6-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 6-K

 

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For February 2018

Commission File Number: 1-32575

 

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

England and Wales

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

30, Carel van Bylandtlaan, 2596 HR The Hague

The Netherlands

Tel No: 011 31 70 377 9111

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F  ☑             Form 40-F  ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  ☐

 

 

 


Royal Dutch Shell plc (the “Registrant”) is filing the following exhibits on this Report on Form 6-K, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference:

 

Exhibit
No.
   Description
99.1    Regulatory release.
99.2    Royal Dutch Shell plc – Three and twelve month period ended December 31, 2017 Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report.

This Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report contains the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Registrant and its consolidated subsidiaries for the three and twelve month period ended December 31, 2017 and Business Review in respect of such period. This Report on Form 6-K contains the Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report with additional information required to keep current our registration statement on Form F-3.

This Report on Form 6-K is incorporated by reference into:

 

  a) the Registration Statement on Form F-3 of Royal Dutch Shell plc and Shell International Finance B.V. (Registration Number 333-222005 and 333-222005-01); and

 

  b) the Registration Statements on Forms S-8 of Royal Dutch Shell plc (Registration Numbers 333-215273, 333-126715, 333-141397, 333-171206, 333-192821 and 333-200953).

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      2  


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.

Royal Dutch Shell plc

(Registrant)

 

By:  

/s/ Linda Szymanski

Name:   Linda Szymanski
Title:   Company Secretary

Date: February 1, 2018

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      3  
EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Regulatory release

Three and twelve month period ended December 31, 2017

Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report

On February 1, 2018, Royal Dutch Shell plc released the Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report for the three and twelve month period ended December 31, 2017 of Royal Dutch Shell plc and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, “Shell”).

 

Contact – Investor

Relations

  
International:    +31 70 377 4540
North America:    +1 832 337 2034
Contact – Media   
International:    +44 (0) 207 934 5550
USA:    +1 832 337 4355

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      4  
EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

Royal Dutch Shell plc

Three and twelve month period ended December 31, 2017

Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      5  


ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC

4TH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2017 UNAUDITED RESULTS

   LOGO

SUMMARY OF UNAUDITED RESULTS

Quarters     

$ million

        Full year  
Q4 2017     Q3 2017     Q4 2016     %1          

Definition

   2017     2016     %  
  3,807       4,087       1,541       +147     

Income/(loss) attributable to shareholders

        12,977       4,575       +184  
  3,082       3,698       1,032       +199     

CCS earnings attributable to shareholders

  

Note 2

     12,081       3,533       +242  
  (1,221     (405     (763     

Of which: Identified items2

  

A

     (3,683     (3,652  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

          

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  4,303       4,103       1,795       +140     

CCS earnings attributable to shareholders excluding identified items

        15,764       7,185       +119  
  94       105       40       

Add: CCS earnings attributable to non-controlling interest

        418       270    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

          

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  4,397       4,208       1,835       +140     

CCS earnings excluding identified items

        16,182       7,455       +117  
        

Of which:

         
  1,636       1,282       907       

Integrated Gas

        5,268       3,700    
  1,650       562       54       

Upstream

        3,091       (2,704  
  1,396       2,668       1,339       

Downstream

        9,082       7,243    
  (285     (304     (465     

Corporate

        (1,259     (784  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

          

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  7,275       7,582       9,170       -21     

Cash flow from operating activities

        35,650       20,615       +73  
  (665     (3,912     (3,429     

Cash flow from investing activities

        (8,029     (30,963  
  6,610       3,670       5,741       

Free cash flow

  

H

     27,621       (10,348  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

          

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  0.46       0.50       0.19       +142     

Basic earnings per share ($)

        1.58       0.58       +172  
  0.37       0.45       0.13       +185     

Basic CCS earnings per share ($)

  

B

     1.47       0.45       +227  
  0.52       0.50       0.22       +136     

Basic CCS earnings per share excl. identified items ($)

        1.92       0.92       +109  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

          

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  0.47       0.47       0.47       —       

Dividend per share ($)

        1.88       1.88       —    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

          

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1.  Q4 on Q4 change
2.  Fourth quarter 2017 includes a non-cash charge of $2,014 million related to the impact of the US tax reform legislation.

CCS earnings attributable to shareholders excluding identified items were $4.3 billion for the fourth quarter 2017 and $15.8 billion for the full year 2017, reflecting increased contributions from all businesses, compared with 2016. Full year earnings benefited mainly from higher realised oil, gas and LNG prices, improved refining performance and higher production from new fields, which offset the impact of field declines and divestments.

Cash flow from operating activities for the fourth quarter 2017 of $7.3 billion included negative working capital movements of $1.1 billion. Excluding working capital effects, cash flow from operations was $8.4 billion. Full year 2017 cash flow from operating activities of $35.7 billion included negative working capital movements of $3.2 billion.

Total dividends distributed to shareholders in the quarter were $3.9 billion, of which $1.6 billion were settled by issuing 52.7 million A shares under the Scrip Dividend Programme. In November, Shell announced the cancellation of the Scrip Dividend Programme from the fourth quarter 2017. Shell expects to announce a dividend of $0.47 per ordinary share and $0.94 per American Depositary Share for the first quarter 2018.

Royal Dutch Shell Chief Executive Officer Ben van Beurden commented:

“2017 was a year of strong financial performance for Shell. A year of transformation, in which we showed we have what it takes to deliver a world-class investment case. Our relentless focus on value, performance and competitiveness meant we were able to deliver $39 billion of cash flow from operations excluding working capital movements from our upgraded portfolio. We strengthened our financial framework during the year through an $8 billion reduction in our net debt, while our increased free cash flow generation gave us the confidence to cancel the scrip dividend programme in the fourth quarter, in line with what we said previously.

We reported strong earnings for the quarter underpinned by continued delivery momentum. Cash flow reflected higher tax payments and increased cash requirements in relation to our trading business. We enter 2018 with continued discipline and confidence, committed to the delivery of strong returns and cash.”

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      6  


ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES

 

Quarters     

$ million

        Full year  

Q4 2017

   

Q3 2017

   

Q4 2016

   

%1

         

Definition

  

2017

   

2016

   

%

 
  6,778       5,742       6,913       

Capital investment2

   C      24,006       79,877    
  6,474       1,365       3,278       

Divestments

   D      17,340       4,984    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

            

 

 

   

 

 

   
  3,756       3,657       3,905       -4     

Total production available for sale (thousand boe/d)

        3,664       3,668       —    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

          

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  55.28       47.06       44.54       +24     

Global liquids realised price ($/b)

        49.00       38.64       +27  
  4.40       4.15       4.03       +9     

Global natural gas realised price ($/thousand scf)

        4.27       3.65       +17  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

          

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  9,776       9,477       9,895       -1     

Operating expenses

   G      38,083       41,549       -8  
  9,839       9,197       9,844       —       

Underlying operating expenses

   G      37,556       38,342       -2  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

          

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  5.8     5.0     3.0     

ROACE (reported income basis)

   E      5.8     3.0  
  5.6     4.6     2.9     

ROACE (CCS basis excluding identified items)

   E      5.6     2.9  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

            

 

 

   

 

 

   
  24.8     25.4     28.0     

Gearing

   F      24.8     28.0  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

            

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

1.  Q4 on Q4 change
2.  Full year 2016 included $52,904 million related to the acquisition of BG Group plc.

Supplementary financial and operational disclosure for this quarter is available at www.shell.com/investor.

FOURTH QUARTER 2017 PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENTS

Integrated Gas

During the quarter, Shell completed the sale of its shares in Woodside Petroleum Limited for $2,635 million.

Shell completed the sale of its 16.8% interest in Companhia de Gas de São Paulo (“Comgás”) to Cosan Ltd for $363 million, including shares and cash consideration.

In January 2018, Shell announced the sale of its stake in the Bongkot field and adjoining acreage offshore Thailand.

Upstream

During the quarter, Shell and its partners announced the start of the extended well test at the Libra field in the Santos Basin in Brazil. Petrobras, the operator, announced that the Libra consortium had submitted the declaration of commerciality and signed a contract to charter the first production FPSO of Mero, which is the north-west block of Libra. The FPSO has a capacity of 180 thousand boe/d and is expected to start production in 2021. Shell has a 20% interest in the consortium developing the Libra area.

In December, Maersk Oil, as operator, announced the final investment decision for the redevelopment of the Tyra gas field in Denmark, which is expected to be completed in 2022. Peak production will be approximately 60 thousand boe/d. Shell holds a 36.8% interest in the Tyra field, which is part of the Danish Underground Consortium.

Upstream divestments completed during the quarter totalled some $3,254 million, which included the disposal of a package of UK North Sea assets and Gabon onshore interests.

In January 2018, Shell announced the final investment decision on the redevelopment of the Penguins oil and gas field in the UK North Sea. Shell has a 50% interest in the Penguins field and peak production is expected to be 45 thousand boe/d. Shell also completed the purchase of the Turritella FPSO in the Stones development in the Gulf of Mexico.

Downstream

During the quarter, Shell completed the sale of its LPG marketing business in Hong Kong and Macau (first phase).

In December, Shell agreed to cancel the sale of A/S Dansk Shell, which consists of the Fredericia refinery and local trading and supply activities.

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      7  


PERFORMANCE BY SEGMENT

INTEGRATED GAS

 

Quarters     

$ million

   Full year  

Q4 2017

    Q3 2017     Q4 2016     %1           2017     2016     %  
  848       1,217       28       

Segment earnings

     5,078       2,529       +101  
  (788     (65     (879     

Of which: Identified items (Definition A)

     (190     (1,171  
  1,636       1,282       907       +80     

Earnings excluding identified items

     5,268       3,700       +42  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  823       1,742       2,419       -66     

Cash flow from operating activities

     6,467       9,132       -29  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  1,043       1,148       1,145       -9     

Capital investment (Definition C)2

     3,827       26,214       -85  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  229       226       222       +3     

Liquids production available for sale (thousand b/d)

     203       223       -9  
  4,364       4,496       3,979       +10     

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

     3,969       3,832       +4  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  981       1,001       908       +8     

Total production available for sale (thousand boe/d)

     887       884       —    
  8.52       8.45       8.57       -1     

LNG liquefaction volumes (million tonnes)

     33.24       30.88       +8  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  17.15       16.97       15.34       +12     

LNG sales volumes (million tonnes)

     66.04       57.11       +16  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1.  Q4 on Q4 change
2.  Full year 2016 included $21,773 million related to the acquisition of BG Group plc.

Fourth quarter identified items mainly comprised a loss of $511 million on fair value accounting of commodity derivatives and a charge of $412 million related to the impact of the US tax reform legislation, partly offset by a gain of $164 million, mainly related to the sale of shares in Woodside and the Comgás divestment.

Compared with the fourth quarter 2016, Integrated Gas earnings excluding identified items benefited from higher realised oil, gas and LNG prices, as well as lower taxation and depreciation, partly offset by lower contributions from trading.

Compared with the fourth quarter 2016, total production increased, mainly due to higher production from Gorgon with three LNG trains online, compared with two trains in the same quarter in 2016.

LNG liquefaction volumes were lower due to higher maintenance, partly offset by increased liquefaction volumes from Gorgon. LNG sales volumes increased, compared with the fourth quarter 2016, reflecting increased sales of third-party volumes.

Cash flow from operating activities decreased, mainly due to working capital movements, increased cash margining on commodity derivatives and higher tax payments, partly offset by increased earnings and dividends received. Working capital movements accounted for a negative impact of $894 million, mainly from trading, compared with a positive movement of $40 million in the same quarter a year ago.

Full year identified items mainly reflected a loss of $445 million on fair value accounting of commodity derivatives and a charge of $412 million related to the impact of the US tax reform legislation, partly offset by a gain of $636 million related to the impact of the strengthening Australian dollar on a deferred tax position.

Compared with 2016, Integrated Gas earnings excluding identified items benefited from higher realised oil, gas, and LNG prices, as well as higher LNG sales volumes. This more than offset the impact of lower liquids production and lower contributions from trading.

Despite higher earnings, cash flow from operating activities decreased compared with 2016, reflecting negative working capital movements of $2,149 million. 2016 had benefited from positive working capital movements of $2,842 million.

Compared with 2016, production volumes mainly reflected higher production from Gorgon, offset by the Pearl GTL controlled shutdown and subsequent ramp-up during the first half of 2017.

LNG sales reflected increased sales of third-party volumes as well as higher liquefaction volumes, mainly due to increased volumes from Gorgon, compared with 2016.

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      8  


UPSTREAM

 

Quarters     

$ million

   Full year  
Q4 2017      Q3 2017      Q4 2016     %1           2017     2016     %  
  2,050        575        35       

Segment earnings

     1,551       (3,674     +142  
  400        13        (19     

Of which: Identified items (Definition A)

     (1,540     (970  
  1,650        562        54       

Earnings excluding identified items

     3,091       (2,704     +214  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  3,765        4,222        3,904       -4      Cash flow from operating activities      16,337       7,662       +113  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  3,485        2,805        3,490       —       

Capital investment (Definition C)2

     13,648       47,507       -71  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  1,542        1,626        1,732       -11      Liquids production available for sale (thousand b/d)      1,622       1,615       —    
  7,154        5,974        7,336       -2      Natural gas production available for sale (million scf/d)      6,699       6,781       -1  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  2,775        2,656        2,997       -7      Total production available for sale (thousand boe/d)      2,777       2,784       —    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1.  Q4 on Q4 change
2.  Full year 2016 included $31,131 million related to the acquisition of BG Group plc.

Fourth quarter identified items included a total net gain on sale of assets of $1,129 million, mainly related to the divestment of a package of assets in the UK North Sea, as well as $570 million for the release of tax liabilities. These identified items were partly offset by a charge of $1,089 million related to the impact of the US tax reform legislation, and impairments of $259 million.

Compared with the fourth quarter 2016, Upstream earnings excluding identified items benefited from higher realised oil and gas prices, the movements of various deferred tax positions and lower depreciation, partly offset by decreased oil and gas volumes.

Cash flow from operating activities decreased compared with the same quarter last year, mainly due to comparative higher tax payments, partly offset by increased earnings. Working capital movements accounted for a positive impact of $275 million in the quarter, compared with negative working capital movements of $707 million in the same quarter of 2016.

Fourth quarter production decreased by 7%, compared with the same quarter a year ago, mainly due to the divestments of oil sands in Canada, a package of assets in the UK North Sea and onshore assets in Gabon. Excluding these portfolio impacts, production was 1% higher compared with the same quarter a year ago.

New field start-ups and the continuing ramp-up of existing fields in the Santos Basin in Brazil, in the Permian in the USA and in Fox Creek in Canada, as well as Kashagan in Kazakhstan and Schiehallion in the UK, contributed some additional 215 thousand boe/d to production compared with the fourth quarter 2016. This more than offset the impact of field declines of 82 thousand boe/d.

Full year identified items included impairments totalling $2,557 million, mainly related to the sale of Shell’s oil sands interests in Canada and its Upstream interests in Ireland. Other identified items comprised a charge of $1,089 million related to the impact of the US tax reform legislation and a total net gain on sale of assets of $1,463 million, mainly related to the divestment of a package of assets in the UK North Sea.

Compared with 2016, Upstream earnings excluding identified items benefited from higher realised oil and gas prices, the movements of deferred tax assets and lower depreciation, mainly due to divestments.

Cash flow from operating activities increased by 113%, compared with 2016.

New field start-ups and the continuing ramp-up of existing fields, in particular Lula Central, Lula Alto, Lula South and Lapa in the Santos Basin in Brazil, Kashagan in Kazakhstan, and Malikai in Malaysia and Stones in the Gulf of Mexico, contributed some additional 196 thousand boe/d to production compared with 2016, which nearly offset the impact of field declines and divestments.

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      9  


DOWNSTREAM

 

Quarters     

$ million

   Full year  

Q4 2017

     Q3 2017     Q4 2016      %1           2017     2016     %  
  1,116        2,405       1,575        -29      Segment earnings2      8,258       6,588       +25  
  (280)        (263     236        

Of which: Identified items (Definition A)

     (824     (655  
  1,396        2,668       1,339        +4      Earnings excluding identified items2      9,082       7,243       +25  
          

Of which:

      
  884        2,018       823        +7     

Oil Products

     6,460       5,560       +16  
  96        891       77        +25     

Refining & Trading

     2,462       1,469       +68  
  788        1,127       746        +6     

Marketing

     3,998       4,091       -2  
  512        650       516        -1     

Chemicals

     2,622       1,683       +56  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  2,649        949       2,286        +16      Cash flow from operating activities      12,429       3,556       +250  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  2,208        1,743       2,251        -2      Capital investment (Definition C)      6,416       6,057       +6  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  2,589        2,592       2,698        -4      Refinery processing intake (thousand b/d)      2,572       2,701       -5  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  6,861        6,557       6,464        +6      Oil products sales volumes (thousand b/d)      6,599       6,483       +2  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  4,688        4,540       4,414        +6      Chemicals sales volumes (thousand tonnes)      18,239       17,292       +5  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1.  Q4 on Q4 change
2.  Earnings are presented on a CCS basis (See Note 2).

Fourth quarter identified items primarily reflected a charge of $121 million related to the impact of the US tax reform legislation and redundancy and restructuring provisions of $89 million, partly offset by a total net gain on sale of assets of $103 million, mainly related to the divestment of Shell’s LPG marketing business in Hong Kong and Macau.

Compared with the fourth quarter 2016, Downstream earnings excluding identified items benefited from improved refining industry conditions as well as increased contributions from marketing. This was partly offset by higher operating expenses, as a result of exchange rate effects.

Cash flow from operating activities included negative working capital movements of $402 million, compared with negative movements of $216 million in the same quarter of 2016.

Oil Products

 

    Refining & Trading earnings excluding identified items benefited mainly from the impact of the Motiva transaction and exchange rate effects, partly offset by lower contributions from trading, compared with the same quarter a year ago.

Refinery processing intake volumes decreased by 4%, compared with the fourth quarter of 2016, mainly due to the divestment of the Port Dickson refinery in Malaysia. Excluding this impact, intake volumes were 1% higher compared with the same quarter a year ago. Refinery availability increased to 89% compared with 87% in the fourth quarter 2016.

 

    Marketing earnings excluding identified items reflected lower taxation and increased underlying unit margins, partly offset by adverse exchange rate effects, compared with the same quarter a year ago.

Oil products sales volumes reflected increased refining and trading volumes, partly offset by lower marketing volumes.

Chemicals

 

    Chemicals earnings excluding identified items reflected higher operating expenses and increased depreciation, partly offset by improved industry conditions.

Chemicals manufacturing plant availability remained 93%, similar to the fourth quarter 2016.

Full year identified items primarily reflected the impact of the Motiva transaction resulting in a net charge of $546 million, which included a non-cash charge on a taxable gain (see Note 7), as well as impairment losses of $315 million, and redundancy and restructuring provisions of $200 million and a charge of $121 million related to the impact of the US tax reform legislation. These identified items were partly offset by a total gain of $585 million, mainly related to the divestment of assets in Saudi Arabia, Africa, Australia, and Hong Kong and Macau.

Compared with 2016, Downstream earnings excluding identified items benefited from improved refining and chemicals industry conditions, partly offset by portfolio impacts.

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      10  


Cash flow from operating activities increased by 250%, reflecting higher earnings and more favourable working capital movements, which comprised a negative impact of $325 million in 2017, compared with negative working capital movements of $6,272 million in 2016.

Oil Products

 

    Refining & Trading earnings excluding identified items benefited from higher margins as a result of stronger refining industry conditions and portfolio impacts, compared with 2016.

Refinery processing intake volumes decreased by 5% compared with 2016, as a result of the divestment of the Port Dickson refinery in Malaysia and the Motiva transaction. Excluding these portfolio impacts, intake volumes were 3% higher compared with the same period a year ago. Refinery availability increased to 91%, compared with 90% in 2016.

 

    Marketing earnings excluding identified items decreased compared with a year ago, reflecting lower volumes mainly as a result of portfolio impacts, partly offset by lower taxation.

Oil products sales volumes reflected increased refining and trading volumes, partly offset by lower marketing volumes.

Chemicals

 

    Chemicals earnings excluding identified items benefited from a better market environment and higher sales volumes.

Chemicals manufacturing plant availability increased to 92% compared with 90% in 2016.

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      11  


CORPORATE

 

Quarters     

$ million

   Full year  

Q4 2017

     Q3 2017      Q4 2016           2017      2016  
  (838)        (394      (566    Segment earnings      (2,416      (1,751
  (553)        (90      (101   

Of which: Identified items (Definition A)

     (1,157      (967
  (285)        (304      (465    Earnings excluding identified items      (1,259      (784

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
  38        669        561      Cash flow from operating activities      417        265  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fourth quarter identified items mainly reflected a charge of $392 million related to the impact of the US tax reform legislation as well as a tax provision of $282 million.

Compared with the fourth quarter 2016, Corporate earnings excluding identified items reflected increased currency exchange rate gains and lower net interest expense, partly offset by higher taxation.

Full year identified items mainly included a non-cash charge of $550 million related to the restructuring of the funding of our businesses in North America, a charge of $392 million related to the impact of the US tax reform legislation as well as a tax provision of $282 million.

Compared with 2016, Corporate earnings excluding identified items were impacted by higher net interest expense, partly offset by lower operating expenses.

PRELIMINARY RESERVES UPDATE

When final volumes are reported in the 2017 Annual Report and Form 20-F, Shell expects that SEC proved oil and gas reserves additions before taking into account production will be around 0.4 billion boe, and 2017 production to be 1.4 billion boe. As a result, total proved reserves on an SEC basis are expected to be 12.2 billion boe. Acquisitions and divestments of 2017 reserves accounted for a net reduction of 1.4 billion boe.

The proved Reserves Replacement Ratio on an SEC basis is expected to be 27% for the year and 78% for the 3-year average. Excluding the impact of acquisitions and divestments, the reserves replacement ratio was 127% for the year.

Further information will be provided in the 2017 Annual Report and Form 20-F, which is expected to be filed in March 2018.

OUTLOOK FOR THE FIRST QUARTER 2018

Compared with the first quarter 2017, Integrated Gas production volumes are expected to be positively impacted by some 210 thousand boe/d, mainly associated with Pearl, Gorgon and portfolio impacts.

Compared with the first quarter 2017, Upstream earnings are expected to be negatively impacted by a reduction of some 270 thousand boe/d associated with completed divestments, and positively impacted by some 40 thousand boe/d associated with lower maintenance activities. Earnings are expected to be positively impacted by 40 thousand boe/d associated with restored production in Nigeria; however, the security situation remains sensitive. The production outlook for NAM in the Netherlands is subject to decisions on production volumes by the Dutch government following the earthquake in Zeerijp in January 2018.

Refinery availability is expected to decrease in the first quarter 2018 as a result of higher levels of maintenance compared with the same period a year ago.

Chemicals manufacturing plant availability is expected to increase in the first quarter 2018, due to lower levels of maintenance compared with the first quarter 2017.

As a result of the separation of the Motiva assets and completed divestments, oil products sales volumes are expected to decrease by some 175 thousand barrels per day compared with the same period a year ago.

Corporate results, excluding the impact of currency exchange rate effects and interest rate movements, are expected to be a net charge of $300 – 350 million in the first quarter and around $1.4 – 1.6 billion for the full year.

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      12  


As a result of the expected change in the fiscal functional currency of some Shell entities in Australia to US dollars, the impact of exchange rate movements of the Australian dollar on deferred tax balances will be significantly reduced in 2018.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

The LNG Outlook will be held on February 26, 2018 in London.

The Downstream Open House for Investors will be held on March 21, 2018.

The Annual General Meeting will be held on May 22, 2018.

First quarter 2018 results and dividends are scheduled to be announced on April 26, 2018. Second quarter 2018 results and dividends are scheduled to be announced on July 26, 2018. Third quarter 2018 results and dividends are scheduled to be announced on November 1, 2018.

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      13  


UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

 

Quarters     

$ million

   Full year  
Q4 2017      Q3 2017      Q4 2016           2017      2016  
  85,422        75,830        64,767      Revenue1      305,179        233,591  
  1,034        1,062        982      Share of profit of joint ventures and associates      4,225        3,545  
  1,668        841        1,343      Interest and other income2      2,466        2,897  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
  88,124        77,733        67,092      Total revenue and other income      311,870        240,033  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
  64,095        54,849        45,528      Purchases      223,447        162,574  
  6,563        6,497        6,703      Production and manufacturing expenses      26,652        28,434  
  2,953        2,750        2,912      Selling, distribution and administrative expenses      10,509        12,101  
  260        230        280      Research and development      922        1,014  
  921        326        568      Exploration      1,945        2,108  
  5,796        6,408        6,558      Depreciation, depletion and amortisation3      26,223        24,993  
  984        1,011        1,115      Interest expense      4,042        3,203  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
  81,572        72,071        63,664      Total expenditure      293,740        234,427  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
  6,552        5,662        3,428      Income/(loss) before taxation      18,130        5,606  
  2,615        1,450        1,820      Taxation charge/(credit)4      4,695        829  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
  3,937        4,212        1,608      Income/(loss) for the period1      13,435        4,777  
  130        125        67      Income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interest      458        202  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
  3,807        4,087        1,541      Income/(loss) attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders      12,977        4,575  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
  0.46        0.50        0.19      Basic earnings per share ($)5      1.58        0.58  
  0.46        0.49        0.19      Diluted earnings per share ($)5      1.56        0.58  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1. See Note 2 “Segment information”
2. Fourth quarter 2017 includes net gains on sale and revaluation of non-current assets and businesses of $1,319 million, of which $1,066 million relates to the divestment of UK North Sea assets (Q4 2016 included $1,238 million net gains). Full year 2017 net gains were $1,641 million (2016: $2,141 million net gains).
3. Fourth quarter 2017 includes a pre-tax impairment charge of $402 million (Q4 2016: $211 million). Full year 2017 includes a pre-tax impairment charge of $4,190 million (2016: $1,901 million).
4. Fourth quarter 2017 includes a charge of $2,014 million primarily related to a remeasurement of deferred tax positions following the US tax reform legislation and a $111 million loss (Q4 2016: $433 million loss) driven by exchange rate movements on tax balances. In addition, full year 2017 includes a $622 million gain driven by exchange rate movements on tax balances (2016: $253 million gain) and a $329 million gain from a deferred tax asset recognition following the oil sands divestment.
5. See Note 3 “Earnings per share”

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

Quarters    

$ million

   Full year  
Q4 2017      Q3 2017     Q4 2016          2017     2016  
  3,937        4,212       1,608     Income/(loss) for the period      13,435       4,777  
       Other comprehensive income net of tax:     
      

Items that may be reclassified to income in later periods:

    
  355        1,552       (1,484  

-   Currency translation differences

     5,156       703  
  258        328       120    

-   Unrealised gains/(losses) on securities

     593       (214
  (484)        (327     (201  

-   Cash flow hedging gains/(losses)

     (552     (617
  —          —         (785  

-   Net investment hedging gains/(losses)

     —         (2,024
  46        (8     66    

-   Share of other comprehensive income/(loss) of joint ventures and associates

     170       (28

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  175        1,545       (2,284   Total      5,367       (2,180
      

Items that are not reclassified to income in later periods:

    
  (2,056)        (512     2,610    

-   Retirement benefits remeasurements

     604       (3,817

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (1,881)        1,033       326     Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the period      5,971       (5,997

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  2,056        5,245       1,934     Comprehensive income/(loss) for the period      19,406       (1,220
  133        177       8     Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interest      578       154  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  1,923        5,068       1,926     Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders      18,828       (1,374

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      14  


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 

$ million

   Dec 31, 20171      Dec 31, 2016  

Assets

     

Non-current assets

     

Intangible assets

     24,180        23,967  

Property, plant and equipment2

     226,380        236,098  

Joint ventures and associates

     27,927        33,255  

Investments in securities3

     7,222        5,952  

Deferred tax

     13,791        14,425  

Retirement benefits

     2,799        1,456  

Trade and other receivables4

     9,394        9,553  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     311,693        324,706  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current assets

     

Inventories

     25,223        21,775  

Trade and other receivables4

     49,869        45,664  

Cash and cash equivalents

     20,312        19,130  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     95,404        86,569  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     407,097        411,275  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

     

Non-current liabilities

     

Debt

     73,870        82,992  

Trade and other payables4

     4,428        6,925  

Deferred tax

     13,007        15,274  

Retirement benefits

     13,247        14,130  

Decommissioning and other provisions5

     24,966        29,618  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     129,518        148,939  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

     

Debt

     11,795        9,484  

Trade and other payables4

     56,663        53,417  

Taxes payable

     7,250        6,685  

Retirement benefits

     594        455  

Decommissioning and other provisions

     3,465        3,784  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     79,767        73,825  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     209,285        222,764  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders

     194,356        186,646  

Non-controlling interest

     3,456        1,865  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity

     197,812        188,511  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

     407,097        411,275  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1. See Note 7 “Motiva joint venture”.
2. Compared with 2016, the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2017, includes a decrease of $12,879 million related to the divestment of assets, mainly Canada oil sands, UK North Sea and Gabon onshore.
3. Compared with 2016, investments at December 31, 2017, increased by $3,485 million in relation to shares in Canadian Natural Resources Limited received in the second quarter 2017 as partial consideration for the oil sands divestment, and decreased in the fourth quarter by $2,653 million in relation to the sale of shares in Woodside Petroleum.
4. See Note 6 “Derivative contracts and debt excluding finance lease liabilities”.
5. Compared with December 31, 2016, a decrease of $2,767 million in provisions is included related to the divestments of assets, mainly UK North Sea, Canada oil sands, and Gabon onshore.

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      15  


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 

     Equity attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders        

$ million

   Share
capital1
     Shares
held in
trust
    Other
reserves2
    Retained
earnings
    Total     Non-
controlling
interest
    Total
equity
 

At January 1, 2017

     683        (901     11,298       175,566       186,646       1,865       188,511  

Comprehensive income/(loss) for the period

     —          —         5,851       12,977       18,828       578       19,406  

Dividends paid

     —          —         —         (15,628     (15,628     (406     (16,034

Scrip dividends

     13        —         (13     4,751       4,751       —         4,751  

Share-based compensation

     —          (16     (204     (74     (294     —         (294

Other changes in non-controlling interest3

     —          —         —         53       53       1,419       1,472  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At December 31, 2017

     696        (917     16,932       177,645       194,356       3,456       197,812  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At January 1, 2016

     546        (584     (17,186     180,100       162,876       1,245       164,121  

Comprehensive income/(loss)

for the period

     —          —         (5,949     4,575       (1,374     154       (1,220

Dividends paid

     —          —           (14,959     (14,959     (180     (15,139

Scrip dividends

     17        —         (17     5,282       5,282       —         5,282  

Shares issued

     120        —         33,930       —         34,050       —         34,050  

Share-based compensation

     —          (317     520       141       344       —         344  

Other changes in non-controlling interest

     —          —         —         427       427       646       1,073  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At December 31, 2016

     683        (901     11,298       175,566       186,646       1,865       188,511  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1. See Note 4 “Share capital”.
2. See Note 5 “Other reserves”.
3. This includes $1,286 million for the 50% non-controlling interest share in the acquisition of Marathon Oil Canada Corporation in the second quarter 2017, and $275 million related to the public offering of limited partner units in Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. in the third quarter 2017.

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      16  


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

Quarters    

$ million

   Full year  
Q4 2017     Q3 2017     Q4 2016          2017     2016  
  3,937       4,212       1,608    

Income/(loss) for the period

     13,435       4,777  
     

Adjustment for:

    
  1,467       1,734       1,241    

- Current tax

     6,591       2,731  
  817       839       980    

- Interest expense (net)

     3,365       2,752  
  5,795       6,408       6,558    

- Depreciation, depletion and amortisation

     26,222       24,993  
  (1,319     (459     (1,238  

- Net (gains)/losses on sale and revaluation of non-current assets and businesses

     (1,640     (2,141
  (1,121     (2,467     (648  

- Decrease/(increase) in working capital

     (3,158     (6,289
  (1,034     (1,062     (982  

- Share of (profit)/loss of joint ventures and associates

     (4,225     (3,545
  1,647       1,082       1,466    

- Dividends received from joint ventures and associates

     4,998       3,820  
  155       (1,158     1,078    

- Deferred tax, retirement benefits, decommissioning and other provisions

     (3,918     (823
  (704     (31     (153  

- Other1

     287       (1,226
  (2,365     (1,516     (740  

Tax paid

     (6,307     (4,434

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  7,275       7,582       9,170    

Cash flow from operating activities

     35,650       20,615  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (5,861     (5,018     (5,714  

Capital expenditure

     (20,845     (22,116
  —         —         —      

Acquisition of BG Group plc, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired

     —         (11,421
  (202     (42     (527  

Investments in joint ventures and associates

     (595     (1,330
  2,866       236       1,306    

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and businesses2

     8,808       2,072  
  221       874       1,411    

Proceeds from sale of joint ventures and associates

     2,177       1,565  
  157       237       176    

Interest received

     724       470  
  2,154       (199     (81  

Other3

     1,702       (203

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (665     (3,912     (3,429  

Cash flow from investing activities

     (8,029     (30,963

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  543       (544     23    

Net increase/(decrease) in debt with maturity period

within three months

     (869     (360
     

Other debt:

    
  120       29       189    

- New borrowings

     760       18,144  
  (4,103     (2,702     (3,327  

- Repayments

     (11,720     (6,710
  (840     (858     (1,073  

Interest paid

     (3,550     (2,938
  6       279       291    

Change in non-controlling interest

     293       1,110  
     

Cash dividends paid to:

    
  (2,266     (3,016     (2,323  

- Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders

     (10,877     (9,677
  (97     (113     (72  

- Non-controlling interest

     (406     (180
  —         —         —      

Repurchases of shares

     —         —    
  (443     (221     (175  

Shares held in trust: net sales/(purchases) and dividends received

     (717     (160

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (7,080     (7,146     (6,467  

Cash flow from financing activities

     (27,086     (771

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  83       183       (128  

Currency translation differences relating to cash and cash equivalents

     647       (1,503

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (387     (3,293     (854  

Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     1,182       (12,622

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  20,699       23,992       19,984    

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     19,130       31,752  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  20,312       20,699       19,130    

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

     20,312       19,130  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1. Fourth quarter 2017 includes $726 million of unrealised net gains related to financial instruments.
2. Fourth quarter 2017 includes $2,063 million from the divestment of the package of UK North Sea assets and $600 million from the divestment of Gabon onshore assets.
3. Fourth quarter 2017 includes $2,635 million from the sale of shares in Woodside Petroleum Limited.

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      17  


NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Basis of preparation

These unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Royal Dutch Shell plc (“the Company”) and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Shell”) have been prepared on the basis of the same accounting principles as, and should be read in conjunction with, the Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2016 (pages 122 to 127) as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The financial information presented in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434(3) of the Companies Act 2006 (“the Act”). Statutory accounts for the year ended December 31, 2016 were published in Shell’s Annual Report and a copy was delivered to the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales. The auditor’s report on those accounts was unqualified, did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying the report and did not contain a statement under sections 498(2) or 498(3) of the Act.

 

2. Segment information

Segment earnings are presented on a current cost of supplies basis (CCS earnings), which is the earnings measure used by the Chief Executive Officer for the purposes of making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance. On this basis, the purchase price of volumes sold during the period is based on the current cost of supplies during the same period after making allowance for the tax effect. CCS earnings therefore exclude the effect of changes in the oil price on inventory carrying amounts. Sales between segments are based on prices generally equivalent to commercially available prices.

INFORMATION BY SEGMENT

 

Quarters    

$ million

   Full year  
Q4 2017     Q3 2017     Q4 2016          2017     2016  
     

Third-party revenue

    
  8,205       8,316       7,031    

Integrated Gas

     32,674       25,282  
  2,644       1,654       1,418    

Upstream

     7,723       6,412  
  74,561       65,843       56,300    

Downstream

     264,731       201,823  
  12       17       18    

Corporate

     51       74  
  85,422       75,830       64,767    

Total third-party revenue

     305,179       233,591  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
     

Inter-segment revenue

    
  1,199       1,101       1,087    

Integrated Gas

     3,978       3,908  
  8,258       7,991       8,218    

Upstream

     32,469       26,524  
  1,281       1,142       796    

Downstream

     4,248       1,727  
  —         —         —      

Corporate

     —         —    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
     

CCS earnings

    
  848       1,217       28    

Integrated Gas

     5,078       2,529  
  2,050       575       35    

Upstream

     1,551       (3,674
  1,116       2,405       1,575    

Downstream

     8,258       6,588  
  (838     (394     (566  

Corporate

     (2,416     (1,751
  3,176       3,803       1,072    

Total

     12,471       3,692  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      18  


RECONCILIATION OF INCOME FOR THE PERIOD TO CCS EARNINGS

 

Quarters          Full year  
Q4 2017     Q3 2017     Q4 2016          2017     2016  
  3,807       4,087       1,541    

Income/(loss) attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders

     12,977       4,575  
  130       125       67    

Income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interest

     458       202  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  3,937       4,212       1,608    

Income/(loss) for the period

     13,435       4,777  
     

Current cost of supplies adjustment:

    
  (1,022     (528     (633  

Purchases

     (1,252     (1,284
  287       145       173    

Taxation

     349       344  
  (26     (26     (76  

Share of profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates

     (61     (145
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (761     (409     (536  

Current cost of supplies adjustment1

     (964     (1,085
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  3,176       3,803       1,072    

CCS earnings

     12,471       3,692  
     

of which:

    
  3,082       3,698       1,032    

CCS earnings attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders

     12,081       3,533  
  94       105       40    

CCS earnings attributable to non-controlling interest

     390       159  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1.  The adjustment attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders is a negative $725 million in the fourth quarter 2017 (Q3 2017: negative $389 million; Q4 2016: negative $509 million; full year 2017: negative $896 million; full year 2016:
  negative $1,042 million).

 

3. Earnings per share

EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Quarters           Full year  
Q4 2017      Q3 2017      Q4 2016           2017      2016  
  3,807        4,087        1,541     

Income/(loss) attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders

($ million)

     12,977        4,575  
        

Weighted average number of shares used as the basis for determining:

     
  8,274.6        8,249.6        8,101.8     

Basic earnings per share (million)

     8,223.4        7,833.7  
  8,354.5        8,324.9        8,170.1     

Diluted earnings per share (million)

     8,299.0        7,891.7  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

4. Share capital

ISSUED AND FULLY PAID ORDINARY SHARES OF €0.07 EACH1

 

     Number of shares      Nominal value ($ million)  
     A      B      A      B      Total  

At January 1, 2017

     4,428,903,813        3,745,486,731        374        309        683  

Scrip dividends

     168,232,237        —          13        —          13  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2017

     4,597,136,050        3,745,486,731        387        309        696  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At January 1, 2016

     3,990,921,569        2,440,410,614        340        206        546  

Scrip dividends

     219,253,936        —          17        —          17  

Shares issued

     218,728,308        1,305,076,117        17        103        120  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2016

     4,428,903,813        3,745,486,731        374        309        683  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1.  Share capital at December 31, 2017 also included 50,000 issued and fully paid sterling deferred shares of £1 each.

At Royal Dutch Shell plc’s Annual General Meeting on May 23, 2017, the Board was authorised to allot ordinary shares in Royal Dutch Shell plc, and to grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into ordinary shares in Royal Dutch Shell plc, up to an aggregate nominal amount of €190 million (representing 2,714 million ordinary shares of €0.07 each), and to list such shares or rights on any stock exchange. This authority expires at the earlier of the close of business on August 23, 2018, and the end of the Annual General Meeting to be held in 2018, unless previously renewed, revoked or varied by Royal Dutch Shell plc in a general meeting.

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      19  


5. Other reserves

OTHER RESERVES

 

$ million

   Merger
reserve
    Share
premium
reserve
     Capital
redemption
reserve
     Share plan
reserve
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
    Total  

At January 1, 2017

     37,311       154        84        1,644       (27,895     11,298  

Other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders

     —         —          —          —         5,851       5,851  

Scrip dividends

     (13     —          —          —         —         (13

Share-based compensation

     —         —          —          (204     —         (204
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At December 31, 2017

     37,298       154        84        1,440       (22,044     16,932  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At January 1, 2016

     3,398       154        84        1,658       (22,480     (17,186

Other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders

     —         —          —          —         (5,949     (5,949

Scrip dividends

     (17     —          —          —         —         (17

Shares issued

     33,930       —          —          —         —         33,930  

Share-based compensation

     —            —          (14     534       520  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At December 31, 2016

     37,311       154        84        1,644       (27,895     11,298  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The merger reserve and share premium reserve were established as a consequence of Royal Dutch Shell plc becoming the single parent company of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c., now The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited, in 2005. The merger reserve increased in 2016 following the issuance of shares for the acquisition of BG Group plc. The capital redemption reserve was established in connection with repurchases of shares of Royal Dutch Shell plc. The share plan reserve is in respect of equity-settled share-based compensation plans.

 

6. Derivative contracts and debt excluding finance lease liabilities

The table below provides the carrying amounts of derivatives contracts held, disclosed in accordance with IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement.

DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS

 

$ million

  

Dec 31, 2017

    

Dec 31, 2016

 

Included within:

     

Trade and other receivables – non-current

     919        405  

Trade and other receivables – current

     5,304        5,957  

Trade and other payables – non-current

     981        3,315  

Trade and other payables – current

     5,253        6,418  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As disclosed in the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2016, presented in the Annual Report and Form 20-F for that year, Shell is exposed to the risks of changes in fair value of its financial assets and liabilities. The fair values of the financial assets and liabilities are defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair values at December 31, 2017 are consistent with those used in the year ended December 31, 2016. The carrying amounts of derivative contracts measured using predominantly unobservable inputs have not changed materially since December 31, 2016.

The table below provides the comparison of the fair value with the carrying amount of debt excluding finance lease liabilities, disclosed in accordance with IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures.

DEBT EXCLUDING FINANCE LEASE LIABILITIES

 

$ million

  

Dec 31, 2017

    

Dec 31, 2016

 

Carrying amount

     70,140        77,617  

Fair value1

     74,650        80,408  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1.  Mainly determined from the prices quoted for these securities.

 

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      20  


7. Motiva joint venture

On May 1, 2017, Shell and Saudi Refining Inc. (“SRI”) completed the separation of assets, liabilities and businesses of Motiva Enterprises LLC (“Motiva”), a 50:50 joint venture. Following the transaction, Shell assumed sole ownership of two refineries, eleven distribution terminals and certain Shell-branded fuel retail markets in the United States. The transaction enables Shell to combine the assets retained from the joint venture with other Shell Downstream assets in North America, in line with its strategy to deliver increased cash and returns through simpler and highly integrated businesses. It is accounted for as a disposal of Shell’s 50% interest in the Motiva joint venture and a subsequent business acquisition.

The fair value of Shell’s interest in the joint venture on May 1, 2017 was $3,847 million. This fair value was used, for accounting purposes, as the consideration recognised for the disposal. The disposal gave rise to a taxable gain, leading to a non-cash charge of $574 million on completion of the transaction. Consequently, income for the second quarter 2017 included a net charge of $546 million representing the difference between the net carrying amount of Shell’s interest in the joint venture (including associated deferred tax liabilities) of $3,819 million and its fair value, and the tax charge which crystallised upon the disposal. This net charge was reported under “Interest and other income”.

The fair value of $3,847 million also served as the consideration paid for the net assets acquired, in combination with $862 million received in cash from SRI in the second quarter 2017. The fair value of net assets acquired was $2,544 million. As a result, goodwill of $441 million was initially recognised on the business acquisition in the second quarter 2017. In the third quarter 2017, goodwill was reduced to $391 million following updates to the provisionally agreed cash settlement from SRI and to the fair value of the net assets acquired. In the fourth quarter 2017, goodwill was reduced to $355 million as set out in the table below. The fair value of Shell’s interest in the joint venture, the fair value of the net assets acquired, and therefore the resultant goodwill, remains provisional although no significant adjustments are expected.

GOODWILL RECOGNISED

 

$ million

  

As previously

published

   

Adjustment

   

As adjusted

 

Fair value of Shell’s interest in the Motiva joint venture 1

     3,847       —         3,847  

Less: Cash settlement

     930       27       957  

Less: Fair value of net assets acquired 2

      

Intangible assets

     641       15       656  

Property, plant and equipment

     2,699       (14     2,685  

Other non-current assets

     67       —         67  

Trade and other receivables (current)

     —         27       27  

Inventories

     928       (1     927  

Debt (non-current)

     (115     —         (115

Trade and other payables (non-current)

     (65     —         (65

Deferred tax (non-current liabilities)

     (312     (6     (318

Retirement benefits (non-current liabilities)

     (982     7       (975

Decommissioning and other provisions (non-current)

     (132     —         (132

Trade and other payables (current)

     (100     (7     (107

Other current liabilities

     (103     (12     (115
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,526       9       2,535  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Goodwill

     391       (36     355  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1.  Based on Shell’s assessment.
2.  Based on an independent valuation using cash flow projections based on the historical performance of the newly acquired assets, forecasted pricing for various related commodities and existing business plan information.

For the full year 2017, the total cash impact of this transaction was $887 million reported under “Proceeds from sale of joint ventures and associates” in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (third quarter 2017: $842 million). This is the net effect of the $957 million cash received from SRI and a payment by Shell of $70 million to settle the transfer of certain retirement benefit liabilities to SRI.

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      21  


DEFINITIONS

 

A. Identified items

Identified items comprise: divestment gains and losses, impairments, fair value accounting of commodity derivatives and certain gas contracts, redundancy and restructuring, the impact of exchange rate movements on certain deferred tax balances, and other items. These items, either individually or collectively, can cause volatility to net income, in some cases driven by external factors, which may hinder the comparative understanding of Shell’s financial results from period to period. The impact of identified items on Shell’s CCS earnings is shown below.

IDENTIFIED ITEMS AFTER TAX

 

Quarters    

$ million

   Full year  
Q4 2017     Q3 2017     Q4 2016          2017     2016  
  1,275       324       1,061    

Divestment gains/(losses)

     1,657       1,631  
  (321     (405     (293  

Impairments

     (3,042     (2,108
  (541     (398     (239  

Fair value accounting of commodity derivatives and certain gas contracts

     (335     (644
  (107     (71     (48  

Redundancy and restructuring

     (379     (1,428
  (111     275       (433  

Impact of exchange rate movements on tax balances

     622       253  
  (1,416     (130     (811  

Other1

     (2,234     (1,467

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (1,221     (405     (763  

Impact on CCS earnings

     (3,711     (3,763

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
     

Of which:

    
  (788     (65     (879  

Integrated Gas

     (190     (1,171
  400       13       (19  

Upstream

     (1,540     (970
  (280     (263     236    

Downstream

     (824     (655
  (553     (90     (101  

Corporate

     (1,157     (967

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  —         —         —      

Impact on CCS earnings attributable to non-controlling interest

     (28     (111

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (1,221     (405     (763  

Impact on CCS earnings attributable to shareholders

     (3,683     (3,652

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1. Fourth quarter 2017 includes a non-cash charge of $2,014 million primarily related to the remeasurement of deferred tax positions following the US tax reform legislation.

The categories above represent the nature of the items identified irrespective of whether the items relate to Shell subsidiaries or joint ventures and associates. The after-tax impact of identified items of joint ventures and associates is fully reported within “Share of profit of joint ventures and associates” on the Consolidated Statement of Income. Identified items related to subsidiaries are consolidated and reported across appropriate lines of the Consolidated Statement of Income. Only pre-tax identified items reported by subsidiaries are taken into account in the calculation of “underlying operating expenses” (Definition G).

Fair value accounting of commodity derivatives and certain gas contracts: In the ordinary course of business, Shell enters into contracts to supply or purchase oil and gas products as well as power and environmental products. Derivative contracts are entered into for mitigation of resulting economic exposures (generally price exposure) and these derivative contracts are carried at period-end market price (fair value), with movements in fair value recognised in income for the period. Supply and purchase contracts entered into for operational purposes are, by contrast, recognised when the transaction occurs; furthermore, inventory is carried at historical cost or net realisable value, whichever is lower. As a consequence, accounting mismatches occur because: (a) the supply or purchase transaction is recognised in a different period; or (b) the inventory is measured on a different basis. In addition, certain contracts are, due to pricing or delivery conditions, deemed to contain embedded derivatives or written options and are also required to be carried at fair value even though they are entered into for operational purposes. The accounting impacts are reported as identified items.

Impacts of exchange rate movements on tax balances represent the impact on tax balances of exchange rate movements arising on (a) the conversion to dollars of the local currency tax base of non-monetary assets and liabilities, as well as losses (this primarily impacts the Integrated Gas and Upstream segments) and (b) the conversion of dollar-denominated inter-segment loans to local currency, leading to taxable exchange rate gains or losses (this primarily impacts the Corporate segment).

Other identified items represent other credits or charges Shell’s management assesses should be excluded to provide additional insight, such as the impact arising from the US tax reform legislation and certain provisions for onerous contracts or litigation.

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      22  


B. Basic CCS earnings per share

Basic CCS earnings per share is calculated as CCS earnings attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders (see Note 2), divided by the weighted average number of shares used as the basis for basic earnings per share (see Note 3).

 

C. Capital investment

Capital investment is a measure used to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance. It comprises capital expenditure, exploration expense excluding well write-offs, new investments in joint ventures and associates, new finance leases and investments in Integrated Gas, Upstream and Downstream securities, all of which on an accruals basis. In 2016, it also included the capital investment related to the acquisition of BG Group plc.

The reconciliation of “Capital expenditure” to “Capital investment” is as follows.

 

Quarters     

$ million

   Full year  
Q4 2017      Q3 2017      Q4 2016           2017      2016  
  5,861        5,018        5,714     

Capital expenditure1

     20,845        22,116  
  —          —          —       

Capital investment related to the acquisition of BG Group plc

     —          52,904  
  202        42        527     

Investments in joint ventures and associates

     595        1,330  
  380        280        416     

Exploration expense, excluding exploration wells written off

     1,048        1,274  
  330        312        215     

Finance leases

     1,074        2,343  
  5        90        41     

Other1

     444        (90

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
  6,778        5,742        6,913     

Capital investment

     24,006        79,877  
        

Of which:

     
  1,043        1,148        1,145     

Integrated Gas

     3,827        26,214  
  3,485        2,805        3,490     

Upstream

     13,648        47,507  
  2,208        1,743        2,251     

Downstream

     6,416        6,057  
  42        46        27     

Corporate

     115        99  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1. Full year 2017 includes capital expenditure of $911 million and, under “Other”, a payable position of $375 million, related to the acquisition of Marathon Oil Canada Corporation in Canada.

 

D. Divestments

Divestments is a measure used to monitor the progress of Shell’s divestment programme. This measure comprises proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and businesses, joint ventures and associates, and other Integrated Gas, Upstream and Downstream investments, reported in “Cash flow from investing activities”, adjusted onto an accruals basis and for any share consideration received or contingent consideration recognised upon divestment, as well as proceeds from the sale of interests in entities while retaining control (for example, proceeds from sale of interest in Shell Midstream Partners, L.P.), which are included in “Change in non-controlling interest” within “Cash flow from financing activities”.

With effect from January 1, 2017, consideration received in the form of shares is valued and included in this measure upon completion of the divestment transactions, instead of when these shares are disposed of. This change in timing of recognition enables Shell to better evaluate its progress against its divestment programme. The share or contingent consideration is not remeasured thereafter, including if and when the shares received are eventually disposed of, or contingent consideration is realised. Comparative information for 2016 has been adjusted to include the share consideration received upon the divestments of Shell’s interests in the Deep Basin and Gundy acreages (Canada) and the Brutus TLP and Glider subsea production system (USA), both in the fourth quarter 2016.

In future periods, the proceeds from any disposal of shares received as divestment consideration, and proceeds from realisation of contingent consideration, will be included in “Cash flow from investing activities”.

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      23  


The reconciliation of “Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and businesses” to “Divestments” is as follows.

 

Quarters    

$ million

   Full year  
Q4 2017      Q3 2017     Q4 2016          2017      2016  
  2,866        236       1,306    

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and businesses1

     8,808        2,072  
  221        874       1,411    

Proceeds from sale of joint ventures and associates2

     2,177        1,565  
  217        —         275    

Share and contingent consideration3

     3,046        275  
  —          275       289    

Proceeds from sale of interests in entities while retaining control

     278        1,108  
  3,170        (20     (3  

Other adjustments4

     3,031        (36

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 
  6,474        1,365       3,278    

Divestments

     17,340        4,984  
      

Of which:

     
  3,021        22       47    

Integrated Gas

     3,077        352  
  3,254        187       1,480    

Upstream

     11,542        1,726  
  199        1,156       1,747    

Downstream

     2,703        2,889  
  —          —         4    

Corporate

     18        17  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1. Full year 2017 includes $5,188 million related to the Canada oil sands divestment. As reflected in Definition C, capital expenditure of $911 million and a payable position of $375 million, together $1,286 million, were also recorded as part of the oil sands transaction and are integral to the divestment programme.
2. Full year 2017 includes the Motiva transaction, see Note 7. Also integral to the divestment programme is $1,331 million primarily related to net debt assumed by the counterparty in the Motiva transaction, which would have otherwise increased the cash consideration received by Shell.
3. Full year 2017 includes $2,829 million for shares in Canadian Natural Resources Limited received as partial consideration for the Canada oil sands divestment.
4. Fourth quarter 2017 includes proceeds of $2,635 million from the sale of shares in Woodside Petroleum Limited.

 

E. Return on average capital employed

Return on average capital employed (ROACE) measures the efficiency of Shell’s utilisation of the capital that it employs. In this calculation, ROACE is defined as income for the current and previous three quarters, adjusted for after-tax interest expense, as a percentage of the average capital employed for the same period. Capital employed consists of total equity, current debt and non-current debt.

 

     Quarters  

$ million

   Q4 2017     Q3 2017     Q4 2016  

Income for current and previous three quarters

     13,435       11,106       4,777  

Interest expense after tax

     2,995       3,088       2,730  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before interest expense

     16,430       14,194       7,507  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital employed – opening

     280,988       286,558       222,500  

Capital employed – closing

     283,477       286,889       280,988  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital employed – average

     282,233       286,723       251,744  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

ROACE

     5.8     5.0     3.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Return on average capital employed on a CCS basis excluding identified items is defined as the sum of CCS earnings attributable to shareholders excluding identified items for the current and previous three quarters, as a percentage of the average capital employed for the same period.

 

     Quarters  

$ million

   Q4 2017     Q3 2017     Q4 2016  

CCS earnings excluding identified items for current and previous three quarters

     15,764       13,256       7,185  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital employed – average

     282,233       286,723       251,744  

ROACE on a CCS basis excluding identified items

     5.6     4.6     2.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      24  


F. Gearing

Gearing is a key measure of Shell’s capital structure and is calculated as follows.

 

     Quarters  

$ million

  

Dec 31, 2017

   

Sep 30, 2017

   

Dec 31, 2016

 

Current debt

     11,795       8,675       9,484  

Non-current debt

     73,870       79,681       82,992  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt1

     85,665       88,356       92,476  

Less: Cash and cash equivalents

     (20,312     (20,699     (19,130
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net debt

     65,353       67,657       73,346  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Add: Total equity

     197,812       198,533       188,511  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capital

     263,165       266,190       261,857  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gearing

     24.8     25.4     28.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1. Includes finance lease liabilities of $15,525 million at December 31, 2017, $15,400 million at September 30, 2017 and $14,859 million at December 31, 2016.

 

G. Operating expenses

Operating expenses is a measure of Shell’s total operating expenses performance, comprising the following items from the Consolidated Statement of Income: production and manufacturing expenses; selling, distribution and administrative expenses; and research and development expenses. Underlying operating expenses measures Shell’s total operating expenses performance excluding identified items.

 

Quarters    

$ million

   Full year  

Q4 2017

     Q3 2017     Q4 2016          2017     2016  
  6,563        6,497       6,703     Production and manufacturing expenses      26,652       28,434  
  2,953        2,750       2,912     Selling, distribution and administrative expenses      10,509       12,101  
  260        230       280     Research and development      922       1,014  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  9,776        9,477       9,895     Operating expenses      38,083       41,549  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
       Less identified items:     
  (152)        (131     (51  

Redundancy and restructuring charges

     (565     (1,870
  215        (149     —      

Provisions

     38       (915
  —          —         —      

BG acquisition costs

     —         (422

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  63        (280     (51        (527     (3,207

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
  9,839        9,197       9,844    

Underlying operating expenses

     37,556       38,342  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

H. Free cash flow

Free cash flow is used to evaluate cash available for financing activities, including dividend payments, after investment in maintaining and growing our business. It is defined as the sum of “Cash flow from operating activities” and “Cash flow from investing activities” as shown on page 6.

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      25  


CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

All amounts shown throughout this announcement are unaudited. All peak production figures in Portfolio Developments are quoted at 100% expected production.

The companies in which Royal Dutch Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this announcement “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 announcement refer to companies over which Royal Dutch Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. Entities and unincorporated arrangements over which Shell has joint control are generally referred to as “joint ventures” and “joint operations” respectively. Entities over which Shell has significant influence but neither control nor joint control are referred to as “associates”. The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in a venture, partnership or company, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

This announcement 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’’, ‘‘goals’’, ‘‘intend’’, ‘‘may’’, ‘‘objectives’’, ‘‘outlook’’, ‘‘plan’’, ‘‘probably’’, ‘‘project’’, ‘‘risks’’, “schedule”, ‘‘seek’’, ‘‘should’’, ‘‘target’’, ‘‘will’’ 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 announcement, 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) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share 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 regulatory measures addressing climate change; (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. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments. All forward-looking statements contained in this announcement 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. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Royal Dutch Shell’s Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2016 (available at www.shell.com/investor and www.sec.gov). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward-looking statements contained in this announcement and should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this announcement, February 1, 2018. Neither Royal Dutch Shell plc 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 announcement.

This Report contains references to Shell’s website. These references are for the readers’ convenience only. Shell is not incorporating by reference any information posted on www.shell.com

We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this announcement that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov. You can also obtain this form from the SEC by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

This announcement contains inside information.

February 1, 2018

The information in this Report reflects the unaudited consolidated financial position and results of Royal Dutch Shell plc. Company No. 4366849, Registered Office: Shell Centre, London, SE1 7NA, England, UK.

Contacts:

- Linda Szymanski, Company Secretary

- Investor Relations: International + 31 (0) 70 377 4540; North America +1 832 337 2034

- Media: International +44 (0) 207 934 5550; USA +1 832 337 4355

LEI number of Royal Dutch Shell plc: 21380068P1DRHMJ8KU70

Classification: Inside Information

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      26  


APPENDIX

PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

Portfolio Developments for the six months ended June 30, 2017, can be found in Royal Dutch Shell plc Form 6-K filed with the SEC on July 27, 2017. Portfolio Developments for the three months ended September 30, 2017, can be found in Royal Dutch Shell plc Form 6-K filed with the SEC on November 2, 2017.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017

 

    Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $20.3 billion at December 31, 2017, from $20.7 billion at September 30, 2017.

 

    Cash flow from operating activities was an inflow of $7.3 billion for the fourth quarter 2017, driven by fourth quarter earnings, and dividends from joint ventures and associates, partly offset by a negative movement in working capital.

 

    Cash flow from investing activities was an outflow of $0.7 billion, mainly driven by capital expenditure of $5.9 billion partly offset by proceeds from the sale of property, plant, equipment and businesses of $2.9 billion (mainly related to the sale of the package of UK North Sea assets and Gabon onshore assets), and other items (mainly proceeds from the sale of shares in Woodside Petroleum Limited of $2.6 billion).

 

    Cash flow from financing activities was an outflow of $7.1 billion, mainly driven by debt repayments of $4.1 billion, dividend payments to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders of $2.3 billion and interest payments of $0.8 billion.

 

    Total current and non-current debt decreased to $85.7 billion at December 31, 2017, compared with $88.4 billion at September 30, 2017. Total debt excluding finance leases decreased by $2.8 billion and the carrying amount of finance leases increased by $0.1 billion. No debt was issued in the fourth quarter 2017 under the US shelf registration or Euro medium-term note (EMTN) programmes.

 

    Cash dividends paid to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders were $2.3 billion in the fourth quarter 2017, compared with $2.3 billion in the fourth quarter 2016. In addition, $1.6 billion dividends were distributed to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders in the form of scrip dividends in the fourth quarter 2017, compared with $1.5 billion in the fourth quarter 2016.

 

    Dividends of $0.47 per share are announced on February 1, 2018, in respect of the fourth quarter 2017. These dividends are payable on March 26, 2018. In the case of B shares, the dividends will be payable through the dividend access mechanism and are expected to be treated as UK-source rather than Dutch-source. See the Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2016 for additional information on the dividend access mechanism.

 

    Until the third quarter 2017, shareholders could increase their shareholding in Shell by choosing to receive new shares instead of cash dividends under the Scrip Dividend Programme. Only new A shares were issued under the Programme, including to shareholders who hold B shares. Starting the fourth quarter 2017, Shell discontinued the Scrip Dividend Programme.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017

 

    Cash and cash equivalents increased to $20.3 billion at December 31, 2017, from $19.1 billion at December 31, 2016.

 

    Cash flow from operating activities was an inflow of $35.7 billion in 2017, driven by earnings, and dividends from joint ventures and associates, partly offset by a negative movement in working capital.

 

    Cash flow from investing activities was an outflow of $8.0 billion in 2017, mainly driven by capital expenditure of $20.8 billion, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and businesses of $8.8 billion, from the sale of joint ventures and associates of $2.2 billion, and from other items (mainly related to the sale of shares in Woodside) of $1.7 billion.

 

    Cash flow from financing activities was an outflow of $27.1 billion in 2017, mainly driven by debt repayments of $11.7 billion, dividend payments to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders of $10.9 billion, and interest payments of $3.6 billion.

 

    Total current and non-current debt decreased to $85.7 billion at December 31, 2017, compared with $92.5 billion at December 31, 2016. Total debt excluding finance leases decreased by $7.5 billion and the carrying amount of finance leases increased by $0.7 billion. No debt was issued in 2017 under the US shelf registration or Euro medium-term note (EMTN) programmes.

 

    Cash dividends paid to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders were $10.9 billion in 2017, compared with $9.7 billion in 2016. In addition, $4.8 billion dividends were distributed to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders in the form of scrip dividends in 2017, compared with $5.3 billion in 2016.

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      27  


CAPITALISATION AND INDEBTEDNESS

The following table sets out the unaudited consolidated combined capitalisation and indebtedness of Shell at December 31, 2017. This information is derived from the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

CAPITALISATION AND INDEBTEDNESS

   $ million  
     Dec 31, 2017  

Equity attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders

     194,356  

Current debt

     11,795  

Non-current debt

     73,870  

Total debt[A]

     85,665  

Total capitalisation

     280,021  

[A] Of the total carrying amount of debt at December 31, 2017, $69.7 billion was unsecured and $16.0 billion was secured, and $58.6 billion was issued by Shell International Finance B.V., a 100%-owned subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc with its debt guaranteed by Royal Dutch Shell plc (December 31, 2016: $62.4 billion).

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets out the consolidated unaudited ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017:

 

     $ million  
     Years ended December 31  
     2017     2016     2015     2014     2013     2012  

Pre-tax income from continuing operations before income from joint ventures and associates

     13,905       2,061       (1,480     22,198       26,317       41,564  

Total fixed charges

     4,270       3,508       2,495       2,113       1,710       1,712  

Distributed income from joint ventures and associates

     4,998       3,820       4,627       6,902       7,117       10,573  

Interest capitalised

     (622     (725     (839     (757     (762     (567

Total earnings

     22,551       8,664       4,803       30,456       34,382       53,282  

Interest expensed and capitalised

     3,562       2,736       1,795       1,522       1,412       1,461  

Interest within rental expense

     708       772       700       591       298       251  

Total fixed charges

     4,270       3,508       2,495       2,113       1,710       1,712  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     5.28       2.47       1.93       14.41       20.11       31.12  

For the purposes of the table above, “earnings” consists of pre-tax income from continuing operations (before adjustment for non-controlling interest) plus fixed charges (excluding capitalised interest) less undistributed income of joint ventures and associates. Fixed charges consist of expensed and capitalised interest (excluding accretion expense) plus interest within rental expenses (for operating leases).

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc    Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report      28