Royal Dutch Shell plc 2nd Quarter 2019 and Half Year Unaudited Results

International

Royal Dutch Shell plc 2nd Quarter 2019 and Half Year Unaudited Results

Compared with the second quarter 2018, CCS earnings attributable to shareholders excluding identified items were $3.5 billion, reflecting lower realised oil, gas and LNG prices, weaker realised chemicals and refining margins as well as higher provisions, partly offset by improved production. Earnings also included a negative impact of $63 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16.

Cash flow from operating activities for the second quarter 2019 was $11.0 billion and included positive working capital movements of $0.6 billion. Compared with the second quarter 2018, cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements mainly reflected lower earnings, partly offset by reduced cash margining outflows on commodity derivatives. This also included a positive impact of $1.0 billion related to the implementation of IFRS 16.

Total dividends distributed to shareholders in the quarter were $3.8 billion. Today, Shell launches the next tranche of the share buyback programme, with a maximum aggregate consideration of $2.75 billion in the period up to and including October 28, 2019. In aggregate, since the launch of the share buyback programme, almost 294 million A ordinary shares have been bought back for cancellation for a consideration of $9.25 billion.

Royal Dutch Shell Chief Executive Officer Ben van Beurden commented: “We have delivered good cash flow performance, despite earnings volatility, in a quarter that has seen challenging macroeconomic conditions in refining and chemicals as well as lower gas prices. This quarter we achieved some key milestones, such as the start-up of Appomattox and the first LNG cargo from Prelude. These add to our competitive portfolio, which is expected to generate additional cash in the coming quarters.

The resilience of our Upstream and customer-facing businesses and their ability to generate cash support the delivery of our 2020 outlook, which remains unchanged.”

As a result of the implementation of IFRS 16, net debt increased by $16,103 million. Second quarter 2019 reported Gearing was 27.6% on an IFRS 16 basis, comparable with 23.0% on an IAS 17 basis. Gearing included an additional negative impact of 0.4%, arising from IFRS 11 accounting interpretations (see Note 1).

SECOND QUARTER 2019 PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENTS

Integrated Gas

During the quarter, Shell, along with its joint venture partners, announced that the first shipment of LNG sailed from Shell’s Prelude Floating Liquefied Natural Gas facility (Shell interest 67.5%).

Upstream

Shell announced, during the quarter, the start-up of Appomattox ahead of schedule. Appomattox (Shell interest 79%) is the first commercial discovery brought into production in the deep-water US Gulf of Mexico Norphlet formation and has an expected peak production of 175 thousand boe/d.

During the quarter, the Libra Consortium (Shell interest 20%) announced the final investment decision to contract the Mero 2 floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel to be deployed at the Mero field offshore Santos Basin in Brazil. The FPSO has the capacity to process up to 180 thousand boe/d.

In July, Shell completed the divestment of its 22.5% non-operating interest in the Caesar Tonga asset in the US Gulf of Mexico to Equinor for $965 million.

Downstream

During the quarter, Shell announced the sale of Shell’s Martinez refinery in the US to PBF Energy, Inc., for up to $1.0 billion consideration plus the value of hydrocarbon inventory, crude oil supply and product offtake agreements, capex and other adjustments. The transaction is subject to closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is expected to close in 2019.

Second quarter identified items primarily reflected impairments and write-offs totalling $479 million, mainly in Trinidad and Tobago and Australia, as well as a loss of $112 million related to the fair value accounting of commodity derivatives. Identified items also comprised a gain of $193 million on sale of assets.

Compared with the second quarter 2018, Integrated Gas earnings excluding identified items reflected lower realised oil, gas and LNG prices, decreased production, the impacts following the Heads of Agreement with the government of Trinidad and Tobago as well as tax provisions. Earnings also included a positive impact of $39 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16.

Total production was 3% lower compared with the second quarter 2018, mainly due to divestments and the transfer of the Salym asset into the Upstream segment, partly offset by production from field ramp-ups in Australia and Trinidad and Tobago. LNG liquefaction volumes increased by 2% compared with the second quarter 2018, benefiting from higher feedgas availability, partly offset by divestments.

Cash flow from operating activities of $3,403 million included positive working capital movements of $579 million. Compared with the second quarter 2018, cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements mainly reflected lower earnings, partly offset by reduced cash margining outflows on commodity derivatives and lower tax payments. This also included a positive impact of $323 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16.

Half year identified items included impairments and write-offs totalling $479 million, mainly in Trinidad and Tobago and Australia, as well as a gain of $122 million related to the fair value accounting of commodity derivatives. Identified items also comprised a gain of $188 million on sale of assets.

Compared with the first half 2018, Integrated Gas earnings excluding identified items were impacted by lower realised oil prices, decreased production and the impacts following the Heads of Agreement with the government of Trinidad and Tobago, partly offset by increased contributions from LNG portfolio optimisation. Earnings also included a positive impact of $98 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16.

Compared with the first half 2018, total production was impacted by divestments and the transfer of the Salym asset into the Upstream segment, partly offset by production from field ramp-ups in Australia and Trinidad and Tobago. LNG liquefaction volumes were at a similar level as in the first half 2018 with the additional volumes from higher feedgas availability being offset by divestments.

Cash flow from operating activities of $7,630 million included positive working capital movements of $1,090 million. Compared with the first half 2018, cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements increased slightly. This also included a positive impact of $554 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16.

Second quarter identified items primarily reflected a gain of $98 million associated with sale of assets and a gain of $79 million due to a tax rate change. Identified items also included a gain of $52 million related to the impact of the strengthening Brazilian real on a deferred tax position.

Compared with the second quarter 2018, Upstream earnings excluding identified items reflected lower realised oil and gas prices, higher depreciation from field ramp-ups as well as increased receivables provisions, partly offset by higher volumes and lower taxation arising from currency exchange rate effects. Earnings also included a positive impact of $47 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16.

Compared with the second quarter 2018, total production increased by 7%, mainly due to field ramp-ups in North America and the transfer of the Salym asset from the Integrated Gas segment, partly offset by field decline and divestments.

Cash flow from operating activities of $5,616 million included positive working capital movements of $238 million. Compared with the second quarter 2018, cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements mainly benefited from lower tax payments. This also included a positive impact of $212 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16.

Half year identified items primarily reflected a gain of $151 million associated with sale of assets and a gain of $79 million related to a tax rate change. Identified items also comprised a loss of $45 million related to the fair value accounting of commodity derivatives.

Compared with the first half 2018, Upstream earnings excluding identified items reflected lower realised oil prices and higher depreciation from field ramp-ups, partly offset by higher volumes. Earnings also included a positive impact of $90 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16.

Compared with the first half 2018, total production increased by 4%, mainly due to field ramp-ups in North America and the transfer of the Salym asset from the Integrated Gas segment, partly offset by field decline and divestments.

Cash flow from operating activities of $10,895 million included positive working capital movements of $127 million. Compared with the first half 2018, cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements mainly benefited from higher volumes and lower tax payments. This also included a positive impact of $400 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16.

Second quarter identified items primarily reflected a charge of $237 million related to legal provisions in Chemicals as well as impairments, net of reversals, of $140 million associated with divestments, partly offset by a gain of $113 million related to the fair value accounting of commodity derivatives.

Compared with the second quarter 2018, Downstream earnings excluding identified items reflected lower realised base chemicals, intermediates and refining margins, partly offset by higher realised retail and global commercial margins. Earnings also included a positive impact of $46 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16.

Cash flow from operating activities of $2,398 million included negative working capital movements of $64 million. Compared with the second quarter 2018, cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements mainly reflected lower earnings and higher cash cost of sales. This also included a positive impact of $510 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16.

Oil Products

Refining & Trading earnings excluding identified items included a positive impact of $19 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16. Excluding this impact, earnings reflected lower realised refining margins, mainly in the US Gulf Coast and Europe, partly offset by favourable currency exchange rate effects compared with the second quarter 2018.
Refinery availability increased to 89% from 87% in the second quarter 2018, mainly due to lower planned maintenance activities.

Marketing earnings excluding identified items included a positive impact of $21 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16. Excluding this impact, earnings reflected increased realised retail and global commercial margins compared with the second quarter 2018.
Compared with the second quarter 2018, Oil Products sales volumes decreased by 2%, mainly due to lower trading volumes.

Chemicals

Chemicals earnings excluding identified items included a positive impact of $6 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16. Excluding this impact, earnings reflected lower realised base chemicals and intermediates margins in Asia and Europe as well as lower volumes.
Chemicals manufacturing plant availability decreased to 85% from 93% in the second quarter 2018, mainly reflecting higher maintenance activities in Asia and Europe, including the impact of strike actions in the Netherlands.

Half year identified items primarily reflected a charge of $237 million related to legal provisions in Chemicals as well as impairments, net of reversals, of $204 million, mainly related to divestments.

Compared with the first half 2018, Downstream earnings excluding identified items reflected lower realised base chemicals, intermediates and refining margins, partly offset by higher realised retail and global commercial margins. Earnings also included a positive impact of $84 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16.

Cash flow from operating activities of $1,787 million included negative working capital movements of $3,666 million. Compared with the first half 2018, cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements mainly reflected lower earnings and higher cash cost of sales. This also included a positive impact of $904 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16.

Oil Products

Refining & Trading earnings excluding identified items included a positive impact of $33 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16. Excluding this impact, earnings reflected increased contributions from crude oil and oil products trading, partly offset by lower realised refining margins, compared with the first half 2018.
Refinery availability was 90%, at a similar level as in the first half 2018.

Marketing earnings excluding identified items included a positive impact of $38 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16. Excluding this impact, earnings reflected increased realised retail and global commercial margins compared with the first half 2018.
Compared with the first half 2018, Oil Products sales volumes decreased by 3%, mainly reflecting lower trading volumes.

Chemicals

Chemicals earnings excluding identified items included a positive impact of $13 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16. Excluding this impact, earnings reflected lower realised base chemicals and intermediates margins.
Chemicals manufacturing plant availability decreased to 90% from 94% in the first half 2018, mainly reflecting higher maintenance activities in Asia and Europe, including the impact of strike actions in the Netherlands.

Second quarter identified items mainly reflected a gain of $53 million on sale of assets, partly offset by a tax charge of $36 million related to the impact of the strengthening Brazilian real on a financing position.

Compared with the second quarter 2018, Corporate earnings excluding identified items included a negative impact of $195 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16. Excluding this impact, earnings mainly reflected higher interest expenses, partly offset by favourable currency exchange rate effects.

Half year identified items mainly reflected a gain of $53 million on sale of assets, partly offset by a tax charge of $26 million related to the impact of the strengthening Brazilian real on a financing position.

Compared with the first half 2018, Corporate earnings excluding identified items included a negative impact of $378 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16. Excluding this impact, earnings mainly reflected lower tax credits and higher interest expenses, partly offset by favourable currency exchange rate effects.


https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/royal-dutch-shell-plc-2nd-quarter-2019-and-half-year-unaudited-results/

Share Button

Leave a Reply