnings in the fourth quarter 2008 reflected the following items, which in aggregate amounted to a net gain of $897 million (compared to a net gain of $963 million in the fourth quarter 2007), as summarised in the table below:

  • Exploration & Production earnings included a net gain of $1,303 million, reflecting gains from divestments of $1,104 million and a gain of $261 million related to the mark-to-market valuation of certain UK gas contracts, which were partly offset by impairment charges of $62 million. Earnings for the fourth quarter 2007 included a net gain of $715 million.
  • Gas & Power earnings included a charge of $55 million, reflecting an impairment of $44 million and a charge of $11 million related to the mark-to-market valuation of certain gas contracts. Earnings for the fourth quarter 2007 included a charge of $7 million.
  • Oil Sands earnings for the fourth quarter 2007 included a gain of $94 million.
  • Oil Products earnings included a net charge of $233 million, reflecting impairment charges of $312 million, which were partly offset by a divestment gain of $79 million. Earnings for the fourth quarter 2007 included a net gain of $177 million.
  • Chemicals earnings included impairment charges of $22 million. Earnings for the fourth quarter 2007 included a net charge of $46 million.
  • Corporate earnings included a charge of $96 million related to a provision on receivables. Earnings for the fourth quarter 2007 included a gain of $30 million.


SUMMARY OF IDENTIFIED ITEMS

Quarters

$ million

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

 

2008

2007

 

 

 

Segment earnings impact of identified items:

 

 

1,303

575

715

  Exploration & Production

1,910

1,102

(55)

1,368

(7)

  Gas & Power

1,302

275

-

25

94

  Oil Sands

25

94

(233)

77

177

  Oil Products (CCS basis)

25

327

(22)

18

(46)

  Chemicals (CCS basis)

(210)

(28)

(96)

-

30

  Corporate

(96)

489

-

-

-

  Minority interest

-

-

897

2,063

963

CCS earnings impact

2,956

2,259


These identified items generally relate to events with an impact of more than $50 million on Royal Dutch Shell’s earnings and are shown to provide additional insight into its segment earnings, CCS earnings and income attributable to shareholders. Further additional comments on the business segments are provided in the section ‘Earnings by business segment’ on page 5 and onwards.

Commodity price effects (see Note 8 - Accounting for Derivatives)

During the fourth quarter 2008 worldwide oil and gas related commodity marker prices declined significantly.

As a consequence, net working capital decreased by some $15 billion during the fourth quarter 2008, mainly due to the lower valued inventory in Oil Products.

As a result of fair value accounting of commodity derivatives associated with long-term contracts, required under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), Gas & Power earnings were increased by non-cash gains of some $150 million.

As required under IFRS, commodity derivatives are recorded at fair value, which is based on market prices, and physical crude oil and oil products inventories are recorded at the lower of historical cost or net realisable value. During the fourth quarter 2008, Oil Products earnings were reduced by non-cash charges of some $150 million.





EARNINGS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION

Quarters

$ million

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

%1

 

2008

2007

%

3,710

5,501

4,867

-24

Segment earnings

20,235

14,686

+38

1,693

1,612

1,798

-6

Crude oil production (thousand b/d)

1,693

1,818

-7

9,531

7,207

9,185

+4

Natural gas production available for sale (million scf/d)

8,569

8,214

+4

3,336

2,854

3,381

-1

Barrels of oil equivalent (thousand boe/d) 2

3,170

3,234

-2

1  Q4 on Q4 change

2 Excludes oil sands bitumen production

 


Fourth quarter
Exploration & Production segment earnings were $3,710 million compared to $4,867 million a year ago. Earnings included a net gain of $1,303 million related to identified items, compared to a net gain of $715 million in the fourth quarter 2007 (see page 4 for details).

Earnings compared to the fourth quarter 2007 reflected the impact of lower oil prices on revenues, lower production volumes in the USA as a consequence of the third quarter 2008 hurricanes, and higher exploration expenses, which were partly offset by reduced royalty expenses.

Global liquids realisations were 31% lower than in the fourth quarter 2007. Global gas realisations were 13% higher than a year ago. Outside the USA, gas realisations increased by 22% whereas in the USA gas realisations decreased by 14%.

Fourth quarter 2008 production (excluding oil sands bitumen production) was 3,336 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) compared to 3,381 thousand boe/d a year ago. Crude oil production was down 6% and natural gas production was up 4% compared to the fourth quarter 2007.

Production in the fourth quarter 2008 was supported by new field start-ups since the end of the fourth quarter 2007, which contributed some 80 thousand boe/d of new production to the quarter. New field start-ups include Angel (Shell share 22.3%) and Vincent (Shell share 20.6%) in Australia, E11 Hub Stage 2 (Shell share 50%), M3S (Shell share 70%) and Saderi (Shell share 37.5%) in Malaysia, Starling (Shell share 28%) and Curlew C (Shell share 100%) in the United Kingdom and Sakhalin (Shell share 27.5%), from the Piltun-Astokhskoye B platform, in Russia. In addition, production volumes were supported by continued growth at Stybarrow (Shell share 17.1%) and Geographe & Thylacine (Shell share 17.7%) in Australia, Champion West Phase 3B/C (Shell share 50%) in Brunei, Duvernay (Shell share 100%) in Canada, Changbei (Shell share 50%) in China, Ormen Lange (Shell share 17%) in Norway and West Salym (Shell share 50%) in Russia.

Full year Exploration & Production segment earnings were $20,235 million compared to $14,686 million a year ago. Earnings included a net gain of $1,910 million related to identified items, compared to a net gain of $1,102 million in 2007.

Earnings compared to full year 2007 reflected the benefit of higher oil and gas prices on revenues, which was partly offset by increased exploration expenses, lower production volumes, particularly in the USA mainly as a consequence of hurricane impacts during the third quarter 2008, higher operating costs and royalty expenses.

Global liquids realisations were 36% higher than in 2007. Global gas realisations were 33% higher than a year ago. Outside the USA, gas realisations increased by 36% whereas in the USA gas realisations increased by 33%.

Full year 2008 production (excluding oil sands bitumen production) was 3,170 thousand boe/d compared to 3,234 thousand boe/d a year ago. Crude oil production was down 7% and natural gas production was up 4% compared to 2007.

Production for the full year 2008 was supported by new field start-ups since the end of the fourth quarter 2007, which contributed some 30 thousand boe/d of new production to the full year 2008. New field start-ups include E11 Hub Stage 2 (Shell share 50%) in Malaysia and Starling (Shell share 28%) in the United Kingdom. In addition, production volumes were supported by continued growth at Stybarrow (Shell share 17.1%) in Australia, Champion West Phase 3B/C (Shell share 50%) in Brunei, Duvernay (Shell share 100%) in Canada, Changbei (Shell share 50%) in China, Ormen Lange (Shell share 17%) in Norway, West Salym (Shell share 50%) in Russia and Deimos (Shell share 71.5%) in the USA.


Fourth quarter portfolio developments

In Australia, first gas was delivered from the Angel field (Shell share 22.3%).

In Russia, the Sakhalin II project (Shell share 27.5%) started production from the Piltun-Astokhskoye B platform and began year-round oil exports.

In Nigeria, the AFAM Gas and Power project started up. First gas was supplied to the power plant, with a peak production (Shell share 30%) of approximately 20 thousand boe/d.

Also in Nigeria, Shell completed the divestment of offshore deepwater blocks OML 125 (Abo field) and 134 with total sale proceeds of some $0.6 billion and a production impact of approximately 7 thousand boe/d.

In the United Kingdom, Shell completed the sale of a number of northern North Sea assets. In the Netherlands the sale of assets situated along the NOGAT pipeline was completed. The consolidated production impact is approximately 27 thousand boe/d (Shell share) and total sale proceeds are some $0.9 billion.



GAS & POWER

Quarters

$ million

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

%1

 

2008

2007

%

981

2,774

631

+55

Segment earnings

5,328

2,781

+92

3.36

3.10

3.34

+1

LNG sales volumes (million tonnes)

13.05

13.18

-1

1 Q4 on Q4 change


Fourth quarter Gas & Power segment earnings were $981 million compared to $631 million a year ago. Earnings included a charge of $55 million related to identified items, compared to a net charge of $7 million in the fourth quarter 2007 (see page 4 for details). In addition, fourth quarter 2008 earnings were increased by non-cash gains of approximately $150 million as a result of fair value accounting of commodity derivatives associated with long-term contracts (see Note 8).

Earnings compared to the fourth quarter 2007 reflected the benefit of strong LNG prices on revenues, higher dividends from LNG joint ventures and higher income from LNG cargo diversion opportunities.

LNG sales volumes of 3.36 million tonnes were 1% higher than in the same quarter a year ago. Sales volumes benefited from the start-up of North West Shelf Train 5 in Australia and increased feedgas supply in Malaysia, which were partly offset by the gas supply disruption to Nigeria LNG in December.

Natural gas and power marketing and trading earnings were higher than in the same quarter a year ago, reflecting increased earnings in both North America and Europe.

Full year Gas & Power segment earnings were $5,328 million compared to $2,781 million a year ago. Earnings included a net gain of $1,302 million related to identified items, compared to a net gain of $275 million in 2007.

Earnings compared to the full year 2007 reflected the impact of strong LNG and gas to liquids (GTL) product prices on revenues, higher dividends from LNG joint ventures, higher income from LNG cargo diversion opportunities and higher marketing and trading contributions.

LNG sales volumes of 13.05 million tonnes were 1% lower than in 2007.

Natural gas and power marketing and trading earnings were higher than in 2007, reflecting increased earnings in both North America and Europe.


Fourth quarter portfolio developments

In China, Shell and PetroChina signed a binding Sales and Purchase Agreement for a 20-year supply of up to two million tonnes per annum of LNG from the Gorgon project, conditional upon project approval, in Western Australia.

In the USA, the 100 Megawatt (MW) Mount Storm Phase II wind farm (Shell share 50%) in West Virginia became operational.

In Bolivia, the divestment of Transredes Transporte De Hidrocarburos S.A. (Shell share 25%), a pipeline business, was completed.



OIL SANDS

Quarters

$ million

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

%1

 

2008

2007

%

(30)

371

82

-

Segment earnings

941

582

+62

79

77

55

+44

Bitumen production (thousand b/d)

78

81

-3

112

97

97

+15

Sales volumes (thousand b/d)

114

125

-9

87

96

79

 

Upgrader availability (%)

93

89

 

1 Q4 on Q4 change

    

Fourth quarter Oil Sands segment results were a loss of $30 million compared to earnings of $82 million in the same quarter last year. Earnings for the fourth quarter 2007 included a gain of $94 million related to an identified item.

Earnings compared to the fourth quarter 2007 reflected the impact of lower oil prices on revenues and higher operating costs, which were partly offset by higher production volumes and lower royalty expenses.

Bitumen production increased by 44% compared to the same quarter last year, which was impacted by an unplanned shut-down at the Scotford Upgrader. Upgrader availability was 87% compared to 79% in the same quarter last year.

Full year Oil Sands segment earnings were $941 million compared to $582 million in 2007. Earnings included a gain of $25 million related to an identified item, compared to a gain of $94 million in 2007.

Earnings compared to full year 2007 reflected the benefit of higher oil prices on revenues and lower royalty expenses, which were partly offset by lower production volumes and higher operating costs.

Bitumen production decreased by 3% compared to the full year 2007. Upgrader availability was 93% compared to 89% in 2007.



OIL PRODUCTS

Quarters

$ million

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

%1

 

2008

2007

%

(6,416)

(44)

2,556

 

Segment earnings

446

10,439

 

(6,998)

(2,348)

1,680

 

Less: Estimated CCS adjustment (see Note 2)

(4,709)

3,488

 

582

2,304

876

-34

Segment CCS earnings

5,155

6,951

-26

3,125

3,273

3,812

-18

Refinery intake (thousand b/d)

3,388

3,779

-10

6,400

6,403

6,842

-6

Total Oil Products sales (thousand b/d)

6,568

6,625

-1

90

88

94

 

Refinery availability (%)

91

91

 

1 Q4 on Q4 change


Fourth quarter Oil Products segment results were a loss of $6,416 million, reflecting the result of oil products net realised inventory effects due to declining prices, compared to earnings of $2,556 million for the same period last year.

Fourth quarter Oil Products CCS segment earnings were $582 million compared to $876 million in the fourth quarter 2007. Earnings included a net charge of $233 million related to identified items, compared to a net gain of $177 million in the fourth quarter 2007 (see page 4 for details). In addition, fourth quarter 2008 earnings were reduced by non-cash charges of around $150 million as a result of fair value accounting of commodity derivatives (see Note 8).

CCS earnings compared to the fourth quarter 2007 reflected lower refinery intake volumes and lower total oil products sales volumes as a consequence of reduced worldwide demand, and impairment charges, which were partly offset by higher realised refining margins, higher marketing margins and increased trading contributions. In addition currency exchange rate effects, mainly related to the strengthening of the US dollar against most major currencies, also negatively impacted fourth quarter 2008 earnings.

Industry refining margins compared to the same quarter a year ago were higher in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region and declined in the US Gulf Coast and US West Coast. Refinery availability was 90%, compared to 94% in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Marketing earnings, excluding identified items, compared to the same period a year ago increased due to higher retail, B2B and base oil lubricants margins, which were partly offset by lower sales volumes.

Oil Products (marketing and trading) sales volumes decreased by 6% compared to the same quarter last year. Marketing sales volumes were 6% lower than in the fourth quarter 2007. Excluding the impact of divestments, marketing sales volumes decreased by 3% mainly as a result of reduced global demand.

Full year Oil Products segment earnings were $446 million compared to $10,439 million for the full year 2007. The significant earnings decrease between full year 2008 and 2007 reflects the result of oil products net realised inventory effects due to declining commodity prices in the second half of 2008.

Full year Oil Products CCS segment earnings were $5,155 million compared to $6,951 million in 2007. Earnings included a net gain of $25 million related to identified items, compared to a net gain of $327 million in the full year 2007.

CCS earnings compared to the full year 2007 reflected lower refinery intake volumes and reduced total oil products sales volumes, as a consequence of worldwide demand slow-down and asset sales, lower realised refining margins and higher operating costs which were partly offset by higher marketing margins and increased trading contributions. In addition currency exchange rate effects, mainly related to the strengthening of the US dollar against most major currencies, also negatively impacted the full year 2008 earnings.

Industry refining margins compared to a year ago were higher in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region and declined in the US Gulf Coast and US West Coast. Refinery availability was 91%, at the same levels as in 2007.

Marketing earnings, excluding identified items, compared to 2007 increased due to higher retail, B2B and base oil lubricants margins, which were partly offset by lower sales volumes.

Oil Products (marketing and trading) sales volumes decreased by 1% compared to the full year 2007. Marketing sales volumes were 2% lower than in the full year 2007, and, excluding the impact of divestments, volumes were in line with 2007.


Fourth quarter portfolio developments

In the Dominican Republic, Shell completed the sale of its 50% shareholding in Refinería Dominicana de Petróleo, S.A. (REFIDOMSA), with 34 thousand barrels per day processing capacity, for a total of $110 million.

In Africa, Shell completed the sale of its Downstream businesses in Sudan, Djibouti, Gambia, Ethiopia, and Swaziland.



CHEMICALS

Quarters

$ million

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

%1

 

2008

2007

%

(831)

(79)

501

 

Segment earnings

(405)

2,051

 

(812)

(195)

153

 

Less: Estimated CCS adjustment (see Note 2)

(561)

369

 

(19)

116

348

-

Segment CCS earnings

156

1,682

-91

4,483

4,989

5,633

-20

Sales volumes (thousand tonnes)

20,327

22,555

-10

93

86

93

 

Manufacturing plant availability (%)

94

93

 

1 Q4 on Q4 change


Fourth quarter Chemicals segment results were a loss of $831 million, reflecting the result of chemicals net realised inventory effects due to declining commodity prices, compared to earnings of $501 million for the same period last year.

Fourth quarter Chemicals CCS segment results were a loss of $19 million compared to earnings of $348 million in the same quarter last year. Earnings included a charge of $22 million related to identified items, compared to a net charge of $46 million in the fourth quarter 2007 (see page 4 for details).

CCS earnings compared to the fourth quarter 2007 reflected lower sales volumes, lower income from equity-accounted investments and higher operating costs, which were partly offset by higher realised margins and higher trading contributions.

Sales volumes decreased by 20% compared to the fourth quarter 2007, mainly as a result of reduced global demand.

Chemicals manufacturing plant availability was 93%, unchanged from the fourth quarter 2007. The reduced global demand for chemicals products has significantly impacted the chemicals manufacturing plant utilisation rate, which dropped to 67 % from 86 % in the fourth quarter 2007.

Full year Chemicals segment results were a loss of $405 million, reflecting the result of chemicals net realised inventory effects due to declining commodity prices in the second half of 2008, compared to earnings of $2,051 million in 2007.

Full year Chemicals CCS segment earnings were $156 million compared to $1,682 million in 2007. Earnings included a net charge of $210 million related to identified items, compared to a net charge of $28 million in 2007.

CCS earnings compared to full year 2007 reflected lower income from equity-accounted investments, lower realised margins, reduced sales volumes and higher operating costs.

Sales volumes decreased by 10% compared to full year 2007, mainly as a result of reduced global demand.

Chemicals manufacturing plant availability was 94%, some 1% higher than in 2007.



CORPORATE

Quarters

$ million

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

 

2008

2007

(373)

(43)

(4)

Segment earnings

(69)

1,387


Fourth quarter Corporate segment results were a loss of $373 million compared to a loss of $4 million for the same period last year. Earnings included a charge of $96 million related to identified items, compared to a gain of $30 million in the fourth quarter 2007 (see page 4 for details). Currency exchange losses in the fourth quarter 2008 were $351 million compared to gains of $ 82 million in the fourth quarter 2007.

Earnings compared to the fourth quarter 2007 reflected currency exchange rate impacts, lower net interest income and reduced net underwriting results, which were partly offset by lower shareholder costs.

Full year Corporate segment results were a loss of $69 million compared to earnings of $1,387 million for the same period last year. Earnings included a charge of $96 million related to identified items, compared to a gain of $489 million for the full year 2007.

Earnings compared to full year 2007 reflected currency exchange rate impacts, lower net underwriting results mainly as a consequence of hurricane impacts in the USA during the third quarter 2008, and reduced net interest income, which were partly offset by lower shareholder costs.

    

PRICE AND MARGIN INFORMATION

OIL & GAS

Quarters

 

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

 

2008

2007

$/bbl

Realised oil prices – Exploration & Production (period average)

$/bbl

58.40

110.08

82.11

World outside USA

92.39

68.24

52.32

119.25

88.92

USA

95.01

66.49

57.60

111.18

82.96

Global

92.75

67.99

$/bbl

Realised oil prices – Oil Sands (period average)

$/bbl

47.26

113.90

71.45

Canada

88.98

61.97

$/thousand scf

Realised gas prices (period average)

$/thousand scf

10.58

8.89

8.15

Europe

9.46

7.24

6.89

5.91

5.64

World outside USA (including Europe)

6.25

4.61

6.37

10.82

7.45

USA

9.61

7.23

6.80

6.77

6.00

Global

6.85

5.14

 

Oil and gas marker industry prices (period average)

 

55.48

115.15

88.35

Brent ($/bbl)

97.14

72.45

59.13

118.07

90.47

WTI ($/bbl)

99.72

72.16

52.83

117.88

89.00

Edmonton Par ($/bbl)

98.45

72.13

6.38

9.11

6.93

Henry Hub ($/MMBtu)

8.85

6.94

57.03

61.75

46.86

UK National Balancing Point (pence/therm)

58.06

30.01

88.11

129.15

82.80

Japanese Crude Cocktail – JCC ($/bbl)1

106.71

72.83

REFINING & CRACKER INDUSTRY MARGINS2

Quarters

 

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

 

2008

2007

$/bbl

Refining marker industry gross margins (period average)

$/bbl

8.60

8.25

10.60

ANS US West Coast coking margin

9.40

15.95

4.10

12.30

9.65

WTS US Gulf Coast coking margin

8.95

16.30

5.55

6.00

4.35

Rotterdam Brent complex

5.25

4.45

4.45

1.85

1.95

Singapore 80/20 Arab light/Tapis complex

3.00

2.80

$/tonne

Cracker industry margins (period average)

$/tonne

547.00

460.00

334.00

US ethane

445.00

334.00

1,357.00

648.00

279.00

Western Europe naphtha

675.00

424.00

(30.00)

65.00

(17.00)

North East Asia naphtha

17.00

216.00

1 JCC prices for the fourth quarter and full year 2008 are based on available market data up to the end of October 2008. Prices for these periods will be updated when full market data are available.

2 The refining and cracker industry margins shown above do not represent actual Shell realised margins for the periods. These are estimated industry margins based on available market information at the end of the quarter.

  

    

OIL & GAS – OPERATIONAL DATA

Quarters

 

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

%1

 

2008

2007

%

thousand b/d

 

Crude oil production

thousand b/d

 

361

335

395

 

Europe

375

423

 

293

305

352

 

Africa

309

332

 

218

200

227

 

Asia Pacific

206

227

 

480

459

438

 

Middle East, Russia, CIS

450

433

 

264

231

310

 

USA

272

324

 

77

82

76

 

Other Western Hemisphere

81

79

 

1,693

1,612

1,798

-6

Total crude oil production excluding oil sands

1,693

1,818

-7

79

77

55

 

Bitumen production – oil sands

78

81

 

1,772

1,689

1,853

-4

Total crude oil production including oil sands

1,771

1,899

-7

million scf/d2

 

Natural gas production available for sale

million scf/d2

 

4,450

2,446

4,569

 

Europe

3,679

3,350

 

448

591

594

 

Africa

552

584

 

2,718

2,508

2,166

 

Asia Pacific

2,544

2,405

 

257

229

239

 

Middle East, Russia, CIS

237

250

 

1,071

942

1,138

 

USA

1,053

1,130

 

587

491

479

 

Other Western Hemisphere

504

495

 

9,531

7,207

9,185

+4

 

8,569

8,214

+4

thousand boe/d3

 

Total production in barrels of oil equivalent

thousand boe/d3

1,128

757

1,183

 

Europe

1,009

1,001

 

370

407

454

 

Africa

404

433

 

687

631

600

 

Asia Pacific

645

641

 

524

499

479

 

Middle East, Russia, CIS

491

476

 

449

393

506

 

USA

453

519

 

178

167

159

 

Other Western Hemisphere

168

164

 

3,336

2,854

3,381

-1

Total production excluding oil sands

3,170

3,234

-2

79

77

55

 

Bitumen production – oil sands

78

81

 

3,415

2,931

3,436

-1

Total production including oil sands

3,248

3,315

-2

1 Q4 on Q4 change.

2 scf/d = standard cubic feet per day; 1 standard cubic foot = 0.0283 cubic metre.

3 Natural gas converted to oil equivalent at 5.8 million scf/d = thousand boe/d.

    

    

OIL PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS – OPERATIONAL DATA

Quarters

 

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

%1

 

2008

2007

%

thousand b/d

 

Refinery processing intake

thousand b/d

1,227

1,462

1,803

 

Europe

1,481

1,731

 

746

674

821

 

Other Eastern Hemisphere

729

811

 

808

777

869

 

USA

826

879

 

344

360

319

 

Other Western Hemisphere

352

358

 

3,125

3,273

3,812

-18

 

3,388

3,779

-10

 

 

 

 

Oil sales

 

 

 

2,025

2,028

2,051

 

Gasolines

2,051

2,178

 

728

810

802

 

Kerosenes

792

756

 

2,225

2,231

2,429

 

Gas/diesel oils

2,254

2,295

 

732

623

769

 

Fuel oil

742

704

 

690

711

791

 

Other products

729

692

 

6,400

6,403

6,842

-6

Total oil products *

6,568

6,625

-1

 

 

 

 

*Comprising:

 

 

 

1,791

1,795

1,983

 

Europe

1,831

1,886

 

1,245

1,262

1,369

 

Other Eastern Hemisphere

1,257

1,283

 

1,409

1,366

1,485

 

USA

1,402

1,487

 

698

718

678

 

Other Western Hemisphere

719

672

 

1,257

1,262

1,327

 

Export sales

1,359

1,297

 

thousand tonnes

 

Chemical sales volumes by main product category 2**

thousand tonnes

2,584

2,809

3,164

 

Base chemicals

11,573

12,968

 

1,897

2,178

2,467

 

First line derivatives

8,746

9,577

 

2

2

2

 

Other

8

10

 

4,483

4,989

5,633

-20

 

20,327

22,555

-10

 

 

 

 

**Comprising:

 

 

 

1,882

2,112

2,190

 

Europe

8,472

8,908

 

1,179

1,223

1,457

 

Other Eastern Hemisphere

4,924

5,466

 

1,306

1,512

1,802

 

USA

6,362

7,469

 

116

142

184

 

Other Western Hemisphere

569

712

 

1 Q4 on Q4 change.

2 Excluding volumes sold by equity-accounted investments, chemical feedstock trading and by-products.

    



NOTE

All amounts shown throughout this Report are unaudited.

In this announcement, excluding in the financial report and tables, we have aggregated our equity position in projects for both direct and indirect interest (for example, we have aggregated our indirect interest in North West Shelf LNG and the Pluto project via our 34% shareholding in Woodside Energy Ltd).

First quarter results for 2009 are expected to be announced on April 29, 2009, second quarter results are expected to be announced on July 30, 2009 and third quarter results are expected to be announced on October 29, 2009. There will be a Shell strategy update on March 17, 2009.

In this document “Shell”, “Shell group” and “Royal Dutch Shell” are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. ‘‘Subsidiaries’’, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this document refer to companies in which Royal Dutch Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control, by having either a majority of the voting rights or the right to exercise a controlling influence. The companies in which Shell has significant influence but not control are referred to as “associated companies” or “associates” and companies in which Shell has joint control are referred to as “jointly controlled entities”. In this document, associates and jointly controlled entities are also referred to as “equity-accounted investments”.

This document contains forward-looking statements concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Royal Dutch Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “objectives”, “outlook”, “probably”, “project”, “will”, “seek”, “target”, “risks”, “goals”, “should” and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Royal Dutch Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this document, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserve estimates; (f) loss of market and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including potential litigation and regulatory effects arising from recategorisation of reserves; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; and (m) changes in trading conditions. All forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this document, January 29, 2009. Neither Royal Dutch Shell nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this document.

Please refer to the Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2007 for a description of certain important factors, risks and uncertainties that may affect Shell's businesses.

Cautionary Note to US Investors:

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only proved reserves that a company has demonstrated by actual production or conclusive formation tests to be economically and legally producible under existing economic and operating conditions. We may use certain terms in this announcement that the SEC's guidelines strictly prohibit us from including in filings with the SEC. US Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 001-32575 and disclosure in our Forms 6-K, File No 001-32575, available on the SEC’s website www.sec.gov . You can also obtain these forms from the SEC by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

 

    January 29, 2009



APPENDIX: ROYAL DUTCH SHELL FINANCIAL REPORT AND TABLES

STATEMENT OF INCOME (SEE NOTE 1)

Quarters

$ million

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

%1

 

2008

2007

%

81,073

131,567

106,703

 

Revenue2

458,361

355,782

 

76,349

113,249

90,603

 

Cost of sales

395,639

296,697

 

4,724

18,318

16,100

-71

Gross profit

62,722

59,085

+6

4,476

4,139

4,880

 

Selling, distribution and administrative expenses

17,028

16,621

 

778

538

382

 

Exploration

2,049

1,712

 

350

2,000

2,376

 

Share of profit of equity-accounted investments

7,446

8,234

 

290

174

(174)

 

Net finance costs and other (income)/expense

271

(1,590)

 

(470)

15,467

13,388

-

Income before taxation

50,820

50,576

-

2,489

6,987

4,755

 

Taxation

24,344

18,650

 

(2,959)

8,480

8,633

-

Income for the period

26,476

31,926

-17

(149)

32

166

 

Income attributable to minority interest

199

595

 

(2,810)

8,448

8,467

-

Income attributable to shareholders of Royal Dutch Shell plc

26,277

31,331

-16

1 Q4 on Q4 change.

2 Revenue is stated after deducting sales taxes, excise duties and similar levies of $20,413 million in Q4 2008, $25,323 million in Q3 2008, $25,462 million in Q2 2008, $22,920 million in Q1 2008, $21,552 million in Q4 2007, $20,830 million in Q3 2007, $18,993 million in Q2 2007 and $17,305 million in Q1 2007.

 

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE (SEE NOTES 1, 2 AND 7)

Quarters

 

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

 

2008

2007

(0.44)

1.37

1.36

Earnings per share ($)

4.27

5.00

0.78

1.77

1.07

CCS earnings per share ($)

5.09

4.40

 

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE (SEE NOTES 1, 2 AND 7)

Quarters

 

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

 

2008

2007

(0.44)

1.37

1.36

Earnings per share ($)

4.26

4.99

0.78

1.77

1.07

CCS earnings per share ($)

5.08

4.39

    

EARNINGS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT (SEE NOTES 2 AND 4)

Quarters

$ million

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

%1

 

2008

2007

%

 

 

 

 

Exploration & Production:

 

 

 

3,477

3,885

3,763

-8

- World outside USA

14,854

10,954

+36

233

1,616

1,104

-79

- USA

5,381

3,732

+44

3,710

5,501

4,867

-24

 

20,235

14,686

+38

 

 

 

 

Gas & Power:

 

 

 

956

2,437

639

+50

- World outside USA

5,114

2,315

+121

25

337

(8)

-

- USA

214

466

-54

981

2,774

631

+55

 

5,328

2,781

+92

(30)

371

82

-

Oil Sands

941

582

+62

 

 

 

 

Oil Products (CCS basis):

 

 

 

1,375

2,307

789

+74

- World outside USA

5,425

5,090

+7

(793)

(3)

87

-

- USA

(270)

1,861

-

582

2,304

876

-34

 

5,155

6,951

-26

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (CCS basis):

 

 

 

115

253

370

-69

- World outside USA

784

1,661

-53

(134)

(137)

(22)

-

- USA

(628)

21

-

(19)

116

348

-

 

156

1,682

-91

5,224

11,066

6,804

-23

Total operating segments

31,815

26,682

+19

 

 

 

 

Corporate:

 

 

 

(41)

178

12

 

- Interest and investment income/(expense)

328

875

 

(351)

(264)

82

 

- Currency exchange gains/(losses)

(650)

205

 

19

43

(98)

 

- Other - including taxation

253

307

 

(373)

(43)

(4)

 

 

(69)

1,387

 

(66)

(120)

(116)

 

Minority interest

(380)

(505)

 

4,785

10,903

6,684

-28

CCS earnings

31,366

27,564

+14

(7,595)

(2,455)

1,783

 

Estimated CCS adjustment for Oil Products and Chemicals

(5,089)

3,767

 

(2,810)

8,448

8,467

-

Income attributable to shareholders of Royal Dutch Shell plc

26,277

31,331

-16

1 Q4 on Q4 change


 

SUMMARISED BALANCE SHEET (SEE NOTES 1 AND 6)

 

$ million

 

Dec 31, 2008

Sept 30, 2008

Dec 31, 2007

Assets

 

 

 

Non-current assets:

 

 

 

Intangible assets

5,021

5,541

5,366

Property, plant and equipment

112,038

114,193

101,521

Investments:

 

 

 

- equity-accounted investments

28,327

31,630

29,153

- financial assets

4,065

2,952

3,461

Deferred tax

3,418

3,978

3,253

Pre-paid pension costs

6,198

6,205

5,559

Other

6,764

6,219

5,760

 

165,831

170,718

154,073

Current assets:

 

 

 

Inventories

19,342

33,442

31,503

Accounts receivable

82,040

90,100

74,238

Cash and cash equivalents

15,188

7,821

9,656

 

116,570

131,363

115,397

Total assets

282,401

302,081

269,470

Liabilities

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities:

 

 

 

Debt

13,772

10,742

12,363

Deferred tax

12,518

14,688

13,039

Retirement benefit obligations

5,469

5,961

6,165

Other provisions

12,570

13,499

13,658

Other

3,677

4,088

3,893

 

48,006

48,978

49,118

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

Debt

9,497

5,984

5,736

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

85,091

88,387

75,697

Taxes payable

8,107

15,632

9,733

Retirement benefit obligations

383

369

426

Other provisions

2,451

2,356

2,792

 

105,529

112,728

94,384

Total liabilities

153,535

161,706

143,502

Equity attributable to shareholders of Royal Dutch Shell plc

127,285

138,469

123,960

Minority interest

1,581

1,906

2,008

Total equity

128,866

140,375

125,968

Total liabilities and equity

282,401

302,081

269,470


SUMMARISED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (SEE NOTE 1)

Quarters

$ million

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

 

2008

2007

 

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities:

 

 

(2,959)

8,480

8,633

Income for the period

26,476

31,926

 

 

 

Adjustment for:

 

 

2,411

6,935

5,551

- Current taxation

24,452

20,076

414

178

96

- Interest (income)/expense

1,039

550

3,684

3,387

3,840

- Depreciation, depletion and amortisation

13,656

13,180

(1,234)

(1,799)

(1,799)

- (Profit)/loss on sale of assets

(4,071)

(3,349)

14,687

2,215

(3,375)

- Decrease/(increase) in net working capital

7,935

(6,206)

(350)

(2,000)

(2,376)

- Share of profit of equity-accounted investments

(7,446)

(8,234)

2,522

2,604

2,282

- Dividends received from equity-accounted investments

9,325

6,955

(1,105)

(95)

(726)

- Deferred taxation and other provisions

(1,030)

(773)

(35)

(618)

(24)

- Other

(549)

(801)

18,035

19,287

12,102

Cash flow from operating activities (pre-tax)

69,787

53,324

(7,748)

(6,686)

(6,809)

Taxation paid

(25,869)

(18,863)

10,287

12,601

5,293

Cash flow from operating activities

43,918

34,461

 

 

 

Cash flow from investing activities:

 

 

(7,892)

(12,392)

(8,013)

Capital expenditure

(35,065)

(24,576)

(193)

(555)

(519)

Investments in equity-accounted investments

(1,885)

(1,852)

1,179

1,087

1,742

Proceeds from sale of assets

4,737

8,566

569

1,160

561

Proceeds from sale of equity-accounted investments

2,062

1,012

(36)

(25)

(120)

Proceeds from sale of /(additions to) financial assets

224

1,055

191

267

353

Interest received

1,012

1,225

(6,182)

(10,458)

(5,996)

Cash flow from investing activities

(28,915)

(14,570)

 

 

 

Cash flow from financing activities:

 

 

3,970

215

317

Net increase/(decrease) in debt with maturity period

within three months

4,161

(455)

3,001

238

195

Other debt: New borrowings

3,555

4,565

(581)

(166)

(182)

  Repayments

(2,890)

(2,796)

(409)

(295)

(312)

Interest paid

(1,371)

(1,235)

31

(18)

(52)

Change in minority interest

40

(6,757)

(302)

(848)

(1,538)

Repurchases of shares

(3,573)

(4,387)

 

 

 

Dividends paid to:

 

 

(2,408)

(2,290)

(2,318)

- Shareholders of Royal Dutch Shell plc

(9,516)

(9,001)

(54)

(105)

(17)

- Minority interest

(325)

(203)

 

 

 

Treasury shares:

 

 

47

36

124

- Net sales/(purchases) and dividends received

525

876

3,295

(3,233)

(3,783)

Cash flow from financing activities

(9,394)

(19,393)

(33)

(79)

50

Currency translation differences relating to cash and

cash equivalents

(77)

156

7,367

(1,169)

(4,436)

Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

5,532

654

7,821

8,990

14,092

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

9,656

9,002

15,188

7,821

9,656

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

15,188

9,656


CAPITAL INVESTMENT

Quarters

$ million

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

 

2008

2007

 

 

 

Capital expenditure:

 

 

 

 

 

Exploration & Production:

 

 

3,510

8,083

2,704

- World outside USA

16,833

10,320

965

688

1,321

- USA

5,099

3,403

4,475

8,771

4,025

 

21,932

13,723

 

 

 

Gas & Power:

 

 

1,033

1,030

862

- World outside USA

3,892

2,936

2

4

11

- USA

10

15

1,035

1,034

873

 

3,902

2,951

817

835

649

Oil Sands

3,124

1,931

 

 

 

Oil Products:

 

 

1,252

879

1,257

- World outside USA

3,449

3,141

158

92

123

- USA

379

530

1,410

971

1,380

 

3,828

3,671

 

 

 

Chemicals:

 

 

567

558

419

- World outside USA

1,898

1,068

70

49

103

- USA

187

347

637

607

522

 

2,085

1,415

98

23

193

Corporate

241

414

8,472

12,241

7,642

Total capital expenditure

35,112

24,105

 

 

 

Exploration expense

 

 

336

260

193

- World outside USA

949

646

153

179

170

- USA

498

469

489

439

363

 

1,447

1,115

 

 

 

New equity in equity-accounted investments

 

 

135

361

237

- World outside USA

1,208

1,407

19

21

40

- USA

86

65

154

382

277

 

1,294

1,472

39

173

242

New loans to equity-accounted investments

591

380

9,154

13,235

8,524

Total capital investment*

38,444

27,072

 

 

 

*Comprising:

 

 

5,040

9,618

4,630

- Exploration & Production Exploration & Production

24,718

15,919

1,096

1,169

1,091

- Gas & Power

4,346

3,532

817

835

649

- Oil Sands

3,124

1,931

1,464

983

1,438

- Oil Products

3,917

3,856

639

607

523

- Chemicals

2,097

1,419

98

23

193

- Corporate

242

415

9,154

13,235

8,524

 

38,444

27,072


 

ADDITIONAL SEGMENTAL INFORMATION1

Quarters

$ million

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

 

2008

2007

 

 

 

Exploration & Production

 

 

3,710

5,501

4,867

Segment earnings

20,235

14,686

 

 

 

Including:

 

 

778

538

382

- Exploration

2,049

1,712

2,368

2,168

2,848

- Depreciation, depletion & amortisation

8,929

9,338

1,297

1,358

1,278

- Share of profit of equity-accounted investments

4,970

3,583

3,105

9,556

5,135

Cash flow from operations

31,649

24,348

397

1,444

830

Less: Net working capital movements2

2,390

1,238

2,708

8,112

4,305

Cash flow from operations excluding net working capital movements

29,259

23,110

55,274

53,276

47,682

Capital employed

55,274

47,682

 

 

 

Gas & Power

 

 

981

2,774

631

Segment earnings

5,328

2,781

 

 

 

Including:

 

 

80

151

85

- Depreciation, depletion & amortisation

397

315

550

787

533

- Share of profit of equity-accounted investments

2,541

1,852

1,120

2,259

295

Cash flow from operations

5,445

1,408

(1)

718

(379)

Less: Net working capital movements2

774

(514)

1,121

1,541

674

Cash flow from operations excluding net working capital movements

4,671

1,922

22,497

21,094

19,383

Capital employed

22,497

19,383

 

 

 

Oil Sands

 

 

(30)

371

82

Segment earnings

941

582

 

 

 

Including:

 

 

40

44

42

- Depreciation, depletion & amortisation

173

166

(37)

684

208

Cash flow from operations

1,590

1,520

(34)

130

145

Less: Net working capital movements2

60

720

(3)

554

63

Cash flow from operations excluding net working capital movements

1,530

800

6,200

6,249

4,603

Capital employed

6,200

4,603

1 Corporate segment information has not been included in the table shown. Please refer to the Earnings by business segment section for additional information. The above data does not consider minority interest impacts on the segments.

2 Excluding working capital movements related to taxation.

ADDITIONAL SEGMENTAL INFORMATION1 (continued)

Quarters

$ million

Full Year

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

 

2008

2007

 

 

 

Oil Products

 

 

582

2,304

876

Segment CCS earnings

5,155

6,951

 

 

 

Including:

 

 

855

614

607

- Depreciation, depletion & amortisation

2,686

2,440

(239)

129

328

- Share of profit of equity-accounted investments

598

1,723

6,521

2,068

(1,605)

Cash flow from operations

6,803

3,682

13,783

1,537

(3,929)

Less: Net working capital movements2

5,446

(6,834)

(7,262)

531

2,324

Cash flow from operations excluding net working capital movements

1,357

10,516

44,171

58,520

54,515

Capital employed

44,171

54,515

 

 

 

Chemicals

 

 

(19)

116

348

Segment CCS earnings

156

1,682

 

 

 

Including:

 

 

155

215

207

- Depreciation, depletion & amortisation

888

666

(99)

96

165

- Share of profit of equity-accounted investments

247

694

890

164

688

Cash flow from operations

1,801

1,873

1,439

207

(123)

Less: Net working capital movements2

1,421

(796)

(549)

(43)

811

Cash flow from operations excluding net working capital movements

380

2,669

9,904

11,206

10,571

Capital employed

9,904

10,571

1 Corporate segment information has not been included in the table shown. Please refer to the Earnings by business segment section for additional information. The above data does not consider minority interest impacts on the segments.

2 Excluding working capital movements related to taxation.



NOTES



1. Accounting policies and basis of presentation

The quarterly financial report and tables are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and are also in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union.

The accounting policies are unchanged from those set out in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of Royal Dutch Shell plc in the Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2007 on pages 117 to 121.



2. Earnings on an estimated current cost of supplies (CCS) basis

To facilitate a better understanding of underlying business performance, the financial results are also analysed on an estimated current cost of supplies (CCS) basis as applied for the Oil Products and Chemicals segment earnings. Earnings on an estimated current cost of supplies basis provides useful information concerning the effect of changes in the cost of supplies on Royal Dutch Shell’s results of operations and is a measure to manage the performance of the Oil Products and Chemicals segments but is not a measure of financial performance under IFRS.

On this basis, Oil Products and Chemicals segment cost of sales of the volumes sold during the period is based on the cost of supplies during the same period after making allowance for the estimated tax effect, instead of the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method of inventory accounting. Earnings calculated on this basis do not represent an application of the last-in, first-out (LIFO) inventory basis and do not reflect any inventory drawdown effects.



3. Return on average capital employed (ROACE)

ROACE is defined as the sum of the current and previous three quarters’ income adjusted for interest expense, after tax, divided by the average capital employed for the period.

Components of the calculation are:

$ million

Q4 2008

Q4 2007

Income (four quarters)

26,476

31,926

Interest expense after tax

615

699

ROACE numerator

27,091

32,625

Capital employed - opening

144,067

130,718

Capital employed - closing

152,135

144,067

Capital employed - average

148,101

137,393

ROACE

18.3%

23.7%



4. Earnings by business segment

Operating segment results are presented before deduction of minority interest and also exclude interest and other income of a non-operational nature, interest expense, non-trading currency exchange effects and tax on these items, which are included in the Corporate results. Operating segment results are after tax and include equity-accounted investments.



5. Gearing

The numerator and denominator in the gearing calculation, as demonstrated below, used by Shell are calculated by adding to reported debt and equity certain off-balance sheet obligations as at the beginning of the year such as operating lease commitments and underfunded retirement benefits obligations (if applicable) which Shell believes to be in the nature of incremental debt, and deducting cash and cash equivalents judged to be in excess of amounts required for operational purposes.

$ million

Dec 31, 2008

Dec 31, 2007

Non-current debt

13,772

12,363

Current debt

9,497

5,736

Total debt

23,269

18,099

Add: Net present value of operating lease obligations

16,445

14,387

  Underfunded retirement benefit obligations (after tax)

11,834

-

Less: Cash and cash equivalents in excess of operational requirements

12,888

7,356

Adjusted debt

38,660

25,130

Total equity

128,866

125,968

Total capital

167,526

151,098

Gearing ratio (adjusted debt as a percentage of total capital)

23.1%

16.6%



6. Equity

Total equity comprises equity attributable to shareholders of Royal Dutch Shell and to the minority interest. Other reserves comprise the capital redemption reserve, share premium reserve, merger reserve, share plan reserve, currency translation differences, unrealised gains/(losses) on securities and unrealised gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges.

$ million

Ordinary share capital

 

Treasury shares

Other reserves

Retained earnings

Total

Minority interest

Total equity

At December 31, 2007

536

(2,392)

14,148

111,668

123,960

2,008

125,968

Income for the period

-

-

-

26,277

26,277

199

26,476

Income/(expense) recognised directly in equity

-

-

(11,049)

-

(11,049)

(341)

(11,390)

Capital contributions/ (repayments) from/to minority shareholders and other changes in minority interest

-

-

-

58

58

40

98

Dividends paid

-

-

-

(9,516)

(9,516)

(325)

(9,841)

Treasury shares: net sales/(purchases) and dividends received

-

525

-

-

525

-

525

Repurchases of shares

(9)

-

9

(3,082)

(3,082)

-

(3,082)

Share-based compensation

-

-

70

42

112

-

112

At December 31, 2008

527

(1,867)

3,178

125,447

127,285

1,581

128,866

 

$ million

Ordinary share capital

Treasury shares

Other reserves

Retained earnings

Total

Minority interest

Total equity

At December 31, 2006

545

(3,316)

8,820

99,677

105,726

9,219

114,945

Income for the period

-

-

-

31,331

31,331

595

31,926

Income/(expense) recognised directly in equity

-

-

4,933

-

4,933

27

4,960

Capital contributions/ (repayments) from/to minority shareholders

-

-

-

-

-

748

748

Acquisition of Shell Canada

-

-

-

(5,445)

(5,445)

(1,639)

(7,084)

Sakhalin partial divestment

-

-

-

-

-

(6,711)

(6,711)

Other changes in minority interest

-

-

-

(28)

(28)

(28)

(56)

Dividends paid

-

-

-

(9,001)

(9,001)

(203)

(9,204)

Treasury shares: net sales/(purchases) and dividends received

-

924

-

-

924

-

924

Repurchases of shares

(9)

-

9

(4,866)

(4,866)

-

(4,866)

Share-based compensation

-

-

386

-

386

-

386

At December 31, 2007

536

(2,392)

14,148

111,668

123,960

2,008

125,968



7. Basis for Royal Dutch Shell earnings per ordinary share

The total number of Royal Dutch Shell ordinary shares in issue at the end of the period was 6,241.5 million. Royal Dutch Shell reports earnings per share on a basic and on a diluted basis, based on the weighted average number of Royal Dutch Shell (combined A and B) ordinary shares outstanding. Shares held in respect of share options and other incentive compensation plans are excluded in determining basic earnings per share.

Basic earnings per share calculations are based on the following weighted average number of shares:

 

Millions

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

Full Year 2008

Full Year 2007

Royal Dutch Shell ordinary shares of euro 0.07 each

6,123.8

6,147.3

6,225.3

6,159.1

6,263.8

 

Diluted earnings per share calculations are based on the following weighted average number of shares. This adjusts the basic number of shares for all share options currently “in-the-money”.

 

Millions

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

Full Year 2008

Full Year 2007

Royal Dutch Shell ordinary shares of euro 0.07 each

6,127.5

6,159.8

6,248.8

6,171.5

6,283.8

    

Basic shares outstanding at the end of the following periods are:

 

Millions

Q4 2008

Q3 2008

Q4 2007

Royal Dutch Shell ordinary shares of euro 0.07 each

6,121.7

6,133.4

6,210.4

One American Depository Receipt (ADR) is equal to two Royal Dutch Shell ordinary shares.



8. Accounting for Derivatives

IFRS require that derivative instruments be recognised in the financial statements at fair value. Any change in the current period between the period end market price and the contract settlement price is recognised in income where hedge accounting is either not permitted or not applied to these contracts.

The physical crude oil and related products held by the Oil Products business as inventory are recorded at historical cost or net realisable value, whichever is lower, as required under IFRS. Consequently, any increase in value of the inventory over cost is not recognised in income until the sale of the commodity occurs in subsequent periods.

In the Oil Products business, the buying and selling of commodities includes transactions conducted through the forward markets using commodity derivatives to reduce economic exposure. The derivatives are typically associated with a future physical delivery of the commodities.

These differences in accounting treatment for physical inventory (at cost or net realisable value, whichever is lower) and derivative instruments (at fair value) have resulted in timing differences in the recognition of gains or losses between reporting periods.

Similarly, earnings from long-term contracts held by Gas & Power are recognised in income upon realisation. Associated commodity derivatives are recognised at fair value as of the end of each quarter.

These differences in accounting treatment for long-term contracts (on an accrual basis) and derivative instruments (at fair value) have resulted in timing differences in the recognition of gains or losses between reporting periods.

_________________________________________________________________________________

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