SCHEDULE 13E3
 

 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13E-3
RULE 13e-3 TRANSACTION STATEMENT UNDER SECTION 13(e)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij
 
(Name of the Issuer)
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company
 
(Translation of Issuer’s name into English)
Royal Dutch Shell plc
Shell Petroleum N.V.
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Statement)
Ordinary Shares of the nominal (par) value of 0.56 Euro (0.56) each
 
(Title of Class of Securities)
780257804
 
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
Michiel Brandjes
Company Secretary
Royal Dutch Shell plc
30, Carel van Bylandtaan
2596 HR The Hague
The Netherlands
+31 70 377 9111
(Name, Address, and Telephone Numbers of Person Authorized to Receive
Notices and Communications on Behalf of Person Filing Statement)
Copy to:
William P. Rogers, Jr., Esq.
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
CityPoint, One Ropemaker Street
London EC2Y 9HR
United Kingdom
+44 207 453 1000
 
 


 

      This statement is filed in connection with (check the appropriate box):
         
a.
  þ   The filing of solicitation materials or an information statement subject to Regulation 14A (§§240.14a-1 through 240.14b-2), Regulation 14C (§§240.14c-1 through 240.14c-101) or Rule 13e-3(c) (§240.13e-3(c)) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”).
b.
  o   The filing of a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933.
c.
  o   A tender offer.
d.
  o   None of the above.
      Check the following box if the soliciting materials or information statement referred to in checking box (a) are preliminary copies: þ
      Check the following box if the filing is a final amendment reporting the results of the transaction: o
         
Calculation of Filing Fee
 
Transaction Valuation       Amount of Filing Fee
         
$1,950,173,939.98*
      $229,535.47**
 
 *  Calculated, solely for the purposes of determining the filing fee, in accordance with Rule 0-11(b)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Determined by multiplying 31,140,057, the number of shares of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company held by shareholders other than Royal Dutch Shell plc, by 52.21, the price to be paid for the shares held by such shareholders, using an exchange rate of 1.1995$/, the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers in foreign currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of October 31, 2005.
 
**  The amount of the filing fee, calculated in accordance with Rule 0-11 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Fee Advisory #6 for Fiscal Year 2005, is equal to 0.01177% of the value of the transaction.
      Check the box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by §240.0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was previously paid. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. o


 

      This Rule 13e-3 Transaction Statement on Schedule 13E-3 together with the exhibits hereto (the “Schedule 13E-3”) is being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by Royal Dutch Shell plc, a public company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales (“Royal Dutch Shell”), and Shell Petroleum N.V., a company organized under the laws of The Netherlands (“Shell Petroleum”) with respect to the ordinary shares of the nominal (par) value of 0.56 Euro (0.56) each (the “Shares”) of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, a company organized under the laws of The Netherlands (“Royal Dutch”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined in this Schedule 13E-3 shall have the meanings given to them in the Disclosure Document attached as Exhibit (a)(3)(A) to this Schedule 13E-3 (including all schedules and annexes thereto, the “Disclosure Document”).
      Pursuant to General Instruction F to Schedule 13E-3, the information contained in the Disclosure Document, including all schedules and annexes thereto, is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in response to items 1 through 15 of the Schedule 13E-3 and is supplemented by the information specifically provided for herein.
Item 1. Summary Term Sheet (Regulation M-A Item 1001).
      The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Summary of the Proposed Transaction” is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2. Subject Company Information (Regulation M-A Item 1002).
      (a) Name and Address. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Companies Involved — Description of Royal Dutch and the Royal Dutch Shares” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (b) Securities. As of November 3, 2005, Royal Dutch had 2,069,520,000 ordinary shares outstanding.
      (c) Trading Market and Price. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Companies Involved — Description of Royal Dutch and the Royal Dutch Shares” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (d) Dividends. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Companies Involved — Description of Royal Dutch and the Royal Dutch Shares” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (e) Prior Public Offerings. Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum have not made an underwritten public offering of the Royal Dutch ordinary shares for cash during the three years preceding the date of the filing of this Schedule 13E-3.
      (f) Prior Stock Purchases. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Companies Involved — Interest of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum in Royal Dutch” is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3. Identity and Background of Filing Person (Regulation M-A Item 1003).
      (a) Name and Address. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Companies Involved — Description of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum” and in Schedule I of the Disclosure Document is incorporated herein by reference.
      (b) Business and Background of Entities. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Companies Involved — Description of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (c) Business and Background of Natural Persons. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Companies Involved — Description of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum” and Schedule I of the Disclosure Document is incorporated herein by reference.

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Item 4. Terms of the Transaction (Regulation M-A Item 1004).
      (a) Material Terms. The information set forth in the sections of the Disclosure Document entitled “Summary of the Proposed Transaction”, “Special Factors”, “Companies Involved”, “The Proposed Transaction” and “Certain U. S. Federal Income Tax and Dutch Tax Consequences” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (c) Different Terms. The information set forth in the sections of the Disclosure Document entitled “Summary of the Proposed Transaction”, “Special Factors — Purposes, Reasons, Fairness, Alternatives and Effects of the Proposed Transaction” and “The Proposed Transaction — Overview of the Proposed Transaction” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (d) Appraisal Rights. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “The Proposed Transaction — Overview of the Proposed Transaction” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (e) Provisions for Unaffiliated Security Holders. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “The Proposed Transaction — Overview of the Proposed Transaction” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (f) Eligibility for Listing or Trading. Not applicable.
Item 5. Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements (Regulation M-A Item 1005).
      (a) Transactions. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Companies Involved — Interest of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum in Royal Dutch” and Schedule I of the Disclosure Document is incorporated herein by reference.
      (b) Significant Corporate Events. The information set forth in the sections of the Disclosure Document entitled “Special Factors” and “Companies Involved — Interest of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum in Royal Dutch” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (c) Negotiations or Contacts. The information set forth in the sections of the Disclosure Document entitled “Special Factors” and “Companies Involved  — Interest of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum in Royal Dutch” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (e) Agreements Involving the Subject Company’s Securities. The information set forth in the sections of the Disclosure Document entitled “Special Factors” and “The Proposed Transaction” is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 6. Purposes of the Transaction and Plans or Proposals (Regulation M-A Item 1006).
      (b) Use of Securities Acquired. The information set forth in the sections of the Disclosure Document entitled “Special Factors — Purposes, Reasons, Fairness, Alternatives and Effects of the Proposed Transaction” and “Special Factors — Intentions of Royal Dutch Shell with Regard to Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (c) Plans. The information set forth in the sections of the Disclosure Document entitled “Summary of the Proposed Transaction”, “Special Factors — Purposes, Reasons, Fairness, Alternatives and Effects of the Proposed Transaction”, “Special Factors — Intentions of Royal Dutch Shell with Regard to Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum” and “The Proposed Transaction” is incorporated herein by reference. Neither of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum nor any person listed in Schedule I of the Disclosure Document has any plans except as described in the information incorporated by reference.
Item 7. Purposes, Alternatives, Reasons and Effects (Regulation M-A Item 1013).
      (a) Purposes. The information set forth in the sections of the Disclosure Document entitled “Summary of the Proposed Transaction” and “Special Factors — Purposes, Reasons, Fairness, Alternatives and Effects of the Proposed Transaction” is incorporated herein by reference.

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      (b) Alternatives. The information set forth in the sections of the Disclosure Document entitled “Summary of the Proposed Transaction” and “Special Factors — Purposes, Reasons, Fairness, Alternatives and Effects of the Proposed Transaction” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (c) Reasons. The information set forth in the sections of the Disclosure Document entitled “Summary of the Proposed Transaction” and “Special Factors — Purposes, Reasons, Fairness, Alternatives and Effects of the Proposed Transaction” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (d) Effects. The information set forth in the sections of the Disclosure Document entitled “Summary of the Proposed Transaction”, “Special Factors — Purposes, Reasons, Fairness, Alternatives and Effects of the Proposed Transaction”, “Special Factors — Intentions of Royal Dutch Shell with Regard to Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum” and “Certain U. S. Federal Income Tax and Dutch Tax Consequences” is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8. Fairness of the Transaction (Regulation M-A Item 1014).
      (a) Fairness. The information set forth in the sections of the Disclosure Document entitled “Special Factors — Background of the Proposed Transaction”, “Special Factors — Purposes, Reasons, Fairness, Alternatives and Effects of the Proposed Transaction — Position on the Fairness of the Proposed Transaction” and “Special Factors — Certain Opinions and Reports” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (b) Factors Considered in Determining Fairness. The information set forth in the sections of the Disclosure Document entitled “Special Factors — Purposes, Reasons, Fairness, Alternatives and Effects of the Proposed Transaction — Position on the Fairness of the Proposed Transaction” and “Special Factors — Certain Opinions and Reports” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (c) Approval of Security Holders. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Special Factors — Purposes, Reasons, Fairness, Alternatives and Effects of the Proposed Transaction — Position on the Fairness of the Proposed Transaction” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (d) Unaffiliated Representatives. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Special Factors — Background of the Proposed Transaction” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (e) Approval of Directors. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Special Factors — Background of the Proposed Transaction” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (f) Other Offers. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Special Factors — Background of the Proposed Transaction” is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9. Reports, Opinions, Appraisals and Negotiations (Regulation M-A Item 1015).
      (a) Report, Opinion or Appraisals. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Special Factors — Certain Opinions and Reports” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (b) Preparer and Summary of the Report. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Special Factors — Certain Opinions and Reports” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (c) Availability of Documents. The information set forth in the sections of the Disclosure Document entitled “Special Factors — Certain Opinions and Reports”, “The Proposed Transaction — Overview of the Proposed Transaction” and “Additional Information” is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 10. Source and Amounts of Funds or Other Consideration (Regulation M-A Item 1007).
      (a) Source of Funds. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “The Proposed Transaction — Source and Amount of Funds” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (b) Conditions. Not applicable.

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      (c) Expenses. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “The Proposed Transaction — Transaction Expenses” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (d) Borrowed Funds. Not applicable.
Item 11. Interest in Securities of the Subject Company (Regulation M-A Item 1008).
      (a) Securities Ownership. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Companies Involved” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (b) Securities Transactions. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Companies Involved — Interest of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum in Royal Dutch” is incorporate herein by reference.
Item 12. The Solicitation or Recommendation (Regulation M-A Item 1012).
      (d) Intent to Tender or Vote in a Going Private Transaction. Not applicable.
      (e) Recommendations of Others. Not Applicable.
Item 13. Financial Statements (Regulation M-A Item 1010).
      (a) Financial Information. The audited financial statements of Royal Dutch for the three years ending December 31, 2004 and the unaudited financial statements of Royal Dutch for the nine months ending September 30, 2004 and September 30, 2005, each of which is attached as an exhibit to the Disclosure Document, are incorporated herein by reference. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Companies Involved — Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Net Book Value” is incorporate herein by reference.
      (b) Pro Forma Information. Not applicable.
Item 14. Persons/Assets, Retained, Employed, Compensated or Used (Regulation M-A Item 1009).
      (a) Solicitations or Recommendations. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Miscellaneous” is incorporated herein by reference.
      (b) Employees and Corporate Assets. The information set forth in the section of the Disclosure Document entitled “Miscellaneous” is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 15. Additional Information (Regulation M-A Item 1011).
      (b) Other Material Information. The Disclosure Document in its entirety is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 16. Exhibits (Regulation M-A Item 1016).
      (a)(3)(A) Disclosure Document, dated November 3, 2005.
      (a)(5)(A) Joint press release of Royal Dutch Shell and Royal Dutch announcing the restructure of certain subsidiaries and intended method of obtaining 100% of Royal Dutch shares, dated September 20, 2005 (incorporated by reference to the joint 6-K furnished by Royal Dutch and Royal Dutch Shell on September 20, 2005).
      (a)(5)(B) Joint press release of Royal Dutch Shell and Royal Dutch announcing the definitive terms of the restructure of certain subsidiaries and intended method of obtaining 100% of Royal Dutch shares, dated October 31, 2005 (incorporated by reference to the joint 6-K furnished by Royal Dutch and Royal Dutch Shell on October 31, 2005).
      (a)(5)(C) Advertisement in connection with the merger, published in NRC Handelsblad on November 1, 2005.

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      (a)(5)(D) Chief Executive’s Letter, dated October 31, 2005 (incorporated by reference to the Form 6-K of Royal Dutch furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 31, 2005).
      (b) Not applicable.
      (c)(A) Opinion of ABN AMRO with respect to the fairness of the exchange ratio and the merger consideration pursuant thereto (Included as Annex A to the Disclosure Document)
      (c)(B) Opinion of ABN AMRO with respect to the loan note consideration (Included as Annex B to the Disclosure Document)
      (c)(C) Presentation of ABN AMRO to the Board of Royal Dutch regarding analyses relating to the fairness opinion.
      (c)(D) Presentation of ABN AMRO to the Board of Royal Dutch regarding analyses relating to the loan note opinion.
      (c)(E) Statement of Deloitte Accountants B.V. pursuant to section 2:328 subsection 1 of the Dutch Civil Code.
      (c)(F) Statement of Ernst & Young Accountants, the Netherlands pursuant to section 2:328 subsection 1 of the Dutch Civil Code.
      (c)(G) Report of Deloitte Accountants B.V. pursuant to section 2:328 subsection 2 of the Dutch Civil Code.
      (c)(H) Report of Ernst & Young Accountants, the Netherlands pursuant to section 2:328 subsection 2 of the Dutch Civil Code
      (d)(A) Implementation Agreement dated May 18, 2005 among Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch, The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c. (incorporated by reference to Annex A of the Registration Statement on Form F-4 of Royal Dutch Shell (Commission File Number 333-125037) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 18, 2005).
      (d)(B) Implementation Agreement among Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch, The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited, Shell Petroleum and The Shell Petroleum Company Limited dated October 31, 2005 (incorporated by reference to the Schedule 13D of Royal Dutch Shell filed on October 31, 2005).
      (d)(C) Merger Proposal, dated October 31, 2005 (incorporated by reference to the Schedule 13D of Royal Dutch Shell filed on October 31, 2005).
      (d)(D) Explanation of Merger Proposal, dated October 31, 2005 (incorporated by reference to the Schedule 13D of Royal Dutch Shell filed on October 31, 2005).
      (f) Not applicable.
      (g) Not applicable.

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SIGNATURE
      After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, the undersigned certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated: November 3, 2005
  ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC
  By:  /s/ Michiel Brandjes
 
 
  Name: Michiel Brandjes
  Title: Company Secretary
 
  SHELL PETROLEUM N.V.
  By:  /s/ Michiel Brandjes
 
 
  Name: Michiel Brandjes
  Title: Attorney-in-Fact

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  ANNEX I
(evidence of signing authority with respect to Shell Petroleum N.V.)
Extract of the MINUTES  of the meeting of the board of management of SHELL PETROLEUM N.V.
  (“Board of Management” or “Board”) held on Wednesday 26 October, 2005, at the office of the company, Carel van Bylandtaan 30, The Hague.
[...]
The majority of the Board of Management were present or represented, and were empowered to take decisions by virtue of Articles 13, 14 and 16 of the Articles of Association. The Board appointed M.C.M. Brandjes as secretary of the meeting.
      Resolutions
  The appointment of Mr M.C.M. Brandjes as person authorised to make any and all filings, deposits and other administrative actions in relation or pursuant to the Implementation Agreement and any and all other related documents required to effect the Unwind, is hereby approved.
[...]
Any other business
      There being no other business, the Chairman closed the meeting.
Certified as true extract of minutes
of the above meeting
/s/ M.C.M. Brandjes
 
M.C.M. Brandjes
Secretary of meeting

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Exhibit Index
      (a)(3)(A) Disclosure Document, dated November 3, 2005.
      (a)(5)(A) Joint press release of Royal Dutch Shell and Royal Dutch announcing the restructure of certain subsidiaries and intended method of obtaining 100% of Royal Dutch shares, dated September 20, 2005 (incorporated by reference to the joint 6-K furnished by Royal Dutch and Royal Dutch Shell on September 20, 2005).
      (a)(5)(B) Joint press release of Royal Dutch Shell and Royal Dutch announcing the definitive terms of the restructure of certain subsidiaries and intended method of obtaining 100% of Royal Dutch shares, dated October 31, 2005 (incorporated by reference to the joint 6-K furnished by Royal Dutch and Royal Dutch Shell on October 31, 2005).
      (a)(5)(C) Advertisement in connection with the merger, published in NRC Handelsblad on November 1, 2005.
      (a)(5)(D) Chief Executive’s Letter, dated October 31, 2005 (incorporated by reference to the Form 6-K of Royal Dutch furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 31, 2005).
      (b) Not applicable.
      (c)(A) Opinion of ABN AMRO with respect to the fairness of the exchange ratio and the merger consideration pursuant thereto (Included as Annex A to the Disclosure Document)
      (c)(B) Opinion of ABN AMRO with respect to the loan note consideration (Included as Annex B to the Disclosure Document)
      (c)(C) Presentation of ABN AMRO to the Board of Royal Dutch regarding analyses relating to the fairness opinion.
      (c)(D) Presentation of ABN AMRO to the Board of Royal Dutch regarding analyses relating to the loan note opinion.
      (c)(E) Statement of Deloitte Accountants B.V. pursuant to section 2:328 subsection 1 of the Dutch Civil Code.
      (c)(F) Statement of Ernst & Young Accountants, the Netherlands pursuant to section 2:328 subsection 1 of the Dutch Civil Code.
      (c)(G) Report of Deloitte Accountants B.V. pursuant to section 2:328 subsection 2 of the Dutch Civil Code.
      (c)(H) Report of Ernst & Young Accountants, the Netherlands pursuant to section 2:328 subsection 2 of the Dutch Civil Code
      (d)(A) Implementation Agreement dated May 18, 2005 among Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch, The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c. (incorporated by reference to Annex A of the Registration Statement on Form F-4 of Royal Dutch Shell (Commission File Number 333-125037) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 18, 2005).
      (d)(B) Implementation Agreement among Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch, The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited, Shell Petroleum and The Shell Petroleum Company Limited dated October 31, 2005 (incorporated by reference to the Schedule 13D of Royal Dutch Shell filed on October 31, 2005).
      (d)(C) Merger Proposal, dated October 31, 2005 (incorporated by reference to the Schedule 13D of Royal Dutch Shell filed on October 31, 2005).
      (d)(D) Explanation of Merger Proposal, dated October 31, 2005 (incorporated by reference to the Schedule 13D of Royal Dutch Shell filed on October 31, 2005).
      (f) Not applicable.
      (g) Not applicable.

9

EXHIBIT 99.A.3.A
Table of Contents

This Disclosure Document is being provided to shareholders of
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company in order to comply with applicable U.S. securities laws.
Disclosure Document
Relating to Merger
of
(CROWN)
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company
(N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij)
with
Shell Petroleum N.V.
an indirect subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc
 
       The proposed merger of the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company (“Royal Dutch”) with Shell Petroleum N.V. (“Shell Petroleum”) in which holders of the outstanding ordinary shares of nominal (par) value of Euro 0.56 (0.56) in the share capital of Royal Dutch (the “Royal Dutch Shares”), other than Royal Dutch Shell plc (“Royal Dutch Shell”), will receive cash (or in the case of eligible UK resident shareholders who so elect, exchangeable loan notes), is subject to the filing, dissemination and disclosure requirements of Rule 13e-3 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). This Disclosure Document is being provided to holders of Royal Dutch Shares in order to comply with Rule 13e-3. Through the transaction described herein, Royal Dutch Shell expects to own all of the interests in Royal Dutch and the existing minority holders of Royal Dutch Shares would be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration of 52.21 per share described herein. Royal Dutch Shell beneficially owns an aggregate of 2,038,380,043 Royal Dutch Shares, which represent approximately 98.5% of the Royal Dutch Shares outstanding.
      Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any securities commission of any state of the United States of America has approved or disapproved of this transaction or passed upon the fairness or merits of this transaction or upon the accuracy or adequacy of the information contained in this document. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
      This Disclosure Document is not an offer to purchase loan notes, Royal Dutch Shell shares or Royal Dutch Shares. The loan notes, and the Royal Dutch Shell shares for which they may be exchanged, are only available to eligible UK resident shareholders who so elect and give appropriate representations. The loan notes and such Royal Dutch Shell shares are not offered and will not be issued in the United States or to U.S. persons and have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be reoffered, resold or otherwise transferred in the United States or to U.S. persons unless an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available.
      The loan notes, and the Royal Dutch Shell shares for which they may be exchanged, are not offered to persons who are established, domiciled or resident in The Netherlands. Shell Petroleum N.V. as issuer of the loan notes has submitted a statement to The Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets that the laws and regulations of the jurisdiction in which the loan notes are offered have been and will be complied with.
The date of this Disclosure Document is November 3, 2005.
(PECTEN)


Table of Contents

General Information
      In this Disclosure Document:
  •  “Minority Holders” means, collectively, all of the holders of Royal Dutch Shares other than Royal Dutch Shell and Royal Dutch.
 
  •  “Royal Dutch Shell” refers to Royal Dutch Shell plc, a public company incorporated in England and Wales.
 
  •  “Royal Dutch” refers to N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij (also known as Royal Dutch Petroleum Company), a company organized under the laws of The Netherlands.
 
  •  “the Shell Group” means, collectively, Royal Dutch Shell and its subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings.
 
  •  “Shell Petroleum” refers to Shell Petroleum N.V., a company organized under the laws of The Netherlands.
 
  •  “Shell Transport” refers to The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited (previously known as The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c.), a company incorporated in England and Wales.
 
  •  “SPCo” refers to The Shell Petroleum Company Limited, a company incorporated in England and Wales.
 
  •  “U.S. dollars” or “$” refers to U.S. currency, “pounds sterling,” “£” or “pence” refers to UK currency, and “euro” or “” refers to the currency established for participating member states of the European Union as of the beginning of stage three of the European Monetary Union on January 1, 1999.
      Certain other terms are defined in other sections of this Disclosure Document.
      All references to the percentage ownership of Royal Dutch Shell of Royal Dutch Shares in this Disclosure Document are based on 2,069,520,000 Royal Dutch Shares currently outstanding.
Forward-Looking Statements
      The SEC encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand a company’s future prospects and make informed investment decisions. This Disclosure Document contains historical and forward-looking statements concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch, Shell Petroleum and the Shell Group. 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, Royal Dutch, Shell Petroleum or the Shell Group to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “objectives”, “outlook”, “probably”, “project”, “will”, “seek”, “target”, “risks”, “goals”, “should” and similar terms and phrases.
      The following factors could affect the future operations of Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch or the Shell Group and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this Disclosure Document:
  •  the failure to fulfill any conditions of, and/or the failure to obtain any necessary consents and approvals necessary in order to consummate, the Proposed Transaction;
 
  •  the failure of the Proposed Transaction to achieve the expected benefits;
 
  •  the costs related to the Proposed Transaction; and
 
  •  other factors affecting the Shell Group’s businesses generally, including, but not limited to, price fluctuations in crude oil, natural gas and refined products, changes in demand for the Shell Group’s products, currency fluctuations, drilling and production results, reserve estimates, loss of market, industry competition, environmental risks, physical risks, risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets and successful negotiation and consummation of such transactions, the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including potential litigation and regulatory effects arising from recategorization of reserves, economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions, political risks, project delay or advancement, approvals and cost estimates.
      All forward-looking statements contained in this Disclosure Document are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement. None of Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch, Shell Petroleum or any member of the Shell Group 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 the forward-looking statements contained in this Disclosure Document.


TABLE OF CONTENTS
             
I.
   SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION   1
II.
   SPECIAL FACTORS   5
    1.    Background of the Unification Transaction   5
    2.    Background of the Proposed Transaction   7
    3.    Purposes, Reasons, Fairness, Alternatives and Effects of the Proposed Transaction   10
         (a) Purposes and Reasons   10
         (b) Position on the Fairness of the Proposed Transaction   11
         (c) Alternatives Considered   15
         (d) Effects of the Proposed Transaction   15
    4.    Certain Opinions and Reports   16
         (a) Opinions of ABN AMRO   16
         (b) Reports of independent accountants   29
    5.    Intentions of Royal Dutch Shell with Regard to Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum   30
III.
   COMPANIES INVOLVED   30
    1.    Description of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum   30
         (a) Royal Dutch Shell   30
         (b) Shell Petroleum   31
         (c) Securities Proceedings   31
    2.    Description of Royal Dutch and the Royal Dutch Shares   32
    3.    Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Net Book Value   35
    4.    Interest of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum in Royal Dutch   35
IV.
   THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION   36
    1.    Overview of the Proposed Transaction   36
    2.    Conditions to the Proposed Transaction   39
    3.    Source and Amount of Funds   40
    4.    Transaction Expenses   40
V.
   CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX AND DUTCH TAX CONSEQUENCES   40
    1.    Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Proposed Transaction   40
    2.    Material Dutch Tax Consequences of the Proposed Transaction   42
VI.
   MISCELLANEOUS   43
VII.
   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION   43
 SCHEDULE I   45
 ANNEX A    
    Opinion of ABN AMRO with respect to the fairness of the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto   A-1
 ANNEX B    
    Opinion of ABN AMRO with respect to the Loan Note Consideration   B-1
 INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   F-1

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I.     SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION
      The summary that follows highlights important information about the effect on the Minority Holders of the proposed merger of Royal Dutch with Shell Petroleum. This proposed merger forms part of a series of transactions that would reorganize the ownership interests of Royal Dutch Shell and certain of its subsidiaries into a Dutch fiscal group and a UK fiscal group. This summary is, however, intended to be an overview only. For a more complete description of the proposed restructuring transactions, you should read carefully this entire Disclosure Document, and the related documents described in this Disclosure Document, including any accompanying documents, because this summary may not answer all of your questions.
The Proposed Transaction
What is the Proposed Transaction?
      Royal Dutch Shell proposes to engage in certain transactions that would reorganize the ownership interests of Royal Dutch Shell and certain of its subsidiaries into a Dutch fiscal group and a UK fiscal group. As part of these transactions, Royal Dutch will merge into Shell Petroleum through a statutory merger under Dutch law (the “Merger”) on a basis whereby each Minority Holder would be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration described below per Royal Dutch Share held by such holder immediately prior to the Merger. These transactions, including the Merger, are referred to herein as the “Proposed Transaction”.
      As described below, the Proposed Transaction is expected to be completed on or about December 21, 2005.
      For more information, see Section IV, “The Proposed Transaction”.
What effect will the Merger have on Royal Dutch and my Royal Dutch Shares?
      Upon completion of the Merger, Shell Petroleum will be the surviving entity and Royal Dutch and, therefore, the Royal Dutch Shares, will cease to exist. Due to this, trading of the Royal Dutch Shares will cease, the registration of the Royal Dutch Shares under the Exchange Act will be terminated and Shell Petroleum, as the successor of Royal Dutch, will not be subject to the periodic reporting obligations of the Exchange Act or otherwise be subject to the U.S. Federal securities laws applicable to public companies.
      Under the terms of the Merger, Royal Dutch Shell will be allotted 105 Class A shares of Shell Petroleum, being one Class A share for every 31,978,937 Royal Dutch Shares held by it, and thereafter one Class B share of Shell Petroleum for 28,521,530 Royal Dutch Shares held by it (the ratio of allotment of Royal Dutch Shares to Shell Petroleum Class A shares to Shell Petroleum Class B share is referred to herein as the “Exchange Ratio”). As the Minority Holders collectively hold less than 31,978,937 Royal Dutch Shares, each of them only has a “fractional entitlement” to a Shell Petroleum share. Under Dutch law, holders of fractional entitlements in a statutory merger are only entitled to receive financial consideration rather than shares. The Proposed Transaction is structured, and the Exchange Ratio was determined, so that Royal Dutch Shell would receive shares in Shell Petroleum and all Minority Holders would be entitled to fractional entitlements.
      For more information on the effect of the Merger, see Section II.3(d), “Special Factors — Purposes, Reasons, Fairness, Alternatives and Effects of the Proposed Transaction — Effects of the Proposed Transaction” and Section IV.1, “The Proposed Transaction — Overview of the Proposed Transaction”.
What will I receive for my Royal Dutch Shares?
      Each Minority Holder will be entitled to receive for their Royal Dutch Shares cash equivalent to 52.21 per Royal Dutch Share (the “Merger Consideration”). Holders of Royal Dutch Shares on the applicable record date will also receive the Royal Dutch interim dividend for the third quarter of 2005 of 0.46 per share (or $0.5556 per share for holders of New York registered shares), which will be payable on December 15, 2005.
      As in Dutch statutory squeeze out proceedings, the terms of the Merger provide (a) for interest to accrue on the Merger Consideration at the statutory rate of 4% per annum from October 31, 2005 until the effective date of the Merger (expected to be December 21, 2005), as part of the consideration under the Merger, and (b) for any dividends payable in that period (before the deduction of any withholding tax from such dividend) to be deducted

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from that interest amount (the sum being, “Interest”). As the interim dividend will exceed the amount of interest accrued at 4% per annum to December 21, 2005 (the expected effective date of the Merger), no Interest is expected to be payable.
      Payments to holders of New York registered shares will be made in U.S. dollars based on the noon buying rate for euro in the City of New York for cable transfers as certified for customs purposes and as announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the business day prior to the effective date of the Merger (which is expected to be December 21, 2005). Payments to holders of Hague registered or bearer shares will be made in euro. Minority Holders that are eligible UK residents and that have given appropriate representations will be entitled to elect to receive certain exchangeable loan notes in lieu of the aggregate Merger Consideration such holders would otherwise receive. Eligible holders who so elect will also be entitled to receive payment of the interim dividend and Interest, if any. Information regarding the exchangeable loan notes will be separately made available to eligible UK resident holders.
Has Royal Dutch taken a position with respect to the Proposed Transaction?
      The Board of Royal Dutch has unanimously reached the conclusion, on the basis of the considerations described in this Disclosure Document, that the Proposed Transaction is fair to and in the best interest of Royal Dutch and the enterprise associated with Royal Dutch and is fair to the Minority Holders. The Board of Royal Dutch has received a written opinion dated October 31, 2005 from its financial advisor, ABN AMRO Bank N.V. (“ABN AMRO”) that, as at October 31, 2005, based upon and subject to matters considered, assumptions used and qualifications set forth therein, the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto are fair, from a financial point of view, to the Minority Holders who will receive the Merger Consideration in the Merger.
      For more information about the fairness of the Proposed Transaction to the Minority Holders, see Section II.3(b), “Special Factors — Purposes, Reasons, Fairness, Alternatives and Effects of the Proposed Transaction — Position on the Fairness of the Proposed Transaction” and Section II.4, “Special Factors — Certain Opinions and Reports”.
How will I receive the Merger Consideration?
      Payment of the Merger Consideration (and Interest, if any) will be made by Shell Petroleum.
      For New York registered Royal Dutch Shares held through a bank or broker account utilizing the Depository Trust Company as custodian, payment will be made to the Depository Trust Company for further credit to each bank or broker account through which such Shares are held.
      For New York registered Royal Dutch Shares (other than those holding through a bank or broker account utilizing the Depository Trust Company as custodian), payment will be made to the account indicated by each Minority Holder in the Letter of Transmittal which will be sent to all holders of New York registered Royal Dutch Shares. Minority Holders of New York registered Royal Dutch Shares will be required to surrender their share certificates to receive payment. Instructions for surrendering share certificates will be set forth in such Letter of Transmittal.
      For Royal Dutch Shares in bearer form which are held through the Dutch central securities depositary, Euroclear Nederland (“Euroclear Nederland”), payment will be made to Euroclear Nederland which will distribute the funds to Minority Holders through its member institutions on the basis of the terms and conditions for such institutions.
      For Hague registered Royal Dutch Shares, payment of the Merger Consideration will be made to the account most recently indicated by each Minority Holder for the payment of dividends. Minority Holders of Hague registered Royal Dutch Shares who have not given account information, or who have given inaccurate account information, will receive payment upon providing evidence of ownership and information which allows Shell Petroleum to make payment.
      For Royal Dutch Shares in bearer form which are untraceable and for Royal Dutch Shares in bearer form represented by bearer certificates provided with separate dividend coupons (“K-certificates” or “K-stukken”),

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payment will be made upon the presentation of the certificates representing such shares: (i) for the period commencing on the effective date of the Merger (which is expected to be December 21, 2005) and ending December 31, 2006, to ABN AMRO, Issuing Institutions — Corporate Actions MF 2020, Kemelstede 2, 4817 ST Breda, The Netherlands; and (ii) for the period commencing on January 1, 2007 until the twentieth anniversary of the effective date of the Merger, to the registered address of Shell Petroleum in The Netherlands (currently, Carel van Bylandtlaan 30, 2596 HR The Hague, The Netherlands).
      After the twentieth anniversary of the effective date of the Merger, all rights to receive the Merger Consideration (and Interest, if any) will be forfeited.
      In the case of eligible UK resident Minority Holders electing to receive exchangeable loan notes, such loan notes will be issued in the manner described in the information made available to such holders.
What are the conditions to the Proposed Transaction
      Pursuant to an implementation agreement (the “Implementation Agreement”) among Royal Dutch, Shell Petroleum, Royal Dutch Shell, Shell Transport and SPCo, the completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to certain conditions, including the requirement for the adoption of certain resolutions to be passed at a Royal Dutch Extraordinary General Meeting (“EGM”). Royal Dutch Shell intends to vote its entire shareholding interest (approximately 98.5%) in favor of these resolutions and, accordingly, these resolutions can be adopted without the vote of the Minority Holders. If the Proposed Transaction is not completed before January 1, 2006, the Implementation Agreement may be terminated by Royal Dutch Shell or Royal Dutch.
      For more information, see Section IV.2, “The Proposed Transaction — Conditions to the Proposed Transaction”.
When is the EGM and when is the Proposed Transaction expected to be completed?
      Royal Dutch will convene the EGM for December 16, 2005, at 2.00 pm Central European time, at Carel van Bylandtlaan 16, 2596 HR The Hague, The Netherlands. Shareholders of Royal Dutch will separately be provided notice of the EGM and proxy materials in accordance with Dutch requirements and applicable New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) requirements.
      The Proposed Transaction is expected to be completed on or about December 21, 2005.
      For more information, see Section IV.1, “The Proposed Transaction — Overview of the Proposed Transaction”.
Background of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum
What is the relationship between Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum?
      Royal Dutch Shell is a public company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. As a result of the Unification Transaction (as defined below), Royal Dutch Shell became the parent company of Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and Shell Petroleum.
      Royal Dutch is a company organized under the laws of The Netherlands. As a result of the Unification Transaction (as defined below), Royal Dutch Shell owns approximately 98.5% of the outstanding Royal Dutch Shares.
      Shell Petroleum, a company organized under the laws of The Netherlands, is wholly owned by Royal Dutch and Shell Transport in the ratio of 60:40.
      As part of the Proposed Transaction, Royal Dutch will merge into Shell Petroleum, with Royal Dutch disappearing and Shell Petroleum surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell.
      For more information, see the description of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum in Section III.1, “Companies Involved — Description of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum” and the description of Royal Dutch in Section III.2, “Companies Involved — Description of Royal Dutch and the Royal Dutch Shares”.

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How did Royal Dutch Shell acquire such Royal Dutch Shares?
      On July 20, 2005, Royal Dutch Shell became the parent company of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport and, through Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, the Shell Group following (a) the registration by the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales of the order of the High Court of Justice in England and Wales sanctioning the scheme of arrangement of Shell Transport under English law (the “Scheme”) and (b) Royal Dutch Shell’s confirmation that the exchange offer (the “Exchange Offer”, and, together with the Scheme, the “Unification Transaction”) for all of the Royal Dutch Shares, commenced on May 19, 2005, had become unconditional (gestanddoening). As a result of the Exchange Offer, including the subsequent offer acceptance period, Royal Dutch Shell acquired, and currently holds, approximately 98.5% of the outstanding Royal Dutch Shares.
      For more information regarding Royal Dutch Shell’s acquisition of these Royal Dutch Shares, see Section II.1, “Special Factors — Background of the Unification Transaction”.
Purpose of the Proposed Transaction
What is the purpose of the Proposed Transaction?
      The primary purpose of the Proposed Transaction is to achieve governance, management, and fiscal efficiencies for the Shell Group. The Merger will simplify the organizational structure of the Shell Group and eliminate the potential investor confusion of having, and the duplicative and administrative burdens associated with maintaining, two publicly held holding companies in the Shell Group. The Proposed Transaction will also allow the Shell Group to realize overall tax efficiencies for 2005 and thereafter by unifying the Dutch tax resident companies into one Dutch fiscal group and the UK tax resident companies into another fiscal group. In particular, completion of the Merger in 2005 will allow for tax consolidation of Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum under Dutch law from January 1, 2005. If the Proposed Transaction is not completed before January 1, 2006, the Implementation Agreement may be terminated by Royal Dutch Shell or Royal Dutch.
      The Merger will also allow Royal Dutch Shell to acquire 100% of the interests in Royal Dutch as contemplated in the Unification Transaction, on a basis that is likely to be less time consuming and procedurally more efficient than the implementation of statutory squeeze out proceedings under Dutch law. Royal Dutch Shell has resolved to initiate statutory squeeze out proceedings in relation to Royal Dutch, if for any reason it should be impossible to complete the Merger. A squeeze out would result in all Minority Holders receiving a cash payment in exchange for their Royal Dutch Shares. An additional benefit of the Merger compared with Dutch statutory squeeze out proceedings is that it allows the offer of exchangeable loan notes to eligible UK resident Minority Holders.
      For more information regarding the purposes of the Proposed Transaction, see Section II.3(a), “Special Factors — Purposes, Reasons, Fairness, Alternatives and Effects of the Proposed Transaction — Purposes and Reasons”.
Financing of the Proposed Transaction
Does Shell Petroleum have available the financial resources necessary to make payment for the outstanding Royal Dutch Shares?
      Shell Petroleum has available sufficient funds to pay the Merger Consideration for all outstanding Royal Dutch Shares held by the Minority Holders. The total amount of funds that may be required to pay the Merger Consideration is approximately 1.6 billion or approximately $2.0 billion based on the noon buying rate as of October 28, 2005 (assuming all Minority Holders receive cash).
      For more information about the financing of the Proposed Transaction described in this Disclosure Document, see Section IV.3, “The Proposed Transaction — Source and Amount of Funds”.

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Tax Consequences
How will U.S. shareholders be taxed for U.S. Federal income tax purposes?
      A U.S. holder will recognize capital gain or loss upon the Merger in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of Merger Consideration and such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Royal Dutch Shares.
How will Dutch shareholders be taxed for Dutch tax purposes?
      Capital gains realized by Dutch individuals on the disposition of Royal Dutch Shares will generally not be subject to Dutch taxation. However, capital gains realized by Dutch entities on the disposition of Royal Dutch Shares will generally be subject to Dutch corporate income tax at statutory rates.
          You are urged to consult your own tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences to you of the disposition of your Royal Dutch Shares.
      For more information regarding the U.S. Federal income tax and Dutch tax consequences of the offer to U.S. and Dutch taxpayers, see Section V, “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax and Dutch Tax Consequences”.
General
Why am I receiving this Disclosure Document?
      You are receiving this Disclosure Document because the Proposed Transaction described in this Disclosure Document is expected to cause there to be fewer than 300 holders of record of Royal Dutch Shares and result in deregistering the Royal Dutch Shares under the Exchange Act. Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum are therefore required by applicable U.S. Federal securities laws in connection with the Proposed Transaction to provide this Disclosure Document to the Minority Holders.
Where can I obtain additional information?
      Additional information relating to the Proposed Transaction may be found on www.shell.com/royaldutchmerger. Neither the website, nor its content, is incorporated by reference herein. The SEC also maintains an internet website that contains reports and other information about issuers, such as Royal Dutch, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.
      If you have further questions about the Proposed Transaction, you should contact:
  •  If your Royal Dutch Shares are held on the New York register, please contact The Bank of New York by telephone on +1 888 737 2377 or, if you are outside the United States, on +1 212 815 3700.
 
  •  If you hold your Royal Dutch Shares through a financial institution affiliated with Euroclear Nederland or if you hold K-certificates, please contact your bank or broker or, alternatively, ABN AMRO Bank N.V. by telephone on +31 (0)20 383 6707 or by email at: prospectus@nl.abnamro.com.
 
  •  If your Royal Dutch Shares are held in your name on the The Hague register, please contact N.V. Algemeen Nederlands Trustkantoor ANT by telephone on +31 (0)20 522 2510 or by email at: registers@ant-trust.nl.
      See Section VII, “Additional Information”, for further details.
II.     SPECIAL FACTORS
1.     Background of the Unification Transaction
      Royal Dutch Shell recently completed the Unification Transaction as a result of which Royal Dutch Shell became the single ultimate parent company of Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and their subsidiaries. The Unification Transaction involved (i) the Exchange Offer in which Royal Dutch Shell acquired approximately 98.5% of the outstanding Royal Dutch Shares in exchange for Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares and

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(ii) the Scheme pursuant to which Royal Dutch Shell became the owner of 100% of the ordinary shares of Shell Transport and former holders of Shell Transport ordinary shares received Royal Dutch Shell Class B ordinary shares.
      Prior to the consummation of the Unification Transaction, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport were separate publicly traded companies that, pursuant to agreements entered into in 1906 and 1907, had combined their interests in the oil industry. Their operating businesses were held by two intermediate holding companies, Shell Petroleum and SPCo, and Royal Dutch and Shell Transport shared in the aggregate net assets and in the aggregate dividends and interest received from Shell Petroleum and SPCo in the ratio of 60:40, respectively. Royal Dutch was entitled to have its nominees elected as a majority of the members of the boards of directors of Shell Petroleum and SPCo, and Shell Transport was entitled to have its nominees elected as a minority of the members of the boards of Shell Petroleum and SPCo. These agreements were terminated as part of the Unification Transaction on July 20, 2005.
      In 2004, the respective Boards of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport considered various alternatives to restructure Royal Dutch and Shell Transport and Shell Petroleum and SPCo which would (i) simplify the boards and executive management and the perception thereof, (ii) improve decision making processes at Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and Shell Petroleum and SPCo and (iii) enhance effective leadership for the combined entity as a whole. A single parent company structure, as embodied in the Unification Transaction, was ultimately decided upon as it would (i) simplify the corporate structure, (ii) maintain the tax treatment of dividends for shareholders through the use of two classes of shares, (iii) remove the risk of a conflict between the decision-making bodies of the public parent companies, (iv) simplify the raising of capital in the future, (v) reduce regulatory burdens resulting from having two publicly-traded parent companies, (vi) provide clarity and simplicity in both management and corporate structure, (vii) improve efficiency with clear lines of authority and an empowered Chief Executive, (viii) enhance accountability through improved clarity in governance and (ix) provide financial and strategic flexibility.
      On May 18, 2005, Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport entered into the implementation agreement in respect of the Unification Transaction setting forth, inter alia, the conditions to and conduct of the Unification Transaction, the recommendation and approvals of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport in connection with the Exchange Offer and the Scheme, and the corporate governance being implemented in connection with the Unification Transaction. Pursuant to such implementation agreement, Royal Dutch Shell agreed with Royal Dutch and Shell Transport to make the Exchange Offer on the terms set out in the offer documents with respect thereto. Royal Dutch agreed, subject to its directors’ fiduciary duties, to use all reasonable endeavors to procure the satisfaction of the conditions to the Exchange Offer and to implement the Exchange Offer in accordance with its terms as set out in the offer documents. In addition, Royal Dutch Shell agreed not to vary, terminate or withdraw the Exchange Offer or to waive the conditions to the Exchange Offer or to determine whether such conditions had been satisfied without the prior written consent of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport.
      The Exchange Offer commenced on May 19, 2005, and was declared unconditional (gestand gedaan) on July 20, 2005, as a result of which Royal Dutch Shell acquired approximately 92% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Royal Dutch in exchange for Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares (or ADRs representing such shares). The Scheme was approved by the High Court on July 19, 2005. On July 20, 2005, Royal Dutch Shell became the owner of 100% of the ordinary shares of Shell Transport and former holders of Shell Transport ordinary shares received Royal Dutch Shell Class B ordinary shares (or ADRs representing such shares). Royal Dutch Shell also commenced a subsequent offer acceptance period on July 20, 2005, during which the remaining holders of Royal Dutch Shares were permitted to tender their shares in exchange for Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares (or ADRs), in accordance with the procedures described in the Exchange Offer. The subsequent offer acceptance period expired on August 9, 2005. As a result of the Exchange Offer, including the subsequent offer acceptance period, Royal Dutch Shell acquired, and currently holds, approximately 98.5% of the outstanding Royal Dutch Shares.
      The Unification Transaction (including the Exchange Offer) is described in further detail in the prospectus dated May 19, 2005 (the “Prospectus”), previously made available to holders of Royal Dutch Shares and

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originally filed with the SEC as part of the Registration Statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-125037) on May 18, 2005.
2.     Background of the Proposed Transaction
      In connection with the Unification Transaction, Royal Dutch Shell stated that if it acquired at least 95% of the issued share capital of Royal Dutch it expected, but was not obligated, to initiate squeeze out proceedings with a view to acquiring 100% of the outstanding share capital of Royal Dutch. Royal Dutch Shell further stated that it reserved the right to use any other legally permitted method to obtain 100% of the Royal Dutch Shares, including engaging in one or more corporate restructuring transactions such as a merger, liquidation, transfer of assets or conversion of Royal Dutch into another form or entity or changing the Royal Dutch articles of association to alter the corporate or capital structure in a manner beneficial to Royal Dutch Shell, or engaging in one or more transactions with Minority Holders including public or private exchanges or tender offers or purchases for consideration which may consist of Royal Dutch Shell shares, other securities or cash. On July 26, 2005, the Board of Royal Dutch Shell was advised that there were likely to be governance, tax and management benefits in eliminating the existing 60:40 cross-holdings of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport in Shell Petroleum and SPCo and that it may be possible to acquire the minority interest in Royal Dutch as part of such an “unwind” transaction. The Board of Royal Dutch Shell was also advised that several alternative transactions were under review by management to obtain 100% of the Royal Dutch Shares following completion of the Exchange Offer, including a statutory squeeze out, a statutory merger that could include cash payment provisions and transactions that would not involve a compulsory acquisition, such as open market purchases. It was noted that an extraordinary general meeting of Royal Dutch shareholders would likely be required for any unwind transaction. Finally, the Board of Royal Dutch Shell was informed that further study was required on the alternatives (including whether it may be possible to offer a loan note alternative to UK resident holders), and the technical feasibility of such alternatives, and that any decision on the acquisition of the minority interest in Royal Dutch could only occur once the final size and nature of the minority interest was determined. No actions were taken by the Board of Royal Dutch Shell and management was asked to report in more detail in September.
      On September 19, 2005, the Board of Royal Dutch Shell considered a proposal for the unwind of the 60:40 cross-holdings of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport in Shell Petroleum and SPCo, including a merger of Royal Dutch into Shell Petroleum, to achieve governance, management and fiscal efficiencies for the Shell Group. It was noted that, as part of the unwind proposal, it would be possible to structure the merger so as to acquire the approximately 1.5% interest of the Minority Holders in Royal Dutch and to offer exchangeable loan notes to UK resident Minority Holders. The Board of Royal Dutch Shell approved making the unwind proposal, including the acquisition of the interests of each Minority Holder for cash (or if such Minority Holder is an eligible UK resident then, at the option of such Minority Holder, exchangeable loan notes in lieu of cash). The proposal was subject to final consideration of all aspects of the matter, including the amount of the cash to be paid, as well as other possible alternative transactions, at a subsequent meeting of the Board of Royal Dutch Shell and the Boards of Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum.
      On September 19, 2005, the Boards of Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum considered the proposal for the Proposed Transaction and noted that the definitive terms and associated risks would be fully evaluated at a later meeting. The Boards of Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum resolved to engage Deloitte Accountants B.V. (“Deloitte”) and Ernst & Young Accountants, The Netherlands (“E&Y”), respectively, and, in the case of Royal Dutch, ABN AMRO, to provide certifications, reports and opinions in connection with the Proposed Transaction.
      On October 26, 2005, the Boards of Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum each met to consider the proposed definitive terms of the Proposed Transaction, as well as certain alternatives. Also participating or providing advice were representatives of management; De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek N.V. (“De Brauw”), Dutch counsel to Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum; Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (“Cravath”), United States counsel to Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum; Slaughter and May, English counsel to Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum; and ABN AMRO.
      De Brauw informed the Boards of the legal obligations under Dutch law in connection with the Proposed Transaction. In particular, De Brauw informed the Board of Royal Dutch of the requirement that it act in the best interest of Royal Dutch and the enterprise associated with Royal Dutch and that this obligation requires the Board

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to carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of a proposed course of action and to consider the alternatives from the perspective of the interest of Royal Dutch and not solely from the perspective of one shareholder or one group of shareholders. De Brauw informed the Board of Royal Dutch that it must weigh the interests of all relevant parties in a balanced and reasonable manner and that it has broad discretion to resolve upon the course of action which the Board reasonably believes to be in the best interest of Royal Dutch and the enterprise associated with Royal Dutch. De Brauw noted that the Board should give particular attention to the fact that all members of the Board of Royal Dutch are also members of the Board of Royal Dutch Shell and that Dutch law requires the Board of Royal Dutch to be conscious of the fact that there might be a conflict of interest and to disclose this to shareholders at the EGM, but that in the present case it was not required for the Board of Royal Dutch to form a special committee or for directors to recuse themselves from one board or the other. De Brauw advised that it would be prudent, given its fiduciary duties to the Minority Holders, for the Board of Royal Dutch to engage an independent financial adviser to assist the Board in determining that the Proposed Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Minority Holders. De Brauw also noted the unprecedented nature of the Merger and advised the Board of Royal Dutch that in the context of the Merger the Board should be satisfied that the Minority Holders are treated reasonably and that in particular the cash amount payable to the Minority Holders should not be less than the Minority Holders may reasonably expect to receive in a statutory squeeze out procedure. De Brauw advised that the Board should also be satisfied that Royal Dutch or members of the Board are not in possession, as of the time on which the Exchange Ratio is determined by the Board or a committee thereof, of undisclosed price sensitive information regarding Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch or any of their shares. Further, De Brauw advised that the Board of Royal Dutch should be satisfied that the value of a loan note is not more than the cash amount payable in respect of a Royal Dutch Share. De Brauw also advised the Board of Royal Dutch that in connection with a squeeze out under Dutch law, based on precedent transactions involving earlier exchange offers, it is a “near certainty” that a Dutch court would base the amount of cash consideration on the exchange ratio in the Exchange Offer which was two Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares for every Royal Dutch Share. However, De Brauw advised that it is less clear to establish which date and time a Dutch court would use to determine the cash value of the consideration, although most precedent cases seem to “pick” the date of the offer becoming unconditional or the date of first settlement thereafter, without clarification as to the opening or closing price. De Brauw also advised that the Dutch court would want to be satisfied that since the relevant date for determining the cash value of the consideration, there has been no change in circumstances which could change its determination of the value of the shares held by the minority shareholders. Finally, De Brauw advised that in a squeeze out, interest at the statutory interest rate on the cash amount is payable from the date when the court determines the valuation and any dividends declared after such date and before the date of payment are deducted from such interest. De Brauw confirmed to the Board of Royal Dutch that no precedents had been found where a Dutch court has determined that the price should be less than the value of the original offer.
      Cravath informed the Boards of the requirements of Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act. Slaughter and May informed the Boards of the terms of the exchangeable loan notes that eligible UK resident holders may elect to receive.
      Management presented to the Boards the proposed methodology for determining the value of the Merger Consideration. Management recommended that the Merger Consideration be determined by taking the highest of: (i) two times the opening price of Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares as of July 20, 2005 on Euronext Amsterdam, (ii) the average of the Royal Dutch Share closing price on Euronext Amsterdam from July 20, 2005 through September 30, 2005 (the last day of exchange trading of Royal Dutch Shares before the Merger Consideration is set), (iii) two times the average of the Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary share closing price on Euronext Amsterdam from July 20, 2005 through the last trading day of Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares before the Merger Consideration is set (the “Last RDS-A Trading Day”), (iv) two times the trailing five day average of the Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary share closing price on Euronext Amsterdam through the Last RDS-A Trading Day or (v) two times the trailing two day average of the Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary share closing price on Euronext Amsterdam through the Last RDS-A Trading Day.
      ABN AMRO presented to the Boards their analyses relating to (i) the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto to the Minority Holders who will

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receive the Merger Consideration in the Merger. and (ii) whether the value of the exchangeable loan notes to be offered to eligible UK resident Minority Holders, when issued, will be greater than the value of the Merger Consideration, and informed the Board of Royal Dutch that they would expect to deliver their written opinions once the proposed amount of the Merger Consideration was determined in accordance with the pricing methodology approved by the Boards. For further discussion of ABN AMRO’s opinions, see Section II.4(a), “Special Factors — Certain Opinions and Reports — Opinions of ABN AMRO”.
      The Boards also took note of the proposed terms of the Implementation Agreement, and, in particular, the requirements to use all reasonable endeavors, subject to their director’s fiduciary duties, to procure the satisfaction of the conditions set out in the Implementation Agreement and to implement the Proposed Transaction.
      The Board considered the documents presented at the meeting and the advice of De Brauw, Cravath, Slaughter and May and the analyses of ABN AMRO and, in particular, their attention was drawn to the risks associated with the Merger and their duties to the Minority Holders under Dutch law. For discussion of the factors considered by the Board of Royal Dutch, see Section II.3(b) “Special Factors — Purposes, Reasons, Fairness, Alternatives and Effects of the Proposed Transaction — Position on the Fairness of the Proposed Transaction”.
      As the Boards were aware that Royal Dutch Shell would release its financial results for the third quarter of 2005 at the opening of business on October 27, 2005, each Board resolved to establish a Board Committee (collectively, the “Pricing Committees”) for the purpose of determining the Merger Consideration and receiving the ABN AMRO opinions at a later date. The members of the Pricing Committees of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum were Messrs van der Veer and Voser. The members of the Pricing Committee of Royal Dutch were Messrs van der Veer and Jacobs. The authority of each Pricing Committee was limited to determining the Merger Consideration in accordance with the pricing methodology approved by the relevant Board, and doing all such acts and things, and approving any changes to and executing and delivering any documents, deemed necessary, desirable or appropriate in connection with the Proposed Transaction. Each Board further resolved that the pricing methodology as recommended by management was fair to the Minority Shareholders and such pricing methodology was accordingly approved. Each Board further resolved to conditionally approve the other aspects of the Proposed Transaction subject to determination of the Merger Consideration by the Pricing Committee in accordance with the pricing methodology so approved.
      On October 31, 2005, the Pricing Committees met and determined a proposed merger consideration of 52.21 in accordance with the pricing methodology approved by the Boards. This represented two times the average of the closing prices of the Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares over the period July 20, 2005 through October 28, 2005 (rounded up to the nearest euro cent). On the basis that the Merger Consideration would be equal to such proposed merger consideration, ABN AMRO delivered its two written opinions addressed to the Board of Royal Dutch. The first opinion is to the effect that, as at October 31, 2005, based upon and subject to matters considered, assumptions used and qualifications set forth therein, the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto are fair, from a financial point of view, to the Minority Holders who will receive the Merger Consideration in the Merger and the second opinion is to the effect that based upon and subject to matters considered, assumptions used and qualifications set forth therein, the value of the exchangeable loan notes to be offered to eligible UK resident Minority Holders, when issued, will not be greater than the value of the Merger Consideration to be paid to the Minority Holders under the terms of the Merger. Accounting certifications and reports required under Dutch law were also received by the Boards of Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum from Deloitte and E&Y, respectively. These opinions, certifications and reports are described in more detail below in Section II.4, “Special Factors — Certain Opinions and Reports”.
      Upon consideration of the opinions from ABN AMRO and the accounting certifications and reports, the Pricing Committees unanimously determined that the amount of the Merger Consideration would be equal to the merger consideration earlier proposed, and considered by ABN AMRO for purposes of its opinions, and determined that the Proposed Transaction, including the Merger and the Merger Consideration, is fair to the Minority Holders and that the conditions to the Boards’ approval of the terms of the Proposed Transaction had been satisfied.

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      The Proposed Transaction was unanimously approved by the directors of Royal Dutch who are not employees of Royal Dutch. No directors of Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch or Shell Petroleum present at the respective Board meetings dissented or abstained from voting on the Proposed Transaction.
      Except as disclosed herein, neither Royal Dutch Shell nor Shell Petroleum is aware of any firm offer by an unaffiliated third party during the past two years with respect to a merger or consolidation of Royal Dutch, the sale or other transfer of all or any substantial portion of the assets of Royal Dutch, or a purchase of securities of Royal Dutch securities that would enable such person to exercise control over Royal Dutch.
      Except as disclosed herein, the majority of directors of Royal Dutch who are not employees of Royal Dutch has not retained an unaffiliated representative to act solely on behalf of unaffiliated security holders for the purpose of negotiating the terms of transaction or preparing a report concerning the fairness of the transaction.
3.     Purposes, Reasons, Fairness, Alternatives and Effects of the Proposed Transaction
     (a)     Purposes and Reasons
      The historic holding structure of the Shell Group, whereby Shell Petroleum and SPCo are each held 60:40 by Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, respectively, reflected the governance structure that was implemented by Royal Dutch and Shell Transport pursuant to the 1906 and 1907 agreements under which the Shell Group was formed. Since those agreements were terminated as part of the Unification Transaction on July 20, 2005, the 60:40 cross holdings are no longer necessary for governance purposes.
      The primary purpose of the Proposed Transaction is to achieve governance, management, and fiscal efficiencies for the Shell Group. The Merger will simplify the organizational structure of the Shell Group and eliminate the potential investor confusion of having, and the duplicative and administrative burdens associated with maintaining, two publicly held companies in the Shell Group. The Proposed Transaction will also allow the Shell Group to realize overall tax efficiencies for 2005 and thereafter by unifying the Dutch tax resident companies into one Dutch fiscal group and the UK tax resident companies into another fiscal group. In particular, completion of the Merger in 2005 will allow for tax consolidation of Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum under Dutch law from January 1, 2005. If the Proposed Transaction is not completed before January 1, 2006, the Implementation Agreement may be terminated by Royal Dutch Shell or Royal Dutch.
      The Merger will also allow Royal Dutch Shell to acquire 100% of the interests in Royal Dutch as contemplated in the Unification Transaction, on a basis that is likely to be less time consuming and procedurally more efficient than the implementation of statutory squeeze out proceedings under Dutch law. Royal Dutch Shell has resolved to initiate statutory squeeze out proceedings in relation to Royal Dutch, if for any reason it should be impossible to complete the Merger. A squeeze out would result in all Minority Holders receiving a cash payment in exchange for their Royal Dutch Shares. An additional benefit of the Merger compared with Dutch statutory squeeze out proceedings is that it allows the offer of exchangeable loan notes to eligible UK resident Minority Holders.

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      The diagrams below illustrate the structure of the Shell Group before and after the Proposed Transaction.
(GRAPH)
     (b)     Position on the Fairness of the Proposed Transaction
Position of Royal Dutch on the fairness of the Proposed Transaction
      The Board of Royal Dutch believes that the Proposed Transaction is fair to and in the best interest of Royal Dutch and the enterprise associated with Royal Dutch and is fair to the Minority Holders. This belief is based on the following factors, each of which, in their view, supports these conclusions:
  •  The fact that the Merger Consideration is equal to two times 26.103 (rounded up to the nearest euro cent), being the average Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary share closing price over the period July 20, 2005 to October 28, 2005, which results in premiums of 0.6% and 2.8% relative to two times the Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary share opening price and closing price, respectively, on Euronext Amsterdam on July 20, 2005, a 1.2% premium relative to the Royal Dutch Share closing price on Euronext Amsterdam on September 30, 2005 (the last day of exchange trading of Royal Dutch Shares before the Merger Consideration was set), and a 7.3% premium to the average Royal Dutch Share closing price over the period January 1 to September 30, 2005 (it also reflects premiums of 20.7% and 11.2% to the average of the prices at which Royal Dutch Shares were repurchased since the beginning of 2004 and in 2005, respectively, as noted by ABN AMRO). The Board noted the advice of De Brauw, described above, that under Dutch law the Board should be satisfied that the Minority Holders are treated reasonably. In this connection, the Board concluded that the trading price of the Royal Dutch Shell shares is a highly objective proxy for valuing the underlying enterprise (so long as all material price sensitive information has been disclosed to the market). In reaching that conclusion, the Board considered that (i) 98.5% of the

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  Royal Dutch shareholders who tendered their Royal Dutch Shares in the Exchange Offer received Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares, (ii) shareholders of Royal Dutch and Royal Dutch Shell hold an interest in the same economic entity, (iii) the historic share price development of Royal Dutch is broadly in line with the historic share price development of Royal Dutch Shell, and (iv) Royal Dutch Shell is a very large listed company, well covered by equity analysts, with a diversified shareholder base and with highly liquid shares. The Board also considered that the Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares are a better proxy for underlying value than the Class B ordinary shares because although Royal Dutch Shell Class A and Class B ordinary shares hold the same economic interest in the Shell Group, the difference in market prices between these two classes of shares is likely attributable to the dividend access scheme, created for tax purposes, in which holders of Royal Dutch Shell Class B ordinary shares participate, and in which holders of Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares and Royal Dutch Shares do not participate. The Board also noted that Royal Dutch Shares represent only 1.5% of the equity of Royal Dutch and do not have the ability to affect the outcome of any matter put to a vote of shareholders of Royal Dutch and so should not command any “control” or “strategic” premium. It was noted that this is supported by the fact that during the period beginning after August 9, 2005 (when the subsequent offer acceptance period under the Exchange Offer ended) through September 30, 2005 (the last day of exchange trading of Royal Dutch Shares before the Merger Consideration was set), the Royal Dutch Shares largely traded at a discount to two Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares. It was also noted that the Merger would not result in any synergies that would justify a material premium over market prices.
 
  •  The fact that the Merger Consideration reflects the highest of the pricing formulas considered under the pricing methodology and reflects a 2:1 ratio based on closing market prices on Euronext Amsterdam. The Board considered that this approach provided the Minority Holders the benefit of increases in the trading price of the Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares over both longer and shorter periods since July 20, 2005 and allowed for the amount of the Merger Consideration to reflect any market reaction to the information contained in the 2005 third quarter results announcement. It is also consistent with the Dutch legal advice regarding Dutch statutory squeeze out proceedings received from De Brauw as described above. The Board also noted that the 2:1 ratio reflects the ratio of the Exchange Offer (although Royal Dutch Shares have largely traded at a discount to this ratio after August 9, 2005). The Board determined to use Euronext Amsterdam as the reference market because the greatest volume of Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares is traded on Euronext Amsterdam, noting also that Euronext Amsterdam uses an auction at market close (the result of which is published), which is judged to be more transparent to non-market participants than other metrics such as volume weighted average prices.
 
  •  The fact that Royal Dutch Shell has resolved to initiate statutory squeeze out proceedings in relation to Royal Dutch, if for any reason it should be impossible to complete the Merger (Royal Dutch Shell, as the owner of more than 95% of the share capital of Royal Dutch, has the right to implement such proceedings without the consent of Royal Dutch), and the advice of De Brauw, noted above, that a Dutch court would likely award cash consideration equivalent to the cash value per share of the Exchange Offer as of the close of the Exchange Offer, with consideration as to whether there is a change of circumstances in the intervening time period to the time at which the Board determines the Exchange Ratio, and that squeeze out proceedings would likely take considerably longer to complete than the Merger. Accordingly, the Board determined that the Merger would allow the Minority Holders to receive cash for their Royal Dutch Shares more quickly and more efficiently than through statutory squeeze out proceedings.
 
  •  The fact that Minority Holders on the applicable record date will receive the Royal Dutch interim dividend for the third quarter of 2005 of 0.46 per share (or $0.5556 per share for holders of New York registered shares) which will be payable on December 15, 2005, and that the Merger Consideration was set based on trading prices that included the expected quarterly dividend. The Board also noted that, as in Dutch statutory squeeze out proceedings, the terms of the Merger provide (a) for interest to accrue on the Merger Consideration at the statutory rate of 4% per annum from October 31, 2005 until the effective date of the Merger (expected to be December 21, 2005), as part of the consideration under the Merger, and (b) for any dividends payable in that period (before the deduction of any withholding tax from such dividend) to be deducted from that interest amount.

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  •  The fact that the Proposed Transaction would allow for eligible UK resident holders to have the option to elect to receive exchangeable loan notes, which, under provisions of UK law, would allow for a rollover of UK capital gains tax, and that this election would not be available in a statutory squeeze out proceeding.
 
  •  The terms and conditions of the Implementation Agreement, including the requirements for an extraordinary general meeting and the other requirements of Dutch law relating to the establishment of the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto. In connection with its evaluation of the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto, the Board of Royal Dutch noted that a reclassification of shares would occur in connection with the election by eligible UK resident Minority Holders to receive loan notes but was not otherwise expected to have any ultimate substantive effect on Royal Dutch shareholders.
 
  •  The two written opinions dated October 31, 2005 of ABN AMRO to the Board of Royal Dutch to the effect that, based upon and subject to the matters considered, assumptions used and qualifications set forth therein, (i) as at October 31, 2005, the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto are fair, from a financial point of view, to the Minority Holders who will receive the Merger Consideration in the Merger, and (ii) the value of the exchangeable loan notes to be offered to eligible UK resident Minority Holders, when issued, will not be greater than the value of the Merger Consideration to be paid to the Minority Holders under the terms of the Merger.
 
  •  The certifications and reports delivered by Deloitte and E&Y, pursuant to and in accordance with Dutch legal requirements, that (i) the Exchange Ratio is reasonable, (ii) the equity of Royal Dutch as of September 30, 2005 was at least equal to the nominal value of the aggregate number of the shares to be allotted by Shell Petroleum pursuant to the Exchange Ratio, plus the cash payments and loan notes issued for fractional entitlements represented by the Merger Consideration.
      The Board of Royal Dutch also considered the following adverse factors:
  •  The fact that the Minority Holders receiving the Merger Consideration would not have a continuing interest in the Shell Group. However, this factor was considered mitigated by the fact that in a statutory squeeze out proceeding, which Royal Dutch Shell intends to implement if the Proposed Transaction is not completed, Minority Holders would also not have any continuing interest in the Shell Group. It was also mitigated by the fact that holders had the opportunity to participate in the Exchange Offer and were advised in connection with the Exchange Offer that Royal Dutch Shell intended to acquire 100% of the Royal Dutch Shares by means of a squeeze out proceeding or other transaction.
 
  •  The fact that the Proposed Transaction would be taxable in a number of jurisdictions for Minority Holders receiving the Merger Consideration. However, this was considered mitigated by the fact that Minority Holders will be entitled to receive cash payments for their Royal Dutch Shares.
 
  •  The fact that the Proposed Transaction would not require a separate vote of the unaffiliated shareholders. However, this factor was considered mitigated by the fact that a financial advisor to Royal Dutch had provided an opinion with respect to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto and that Dutch law does not require such a vote.
 
  •  The fact that loan notes would only be offered to eligible UK residents giving appropriate representations. However, this was considered mitigated by the fact that the Board of Royal Dutch had received an opinion of ABN AMRO to the effect that, based upon and subject to matters considered, assumptions used and qualifications set forth therein, the value of the exchangeable loan notes to be offered to eligible UK resident Minority Holders, when issued, will not be greater than the value of the Merger Consideration to be paid to the Minority Holders under the terms of the Merger. The Board also noted that as a result of the two share limit, the market value of the consideration received on exchange will be less than the face amount of the loan notes unless the Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares are trading above the sterling equivalent of 26.1050 (being one-half of the Merger Consideration of 52.21) at the time of exchange (the sterling equivalent value being set based on the euro/sterling exchange rate on the day prior to the effective date of the Merger). It was noted that Royal Dutch was not aware of any other jurisdiction apart from the UK where Minority Holders are resident and a loan note would provide a comparable

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  benefit. Therefore, given the above, it was not anticipated that loan notes would be attractive to holders outside the UK. It was also noted that an offer of loan notes in some countries (including the U.S. and The Netherlands) would require the preparation of a prospectus or other regulatory compliance that would involve additional time and expense.
 
  •  The fact that under Dutch law the amount of the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto must be determined no later than on the date of signing of the Merger Proposal (October 31, 2005), and cannot be adjusted prior to the effective date of the Merger (which is expected to be December 21, 2005). It was noted that this may be adverse to the Minority Holders if the price of Royal Dutch Shell Shares increases during that period, however, this was considered mitigated as Minority Holders are also insulated against decreases in the Royal Dutch Shell share price during that period.
      The Board of Royal Dutch also noted the following factors which support the fairness of the transaction to Royal Dutch and the enterprise associated with Royal Dutch, and were not considered adverse to its determination of the fairness of the Proposed Transaction to Minority Holders.
  •  The fact that the Merger will complete the unification of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport under Royal Dutch Shell as contemplated by the Unification Transaction and follows the successful Exchange Offer in which holders of 98.5% of Royal Dutch Shares participated and received Royal Dutch Shell shares, and the fact that the Merger will allow Royal Dutch Shell to acquire 100% of the interests in Royal Dutch as contemplated in the Unification Transaction, on a basis that is likely to be less time consuming and procedurally more efficient than the implementation of statutory squeeze out proceedings under Dutch law.
 
  •  The fact that the Proposed Transaction will achieve governance, management, and fiscal efficiencies for the Shell Group because it will (i) simplify the organizational structure of the Shell Group and eliminate the potential investor confusion of having, and the duplicative and administrative burdens associated with maintaining, two publicly held holding companies in the Shell Group, and (ii) allow the Shell Group to realize overall tax efficiencies for 2005 and thereafter by unifying the Dutch tax resident companies into one Dutch fiscal group and the UK tax resident companies into another fiscal group and, in particular, the completion of the Merger in 2005 allows for tax consolidation of Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum under Dutch law from January 1, 2005.
      In view of the variety of factors considered by the Board of Royal Dutch, the Board did not find it practicable to, and did not, quantify or otherwise attempt to assign specific or relative weights to the factors it considered in reaching their determinations, although it considered certain mitigating factors in relation to the adverse factors, as discussed above, and concluded that the favorable factors outweighed the adverse factors.
      Other than as described above, the Board of Royal Dutch did not consider any further factors regarding the fairness to Minority Holders of the Proposed Transaction. The Board considered that the factors considered provided a reasonable basis to form the belief stated above. As discussed above, the Board considered the enterprise value of the Shell Group, on the basis of the market price of the Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares. Although there are other valuation methodologies to assess the fundamental valuation of the Shell Group, their relevance was considered debatable in this context given their inherent subjectivity (when compared to the objective benchmark of the market determined Royal Dutch Shell share price) and the significant underlying assumptions necessary. The Board considered that: (i) discounted cash flow (“DCF”) analysis is heavily dependent on the assumptions made as to the key drivers of value (e.g. inter alia, crude oil price and refining margins) and the required rate of return or discount rate applied; and (ii) benchmarking the valuation of Royal Dutch Shell against the market valuation of comparable companies (by reference to operating and equity market valuation characteristics) provides a gauge for how Royal Dutch Shell is valued versus its peer group, but the differences in valuation between listed companies reflect the outcome of the market’s assessment of company-specific factors and differences in business profile. The Board noted the net asset value information contained in the presentation by ABN AMRO which included that the Merger Consideration represents a premium of 120.5% to the Royal Dutch net assets per share determined on a parent company-only basis under Dutch GAAP as at September 30, 2005 and a premium of 117.3% to the approximate amount of Royal Dutch net assets per share on a consolidated basis under IFRS (such approximate amount being determined based on Royal

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Dutch Shell’s estimate that 60% of Royal Dutch Shell consolidated net assets is a reasonable proxy for the consolidated net assets of Royal Dutch). The Board did not consider net asset value per share to be relevant because of the fact that it primarily reflects the accounting carrying values of tangible and intangible assets, rather than their current fair values. The Board also did not consider liquidation value to be relevant because the Shell Group is not being liquidated and appraisals relating to the value of the assets and liabilities of the Shell Group are not available and a meaningful analysis of this value would be impracticable. Also, all of these metrics fail to account for the fact that Minority Holders will be squeezed out at a price related to market prices if the Merger is not completed. This fact reinforces the relevance of a valuation metric based on Royal Dutch Shell share prices.
Positions of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum on fairness to the Minority Holders
      The Boards of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum believe that the Proposed Transaction is fair to the Minority Holders. In reaching this conclusion, Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum have noted the certifications, reports and opinions being delivered to the Board of Royal Dutch by ABN AMRO, Deloitte and E&Y and the factors being considered by and the analyses and conclusions being made by the Board of Royal Dutch and have expressly adopted these factors, analyses and conclusions.
     (c) Alternatives Considered
      The alternatives considered by the Boards of Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum to acquire the interests of the Minority Holders of Royal Dutch were:
      Squeeze out under Dutch law: As a holder of greater than 95% of the issued and outstanding share capital of Royal Dutch, pursuant to Article 2:92a of the Dutch Civil Code, Royal Dutch Shell is permitted to initiate proceedings against the Minority Holders of Royal Dutch Shares to force the Minority Holders to transfer their Royal Dutch Shares to Royal Dutch Shell against payment of a price in cash to be determined by a Dutch court.
      Although statutory squeeze out proceedings would result in the acquisition by Royal Dutch Shell of 100% of the Royal Dutch Shares, this alternative was rejected by the Boards as it would take significantly longer to complete than the Merger and is a procedurally less efficient method of achieving this objective. The Boards were advised by De Brauw that if the unwind of the 60:40 cross holdings was implemented without acquiring the minority interests in Royal Dutch, a statutory squeeze out could only be implemented after such unwind was completed, in which case it is likely that the minority interests would remain until 2007. Additionally, the Boards considered that the associated costs and administrative burdens of Royal Dutch continuing as a public company, including the costs of preparing filings and financial statements, were not insignificant. The Boards also considered that a squeeze out would not achieve the fiscal efficiencies arising from the consolidation of Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum under the Merger and would not permit the use of loan notes.
      Offers for Royal Dutch Shares: The Boards also considered whether to initiate a second offer to exchange Royal Dutch Shares for Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares. The Boards rejected initiating a second exchange offer as such a transaction would require similar documentation and regulatory clearances as the previous Exchange Offer and a comparable amount of time, cost and effort. Additionally, a second exchange offer would not result in the compulsory acquisition of the entire interest of the Minority Holders in Royal Dutch and statutory squeeze out procedures under Dutch law would still be required to acquire the residual minority. For similar reasons, the use of open market transactions to acquire the interests of the Minority Holders was rejected after a preliminary review.
     (d)     Effects of the Proposed Transaction
      General. Upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, Royal Dutch Shell will hold a 100% interest in the assets, the net book value and the net earnings of the Shell Group, an increase of 0.9% from its current interest (in each case excluding minority interests in subsidiaries of the Group). On this basis Royal Dutch Shell’s interest in the assets and net book value of the Shell Group as of September 30, 2005, would increase by $2.2 billion and $0.9 billion, respectively, and its interest in the net earnings of the Shell Group for the nine months ending September 30, 2005 would increase by $0.2 billion (excluding the impact of the Merger Consideration to be paid and assuming the Unification Transaction had been completed as of December 31, 2004). Accordingly, Royal Dutch Shell and its shareholders will be the beneficiaries of any future increases in the value of the Shell Group and will bear the entire risk of all losses incurred in the operation of, and all decreases in

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the value of, the Shell Group. It is intended that the Proposed Transaction will allow the Shell Group to further realize efficiencies made possible by, or intended to result from, the Unification Transaction.
      Except as noted below, as a result of the completion of the Proposed Transaction, the Minority Holders will no longer have any equity interest in Royal Dutch and will therefore cease to benefit from, and bear any of the risks incident to, ownership of an equity interest in the Shell Group. The loan notes are exchangeable for a number of Class A ordinary shares of Royal Dutch Shell based on the principal value of their loan notes divided by the market price of the Class A ordinary shares at the time of the exchange subject to a maximum two share limit, being the number of shares such holders would have received had such holders tendered in the Exchange Offer. As a result of the two share limit, the market value of the consideration received on exchange will be less than the face amount of the loan notes unless the Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares are trading above the sterling equivalent of 26.1050 (being one-half of the Merger Consideration of 52.21) at the time of the exchange. The sterling equivalent value of the loan notes will be set using the euro/sterling exchange rate on the day prior to the effective date of the Merger. The exchange for Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares can be required by Royal Dutch Shell or the holder of the exchangeable loan notes in accordance with the terms of such loan notes. Royal Dutch Shell intends (but is not obliged) to exchange the loan notes on the first exchange date, which will be January 6, 2006.
      Upon completion of the Merger, Shell Petroleum will be the surviving entity and Royal Dutch and the Royal Dutch Shares will cease to exist. Due to this, trading of Royal Dutch Shares will cease, Royal Dutch will be delisted from the NYSE (if it has not been delisted prior to the Merger), the registration of the Royal Dutch Shares under the Exchange Act will be terminated and Shell Petroleum, as the successor of Royal Dutch, will not be subject to the periodic reporting obligations of the Exchange Act or otherwise be subject to the U.S. Federal securities laws applicable to public companies.
      For a further discussion of the effects of the Proposed Transaction, please see Section IV.1, “The Proposed Transaction — Overview of the Proposed Transaction”. For a discussion of U.S. Federal and Dutch income tax consequences of the Proposed Transaction on the holders of Royal Dutch Shares, please see Section  V, “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax and Dutch Tax Consequences”.
4. Certain Opinions and Reports
     (a)     Opinions of ABN AMRO
        (i) Opinion with respect to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto to the Minority Holders receiving the Merger Consideration
      In connection with the Proposed Transaction, Royal Dutch retained ABN AMRO to act as its financial advisor and render an opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto to the Minority Holders who will receive the Merger Consideration. ABN AMRO delivered a written opinion to the Board of Royal Dutch dated October 31, 2005 that, as at that date, and based upon and subject to the matters considered and the assumptions and qualifications set forth in the opinion, the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto were fair, from a financial point of view, to the Minority Holders who will receive the Merger Consideration in the Merger.
      The full text of the written opinion of ABN AMRO is attached hereto as Annex A and sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the scope of the review undertaken by ABN AMRO in rendering its opinion. ABN AMRO provided its opinion to the Board of Royal Dutch in connection with its evaluation of the Proposed Transaction, the opinion does not in any way constitute a recommendation by ABN AMRO to any Royal Dutch shareholders as to whether such holders should vote for or against the Merger, whether any Minority Holder should receive the Merger Consideration or elect to receive the Loan Note Consideration (as such term is defined below) or how any Minority Holder should otherwise act in relation to the Proposed Transaction. This summary does not purport to be a complete description of the opinion and analyses performed by ABN AMRO and is qualified by reference to the written opinion of ABN AMRO set forth in Annex A hereto but it does summarize all of the material analyses performed and presented by ABN AMRO. You are urged to read the opinion carefully and in its entirety.

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      The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process involving various determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial analysis and the application of those methods to the particular circumstances and, therefore, a fairness opinion is not readily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. Selecting portions of the analyses or the summary set forth below, without considering the analyses as a whole, could create an incomplete or misleading view of the process underlying the opinion of ABN AMRO. In arriving at its opinion, ABN AMRO made qualitative judgments as to the significance and relevance of each analysis and factor that it considered. Accordingly, ABN AMRO believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses and factors or focusing on selected elements thereof, without considering all analyses and factors or the narrative description of the analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the processes underlying its analyses and opinion.
      The analyses were prepared for the purposes of ABN AMRO providing its opinion to the Board of Royal Dutch in connection with its evaluation of the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto to be paid to Minority Holders under the terms of the Merger and do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect levels at which Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares or any other securities might trade in the future which may be significantly more or less favorable than as set forth in these analyses.
      For the purposes of providing its opinion, ABN AMRO:
  •  reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to Royal Dutch, including the audited annual financial statements (the “annual accounts”) for the consecutive financial years ending December 31, 1999 through December 31, 2004 and the unaudited nine-month financial figures for the period ending September 30, 2005;
 
  •  reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to Shell Transport, including the audited annual accounts for the consecutive financial years ending December 31, 1999 through December 31, 2004 and the unaudited nine-month financial figures for the period ending September 30, 2005 as prepared for the purposes of the Proposed Transaction;
 
  •  reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to Royal Dutch Shell, including the audited annual accounts for the consecutive financial years ending December 31, 2002 through December 31, 2004 and the unaudited nine-month financial figures for the period ending September 30, 2005;
 
  •  reviewed certain documents relating to the Proposed Transaction and the Unification Transaction, including among other things the pricing methodology approved by the Boards of Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum;
 
  •  participated in discussions with and reviewed information provided by management and employees of Royal Dutch Shell and Royal Dutch and their advisers with respect to matters ABN AMRO believed necessary or appropriate for its enquiry;
 
  •  reviewed the historical share prices and trading volumes of Royal Dutch Shell shares, Royal Dutch Shares and Shell Transport shares;
 
  •  reviewed publicly available data regarding share buybacks of Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport;
 
  •  reviewed the financial terms of certain transactions ABN AMRO believed to be comparable to the Proposed Transaction;
 
  •  reviewed the legal review on the typical price determination in a squeeze out proceeding under Dutch law by the Court of Appeal in The Netherlands provided to Royal Dutch Shell by De Brauw, Dutch legal counsel to Royal Dutch, Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum, which was reviewed and concurred with by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (“Freshfields”), Dutch legal counsel to ABN AMRO;
 
  •  reviewed publicly available data regarding the market practice of settlement of fractional entitlements; and

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  •  performed such other financial reviews and analysis, as ABN AMRO, in its absolute discretion, deemed appropriate.
      ABN AMRO assumed and relied upon, without independent verification (other than the legal review mentioned above), the truth, accuracy and completeness of the information, data, analysis and financial terms provided to it or used by it, including, among other things, the information, analysis and advice received by Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum from their respective advisors, assumed that the same were not misleading and does not assume or accept any liability or responsibility for any independent verification of such information or any independent valuation or appraisal of any of the assets, operations or liabilities (other than the analysis of loan notes for the purposes of a separate opinion of ABN AMRO as described below) of Royal Dutch, Shell Petroleum, Shell Transport or Royal Dutch Shell nor was ABN AMRO provided with such valuation or appraisal. No financial forecasts were provided to ABN AMRO for purposes of its analyses. In preparing its opinion, ABN AMRO received specific confirmation from senior management of Royal Dutch that the assumptions specified in its written opinion were reasonable and no information had been withheld from ABN AMRO that could have influenced the purport of the opinion or the assumptions on which it is based.
      Further, ABN AMRO’s opinion is necessarily based on financial, economic, monetary, market and other conditions, including those in the securities and oil and gas markets, as in effect on, and the information made available to ABN AMRO or used by it up to, the date of the opinion. ABN AMRO’s opinion exclusively focuses on the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto to the Minority Holders who will receive the Merger Consideration, and does not address any other issues such as the underlying business decision to merge Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum or to recommend the Merger or to effect the Merger as opposed to any other transaction or procedure that would allow Royal Dutch Shell to acquire shares of Royal Dutch that it does not already own, or the commercial merits of any of the foregoing, the fairness of the Loan Note Consideration to eligible UK resident Minority Holders who elect to receive loan notes in lieu of the Merger Consideration or the prices or volumes at which the shares of Royal Dutch Shell or any other securities may trade following completion of the Proposed Transaction. Subsequent developments in the aforementioned conditions may affect ABN AMRO’s opinion and the assumptions made in preparing the opinion and ABN AMRO is not obliged to update, revise or reaffirm its opinion if such conditions change.
      In rendering its opinion, ABN AMRO has not provided legal, regulatory, tax, accounting or actuarial advice and accordingly ABN AMRO does not assume any responsibility or liability in respect thereof. ABN AMRO did not participate in negotiations with respect to the terms of the Implementation Agreement. Furthermore, ABN AMRO assumed that the Proposed Transaction will be consummated on the terms and conditions as set out in the Implementation Agreement, without any material changes to, or waiver of, those terms or conditions.
      As described on page 11 under Special Factors — “Purposes, Reasons, Fairness, Alternatives and Effects of the Proposed Transaction — Position on the Fairness of the Proposed Transaction”, the Board of Royal Dutch took into account a number of factors in evaluating the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto and reaching a determination to recommend the Proposed Transaction, including, but not limited to, ABN AMRO’s opinion. Accordingly, ABN AMRO’s analyses summarized below should not be viewed as determinative of the views of the Board of Royal Dutch with respect to the Proposed Transaction.
      In order to consider the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the Minority Holders who will receive the Merger Consideration, of the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto, a key principle underlying ABN AMRO’s approach and analyses was that the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto under the terms of the Merger should be considered in the context of the Unification Transaction, whereby approximately 98.5% of Royal Dutch shareholders received two Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares (or one ADR) for each Royal Dutch Share exchanged.
      ABN AMRO assumed that the effective date of the Merger will be no later than December 31, 2005 and that Royal Dutch will pay a dividend in an amount equal to 0.46 to the shareholders of Royal Dutch prior to such effective date.
      ABN AMRO performed the analyses described below for the purposes of evaluating whether the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto were fair, from a financial point of view, as at the date of the

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opinion to the Minority Holders who will receive the Merger Consideration. The following is a summary of the financial analyses performed by ABN AMRO in connection with the rendering of its opinion.
      ABN AMRO performed the following analyses:
  •  ABN AMRO analyzed the value that would be attributable to the Minority Holders (before payment of fractional entitlements) in the Proposed Transaction based on their economic interest in the Shell Group.
  In particular ABN AMRO performed an analysis to establish that the Proposed Transaction does not alter the current economic interest of the Minority Holders in the Shell Group (before payment of fractional entitlements). ABN AMRO also analyzed market practice with respect to determining the cash value of fractional entitlements. In addition, ABN AMRO conducted an analysis to determine whether the market price of Royal Dutch Shares can be used as an indication of the going concern value of the Shell Group and of Royal Dutch.
  •  ABN AMRO analyzed the consideration typically paid to minority shareholders under Dutch legal squeeze out proceedings. Given that Royal Dutch Shell has decided to implement the Merger as it is likely to be less time consuming and procedurally more efficient than statutory squeeze out proceedings under Dutch law, and given also that Royal Dutch Shell has advised Royal Dutch that if the Proposed Transaction is not completed as proposed, it intends to implement squeeze out proceedings, ABN AMRO have considered how a Dutch court would typically determine the price payable to minority shareholders in squeeze out proceedings under Dutch law.
 
  •  ABN AMRO analyzed the consideration paid in precedent unification transactions.
 
  •  ABN AMRO compared the Merger Consideration to the Royal Dutch Share price and net asset value per Royal Dutch Share.
      ABN AMRO has not analyzed the liquidation value of Royal Dutch due to the unavailability of appraisals relating to the value of the assets and liabilities of the Shell Group and the impracticality of making a meaningful analysis of this value. In addition, Royal Dutch Shell has stated that it does not intend to liquidate Royal Dutch Shell or Royal Dutch in the foreseeable future.
Analysis of the value which would be attributable to the Minority Holders of Royal Dutch based on the economic interest that they have in the Shell Group
      The current economic interest of the Minority Holders in the Shell Group is approximately 0.9%, determined by multiplying an approximate 1.5% direct shareholding that the Minority Holders have in Royal Dutch by 60%, which is the current economic interest of Royal Dutch in the Shell Group. ABN AMRO analyzed whether the current 60% interest of Royal Dutch in the Shell Group is supported by analyses of historical dividend receipts and payments, share buybacks, trading relationship and relative adjusted net current assets.
Historic dividend receipts and payments
      ABN AMRO extracted information regarding the dividends received and receivable from the cash flow statements and balance sheets respectively of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport from their respective annual reports and accounts for the preceding six years. This information was translated at currency exchange rates applicable to those periods. From these analyses, ABN AMRO has concluded that over a 5-year period, the average dividends paid and payable from the Shell Group to Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, respectively, have broadly been on a 60/40 basis (60.0/40.0 based on cash flow statements and 60.2/39.8 based on the balance sheets), matching the 60/40 interests in the Shell Group of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, respectively. ABN AMRO also reviewed the dividend payments of Royal Dutch Shell in 2005. The second and third quarter 2005 dividends declared to Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shareholders and Royal Dutch shareholders post completion of the Unification Transaction support a 2 : 1 exchange ratio between Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares and Royal Dutch Shares.

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Historic share buyback programs
      ABN AMRO examined Royal Dutch’s and Shell Transport’s share buyback programs from February 2001 to the completion of the Unification Transaction. The total value of shares of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport repurchased by Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, respectively, was calculated for each buyback date. The total value of Shell Transport shares repurchased was converted into euro at the prevailing currency exchange rate for each repurchase date. The Royal Dutch Shares, on average, contributed 59.7% of the total value of share buybacks and the Shell Transport shares contributed 40.3%, substantially matching the 60/40 value apportionment implemented in the Unification Transaction. The total number of shares of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport repurchased by each of those companies was 74.8 million and 340.2 million, respectively, during this period. ABN AMRO noted that following completion of the Unification Transaction, Royal Dutch Shell has repurchased (for cancellation) approximately 82 million Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares, ABN AMRO concluded that such repurchases should not impact its analysis of the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto.
Historic trading relationship
      ABN AMRO analyzed the historic trading of Royal Dutch Shares and Shell Transport ordinary shares. The share prices were translated at currency exchange rates prevailing at that time. The share prices were subsequently multiplied by the shares outstanding (at the applicable times) of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, respectively, to arrive at the historic market capitalizations. The historical trading relationship between the Royal Dutch Shares and Shell Transport ordinary shares has broadly matched the 60/40 ratio. When that relationship deviated from the 60/40 ratio, it appears to have done so for reasons external to the Shell Group, such as relative index performance and taxation changes.
Value Residing in the Parent Companies
      A review was performed by ABN AMRO of Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, the holding companies of the Shell Group, the purpose of which was to identify any material value of any assets and liabilities that resided within one or other company at the Shell Group holding company level and which may, therefore, have a bearing on the relative apportionment of Royal Dutch in the Shell Group. This review included a review of various documents, and discussions with the representatives of, and advisers to, Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport. In particular, ABN AMRO placed reliance on the confirmations provided to it by Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport on October 24, 2005.
      The balance sheets of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport were analyzed in order to determine whether they had a material bearing on the relative apportionment of Royal Dutch in the Shell Group. The adjusted net current assets (“NCAs”) of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport were relevant for this analysis because they represented the sum of all line items on the balance sheets of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport (namely the current assets and current liabilities) other than the line items representing Royal Dutch’s and Shell Transport’s respective investments in Shell Petroleum and SPCo. The line items representing investments in Shell Petroleum and SPCo were not relevant for purposes of this analysis as they did not identify value residing within Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport. The review performed of Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport did not reveal any material assets or liabilities that resided solely within Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, whether on or off balance sheet.
      ABN AMRO concluded that, based on the analysis of historical dividend receipts and payments, share buybacks, trading relationship and relative adjusted net current assets, the economic interest of the Minority Holders in Royal Dutch prior to the Proposed Transaction, being approximately 1.5%, is equivalent to an interest of approximately 0.9% in Royal Dutch Shell, as a result of Royal Dutch’s 60% economic interest in the Shell Group.
      Under the proposed terms of the Merger, based on the par value of the share capital of Shell Petroleum to which the Minority Holders and Royal Dutch Shell, respectively, would be entitled, the Minority Holders would hold, after giving effect to the Merger, 0.9% of the share capital of Shell Petroleum (before payment of fractional entitlements). As a result of the Merger, Shell Petroleum becomes the sole holding company of the Shell Group

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below Royal Dutch Shell. Given that Shell Petroleum and Royal Dutch Shell will be equivalent in value (without taking into account the interest of the Minority Holders), this 0.9% interest in Shell Petroleum is equivalent to a 0.9% interest in Royal Dutch Shell. The Proposed Transaction, therefore, does not alter the current economic interest of the Minority Holders in Royal Dutch Shell before payment with respect to fractional entitlements.
      With respect to determining the cash value of the fractional entitlements, ABN AMRO reviewed precedents of treatment of fractional entitlements resulting from mergers and share exchange offers involving Dutch companies to identify Dutch standard practice for the settlement of fractional entitlements. Analyses of the standard practice of Dutch banks settling fractional entitlements resulting from mergers and share exchange offers, and a subsequent review of eleven precedent transactions, indicate that fractional entitlements are settled in cash on the settlement date, usually based on the opening price of the acquirer’s shares, or a date/period closely near that date.
      The following transactions were analyzed:
Air France S.A. — KLM N.V., 2003
DSM N.V. — Gist Brocades N.V., 1998
Getronics N.V. — Pink Roccade N.V., 2004
Koninklijke KPN N.V. — SNT Group N.V., 2004
Modex Therapeutics S.A. — Isotis N.V., 2002
NH Hoteles S.A. — Krasnapolsky Hotels and Restaurants N.V., 2000
Pink Roccade N.V. — TAS Groep N.V., 2000
Rodamco Europe N.V. — Rodamco Retail Nederland B.V., 2001
Telefonica S.A. — Endemol Entertainment Holding N.V., 2000
Epicor Software Corporation — Scala Business Solution N.V., 2003
Tiscali S.p.A. — WorldOnline International N.V., 2000
      Neither the shares of Shell Petroleum nor the shares of Royal Dutch are expected to be listed at the time when the amounts payable under the Merger are settled. However, given that following the Merger, an interest in one Royal Dutch Share represents the same interest in the Shell Group as two Royal Dutch Shell shares, Royal Dutch Shell shares would provide an appropriate reference.
      In addition, ABN AMRO analyzed the share price development of Royal Dutch Shares and Royal Dutch Shell shares. The analysis showed that Royal Dutch Shares traded substantially in line with Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares in the period between July 20, 2005 and August 9, 2005 (being the close of the subsequent offer acceptance period). After August 9, 2005, Royal Dutch Shares have traded at a 0-6% discount relative to Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares. Since (i) 98.5% of the Royal Dutch shareholders tendered their Royal Dutch Shares and received Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares, (ii) Royal Dutch and Royal Dutch Shell hold an interest in the same economic entity, (iii) the historic share price development of Royal Dutch is broadly in line with the historic share price development of Royal Dutch Shell, and (iv) Royal Dutch Shell is a very large listed company, well covered by equity analysts, with a diversified shareholder base and with highly liquid shares, ABN AMRO concluded that the Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary share price can be used as a reference instrument on which to base the settlement price of the fractional entitlements of the Minority Holders of Royal Dutch.
      ABN AMRO reviewed the liquidity of the Royal Dutch Shell Class A and B ordinary shares and noted that (i) the Royal Dutch Shell shares have a free float of 100%, (ii) Royal Dutch Shell is one of the 10 largest companies in the world by total market capitalization, (iii) Royal Dutch Shell is widely covered by equity analysts, and (iv) Royal Dutch Shell shares are traded at three different stock exchanges. ABN AMRO concluded that market inefficiencies significantly impacting the Royal Dutch Shell shares are unlikely and that the market price of Royal Dutch Shell shares can be used as a reasonable indication of the going concern value of Royal Dutch Shell, and, given that immediately prior to the Merger two Royal Dutch Shell shares and one Royal Dutch Share will represent the same economic interest in the Shell Group, the market price of Royal Dutch Shell shares can be used as a reasonable indication of the going concern value of Royal Dutch. Although Royal Dutch Shell Class A and Class B ordinary shares hold the same economic interest in the Shell Group, the difference in market prices between these two classes of shares is likely attributable to the dividend access scheme, created for tax

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purposes, in which holders of Royal Dutch Shell Class B ordinary shares participate, and in which holders of Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares and Royal Dutch Shares do not participate.
      ABN AMRO understands that Dutch law does not allow for consideration to be based on a future share price. As a result, the last possible date for establishing the consideration for fractional entitlements based on the Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary share price will be the date of signing of the Merger Proposal (October 31, 2005). According to advice provided by De Brauw to Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum, and subsequently reviewed and concurred with by Freshfields, in squeeze out proceedings under Dutch law, interest would likely be accrued, at the statutory rate, from the date of the court decision until the date of payment (minus any dividends).
Analysis of the consideration that is typically paid to minority shareholders under Dutch legal squeeze out proceedings.
      Royal Dutch Shell and Royal Dutch have stated that they decided to implement the Merger as it is likely to be less time consuming and procedurally more efficient than statutory squeeze out proceedings under Dutch law. The Schedule 13D filed under the Exchange Act with the SEC by Royal Dutch Shell on September 20, 2005 stated that if the Merger is not completed as proposed, the Board of Royal Dutch Shell intends to commence Dutch statutory squeeze out proceedings in order to acquire the Royal Dutch Shares held by the Minority Holders. A squeeze out would result in the Minority Holders receiving a cash payment in exchange for their Royal Dutch Shares.
      ABN AMRO analyzed the consideration typically paid to minority shareholders under a Dutch legal squeeze out procedure following a cash or share exchange offer. For this analysis, ABN AMRO has reviewed the following:
  •  transactions where squeeze outs were preceded by cash offers with regard to the decision of the court regarding the price, the date upon which this price was based and any adjustments of this price;
 
  •  transactions where squeeze outs were preceded by share exchange offers with regard to the consideration paid to the relevant minority shareholders;
 
  •  legal advice on the likely outcome of the price determination by the Court of Appeal as provided by De Brauw to Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum, and subsequently reviewed and concurred with by Freshfields.
      The legal advice provided by De Brauw to Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum and subsequently reviewed and concurred with by Freshfields was that, in connection with a squeeze out under Dutch law, based on precedent transactions involving earlier exchange offers, it is a “near certainty” that a Dutch court would base the price on the exchange ratio in the Exchange Offer being two Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares for every Royal Dutch Share. However, the De Brauw advice was that it is less clear to establish which date and time a Dutch court would use to determine the cash value of the merger consideration, although most precedent cases seem to “pick” the date of the offer becoming unconditional or the date of first settlement thereafter, without clarification as to the opening or closing price. The De Brauw advice further stated that in almost all cases the Dutch court would want to be satisfied that since the relevant date for determining the cash value of the consideration, there has been no change in circumstances which should force the Court to change its determination of the value of the shares held by the minority shareholders. Finally, the De Brauw advice stated that in a squeeze out, interest at the statutory interest rate on the cash amount is payable from the date when the court determines the valuation, and any dividends declared after such date and before the date of payment are deducted from such interest.
      In addition, ABN AMRO reviewed the following cash offers and share exchange offers. ABN AMRO reviewed the cash offers with regards to the decision of the court regarding the price, the date upon which this price was based and any adjustments of this price and the share exchange offers with regard to the consideration paid to the relevant minority shareholders.
Petroplus International B.V. — The Carlyle Group & Riverstone Holdings LLC, 2005

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Scala Business Solutions N.V. — Epicor Software Corporation, 2004
Rodamco Asia N.V. — ING Groep N.V., 2004
Euretco B.V. — Euretco Holding B.V., 2003
Vendex KBB B.V. — VDXK Acquisition B.V., 2004
Nedcon Groep N.V. — Voestalpine AG, 2004
Welch Allyn Cardio Control B.V. — WelchAllyn International Holdings Inc, 2004
Krasnapolsky Hotels and Restaurants N.V. — NH Hoteles S.A., 2004
Reckitt Benckiser Holdings B.V. — Reckitt Benckiser N.V., 1999
      The precedents used in the review of the cash offers and the share exchange offers were selected using the following criteria:
  •  the target company had a Dutch statutory seat;
 
  •  the squeeze out was performed under Dutch law;
 
  •  the offer and the subsequent squeeze out proceedings were completed;
 
  •  the squeeze out proceedings or the exchange offer took place in the last five years.
      Based on precedent transactions, ABN AMRO concluded that typically the consideration under Dutch legal squeeze out proceedings is based on the date of first settlement or the date at which the offer is declared unconditional. The date of the Royal Dutch offer in the Unification Transaction becoming unconditional (being July 19, 2005) is before the date of the first listing of the Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares and therefore not applicable. As a result, ABN AMRO considered July 20, 2005, which is the first date upon with Royal Dutch Shell shares traded.
      Based on information and legal analysis provided by De Brauw to Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum, and subsequently concurred with by Freshfields and ABN AMRO’s review of precedent transactions, ABN AMRO concluded that in squeeze out proceedings under Dutch law, it is likely that the squeeze out price will be deemed to be reasonable if it is equal in value to the offer consideration in the preceding public offer. The date and time which would likely be used by the Court of Appeal to determine the cash value of such offer consideration would likely be the date of the offer becoming unconditional or the date of first settlement. However, the Court of Appeal would want to be satisfied that in the period between the relevant date for determining the cash value of the offer consideration and a date shortly before the date of its decision, there is no relevant change of circumstance which should force the court to alter such decision. Interest would likely be accrued, at the statutory rate, from the date of the court decision until the date of payment (minus any dividends).
      ABN AMRO has compared the expected amount of interest that would accrue with respect to the amount of the Merger Consideration, based on the Dutch statutory rate of 4% per annum, with the expected interim dividend that will be paid by Royal Dutch in respect of the third quarter of 0.46 per share. ABN AMRO concluded that the amount of interest that would likely have been received in case of squeeze out proceedings under Dutch law is likely to be less than the expected third quarter interim dividend (before the deduction of any withholding tax from such dividends) if the effective date of the Merger is prior to January 19, 2006 and that the proposal by Royal Dutch Shell, in this respect, compares favourably to the methodology under Dutch legal squeeze out proceedings.
Analysis of the consideration paid to minority shareholders in precedent unification transactions
      ABN AMRO reviewed the unification of the following former dual-headed company structures:
  ABB Ltd., 1999;
  Dexia SA, 1996;
  Merita Nordbanken plc, 1999;
      ABN AMRO analyzed precedent unification transactions in which shares of minority shareholders were subsequently acquired by means of a squeeze out or other corporate restructuring transactions such as a legal merger in order to analyze the value which was offered to minority shareholders. ABN AMRO noted that the

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reasons for, and circumstances surrounding, each of these transactions were different and the characteristics of such transactions and the companies involved were not directly comparable to Royal Dutch. ABN AMRO concluded that the value of the offer to the minority shareholders, in the relevant unification precedent transactions for which sufficient information was available, was equal to the price which would likely have been determined under the applicable law for squeeze out proceedings.
Comparison of the Merger Consideration to the historical Royal Dutch Share price and net asset value per Royal Dutch Share
      ABN AMRO reviewed the current and historic share price of Royal Dutch Shares on Euronext Amsterdam and on the NYSE, as well as the historic share price of Royal Dutch Shares on Euronext Amsterdam, the London Stock Exchange (the “LSE”), and on the NYSE. ABN AMRO observed that the Royal Dutch Share price as traded on Euronext Amsterdam has traded at an average share price of 42.45 since January 1, 2003. The closing share price per September 30, the last trading day of Royal Dutch on Euronext Amsterdam, was 51.60. ABN AMRO observed that, based on the Euro/US dollar spot exchange rate, Royal Dutch Shares have traded since January 1, 2003 at an average share price of 42.45 on the NYSE, with a closing price of 52.22 on September 30, 2005.
      ABN AMRO observed that the Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares (or, in respect of the NYSE, ADRs where one ADR represents two Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares) as traded on Euronext Amsterdam, the LSE and on NYSE have traded at an average share price of 26.10, 26.09 and 26.07 (being the average ADR price divided by two), respectively since July 20, 2005 (based on the relevant spot exchange rates). The closing share price on October 28, 2005 is 25.24, 25.19 and 25.53 (being the ADR price divided by two), respectively (based on the relevant spot exchange rates).
      The Merger Consideration represents a 1.2% premium to the closing price of Royal Dutch Shares on Euronext on September 30, 2005, a 23.0% premium to the average price of Royal Dutch Shares on Euronext from January 1, 2003 to September 30, 2005, and premiums of 0.6% and 2.8% to two times the Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary share opening price and closing price, respectively, on Euronext on July 20, 2005. Additionally, ABN AMRO noted that the Merger Consideration represented a premium of 20.7% over the average euro buyback price for Royal Dutch shares since the beginning of 2004 and 11.2% over the average euro buyback price for Royal Dutch shares in 2005. For these purposes, buybacks in U.S. dollars were converted to euro at the prevailing spot rate on the date of purchase.
      ABN AMRO observed that the net assets per share of Royal Dutch, determined on a parent company-only basis under Dutch GAAP as at September 30, 2005, was approximately 23.68, and that the Merger Consideration represents a premium of 120.5% to that number. ABN AMRO understands from Royal Dutch Shell that 60% of the consolidated net assets of the Shell Group represents a reasonable proxy for the consolidated net assets of Royal Dutch (both on IFRS bases). The consolidated net assets of the Shell Group on an IFRS basis as at September 30, 2005 were $99.8 billion, therefore 60% of that figure, or $59.9 billion, represents an approximation of the Royal Dutch consolidated net assets as at September 30, 2005 on an IFRS basis. On a per Royal Dutch share basis, this is equivalent to approximately $28.93, or 24.03 (converted at the spot exchange rate as at September 30, 2005). The Merger Consideration represents a premium of 117.3% to that number.
        (ii) Opinion with respect to whether or not the value of the Loan Note Consideration, when issued, will be greater than the value of the Merger Consideration
      In connection with the Proposed Transaction, Royal Dutch retained ABN AMRO to render an opinion as to whether or not the value of the sterling-denominated exchangeable loan notes, when issued, with a sterling face amount (determined based on the Reuters 3000 Xtra euro sterling spot rate (calculated as the average of the bid and the ask quotations) determined at or about 11.00 pm (London time) on the day prior to the effective date of the Merger) equal to the Merger Consideration (the “Loan Note Consideration”), will be greater than the value of the Merger Consideration. ABN AMRO delivered a written opinion to the Board of Royal Dutch dated October 31, 2005 that based upon and subject to the matters considered and the assumptions and qualifications

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set forth in the opinion, the value of the Loan Note Consideration, when issued, will be not greater than the value of the Merger Consideration.
      Regardless of whether Minority Holders receive the Merger Consideration or the Loan Note Consideration, they will be entitled to receive the Royal Dutch interim dividend for the third quarter of 2005 and Interest (if any). The dividend and Interest are therefore disregarded for the purposes of ABN AMRO’s analyses.
      The full text of the written opinion of ABN AMRO is attached hereto as Annex B and sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the scope of the review undertaken by ABN AMRO in rendering its opinion. ABN AMRO provided its opinion to the Board of Royal Dutch in connection with its evaluation of the Proposed Transaction and the opinion does not in any way constitute a recommendation by ABN AMRO to any Royal Dutch shareholders as to whether such holders should vote for or against the Merger, whether any Minority Holder should receive the Merger Consideration or elect to receive the Loan Note Consideration or how any Minority Holder should otherwise act in relation to the Proposed Transaction. This summary does not purport to be a complete description of the opinion or the analyses performed by ABN AMRO and is qualified by reference to the written opinion of ABN AMRO set forth in Annex B hereto, but it does summarize all of the material analyses performed and presented by ABN AMRO. You are urged to read the opinion carefully and in its entirety.
      The preparation of such an opinion is a complex process involving various determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial analysis and the application of those methods to the particular circumstances and, therefore, such an opinion is not readily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. Selecting portions of the analyses or the summary set forth below, without considering the analyses as a whole, could create an incomplete or misleading view of the process underlying the opinion of ABN AMRO. In arriving at its opinion, ABN AMRO made qualitative judgments as to the significance and relevance of each analysis and factor that it considered. Accordingly, ABN AMRO believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses and factors or focusing on selected elements thereof, without considering all analyses and factors or the narrative description of the analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the processes underlying its analyses and opinion.
      The analyses were prepared for the purposes of ABN AMRO providing its opinion to the Board of Royal Dutch in connection with its evaluation of the Proposed Transaction and do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect levels at which Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares or any other securities might trade in the future which may be significantly more or less favorable than as set forth in these analyses.
      For the purposes of providing its opinion, ABN AMRO:
  •  reviewed the form of the loan note deed (the “Loan Note Deed”) included as an exhibit to the joint proposal which sets forth the terms of the Merger and which has been approved by each of the Boards of Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum (the “Merger Proposal”);
 
  •  reviewed the loan note document and election forms which are being separately made available to eligible UK resident Minority Holders;
 
  •  reviewed certain other documents relating to both the Unification Transaction and the Proposed Transaction;
 
  •  participated in discussions with and reviewed information provided by Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and its advisers with respect to matters ABN AMRO believed necessary or appropriate to its enquiry; and
 
  •  performed such other financial reviews and analysis as ABN AMRO, in its absolute discretion, deemed appropriate.
      ABN AMRO assumed that the loan notes will carry benefits and risks and be subject to the terms and conditions substantially as set out in the Loan Note Deed. ABN AMRO also assumed, as per Royal Dutch Shell’s stated intention in the loan note document, that Royal Dutch Shell will exchange all of the loan notes for Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares on the earliest possible exchange date, being January 6, 2006 (although ABN AMRO considered the effect of an exchange or redemption at a later date). ABN AMRO assumed and

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relied upon, without independent verification, the truth, accuracy and completeness of the information, data, analysis and financial terms provided to it or used by it, assumed that the same were not misleading and does not assume or accept any liability or responsibility for any independent verification of such information or any independent valuation or appraisal of the Loan Note Consideration nor was ABN AMRO provided with such valuation or appraisal. ABN AMRO has not performed any independent valuation or appraisal of any of the assets, operations or liabilities (other than the analysis of the Loan Note Consideration for the purposes of its opinion) of Royal Dutch, Shell Petroleum, Shell Transport or Royal Dutch Shell, nor was ABN AMRO provided with such valuation or appraisal. ABN AMRO does not assume or accept liability or responsibility for (and expresses no view as to) any such information or assumptions on which it is based. In preparing its opinion, ABN AMRO received specific confirmation from senior management of Royal Dutch that the assumptions specified in its written opinion were reasonable and no information had been withheld from ABN AMRO that could have influenced the purport of its opinion or the assumptions on which it is based.
      Further, ABN AMRO’s opinion is necessarily based on financial, economic, monetary, market and other conditions, including those in the securities and oil and gas markets, as in effect on, and the information made available to ABN AMRO or used by it up to, the date of the opinion. ABN AMRO’s opinion exclusively focuses on whether or not the value of the Loan Note Consideration, when issued, will be greater than the value of the Merger Consideration, and does not address any other issues such as the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Loan Note Consideration to the eligible UK resident Minority Holders who elect to receive the Loan Note Consideration in lieu of the Merger Consideration, or the underlying business decision to merge Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum or to recommend the Merger or to effect the Merger as opposed to any other transaction or procedure that would allow Royal Dutch Shell to acquire Royal Dutch Shares that it does not already own, or the commercial merits of any of the foregoing or the prices or volumes at which the shares of Royal Dutch Shell or any other securities may trade following completion of the Proposed Transaction. Subsequent developments in the above mentioned conditions may affect ABN AMRO’s opinion and the assumptions made in preparing the opinion and ABN AMRO is not obliged to update, revise or reaffirm its opinion if such conditions change.
      In rendering its opinion, ABN AMRO has not provided legal, regulatory, tax, accounting or actuarial advice and accordingly ABN AMRO does not assume any responsibility or liability in respect thereof. ABN AMRO did not participate in negotiations with respect to the terms of the Implementation Agreement or the terms or conditions of the loan notes. ABN AMRO assumed that the Proposed Transaction will be consummated on the terms and conditions as set out in the Implementation Agreement and that the loan notes issued will be subject to the terms and conditions as set out in the Loan Note Deed, without any material changes to, or waiver of, any of those respective terms or conditions, that the Company will pay a dividend in an amount equal to 0.46 to the Royal Dutch shareholders of record prior to the effective date of the Merger and that the effective date of the Merger will be no later than December 31, 2005. ABN AMRO has specifically not considered the individual tax situation of any of the eligible UK resident Minority Holders, which may or may not make the election by any of these shareholders to receive loan notes more or less favorable to them.
      As described on page 11 under Special Factors — “Purposes, Reasons, Fairness, Alternatives and Effects of the Proposed Transaction — Position on the Fairness of the Proposed Transaction”, the Board of Royal Dutch took into account a number of factors in evaluating the Loan Note Consideration and reaching a determination to recommend the Proposed Transaction, including, but not limited to, ABN AMRO’s opinion. Accordingly, ABN AMRO’s analyses summarized below should not be viewed as determinative of the views of the Board of Royal Dutch with respect to the Proposed Transaction.
      ABN AMRO performed the analyses described below for the purposes of evaluating whether or not the value of the Loan Note Consideration, when issued, will be greater than the value of the Merger Consideration. The following is a summary of the financial analyses performed by ABN AMRO in connection with the rendering of its opinion.
      ABN AMRO determined the value of the Loan Note Consideration relative to the value of the Merger Consideration based on (i) analysis of the various price scenarios of the underlying Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares; and (ii) analysis of the loan note value by disaggregation into, and valuation of, its hypothetical

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component parts. ABN AMRO also considered the impact on any of its conclusions of assuming that the loan notes are exchanged or redeemed later than January 6, 2006 (being the earliest possible date of exchange).
Analysis of the various price scenarios of the underlying Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares
      At the date of exchange of the loan notes, the average of the means of the daily price quotations of a Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary share published in the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange on the three Business Days immediately preceding the date of exchange (the “Market Price”) may be greater than, less than or equal to the sterling equivalent (determined based on the Reuters 3000 Xtra euro sterling spot rate (calculated as the average of the bid and the ask quotations) determined at or about 11.00 pm (London time) on the day prior to the effective date of the Merger) of the value of half of the Merger Consideration (being equal to one half of the principal amount of the loan note), (the “Base Price”).
      Taking each scenario in turn, ABN AMRO made a comparison of, on the one hand, the value of the Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares received following exchange of the loan notes into Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares, to, on the other hand, the value that the Minority Holders would otherwise have received based on a sterling cash amount equal to two times the Base Price.
  •  Market Price of Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares greater than the Base Price: In this scenario, the holder of a loan note would receive, on the date of exchange, less than two Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares. Fractions of Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares would be paid in cash. The aggregate value of such shares plus any fractions paid in cash would be equal to the principal amount of the loan note, which in turn would be equal to two times the Base Price.
 
  •  Market Price of Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares less than the Base Price: In this scenario, the holder of a loan note would receive, on the date of exchange, two Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares. The aggregate value of such shares would be less than the principal amount of the loan note and therefore less than two times the Base Price.
 
  •  Market Price of Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares equal to the Base Price: In this scenario, the holder of a loan note would receive, on the date of exchange, two Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares. The aggregate value of such shares would be equal to the principal amount of the loan note, which in turn would be equal to two times the Base Price.
      Under each scenario, the holder of a loan note would receive accrued interest at an annual rate of LIBOR (as defined in the Loan Note Deed) minus 1.50 per cent. on the principal amount, being equal to two times the Base Price, for the period between the date of issue and the date of exchange.
      Under each scenario, had the Minority Holder not elected to receive the Loan Note Consideration and instead received the Merger Consideration, such Minority Holder would have been able to invest the Merger Consideration in order to receive interest. In ABN AMRO’s opinion, the yield on an asset swap basis equivalent on sterling denominated AA-rated notes in the secondary market will under normal circumstances be no less than 0.50 per cent. below LIBOR. Accordingly, such a Minority Holder would have, on the date of exchange, the Merger Consideration plus interest at an annual rate of no less than LIBOR minus 0.50 per cent. from the date of issue of the loan notes to the date of exchange into Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares.
      ABN AMRO concluded that under no Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary share price scenario could the value of the Loan Note Consideration on the effective date of the Merger exceed the value of the Merger Consideration.
Analysis of the loan note value by disaggregation into, and valuation of, its hypothetical component parts
      ABN AMRO believes, given that a loan note holder will not, upon exchange of the loan note, receive a greater number of Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares than he would otherwise have received under the terms of the Exchange Offer, that the value of the loan note instrument may be considered by disaggregation into two hypothetical components: (i) the obligation associated with two written ‘European put’ options on Royal

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Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares, each with a strike price equal to the Base Price; and (ii) a floating rate non-exchangeable debt instrument.
      ABN AMRO analyzed (i) the value of a hypothetical floating rate non-exchangeable debt instrument, paying interest at an annual rate of LIBOR minus 1.50 per cent., to be redeemed at par on the date of exchange (assumed to be January 6, 2006) by discounting the negative spread of 150 basis points over the zero coupon swap curve; and (ii) the value of two hypothetical ‘European put’ options over Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares, each with a strike price equal to the Base Price and an assumed expiry date of January 6, 2006 by application of the Black-Scholes valuation technique, both being subject to relevant respective terms and conditions of the loan notes as set out in the Loan Note Deed.
      ABN AMRO established that the value of such a hypothetical floating rate non-exchangeable debt instrument would be less than par value. Furthermore, ABN AMRO established that the obligation associated with such hypothetical written ‘European put’ options would confer a negative value to the loan note holder. ABN AMRO therefore concluded that the value of the loan note, calculated as the sum of the value of the two hypothetical components, would not exceed the value of a cash amount equal to two times the Base Price and, accordingly, that the value of the Loan Note Consideration, when issued, would not exceed the value of the Merger Consideration.
      Furthermore, ABN AMRO considered the impact on the value of the loan notes of assuming that the exchange of the loan notes into Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares takes place later than the earliest possible date of exchange (being January 6, 2006). ABN AMRO considered the increased period during which a loan note holder would earn interest at an annual rate of 1.50 per cent. below LIBOR and concluded that under such a scenario the value to the holder of the hypothetical floating rate non-exchangeable debt instrument would be lower than in the event of exchange taking place on January 6, 2006. ABN AMRO also considered the extended tenor of the hypothetical written ‘European put’ options and concluded that under such a scenario the duration over which the loan note holder would be exposed to the obligation would be longer and therefore the value of such obligation would be lower (i.e. more negative) than in the event of the exchange taking place on January 6, 2006. ABN AMRO therefore concluded that if the exchange of the loan notes into Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares were to take place later than at the earliest possible date of exchange (being January 6, 2006), then the value of the Loan Note Consideration would be relatively lower.
      Finally, ABN AMRO considered the impact on the value of the loan notes assuming that a redemption of the loan notes, in full at par, takes place. In the event of a redemption of the loan notes, the loan note holder would receive, in total, cash equal to the loan note principal (equal to two times the Base Price), plus interest at an annual rate of 1.50 per cent. below LIBOR for the period between issue and redemption. For the purposes of this analysis, and in the context of the interest received over at least one year from the date of issue, ABN AMRO assumed that any impact of the option (of the loan note holder) to receive pounds sterling or euro at the time of redemption was de minimis. ABN AMRO concluded, by reference to the zero coupon swap curve, that the value of the Loan Note Consideration in the event of redemption, would be less than par.
        (iii) General
      Pursuant to the opinion letters and the engagement letter between Royal Dutch and ABN AMRO, the opinions as well as the relationship between ABN AMRO and the Board of Royal Dutch are governed by Dutch law and the Dutch courts have exclusive jurisdiction thereover.
      The Board of Royal Dutch selected ABN AMRO as Royal Dutch’s financial advisor based on ABN AMRO’s qualifications, expertise and reputation. ABN AMRO is an internationally recognized investment banking and financial advisory firm. As part of its investment banking and financial advisory business, ABN AMRO is continuously involved in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, competitive biddings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and valuations for corporate and other purposes. ABN AMRO is acting as financial advisor to Royal Dutch in connection with the Proposed Transaction, and will receive a fee of 500,000 for rendering the opinions, which was payable upon the delivery by ABN AMRO of the opinions. The fee amount was agreed upon following negotiation. Royal Dutch has also agreed to reimburse ABN AMRO for reasonable

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out of pocket expenses incurred by ABN AMRO in performing its services, including the fees and expenses of legal counsel, and, subject to the terms of ABN AMRO’s letter of engagement, to indemnify ABN AMRO and related persons and entities against liabilities, including liabilities under U.S. Federal securities laws, relating to or arising from ABN AMRO’s engagement.
      From time to time ABN AMRO and its affiliates have also (i) maintained banking relationships with members of the Shell Group, including overdraft facilities and intraday facilities related to cash management and project financing, (ii) provided investment banking services such as mergers and acquisitions advice and (iii) executed transactions, for their own account or for the accounts of customers, in the Royal Dutch Shares, Shell Transport shares or Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares or the Royal Dutch Shell Class B ordinary shares or debt securities in any of the foregoing and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities. ABN AMRO is a holder of Royal Dutch Shell shares. In connection with the Proposed Transaction, ABN AMRO has been retained by Shell Petroleum to act as exchange agent in connection with the Merger. For its role as exchange agent, Shell Petroleum has agreed to pay ABN AMRO 500,000 (which may be adjusted depending on the number of Minority Holders holding bearer shares that elect to receive loan notes and as a result of other significant unforeseen costs), payable after the effective date of the Merger. Shell Petroleum has also agreed to reimburse ABN AMRO for reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by ABN AMRO in performing its services as exchange agent, including the fees and expenses of legal counsel, and, subject to the terms of ABN AMRO’s letter of engagement, to indemnify ABN AMRO and related persons and entities against liabilities, including liabilities under U.S. Federal securities laws, relating to or arising from ABN AMRO’s engagement.
      In the past two years, the aggregate compensation received by ABN AMRO and its affiliates from Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch, Shell Petroleum and Shell Transport and their affiliates was approximately 18 million (which includes the payment of 500,000 made upon delivery of ABN AMRO’s opinions dated October 31, 2005).
      Jonkheer Aarnout Loudon, who is a member of the Royal Dutch Shell Board, and the Royal Dutch Board, is Chairman of the Supervisory Board of ABN AMRO Holding N.V., the parent company of ABN AMRO. Jonkheer Aarnout Loudon has not been involved in the decisions by Royal Dutch and ABN AMRO in connection with the services provided by ABN AMRO to Royal Dutch or Royal Dutch Shell.
     (b)     Reports of independent accountants
      Under Dutch law, the Boards of Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum are required to receive certain certifications and reports from independent accounting firms in connection with the Proposed Transaction. Both of the Boards are required pursuant to section 2:328 paragraph 1 of the Dutch Civil Code to receive certifications from independent accountants that they have each examined the Merger Proposal (defined below) and certified that the Exchange Ratio is reasonable and that the equity of Royal Dutch as of September 30, 2005 was at least equal to the nominal value of the aggregate number of shares to be allotted by Shell Petroleum pursuant to the Exchange Ratio plus the cash payments and loan notes issued for fractional entitlements, based on generally accepted valuation methods in The Netherlands. Such firms must also provide reports pursuant to section 2:328 paragraph 2 of the Dutch Civil Code stating the valuation method used by management to determine the Exchange Ratio is in accordance with Dutch legal requirements. Deloitte and E&Y, the independent audit firms engaged by the Boards of Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum, respectively, have provided such certifications and reports.
      Additionally, the Board of Royal Dutch is required to receive a certification pursuant to section 2:94b, subsection 2 of the Dutch Civil Code from an independent accounting firm that it has examined the issuance of Royal Dutch Shares for the contribution in kind of Shell Transport and certified that the value of the Shell Transport shares is sufficient to meet the payment obligation for such issuance based on generally accepted accounting and valuation principles. The Board of Royal Dutch will receive this certification from Deloitte on or prior to the date of the EGM.
      Ernst & Young Accountants, The Netherlands, is the Dutch member firm of the Ernst & Young network, one of the largest global independent accounting firms. In the past two years Ernst & Young Accountants and other

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Ernst & Young member firms have provided the Shell Group with a number of services including assurance, consulting, mergers and acquisitions advice and advisory work in regard to compliance with the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act. For all of these services, the firm received a fee commensurate with the market rate for these services.
      Deloitte Accountants B.V. is a separate and independent member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a Swiss Verein (Company). The member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu form one of the largest global professional services organizations, providing audit, tax, consulting and financial advisory services. In the past two years it has provided the Shell Group with a number of services including consulting, mergers and acquisitions advice and advisory work in regard to compliance with the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act. For all of these services, the firm received a fee commensurate with the market rate for these services.
      Neither Deloitte nor E&Y are the auditors of the Shell Group’s financial statements.
5. Intentions of Royal Dutch Shell with Regard to Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum
      Upon completion of the Merger, Shell Petroleum will be the surviving entity and Royal Dutch and the Royal Dutch Shares will cease to exist. The management of Shell Petroleum will continue as the management of the merged entity.
      Subject to any efficiencies realized as part of the Proposed Transaction, Royal Dutch Shell expects that following the Proposed Transaction the Shell Group will operate its businesses on a basis substantially consistent with its current operations. Royal Dutch Shell intends to evaluate the business and operations of Shell Petroleum and the Shell Group on an ongoing basis with a view to maximizing its potential, and Royal Dutch Shell will take such actions as it deems appropriate under the circumstances and market conditions then existing.
      Upon completion of the Merger, trading of Royal Dutch Shares will cease, the registration of the Royal Dutch Shares under the Exchange Act will be terminated and Shell Petroleum, as the successor of Royal Dutch, will not be subject to the periodic reporting obligations of the Exchange Act or otherwise be subject to the U.S. Federal securities laws applicable to public companies.
      Except as otherwise described in this Disclosure Document, Royal Dutch has not, and Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum have not, as of the date of this Disclosure Document, approved any specific plans or proposals for:
  •  any extraordinary corporate transaction involving Shell Petroleum after the completion of the Proposed Transaction;
 
  •  any sale or transfer of a material amount of assets currently held by Royal Dutch after the completion of the Proposed Transaction;
 
  •  any change in the board of directors or management of Shell Petroleum; or
 
  •  any material change in Shell Petroleum’s dividend policy, indebtedness, capitalization, corporate structure or business after the completion of the Proposed Transaction.
III.     COMPANIES INVOLVED
1. Description of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum
     (a)     Royal Dutch Shell
      Royal Dutch Shell was incorporated in England and Wales on February 5, 2002, as a private company limited by shares under the name Forthdeal Limited. On October 27, 2004, Royal Dutch Shell re-registered as a public company limited by shares and changed its name to Royal Dutch Shell plc. Royal Dutch Shell’s primary object is to carry on the business of a holding company.
      Pursuant to the Unification Transaction, Royal Dutch Shell became the parent company of Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and, through Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, the Shell Group. As a result of the Exchange Offer, including the subsequent offer acceptance period, Royal Dutch Shell acquired, and currently holds, approximately 98.5% of the Royal Dutch Shares.

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      Present in more than 140 countries and territories around the world, the companies of the Shell Group are engaged in the business of Exploration & Production, Gas & Power, Oil Products, Chemicals and Other industry segments including Shell Renewables and Hydrogen.
  •  Exploration & Production: Searching for, finding and producing crude oil and natural gas. Building and operating the infrastructure needed to deliver hydrocarbons to market.
 
  •  Gas & Power: Liquefying and transporting natural gas, developing gas markets and infrastructure including gas-fired power plants and engaging in the marketing and trading of natural gas and electricity. Converting natural gas to liquids to provide clean fuels.
 
  •  Oil Products: Marketing transportation fuels, lubricants and specialty products. Refining, supplying, trading and shipping crude oil and petroleum products.
 
  •  Chemicals: Producing and selling petrochemicals to industrial customers globally.
 
  •  Other industry segments comprise technical consultancy services, Shell Renewables and Hydrogen.
      Royal Dutch Shell is registered at Companies House, Cardiff with company number 04366849, and the Chamber of Commerce, The Hague under number 34179503. Royal Dutch Shell’s registered office is at Shell Centre, London, SE1 7NA, UK and its headquarters are at Carel van Bylandtlaan 30, 2596 HR The Hague, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 (0) 70 377 9111. Royal Dutch Shell is considered a resident of The Netherlands for Dutch and UK tax purposes.
      Royal Dutch Shell is the beneficial owner of 2,038,380,043 Royal Dutch Shares, representing approximately 98.5% of the outstanding Royal Dutch Shares. As used in this Disclosure Document, “beneficial ownership” has the meaning provided in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
     (b)     Shell Petroleum
      Shell Petroleum was incorporated on June 28, 1907, under the laws of The Netherlands. The address of Shell Petroleum’s registered office, head office and principal place of business is at Carel van Bylandtlaan 30, 2596 HR The Hague, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 (0) 70 377 9111.
      Under the holding structure of the Shell Group prior to the Proposed Transaction, Shell Transport and Royal Dutch own 40% and 60%, respectively, of each of Shell Petroleum and SPCo. Shell Petroleum and SPCo currently hold the interests of the operating companies of the Shell Group. Shell Petroleum is the beneficial owner of 100 Royal Dutch Shares.
     (c)     Securities Proceedings
      None of Royal Dutch Shell, Shell Petroleum or to the knowledge of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum, the persons listed in Schedule I, has been convicted in a criminal proceeding during the past five years (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors), or has been party to any judicial or administrative proceeding during the past five years that resulted in a judgment, decree or final order enjoining such person for future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, U.S. Federal or state securities laws, or a finding of any violation of U.S. Federal or state securities laws.
      The SEC and UK Financial Services Authority (the “FSA”) issued formal orders of private investigation in relation to the reserves recategorization which Royal Dutch and Shell Transport resolved by reaching agreements with the SEC and the FSA as announced on August 24, 2004. In connection with the agreement with the SEC, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport consented, without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings or conclusions, to an administrative order finding that Royal Dutch and Shell Transport violated, and requiring Royal Dutch and Shell Transport to cease and desist from future violations of, the antifraud, reporting, recordkeeping and internal control provisions of the U.S. Federal securities laws and related SEC rules, agreed to pay a $120 million civil penalty and undertook to spend an additional $5 million developing a comprehensive internal compliance program. In connection with the agreement with the FSA, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport agreed, without admitting or denying the FSA’s findings or conclusions, to the entry of a Final Notice by the FSA finding that

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Royal Dutch and Shell Transport breached market abuse provisions of the UK’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”) and the Listing Rules made under it and agreed to pay a penalty of £17 million. The penalties from the SEC and FSA and the additional amount to develop a comprehensive internal compliance program have been paid by Shell Group companies and fully included in the Income Statement of Royal Dutch for the year 2004. The United States Department of Justice commenced a criminal investigation but announced on June 29, 2005 that it had made a determination not to prosecute. Euronext Amsterdam, the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (“AFM”) and the California Department of Corporations are investigating the issues related to the reserves recategorization. The AFM has announced that their findings do not give rise to any further action from their side at this time. Management of the Shell Group cannot currently predict the manner and timing of the resolution of these pending matters and is currently unable to estimate the range of reasonably possible losses from such matters.
2. Description of Royal Dutch and the Royal Dutch Shares
      Royal Dutch was incorporated on June 16, 1890, under the laws of The Netherlands. The address of Royal Dutch’s registered office, head office and principal place of business is at Carel van Bylandtlaan 30, 2596 HR The Hague, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 (0) 70 377 9111.
      Royal Dutch does not engage in operational activities. It derives the whole of its income — except for interest income on cash balances or short-term investments — from its interests in the Shell Group.
      Prior to the Unification Transaction, the principal trading markets for Royal Dutch Shares were Euronext Amsterdam and the NYSE. The Royal Dutch Shares were delisted from Euronext Amsterdam on September 30, 2005. Royal Dutch Shares in New York registry form are listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol “RD”. At Royal Dutch Shell’s request, on August 11, 2005, Royal Dutch filed an application with the SEC to delist the Royal Dutch Shares from the NYSE. The NYSE halted trading in Royal Dutch Shares on October 3, 2005 and stated that it would consider the appropriateness of reopening trading in Royal Dutch shares when further information regarding the Merger, including the compensation to be paid to Minority Holders, is made available. The NYSE resumed trading in Royal Dutch Shares on October 31, 2005, following the joint public announcement by Royal Dutch Shell and Royal Dutch of the definitive terms of the Proposed Transaction, including the Merger Consideration. The NYSE has stated that it expects to trade Royal Dutch Shares until either the SEC approves Royal Dutch’s application to delist the Royal Dutch Shares from the NYSE or the completion of Merger.

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      The following table presents the high and low prices of Royal Dutch Shares in New York registry form on the NYSE for the periods indicated.
                   
NYSE (in U.S. dollars)    
Calendar Year   High   Low
         
2003
               
 
First Quarter
    46.88       36.69  
 
Second Quarter
    49.81       40.56  
 
Third Quarter
    46.79       42.84  
 
Fourth Quarter
    52.70       43.95  
2004
               
 
First Quarter
    54.00       45.79  
 
Second Quarter
    53.24       47.48  
 
Third Quarter
    53.82       48.94  
 
Fourth Quarter
    57.79       51.63  
2005
               
 
First Quarter
    65.11       55.37  
 
Second Quarter
    66.29       56.28  
 
Third Quarter
    67.45       59.65  
 
Fourth Quarter (October 31 to November 2, 2005)
    62.79       62.00  
      On November 2, 2005, the closing price of Royal Dutch Shares in New York registry form on the NYSE was $62.60 per Royal Dutch Share.
      The following table presents the high and low prices of Royal Dutch Shares on Euronext Amsterdam for the periods indicated.
                   
Euronext Amsterdam (in euro)    
Calendar Year   High   Low
         
2003
               
 
First Quarter
    44.58       33.35  
 
Second Quarter
    42.15       36.56  
 
Third Quarter
    42.09       37.45  
 
Fourth Quarter
    41.85       37.01  
2004
               
 
First Quarter
    42.43       36.59  
 
Second Quarter
    43.94       38.02  
 
Third Quarter
    43.63       39.96  
 
Fourth Quarter
    44.03       41.17  
2005
               
 
First Quarter
    49.33       41.84  
 
Second Quarter
    54.90       44.66  
 
Third Quarter
    56.75       48.00  
      On September 30, 2005, the closing price of Royal Dutch Shares on Euronext Amsterdam was 51.60 per Royal Dutch Share.

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      The following table presents the dividend paid or payable on Royal Dutch Shares, on the dates indicated:
                   
    Dividend   U.S. $
Dates   ()   equivalent*
         
2003
               
 
May 6 (Final Dividend for 2002)
    1.00       1.10  
 
September 17 (Interim Dividend for 2003)
    0.74       0.85  
2004
               
 
May 6 (Second Interim Dividend for 2003)
    1.02       1.21  
 
September 15 (Interim Dividend for 2004)
    0.75       0.90  
2005
               
 
March 15 (Second Interim Dividend for 2004)
    1.04       1.33  
 
June 15 (First Interim Dividend for 2005)
    0.46       0.59  
 
September 15 (Second Interim Dividend for 2005)
    0.46       0.55  
 
December 15 (Third Interim Dividend for 2005 — payable on December 15, 2005)
    0.46       0.56  
 
Rounded to two decimal places.
      There are no current restrictions on the ability of Royal Dutch to pay dividends nor is it intended that any restrictions be imposed prior to the Merger.
      Prior to the Unification Transaction, Royal Dutch and other members of the Shell Group engaged in buybacks of Royal Dutch Shares on the open market. These buybacks were conducted in both euro and U.S. dollars. The following tables present the total, average, high and low prices for each quarter of the past two years. No buybacks have been conducted since the first quarter of 2005. U.S. dollar prices have been translated at the noon buying rate as certified by the U.S. Federal Reserve for customs purposes on the date of purchase.
                                   
    Shares   Low   High   Average
    Purchased   Price    Price    Price 
                 
2003
                               
 
Fourth Quarter
    464       31.44       31.44       31.44  
2004
                               
 
First Quarter
                       
 
Second Quarter
    8,002,000       40.78       41.92       41.36  
 
Third Quarter
    13,270,000       40.08       42.78       41.12  
 
Fourth Quarter
                       
2005
                               
 
First Quarter
    4,880,000       45.42       48.59       46.94  
                         
Total
    26,152,464       31.44       48.59       42.28  

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3.     Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Net Book Value
      The following table sets forth, on a U.S. GAAP basis and, for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, also on an IFRS basis, the consolidated unaudited ratio of earnings to fixed charges of Royal Dutch for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and the nine months ended September 30, 2005.
                         
    Year ended December 31,
     
    2004   2003   2002
             
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(a) (U.S. GAAP basis)
    21.64       15.58       11.45  
                         
    Nine months ended
    September 30, 2005
     
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(a) (IFRS)
            24.07          
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(a) (U.S. GAAP)
            27.81          
 
(a) For the purposes of this table, “earnings” consists of pre-tax income from continuing operations before adjustment for minority interest and income from equity investees plus fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest) less undistributed earnings of equity investees, plus distributed income from equity interests. “Fixed charges” consists of expensed and capitalized interest plus interest within rental expenses plus preference security dividend requirements of consolidated subsidiaries.
      The book value per Royal Dutch Share as of September 30, 2005 was $25.59 and $23.87 under IFRS and US GAAP, respectively, which is calculated based on equity attributable to Royal Dutch under IFRS and US GAAP, respectively, of $52,967 million and $49,394 million, respectively, and 2,069,520,000 Royal Dutch Shares outstanding as of such date.
      For further information, see the Audited Combined Financial Statements of Royal Dutch for the Year Ended December 31, 2004, and the Unaudited Combined Financial Statements of Royal Dutch for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005, attached hereto.
4. Interest of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum in Royal Dutch
      As a result of the Exchange Offer, including the subsequent offer acceptance period, Royal Dutch Shell acquired beneficial ownership of 2,038,380,043 Royal Dutch Shares, or approximately 98.5% of the Royal Dutch Shares outstanding. Holders who exchanged Royal Dutch Shares in the Exchange Offer received two Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares (or one ADR) for each Royal Dutch Share so exchanged. Royal Dutch Shell did not exchange and does not intend to seek delivery of, and therefore disclaims beneficial ownership of, 2,982,288 Royal Dutch Shares in New York registry form tendered in the initial acceptance period and 4,295,470 Royal Dutch Shares in New York registry form tendered in the subsequent offer acceptance period via the guaranteed delivery procedure, but not delivered to the U.S. exchange agent in respect of the initial acceptance period or subsequent offer acceptance period as required by the Prospectus. Royal Dutch Shell, Shell Petroleum and Royal Dutch beneficially own 100 shares (which are included in the above total) that were purchased by Shell Group companies in May 2003 at a price of $44.73.
      Shell Petroleum paid Royal Dutch dividends of 3.4 billion, 3.6 billion and 7.0 billion in 2003, 2004 and 2005 (to date), respectively. Royal Dutch Shell received a dividend of 0.9 billion in September 2005 from Royal Dutch and will receive a dividend payment of 0.9 billion in December 2005.
      Except as described in Section III.1, “Companies Involved — Description of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum,” at the time of the publication of this Disclosure Document, neither Royal Dutch Shell nor Shell Petroleum holds, directly or indirectly, any interest, or is attributed any voting rights, in Royal Dutch.
      In particular, except as described in this Disclosure Document:
      (i) neither of Royal Dutch Shell or Shell Petroleum nor, to the best knowledge of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum, any of the persons listed in Schedule 1 hereto or any associate or majority-owned subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell or any of the persons so listed in Schedule 1 hereto, beneficially owns any Royal Dutch Shares; and
      (ii) neither of Royal Dutch Shell or Shell Petroleum nor, to the best knowledge of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum, any of the persons listed in Schedule 1 hereto nor any associate or majority-owned subsidiary of

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Royal Dutch Shell or pension, profit-sharing or similar plan of Royal Dutch, Royal Dutch Shell or Shell Petroleum, has effected any transaction in the Royal Dutch Shares during the 60 days prior to the filing of this Disclosure Document by Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum.
      Except as described in this Disclosure Document, neither of Royal Dutch Shell or Shell Petroleum nor, to the best knowledge of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum, any of the persons listed in Schedule 1 hereto, has had any agreement arrangement or understanding with any other person with respect to the securities of Royal Dutch.
      Except as described in this Disclosure Document, there have been no material contacts, negotiations or transactions within the past two years between Royal Dutch Shell or Shell Petroleum or, to the best knowledge of Royal Dutch Shell or Shell Petroleum, any of the persons listed in Schedule 1 hereto, on the one hand, and Royal Dutch and/or its affiliates (or any person not affiliated with Royal Dutch who would have a direct interest in such matters), on the other hand, concerning a merger, consolidation or acquisition, takeover offer or other acquisition of securities, an election of directors or a sale or other transfer of a material amount of assets of Royal Dutch.
IV.     THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION
1.     Overview of the Proposed Transaction
      Royal Dutch Shell proposes to engage in certain transactions that would reorganize the ownership interests of Royal Dutch Shell and certain of its subsidiaries into a Dutch fiscal group and a UK fiscal group. As part of these transactions, Royal Dutch will merge into Shell Petroleum through a statutory merger under Dutch law on a basis whereby each Minority Holder would be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration per Royal Dutch Share held by such holder immediately prior to the Merger.
      On October 31, 2005, Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch, Shell Petroleum, Shell Transport and SPCo entered into an Implementation Agreement in respect of the Proposed Transaction, setting forth, inter alia, the conditions to and conduct of the Proposed Transaction. Pursuant to the Implementation Agreement, the parties agreed, subject to its directors’ fiduciary duties, to use all reasonable endeavors to procure the satisfaction of the conditions to the Proposed Transaction and to implement the Proposed Transaction as set out in the agreement.
      Pursuant to the Implementation Agreement, the completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to certain conditions, including the requirement for a resolution to be passed approving the Merger by a two-thirds majority vote at an EGM where 75% of the issued share capital is represented. Royal Dutch Shell intends to vote its entire shareholding interest (approximately 98.5%) in favor of the Merger as well as any other items related to the Proposed Transaction which are put to a vote at the EGM, and, accordingly, the Merger and all such items can be adopted without the vote of the Minority Holders. Shareholders of Royal Dutch have been notified of the Merger through press releases, and for registered holders by a letter from the Chief Executive of Royal Dutch. Royal Dutch will convene the EGM for December 16, 2005, at 2.00 pm Central European time, at Carel van Bylandtlaan 16, 2596 HR The Hague, The Netherlands. Shareholders of Royal Dutch will separately be provided notice of the EGM and proxy materials, in accordance with Dutch requirements and applicable NYSE requirements, that solicit their vote on the Merger and the other items to be voted upon at the EGM. The Proposed Transaction is also subject to the other conditions set out in Section IV.2, “The Proposed Transaction — Conditions to the Proposed Transaction”. If the Proposed Transaction is not completed before January 1, 2006, the Implementation Agreement may be terminated by Royal Dutch Shell or Royal Dutch. If the Implementation Agreement is so terminated, the parties thereto are obligated to take all reasonable steps to effectively reverse any steps taken in the Proposed Transaction, to the extent legally permissible and as determined by the parties to be practicable in the circumstances.
      The Proposed Transaction will unwind the cross-holdings of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport in Shell Petroleum and SPCo through the following steps:
        (a) Shell Transport will receive newly issued bonus shares in SPCo and Royal Dutch shall consent and take other necessary actions to allow Shell Transport to be registered as holder of such shares. As consideration for Royal Dutch consenting and taking such actions, Shell Transport will transfer to Royal

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  Dutch the entire interest in Shell Petroleum held by Shell Transport (other than four B shares that Shell Transport will retain for U.S. tax purposes);
 
        (b) Royal Dutch will issue new Royal Dutch Shares to Royal Dutch Shell and, in consideration for such issue, Royal Dutch Shell shall contribute to Royal Dutch all of its shares in Shell Transport;
 
        (c) Royal Dutch will contribute its remaining SPCo shares to its subsidiary Shell Transport; and
 
        (d) upon completion of the above steps, Shell Petroleum and Royal Dutch will effect the Merger, following which Shell Petroleum will be the surviving entity and Royal Dutch and the Royal Dutch Shares will cease to exist.
      In connection with the Merger, the articles of association of Royal Dutch will be amended shortly before the Merger to reclassify the share capital of Royal Dutch into three classes: X shares held by Royal Dutch Shell, Y shares held by eligible UK resident Minority Holders electing to receive loan notes and ordinary shares held by Royal Dutch Shell and Minority Holders receiving cash. As described above, in the event the Merger is not completed before January 1, 2006 and the Implementation Agreement is terminated, the parties are obligated to take all reasonable steps to effectively reverse any steps taken in the Proposed Transaction to the extent legally permissable and as determined by the parties to be practicable in the circumstances. In that circumstance, the Royal Dutch articles of association could be amended to return to the original articles of association with the vote of a majority of the share capital voting together, so that the vote of the Royal Dutch Shares held by Royal Dutch Shell would control the outcome.
      The terms of the Merger are set forth in the Merger Proposal and the explanation to the Merger Proposal signed by each member of the Boards of Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum. Under the terms of the Merger, a holder of Royal Dutch Shares will be allotted one Class A share of Shell Petroleum for every 31,978,937 Royal Dutch Shares held by such holder. Any holder that has been allotted 105 Class A shares will then be allotted one Class B share of Shell Petroleum for 28,521,530 Royal Dutch Shares held by it and then further Class A shares. In accordance with Dutch law, any shareholder who holds a fractional entitlement is only entitled to receive financial consideration for their fractional entitlements. Pursuant to the Merger Proposal, a holder of Royal Dutch Shares who is allotted a Class B share of Shell Petroleum in accordance with the foregoing, will not receive any consideration for further Royal Dutch Shares it holds. Further, Dutch law requires in this case that the Exchange Ratio (including the financial consideration) must be determined no later than on the date of signing of the Merger Proposal.
      The Proposed Transaction was structured, and the Exchange Ratio was determined, so that Royal Dutch Shell would receive shares in Shell Petroleum and all Minority Holders would be entitled to fractional entitlements. At the time the Merger is consummated, Royal Dutch Shell will be the holder of 3,418,059,943 Royal Dutch Shares and will be entitled to 105 Class A shares of Shell Petroleum and one Class B share of Shell Petroleum. Collectively, the Minority Holders hold less than 31,978,937 Royal Dutch Shares. Therefore, none of the Minority Holders will be entitled to either a Class A or Class B share of Shell Petroleum and instead each of the Minority Holders will be entitled to the Merger Consideration for their Royal Dutch Shares (or, in the case of eligible UK resident holders who so elect, exchangeable loan notes).
      Persons who at the time of the Merger becoming effective, have unexpired share subscription rights or option rights shall upon exercise thereof be compensated therefor in cash as of the Merger becoming effective; the amount shall be determined in accordance with section 2:320 paragraph 2 of the Dutch Civil Code.
      Each Minority Holder will be entitled to receive for their Royal Dutch Shares cash equivalent to the Merger Consideration. Holders of Royal Dutch Shares on the applicable record date will also receive the Royal Dutch interim dividend for the third quarter of 2005 of 0.46 per share (or $0.5556 per share for holders of New York registered shares), which will be payable on December 15, 2005. As in Dutch statutory squeeze out proceedings, the terms of the Merger provide (a) for interest to accrue on the Merger Consideration at the statutory rate of 4% per annum until the effective date of the Merger (expected to be December 21, 2005), as part of the consideration under the Merger, and (b) for any dividends payable in that period (before the deduction of any withholding tax from such dividend) to be deducted from that interest amount. As the interim dividend will exceed the amount of

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interest accrued at 4% per annum from October 31, 2005 to December 21, 2005 (the expected effective date of the Merger), no Interest is expected to be payable.
      Payments to holders of New York registered shares will be made in U.S. dollars based on the noon buying rate for euro in the City of New York for cable transfers as certified for customs purposes and as announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the business day prior to the effective date of the Merger (which is expected to be December 21, 2005). Payments to holders of Hague registered or bearer shares will be made in euro. Minority Holders that are eligible UK residents and that have given appropriate representations will be entitled to elect to receive certain exchangeable loan notes in lieu of, and in a sterling principal amount equivalent to, the aggregate Merger Consideration such holders would otherwise receive. Eligible holders who so elect will also be entitled to receive payment of the interim dividend and Interest, if any. Information regarding the exchangeable loan notes will be separately made available to eligible UK resident holders.
      Payment of the Merger Consideration (and Interest, if any) will be made by Shell Petroleum. For New York registered Royal Dutch Shares held through a bank or broker account utilizing the Depository Trust Company as custodian, payment will be made to the Depository Trust Company for further credit to each bank or broker account through which such Shares are held. For New York registered Royal Dutch Shares (other than those holding through a bank or broker account utilizing the Depository Trust Company as custodian), payment will be made to the account indicated by each Minority Holder in the Letter of Transmittal which will be sent to all holders of New York registered Royal Dutch Shares. Minority Holders of New York registered Royal Dutch Shares will be required to surrender their share certificates to receive payment. Instructions for surrendering share certificates will be set forth in such Letter of Transmittal. For Royal Dutch Shares in bearer form which are held through Euroclear Nederland, payment will be made to Euroclear Nederland which will distribute the funds to Minority Holders through its member institutions on the basis of the terms and conditions for such institutions. For Hague registered Royal Dutch Shares, payment of the Merger Consideration will be made to the account most recently indicated by each Minority Holder for the payment of dividends. Minority Holders of Hague registered Royal Dutch Shares who have not given account information, or who have given inaccurate account information, will receive payment upon providing evidence of ownership and information which allows Shell Petroleum to make payment. For Royal Dutch Shares in bearer form which are untraceable and for K-certificates, payment will be made upon the presentation of the certificates representing such shares: (i) for the period commencing on the effective date of the Merger (which is expected to be December 21, 2005) and ending December 31, 2006, to ABN AMRO, Issuing Institutions — Corporate Actions MF 2020, Kemelstede 2, 4817 ST Breda, The Netherlands; and (ii) for the period commencing on January 1, 2007 until the twentieth anniversary of the effective date of the Merger, to the registered address of Shell Petroleum in The Netherlands (currently, Carel van Bylandtlaan 30, 2596 HR The Hague, The Netherlands). After the twentieth anniversary of the effective date of the Merger, all rights to receive the Merger Consideration (and Interest, if any) will be forfeited. In the case of eligible UK resident Minority Holders electing to receive exchangeable loan notes, such loan notes will be issued in the manner described in the information made available to such holders.
      The Boards of Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum have drawn up and approved the Merger Proposal. Among other things, the Merger Proposal states the parties to the Merger, the Exchange Ratio and payments to be made for fractional entitlements, the date from which and extent to which shareholders of Royal Dutch will share in the profits of Shell Petroleum, the date from which the financial information of Royal Dutch will be accounted for by Shell Petroleum, the contents of the articles of association before and after the Merger and the composition of the Board after the proposed Merger.
      The Merger Proposal, the statement of annual reports and accounts of Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum for the three years ending December 31, 2004, statement of assets and liabilities for Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum as of September 30, 2005, the statements of Deloitte and E&Y received pursuant to section 2:328 paragraph 1 of the Dutch Civil Code and the press release dated October 31, 2005 were deposited with the trade register in The Hague on October 31, 2005, for inspection. Copies of the documents deposited with the trade register, the explanation of the Merger Proposal, the reports of Deloitte and E&Y pursuant to section 2:328 paragraph 2 of the Dutch Civil Code, a text of the disclosure document (dated October 31, 2005) and the Implementation Agreement may be inspected at the registered address of Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum, Carel van Bylandtlaan 30, 2596 HR The Hague, The Netherlands. An advertisement was published in the Dutch

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newspaper NRC Handelsblad stating that the documents described above were deposited. Following this, creditors of Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum have a one month opposition period. That period will expire on December 2, 2005. Neither Royal Dutch Shell nor Shell Petroleum have made any provision in connection with the Proposed Transaction which grant the Minority Holders access to the corporate files of Royal Dutch Shell or Shell Petroleum or to obtain counsel or appraisal services at the expense of Royal Dutch Shell or Shell Petroleum. Under Dutch law, security holders are not entitled to any appraisal rights or other similar rights in connection with the Proposed Transaction.
      The Proposed Transaction is expected to be completed on December 21, 2005.
2. Conditions to the Proposed Transaction
      Pursuant to the Implementation Agreement, the execution of the Proposed Transaction is (except to the extent waived by all parties to the Implementation Agreement) subject to the following conditions:
  •  an accountants statement pursuant to article 2:94b(2) of the Dutch Civil Code relating to the value of Shell Transport in relation to the contribution of the entire issued ordinary share capital of Shell Transport to Royal Dutch having been received;
 
  •  the Schedule 13E-3, of which this Disclosure Document forms a part, together with the exhibits thereto (the “Schedule 13E-3”), having been filed with the SEC and no enforcement proceedings related to the Schedule 13E-3 having been initiated or threatened by the SEC and this Disclosure Document having been provided to Royal Dutch shareholders no less than 20 days prior to the EGM in accordance with Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act;
 
  •  the FSA indicating, in accordance with Part XII FSMA and either unconditionally or on terms that are satisfactory to each party affected by such terms, that it approves:
        a. the increase in control by Shell Transport over SPCo; and
        b. the acquisition of control by Shell Petroleum over Shell Transport,
  as notified to the FSA by or on behalf of these companies, in accordance with Part XII FSMA, for the purposes of the Transaction;
  •  Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum having obtained (i) written confirmation from the trade register in The Hague that the Merger Proposal and the certain other documents required to be filed under Dutch law have been on file for public inspection for a period of one month and (ii) evidence that no petition (as described in article 2:316 (2) of the Dutch Civil Code) has been filed, or that all such petitions have been withdrawn or dismissed by the Court;
 
  •  the EGM having adopted resolutions to (i) approve the Unwind, (ii) issue 1,379,680,000 shares to Royal Dutch Shell against the contribution in kind of the entire issued ordinary share capital of Shell Transport, (iii) amend the articles of association of Royal Dutch in two steps and (iv) to merge Royal Dutch with Shell Petroleum as described in the Merger Proposal;
 
  •  a declaration of no objection having been received from the Dutch Ministry of Justice in respect of the proposed amendments of the articles of association of Royal Dutch;
 
  •  Royal Dutch having provided to SPCo a consent for the issue of 1,262,361,568 bonus shares by SPCo to Shell Transport and having signed the requisite written resolutions;
 
  •  the general meeting of shareholders of Shell Petroleum having resolved to amend the articles of association of Shell Petroleum and a declaration of no objection having been received from the Dutch Ministry of Justice in respect of the proposed amendment of the articles of association of Shell Petroleum;
 
  •  the board of management of Shell Petroleum having resolved upon the merger with Royal Dutch as described in the Merger Proposal;
 
  •  Royal Dutch Shell certifying in writing that certain of the above conditions have been satisfied; and
 
  •  a notarial deed containing the minutes of the general meeting of shareholders of Royal Dutch having been drawn up.

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3. Source and Amount of Funds
      The total amount of funds that may be required to compensate the Minority Holders for all of their Royal Dutch Shares will be approximately 1.6 billion or $2.0 billion based on the noon buying rate as of October 28, 2005 (assuming all Minority Holders receive cash). Shell Petroleum will fund the payments from cash on hand. To the extent eligible UK resident Minority Holders elect to receive exchangeable loan notes, such loan notes will be issued by Shell Petroleum, and upon exchange thereof, holders of loan notes will receive Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares. Any consideration paid by the issuance of exchangeable loan notes will reduce cash paid by Shell Petroleum to Minority Holders on consummation of the Proposed Transaction.
      Because Shell Petroleum has available sufficient funds to make payments for all outstanding Royal Dutch Shares held by the Minority Holders at the price being offered, there are no alternative financing plans or arrangements.
4. Transaction Expenses
      The following is an estimate of fees and expenses to be incurred in connection with the Proposed Transaction.
           
Filing
  $ 229,535  
Legal
    4,600,000  
Accounting
    450,000  
Printing
    100,000  
Fees relating to fairness reports and opinions
    1,200,000  
Miscellaneous
    1,600,000  
       
 
Total
  $ 8,179,535  
       
V.     CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX AND DUTCH TAX CONSEQUENCES
1. Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Proposed Transaction
General
      The following describes the material U.S. Federal income tax consequences of the Proposed Transaction to holders of Royal Dutch Shares. This description is the opinion of Cravath, and is limited as described below. This description applies only to holders of Royal Dutch Shares that are U.S. holders.
      For purposes of this description, a U.S. holder means:
  •  a citizen or resident of the United States;
 
  •  a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized under the laws of the United States or any of its political subdivisions;
 
  •  a trust, if (i) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. fiduciaries have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) the trust has made a valid election under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person; or
 
  •  an estate that is subject to U.S. Federal income tax on its income regardless of its source.
      If a partnership holds Royal Dutch Shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Each partner of a partnership holding Royal Dutch Shares is urged to consult his, her or its own tax advisor.
      This description is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, Treasury regulations, administrative rulings and judicial decisions currently in effect, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. The description applies only to holders of Royal Dutch Shares that hold their Royal Dutch

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Shares as a capital asset (generally, for investment purposes). Further, the description does not address all aspects of U.S. Federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular shareholder in light of his, her or its personal investment circumstances or to shareholders subject to special treatment under the U.S. Federal income tax laws, including:
  •  insurance companies;
 
  •  tax-exempt organizations;
 
  •  dealers in securities or foreign currency;
 
  •  banks or trusts;
 
  •  persons that hold their Royal Dutch Shares as part of a straddle, a hedge against currency risk or a constructive sale or conversion transaction;
 
  •  holders that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar;
 
  •  investors in pass-through entities;
 
  •  shareholders who acquired their Royal Dutch Shares through the exercise of options, or otherwise as compensation or through a tax-qualified retirement plan; or
 
  •  holders of options granted under any Royal Dutch benefit plan.
      Furthermore, this description does not address any non-income tax or any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences of the Proposed Transaction. The description also does not address the tax consequences of any other transaction. Accordingly, each holder of Royal Dutch Shares is strongly urged to consult with a tax advisor to determine the particular Federal, state, local or non-U.S. income or other tax consequences of the Proposed Transaction.
Taxation of the Proposed Transaction
      A U.S. holder will recognize capital gain or loss upon the Merger in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of Merger Consideration and such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Royal Dutch Shares. Under current law, capital gains realized by corporate and individual taxpayers are generally subject to U.S. Federal income taxes at the same rate as ordinary income, except that long-term capital gains realized by non-corporate U.S. holders are subject to U.S. Federal income taxes at a maximum rate of 15% for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2009 (and 20% thereafter). Certain limitations exist on the deductibility of capital losses by both corporate and individual taxpayers. Capital gains and losses on the receipt of Merger Consideration generally should constitute gains or losses from sources within the United States.
      For U.S. holders who receive foreign currency in connection with the Merger, the amount realized will be based on the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency received with respect to such Royal Dutch Shares as determined on the date such U.S. holders actually or constructively receive such payment.
United States Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
      In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments of Merger Consideration in respect of U.S. holders other than certain exempt persons (such as corporations). A 28% backup withholding tax (31% for 2011 and thereafter) will apply to such payments if the U.S. holder fails to provide a correct taxpayer identification number or other certification of exempt status or, with respect to certain payments, the U.S. holder fails to report in full all dividend and interest income and the Internal Revenue Service notifies the payer of such under-reporting. Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be credited against a holder’s U.S. Federal tax liability, and a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be obtained by filing the appropriate claim form with the Internal Revenue Service.

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2.     Material Dutch Tax Consequences of the Proposed Transaction
      The following describes certain material Dutch tax consequences of the Proposed Transaction for a holder of Royal Dutch Shares. This description is not intended to be applicable in all respects to all categories of investors. This section does not purport to describe all possible Dutch tax considerations or consequences that may be relevant to a holder. Holders of Royal Dutch Shares should consult advisers with regard to the tax consequences of the Proposed Transaction. This section does not purport to describe the possible Dutch tax considerations or consequences that may be relevant to a holder of Royal Dutch Shares who receives or has received any benefits from the Royal Dutch Shares as employment income, deemed employment income or otherwise as compensation.
      This section does not purport to describe the possible Dutch tax considerations or consequences that may be relevant to a holder of Royal Dutch Shares who has a substantial interest (aanmerkelijk belang) or a fictitious substantial interest, as defined in the Dutch Income Tax Act 2001 (Wet inkomstenbelasting 2001), in Royal Dutch.
      Except as otherwise indicated, this section only addresses Dutch tax legislation and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof and as interpreted in published case law on the date hereof and is subject to change after such date, including changes that could have retroactive effect. A change in legislation or regulations may thus invalidate all or part of this section. Unless otherwise specifically stated herein, this section does not express any view on Dutch international tax law or on the rules promulgated under or by any treaty or treaty organization and does not express any view on any Dutch legal matter other than Dutch tax law.
Withholding tax on Proposed Transaction
      The consideration received by the holder of a Royal Dutch Shares in exchange for his Royal Dutch Share pursuant to the Merger will not be subject to Dutch dividend withholding tax.
Dutch taxes on income and capital gains
Residents of The Netherlands
      The description of certain Dutch tax consequences in this Section V.2 is only intended for the following holders of Royal Dutch Shares:
        (A) individuals who are resident or deemed to be resident in The Netherlands for purposes of Dutch taxation;
 
        (B) individuals who opt to be treated as a resident in The Netherlands for purposes of Dutch taxation ((A) and (B) jointly “Dutch Individuals”); and
 
        (C) entities (“Dutch Corporate Entities”) that are subject to the Dutch Corporate Income Tax Act 1969 (“CITA”) and are resident or deemed to be resident of The Netherlands for the purposes of the CITA, excluding:
  •  pension funds (pensioenfondsen) and other entities that are exempt from Dutch corporate income tax;
 
  •  entities which are entitled to the participation exemption with respect to the “A” Shares and/or “B” Shares based on article 13, CITA; and
 
  •  investment institutions (beleggingsinstellingen) as defined in article 28, CITA.
Dutch Individuals not engaged or deemed to be engaged in an enterprise or receiving benefits from miscellaneous activities
      Generally, a Dutch Individual who holds Royal Dutch Shares that are not attributable to an enterprise from which he derives profits as an entrepreneur (ondernemer) or pursuant to a co-entitlement to the net worth of such enterprise other than as an entrepreneur or a shareholder, or attributable to miscellaneous activities (overige werkzaamheden), will be subject annually to an income tax imposed on a fictitious yield on such shares under the regime for savings and investments (Box III). Irrespective of the actual income or capital gains realized, the

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annual taxable benefit of all the assets and liabilities of a Dutch Individual that are taxed under this regime, including the Royal Dutch Shares, is set at a fixed amount. This fixed amount equals 4 per cent. of the average fair market value of these assets and liabilities, including of the Royal Dutch Shares, measured, in general, at the beginning and end of every calendar year. The current tax rate under the regime for savings and investments is a flat rate of 30 per cent.
      Consequently, the disposal of Royal Dutch Shares upon the Merger will not in itself result in Dutch taxation for such a Dutch Individual.
Dutch Individuals engaged or deemed to be engaged in an enterprise or receiving benefits from miscellaneous activities
      Any benefits derived or deemed to be derived from the Royal Dutch Shares (including any capital gains realized on the disposal thereof upon the Merger) that are either attributable to an enterprise from which a Dutch Individual derives profits, whether as an entrepreneur or pursuant to a co-entitlement to the net worth of such enterprise (other than as an entrepreneur or a shareholder), or attributable to miscellaneous activities (overige werkzaamheden) are generally subject to income tax in the Dutch Individual’s hands at statutory progressive rates (currently up to 52 per cent.).
Dutch Corporate Entities
      Any benefits derived or deemed to be derived from Royal Dutch Shares (including any capital gains realized on the disposal thereof upon the Merger) that are held by a Dutch Corporate Entity are generally subject to corporate income tax at statutory rates (currently 27 per cent. for profits up to and including 22,689 and 31.5 per cent. thereafter).
Non-residents of The Netherlands
      A holder other than a Dutch Individual or Dutch Corporate Entity will not be subject to Dutch taxes on income or on capital gains in respect of the ownership and disposal of Royal Dutch Shares, except if:
        (a) such holder derives profits from an enterprise, whether as entrepreneur (ondernemer) or pursuant to a co-entitlement to the net worth of such enterprise, other than as an entrepreneur or a shareholder which enterprise is, in whole or in part, carried on through a permanent establishment (vaste inrichting) or a permanent representative (vaste vertegenwoordiger) in The Netherlands to which the Royal Dutch Shares are attributable; or
 
        (b) the holder is an individual and derives benefits from miscellaneous activities (resultaat uit overige werkzaamheden) performed in The Netherlands in respect of the Royal Dutch Shares, including, without limitation, activities which are beyond the scope of active portfolio investment activities.
VI.     MISCELLANEOUS
      In connection with the Proposed Transaction contemplated hereby, Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum have not, as of the date hereof, employed, retained or compensated other persons to make solicitations or recommendations to Royal Dutch shareholders. The Boards of Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum were assisted by a working group of senior finance, accounting and legal personnel from the Shell Group. While no specific use of corporate assets of Royal Dutch is contemplated by Royal Dutch Shell or Shell Petroleum in connection with the Proposed Transaction, it is possible that some such use, none of which is expected to be material, may occur.
VII.     ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
      Additional information concerning the Proposed Transaction may be found in the Rule 13e-3 Transaction Statement and exhibits in the Schedule 13E-3, including amendments thereto, as and when filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act by Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum and on www.shell.com/royaldutchmerger.

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Neither the website, nor its content, is incorporated by reference herein. Following delivery thereof to Royal Dutch or Shell Petroleum, copies of the opinions, certifications and reports described under Section II.4(b), “Special Factors — Certain Opinions and Reports” may be obtained by mail through written request to Royal Dutch and will also be filed as exhibits to the Schedule 13E-3 and made available on the website.
      Additional information on Royal Dutch and the Shell Group can be found in the Annual Report on Form 20-F of Royal Dutch (jointly filed with Shell Transport) with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, as amended on May 4, 2005 (the “Royal Dutch 20-F”).
      Royal Dutch is, as of the date of this Disclosure Document, subject to the informational reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and accordingly files or furnishes reports and other information with the SEC. Reports and other information filed by Royal Dutch with the SEC, including in the Royal Dutch 20-F, can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, U.S.A. Copies of those materials can be obtained at prescribed rates from the SEC’s Public Reference Section at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, U.S.A. Further information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an internet website that contains reports and other information about issuers, such as Royal Dutch, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.
      Neither Royal Dutch Shell nor Shell Petroleum nor any of their respective affiliates has authorized any person to provide any information or to make any representation in connection with this Disclosure Document or the Proposed Transaction referred to herein other than the information contained or referenced in this Disclosure Document. If any person provides any of this information or makes any representation of this kind, that information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized by either of Royal Dutch Shell or Shell Petroleum or such affiliate.

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SCHEDULE I
      The following is a list of the executive officers and directors of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum setting forth, for each person, the name, citizenship, business address, present principal occupation or employment and the name, principal business and address of any corporation or other organization in which such employment is conducted and the five-year employment history of such person.
         
Name, Citizenship, Position        
at Royal Dutch Shell/   Present Principal Occupation    
Shell Petroleum   or Employment*   Five Year Employment History
         
Aad Jacobs
The Netherlands
Non-Executive Chairman of Royal Dutch Shell
  Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Royal Dutch Shell   He was appointed a member of the Royal Dutch supervisory board in 1998 and Chairman of the Royal Dutch supervisory board (currently Non-Executive Chairman) in 2002 and Non-Executive Chairman of the Royal Dutch Shell Board of Directors in 2004. He has been Chairman of the supervisory boards of Joh. Enschedé B.V., which engages in printing commercial and confidential documents, since 1998, Imtech N.V., which provides technical services in the fields of information & communication technology and electrical & mechanical engineering, since 2001 and VNU N.V., a global information and media company, since 1998; Vice-Chairman of the supervisory boards of Buhrmann N.V., which supplies office products to businesses and institutions, since 1998 and SBM Offshore (formerly IHC Caland N.V.), which engages as a supplier to the offshore oil and gas industry, since 1998; and a member of the supervisory board of ING Groep N.V., a financial services company, since 1998.
 
Lord Kerr of Kinlochard
England
Deputy Chairman and senior independent Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell
  Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors and Senior Independent Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell   He was a Non-Executive Director of Shell Transport from 2002 to 2005 and has been Deputy Chairman and Senior Independent Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell in 2004. Previously, he served in various jobs in the UK Diplomatic Service from 1966 to 2002, including as UK Permanent Representative to the European Union, British Ambassador to the U.S., Foreign Office, Permanent Under Secretary of State and Head of the UK Diplomatic Service. On leaving government service he was appointed Secretary-General of the European Convention from 2002 to 2003. A member of the House of Lords since 2004 and Chairman of the Court and Council of Imperial College, London, he has been a trustee and Deputy Chairman of the National Gallery since 2002 and a trustee of the Rhodes Trust since 1997. He has been a non-executive Director of Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited (both engaged in finding, mining and processing mineral resources) since 2003 and Scottish American Investment Company plc, an investment company, since 2002.

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Name, Citizenship, Position        
at Royal Dutch Shell/   Present Principal Occupation    
Shell Petroleum   or Employment*   Five Year Employment History
         
Jeroen van der Veer
The Netherlands
Chief Executive of Royal Dutch Shell
Principal Director of Shell Petroleum
  Chief Executive of Royal Dutch Shell   He was appointed President (currently Chief Executive) of Royal Dutch in 2000, having been a Managing Director since 1997. He was appointed Chairman of the Committee of Managing Directors of the Shell Group in March 2004 and Chief Executive of Royal Dutch Shell in 2004. He has also been a non-executive director of Unilever (which includes Unilever N.V., Unilever plc and Unilever Holdings Ltd and engages in the worldwide manufacture and supply of consumer goods) since 2002. He was a member of the supervisory board of De Nederlandsche Bank N.V. (The Netherlands central bank) from 2000 to 2004.
 
Peter Voser
Switzerland
Chief Financial Officer of Royal Dutch Shell
Principal Director of Shell Petroleum
  Chief Financial Officer of Royal Dutch Shell   He was employed from 1982 to March 2002 by the Shell Group in a variety of finance and business roles in Switzerland, the UK, Argentina and Chile, including Group Chief Internal Auditor of the Shell Group, Chief Financial Officer of Shell Europe Oil Products and Chief Financial Officer of Shell International Oil Products. He was appointed Managing Director of Shell Transport, a Group Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer and an Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell with effect from October 2004. From March 2002 until September 2004, he was Chief Finance Officer and Member of the Group executive committee of the Asea Brown Boveri group of companies, based in Switzerland and engaged in the energy and automation business areas. He has been a member of the supervisory board of Aegon N.V., which is engaged in the insurance business, since 2004, UBS AG, a financial services firm, since 2005 and was a member of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce from 2003 to 2004.
 
Malcolm Brinded
England
Executive Director, Exploration and Production of Royal Dutch Shell
Principal Director of Shell Petroleum
  Executive Director, Exploration and Production, of Royal Dutch Shell   He joined the Shell Group in 1974 and has held various positions around the world. He was Country Chair for the Shell Group in the UK from 1999 to 2002 and Director of Planning, Environment and External Affairs at Shell International Ltd. from 2001 to 2002. He was a Managing Director of Royal Dutch from 2002 to 2005. In March 2004, he was appointed a Director and Managing Director of Shell Transport and became Vice-Chairman of the Committee of Managing Directors and in 2004 became an Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell. He co-chaired the UK Industry Leadership Team from 1998 to 2001, covering all UK upstream industry operators, contractors and suppliers.

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Name, Citizenship, Position        
at Royal Dutch Shell/   Present Principal Occupation    
Shell Petroleum   or Employment*   Five Year Employment History
         
Linda Cook
United States
Executive Director, Gas & Power, of Royal Dutch Shell
Principal Director of Shell Petroleum
  Executive Director, Gas & Power, of Royal Dutch Shell   She was Chief Executive Officer for Shell Gas & Power from 2000 to 2003. She was President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Shell Canada Limited from 2003 to 2004. In August 2004, she was appointed a Managing Director (currently Executive Director) of Royal Dutch and became a Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Shell Gas & Power. In 2004 she became an Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell. She has been non-executive Director of The Boeing Company, an aerospace company, since 2003.
 
Rob Routs
The Netherlands
Executive Director, Oil Products and Chemicals, of Royal Dutch Shell
Principal Director of Shell Petroleum
  Executive Director, Oil Products and Chemicals, of Royal Dutch Shell   He joined the Shell Group in 1971 and has held various positions in The Netherlands, Canada and the U.S.A. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of Shell Oil Products U.S.A. and President of Shell Oil Company and Country Chair for the Shell Group in the U.S.A. from 2002 to 2003. He was a Managing Director of Royal Dutch from 2003 to 2005 and became a Group Managing Director with effect from July 2003 and an Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell since 2004. He was Chief Executive Officer of Equilon Enterprise LLC, (a joint venture between Shell and Texaco), from 2000 to 2002. He is also a director of INSEAD (a worldwide business school).
 
Maarten van den Bergh
The Netherlands
Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell
  Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lloyds TSB Group plc, which engages in consumer and commercial banking and the insurance and investment business and has its principal business address at 25 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7HN, England.   He was President of Royal Dutch from 1998 to 2000 having been a Managing Director of Royal Dutch since 1992. He was a member of the Royal Dutch supervisory board from 2000 to 2005 and became a Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell in 2004. He has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lloyds TSB Group plc since 2001 and a Non-Executive director of BT Group plc, a telecommunications company, since 2000, British Airways plc, an international airline, since 2002 and a member of the supervisory board of Akzo Nobel N.V., which manufactures paint, chemicals, salt and healthcare products, since 2005.

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Name, Citizenship, Position        
at Royal Dutch Shell/   Present Principal Occupation    
Shell Petroleum   or Employment*   Five Year Employment History
         
Sir Peter Burt
U.K.
Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell
  Chairman of ITV plc, which engages in television broadcasting and production, pay and digital TV and television leasing and has its principal business address at The London Television Centre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9LT, England.   He was a Non-Executive Director of Shell Transport from 2002 to 2005 and became a Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell in 2004. He was the Executive Deputy Chairman of HBOS plc and subsidiaries, engaged in commercial banking, from 2001 to 2003 and was Group Chief Executive of the Bank of Scotland, engaged in commercial banking, from 1996 to 2001. He has been Chairman of ITV plc since 2004, a director of a number of charitable organizations and non-executive director of Templeton Emerging Markets Trust plc, an investment trust for emerging markets, since 2004. He was a partner of Gleacher Partners LLP in 2003 and has been a partner of Gleacher Shudclock LLP (known as Gleacher Shudclock Ltd) since 2003, both engaged in investment banking.
 
Mary R. (Nina) Henderson
United States
Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell
  Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell   She was a Non-Executive Director of Shell Transport from 2001 to 2005 and became a Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell in 2004. She was a director of the Hunt Corporation, engaged in the manufacture and distribution of office and art/ framing supplies, from 1991 to 2002. She has been a Director of Pactiv Corporation, a producer of specialty packaging products, since 2000, AXA Financial Inc., a provider of diversified financial services, since 1996, Del Monte Foods Company, a manufacturer and marketer of processed foods, since 2002 and Visiting Nurse Service of New York, a healthcare service provider, since 1997.
 
Sir Peter Job
Britain
Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell
  Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell   He was a Non-Executive Director of Shell Transport from 2001 to 2005 and became a Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell in 2004. He was Chief Executive of Reuters Group plc, a provider of news services, from 1991 to 2001, a member of the supervisory board of Bertelsmann AG, a publishing and communications company, from 2002 to 2005, non-executive director of GlaxoSmithKline plc, a pharmaceuticals company, from 2000 to 2004, and a non-executive director Multex.com Inc., a provider of global financial information, from 2002 to 2003. He has been a non-executive director of Schroders plc, a global asset management company, since 1999, TIBCO Software Inc, a software company, since 2000, Instinet Group Inc, an provider of electronic trading solutions, since 2000 and a member of the supervisory board of Deutsche Bank AG, a provider of banking and financial services, since 2001.

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Name, Citizenship, Position        
at Royal Dutch Shell/   Present Principal Occupation    
Shell Petroleum   or Employment*   Five Year Employment History
         
Wim Kok
The Netherlands
Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell
  Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell   He was a member of the Royal Dutch supervisory board from 2003 to 2005. He was appointed Dutch Prime Minister in 1994, serving for two periods of government up to July 2002. Since 2003 he has been a member of the supervisory boards of ING Groep N.V., a financial services company, KLM N.V., an international airline, and TNT N.V. (formerly TPG N.V.), a global provider of mail, express and logistics services.
 
Jonkheer Aarnout Loudon
The Netherlands
Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell
  Chairman of the Supervisory Board of ABN AMRO Holding N.V., which provides financial services including retail banking, private banking, asset management and investment banking services and has its principal business address at Gustav Mahlerlaan 10, Amsterdam, 1082PP, The Netherlands, and Akzo Nobel N.V., which manufactures paint, chemicals, salt and healthcare products and has its principal business address at Velperweg 76, 6824 BM Arnhem, Postbus 9300,
6800 SB Arnhem, The Netherlands. 
  He was appointed a member of the Royal Dutch supervisory board (currently a Non-Executive Director) in 1997 and a Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell in 2004. He was a non-executive director of Corus Group plc, which engages in the manufacturing processing and distribution of metal products and provides design, technology and consultancy services, from 1999 to 2002 and Hollandsche Betongroep N.V., an international construction company, from 1995 to 2002. He has been Chairman of the Supervisory Board of ABN AMRO Holding N.V. since 1996, the Supervisory Board of Akzo Nobel N.V. since 1995, a member of the International Advisory Board of Allianz AG, an insurance and financial services company, since 1984 and a member of the supervisory board of Het Concertgebouw N.V., a concert hall, since 1993. He was a partner of Maat Schap S-Gravenhage, from 1995 to 2005.

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Name, Citizenship, Position        
at Royal Dutch Shell/   Present Principal Occupation    
Shell Petroleum   or Employment*   Five Year Employment History
         
Christine Morin-Postel
France
Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell
  Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell   She was appointed a member of the Royal Dutch supervisory board (currently a Non-Executive Director) in 2004 and a Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell in 2004. From 1998 until March 2001, she was Chief Executive and Chairman of the Management Committee of Societe Generale de Belgique, an international and industrial services group. She was Executive Vice-president of Suez S.A., an international and industrial services group, from 2000 to 2003. She was a non-executive director of Arlington Capital Investors Europe, an investment management company, from 2002 to 2005 and Fortis S.A./N.V., an international financial services company, from 1998 to 2003. She has been a non-executive director of Alcan Inc., a manufacturer of aluminum, light gauge sheet, foil and packaging products, since 2003, Pilkington plc, a manufacturer of glass and glazing products, since 2003 and 3i Group plc, which is engaged in private equity and venture capital, since 2002.
 
Lawrence Ricciardi
United States
Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell
  Senior Advisor to Jones Day Reaves & Pogue, a law firm that has its business address at 222 East 41st St., New York, NY 10017-6702, and to Lazard Freres & Co., which provides financial services, including mergers and acquisitions, asset management, corporate restructuring, underwriting, securities placement and research services and has its business address at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020.   He was appointed a member of the Royal Dutch supervisory board (currently a Non-Executive Director) in 2001 and a Non-Executive Director of Royal Dutch Shell in 2004. He was previously Senior Vice President and General Counsel of IBM, which creates, develops and manufactures advanced information technologies, from 1995 to 2002. He has been Senior Advisor to the law firm Jones Day and to Lazard Freres & Co. since 2003 and a member of the Board of Directors of The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc., which is engaged in publishing and direct marketing, since 1998.
 
Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the above persons is Royal Dutch Shell, Carel van Bylandtlaan 30, 2596 HR The Hague, The Netherlands.

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Compensation Information
      Currently, Mr. Jacobs, Mr. van der Veer, Ms. Cook, Mr. Loudon, Ms. Morin-Postel and Mr. Ricciardi serve on the Board of Royal Dutch. Prior to the creation of a single-tier governance structure on July 4, 2005, Mr. Jacobs, Mr. van den Bergh, Mr. Kok, Mr. Loudon, Ms. Morin-Postel and Mr. Ricciardi served on the Royal Dutch supervisory board and Mr. van der Veer, Mr. Brinded, Ms. Cook and Mr. Routs served on the Royal Dutch board of management. Their compensation related to these roles for the years 2004, 2003 and 2002 is described in the Royal Dutch Remuneration Report contained in the Royal Dutch 20-F beginning on page R-13, which is incorporated herein by reference.
      For the nine months ending September 30, 2005, Mr. van der Veer received approximately 2.5 million in connection with his roles in the Shell Group, including as Chief Executive of both Royal Dutch (for which he received a director’s fee of 50,000 for the period from January 1 to July 1, 2005) and Royal Dutch Shell and as a Principal Director of Shell Petroleum.
      For the nine months ending September 30, 2005, Ms. Cook received approximately 1.2 million in connection with her roles in the Shell Group, including as an Executive Director of both Royal Dutch (for which she received a director’s fee of 30,000 for the period from January 1 to July 1, 2005) and Royal Dutch Shell and as a Principal Director of Shell Petroleum.
      For the period from January 1 to July 1, 2005, the current Non-Executive Directors of Royal Dutch received the following approximate amounts in connection with their roles as members of the Royal Dutch Supervisory Board:
         
Mr. Jacobs
    38,500  
Mr. Loudon
    34,500  
Ms. Morin-Postel
    31,000  
Mr. Ricciardi*
    42,875  
      After July 1, 2005, all Non-Executive Directors of Royal Dutch receive £1,000 annually for their services as Non-Executive Directors of Royal Dutch.
      In connection with their services as Non-Executive Directors of Royal Dutch Shell, the current Non- Executive Directors of Royal Dutch will receive the following approximate amounts in connection with their roles on the Board of Royal Dutch Shell in 2005 (from July 1, 2005):
         
Mr. Jacobs
    £75,000  
Mr. Loudon
    £49,000  
Ms. Morin-Postel
    £42,500  
Mr. Ricciardi*
    £56,500  
Mr. Ricciardi’s compensation includes amounts received for intercontinental travel to attend meetings, which was 2,375 per meeting for the Royal Dutch Supervisory Board and £3,000 per meeting for Royal Dutch Shell (the fee for Royal Dutch Shell is not paid for one meeting per year held in a location other than The Hague or London).

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ANNEX A
     
(ABN-AMRO LOGO)

The Board
N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum
Maatschappij (Royal Dutch Petroleum Company)
Carel van Bylandtlaan 30
2596 HR The Hague
The Netherlands

Telephone +31 20 628 93 93
Telex 11006 ABAM NL
 
Corporate Finance

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
Gustav Mahlerlaan 10
1082 PP Amsterdam

Mailing address
P.O. Box 283
1000 EA Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Letter of opinion 31 October 2005
Dear Sirs,
      We understand that it is proposed that Royal Dutch Shell plc, a public company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (“Royal Dutch Shell”) and N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij (Royal Dutch Petroleum Company), a company incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands (the “Company” or “Royal Dutch”) implement an internal restructuring (the “Proposed Transaction”) and that as part of the restructuring Royal Dutch would be merged (the “Merger”) into its subsidiary, Shell Petroleum N.V., a company incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands (“SPNV”). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger, as set out in the implementation agreement dated 31 October 2005 (the “Implementation Agreement”), we understand that the holders of ordinary shares, nominal value Euro 0.56 per share, in the capital of the Company (each a “Royal Dutch Share” and each beneficial owner of a Royal Dutch Share a “Royal Dutch Shareholder”) will be allotted one class A share, nominal value Euro 200,000,000, of SPNV for every 31,978,937 Royal Dutch Shares held, and, after the allotment of 105 class A shares, will be allotted one class B share, nominal value Euro 178,376,978, of SPNV for 28,521,530 Royal Dutch Shares held (the “Exchange Ratio”). As a consequence of the Exchange Ratio, the Royal Dutch Shareholders other than Royal Dutch Shell (the “Minority Shareholders”, and each, a “Minority Shareholder”) would only be entitled to a fractional entitlement and, as a function of Dutch law, they will be entitled, in lieu of such fractional entitlements, to receive Euro 52.21 (or the US dollar equivalent based on the noon buying rate for Euro in New York as announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the business day prior to the effective date of the Merger) per Royal Dutch Share in cash (the “Merger Consideration”).
      On 20 July 2005, Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c. (currently known as The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited) (“Shell Transport”) jointly announced that all conditions to the public exchange offer by Royal Dutch Shell for Royal Dutch (the “RD Offer”) and the scheme of arrangement of Shell Transport (together, the “Unification Transaction”) had been satisfied or waived and the Unification Transaction had completed. Under the RD Offer, Royal Dutch Shareholders were offered 2 class A shares, nominal value Euro 0.07 per share, in the capital of Royal Dutch Shell (the “Royal Dutch Shell Class A Shares” and together with the class B shares, nominal value Euro 0.07 per share, in the capital of Royal Dutch Shell the “Royal Dutch Shell Shares”) in exchange for each Royal Dutch Share.
      The Board of the Company has asked for ABN AMRO Bank N.V.’s (“ABN AMRO”) opinion as to whether the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto are fair, from a financial point of view, to the Minority Shareholders who will receive the Merger Consideration in the Merger.
ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Established in Amsterdam
Register of Commerce Amsterdam no. 33002587
VAT no. NL 00 30 27 144 B01

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    For the purposes of providing its opinion, ABN AMRO has:
        1.     Reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to the Company, including the audited annual accounts for the consecutive financial years ending 31 December 1999 through 31 December 2004 and the unaudited nine-month financial figures for the period ending 30 September 2005;
 
        2.     Reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to Shell Transport, including the audited annual accounts for the consecutive financial years ending 31 December 1999 through 31 December 2004 and the unaudited nine-month financial figures for the period ending 30 September 2005 as prepared for the purposes of the Proposed Transaction;
 
        3.     Reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to Royal Dutch Shell, including the audited annual accounts for the consecutive financial years ending 31 December 2002 through 31 December 2004 and the unaudited nine-month financial figures for the period ending 30 September 2005;
 
        4.     Reviewed certain documents relating to the Proposed Transaction and the Unification Transaction, including among other things the pricing methodology approved by the Boards of Royal Dutch, Royal Dutch Shell and SPNV;
 
        5.     Participated in discussions with and reviewed information provided by management and employees of Royal Dutch Shell and Royal Dutch and their advisers with respect to matters ABN AMRO believed necessary or appropriate to its enquiry;
 
        6.     Reviewed the historical stock prices and trading volumes of the Royal Dutch Shell Shares, Royal Dutch Shares and Shell Transport shares;
 
        7.     Reviewed publicly available data regarding share buybacks of Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport;
 
        8.     Reviewed the financial terms of certain transactions ABN AMRO believes to be comparable to the Proposed Transaction;
 
        9.     Reviewed the legal review on the typical price determination in a squeeze-out procedure under Dutch law by the Court of Appeal in The Netherlands provided to Royal Dutch Shell by De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, Dutch legal counsel to Royal Dutch, Royal Dutch Shell and SPNV, which was reviewed and concurred with by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Dutch legal counsel to ABN AMRO;
 
        10.     Reviewed publicly available data regarding the market practice of settlement of fractional entitlements; and
 
        11.     Performed such other financial reviews and analyses, as ABN AMRO, in its absolute discretion, deemed appropriate.
      ABN AMRO has assumed and relied upon, without independent verification (other than the legal review mentioned above), the truth, accuracy and completeness of the information, data, analysis and financial terms provided to it or used by it (including among other things the information, analysis and advice received by Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and SPNV from their respective advisors), has assumed that the same were not misleading and does not assume or accept any liability or responsibility for any independent verification of such information or any independent valuation or appraisal of any of the assets, operations or liabilities (other than the analysis of loan notes exchangeable into Royal Dutch Shell Class A Shares being offered in the Merger to eligible UK resident Minority Shareholders as an alternative to receiving the Merger Consideration (the “Loan Note Consideration”) for the purpose of preparing a separate opinion of ABN AMRO delivered to the Board of the Company on the date hereof) of the Company, SPNV, Shell Transport or Royal Dutch Shell nor has ABN AMRO been provided with such valuation or appraisal. No financial forecasts were provided to ABN AMRO for purposes of its analyses. In preparing this opinion, ABN AMRO has received specific confirmation from senior

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management of the Company that the assumptions specified in this letter are reasonable and no information has been withheld from ABN AMRO that could have influenced the purport of this opinion or the assumptions on which it is based.
      Further, ABN AMRO’s opinion is necessarily based on financial, economic, monetary, market and other conditions, including those in the securities and oil and gas markets, as in effect on, and the information made available to ABN AMRO or used by it up to, the date hereof. This opinion exclusively focuses on the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto to the Minority Shareholders who will receive the Merger Consideration and does not address any other issues such as the underlying business decision to merge Royal Dutch and SPNV or to recommend the Merger or to effect the Merger as opposed to any other transaction or procedure that would allow Royal Dutch Shell to acquire Royal Dutch Shares that it does not already own, or the commercial merits of any of the foregoing, the fairness of the Loan Note Consideration to eligible UK resident Minority Shareholders who elect to receive the Loan Note Consideration in lieu of the Merger Consideration or the prices or volumes at which the Royal Dutch Shell Shares or any other securities may trade following completion of the Proposed Transaction. Subsequent developments in the above mentioned conditions may affect this opinion and the assumptions made in preparing this opinion and ABN AMRO is not obliged to update, revise or reaffirm this opinion if such conditions change.
      In rendering this opinion, ABN AMRO has not provided legal, regulatory, tax, accounting or actuarial advice and accordingly ABN AMRO does not assume any responsibility or liability in respect thereof. ABN AMRO did not participate in negotiations with respect to the terms of the Implementation Agreement. Furthermore, ABN AMRO has assumed that the Proposed Transaction will be consummated on the terms and conditions as set out in the Implementation Agreement, without any material changes to, or waiver of, any of such terms or conditions, that a dividend in an amount equal to Euro 0.46 will be payable by the Company to the Royal Dutch Shareholders of record prior to the effective date of the Merger, and that the effective date of the Merger will be no later than 31 December 2005.
      The engagement of ABN AMRO, this letter and the opinion expressed herein are provided for the use of the Company’s Board in connection with its evaluation of the Proposed Transaction. This opinion does not in any way constitute a recommendation by ABN AMRO to any Royal Dutch Shareholders as to whether such holders should vote for or against the Merger, or whether any Minority Shareholder should receive the Merger Consideration or elect to receive the Loan Note Consideration, or how any Minority Shareholder should otherwise act in relation to the Proposed Transaction. This opinion does not constitute a statement or report pursuant to article 328 Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code.
      ABN AMRO is acting as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the Proposed Transaction, and will receive fees for its services, including for rendering the opinion, which fees are contingent upon rendering the opinion. From time to time ABN AMRO and its affiliates may have also (i) maintained banking relationships with members of the Royal Dutch Shell group of companies, including overdraft facilities and intraday facilities related to cash management and project financing, (ii) provided investment banking services such as mergers and acquisitions advice and (iii) executed transactions, for their own account or for the accounts of customers, in the Royal Dutch Shares, the shares of Shell Transport, the Royal Dutch Shell Shares or debt securities in any of the foregoing and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities. ABN AMRO is a holder of Royal Dutch Shell Shares, and provides financing facilities to the Company and Royal Dutch Shell. ABN AMRO is acting as the exchange agent in connection with the Merger.
      It is understood that this letter may not be relied upon by, nor be disclosed to, in whole or in part, any third party for any purpose whatsoever, without the prior written consent of ABN AMRO. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this letter (i) may be disclosed if required by or requested under applicable law or regulation and (ii) may be reproduced in full in the disclosure document relating to the Merger to be distributed to shareholders and in any filing to be made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, so long as this letter is reproduced in full in such disclosure document and filing and any description of or reference in such disclosure

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document or filing to ABN AMRO, the opinion or the related analysis is in a form reasonably acceptable to ABN AMRO and its counsel.
      This opinion is issued in the English language and reliance may only be placed on this opinion as issued in the English language. If any translations of this opinion are delivered they are provided only for ease of reference, have no legal effect and ABN AMRO makes no representation as to (and accepts no liability in respect of) the accuracy of any such translation.
      This letter and ABN AMRO’s obligations to the Board of Royal Dutch hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Dutch law and any claims or disputes arising out of, or in connection with, this letter shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Dutch courts.
      Based upon and subject to the foregoing, ABN AMRO is of the opinion that, as at the date hereof, the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto are fair, from a financial point of view, to the Minority Shareholders who will receive the Merger Consideration in the Merger.
Yours sincerely,
/s/ ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
ABN AMRO Bank N.V.

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ANNEX B
     
(ABN-AMRO LOGO)

The Board
N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum
Maatschappij (Royal Dutch Petroleum Company)
Carel van Bylandtlaan 30
2596 HR The Hague
The Netherlands
 
Corporate Finance

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
Gustav Mahlerlaan 10
1082 PP Amsterdam

Mailing address
P.O. Box 283
1000 EA Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Telephone +31 20 628 93 93
Telex 11006 ABAM NL
Letter of opinion 31 October 2005
Dear Sirs,
      We understand that it is proposed that Royal Dutch Shell plc, a public company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (“Royal Dutch Shell”) and N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij (Royal Dutch Petroleum Company), a company incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands (the “Company” or “Royal Dutch”) implement an internal restructuring (the “Proposed Transaction”) and that as part of the restructuring, Royal Dutch would be merged (the “Merger”) into its subsidiary, Shell Petroleum N.V., a company incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands (“SPNV”). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger, as set out in the implementation agreement dated 31 October 2005 (the “Implementation Agreement”), we understand that the holders of ordinary shares, nominal value Euro 0.56 per share, in the capital of the Company (each a “Royal Dutch Share” and each beneficial owner of a Royal Dutch Share a “Royal Dutch Shareholder”) will be allotted one class A share, nominal value Euro 200,000,000, of SPNV for every 31,978,937 Royal Dutch Shares held, and, after the allotment of 105 class A shares, will be allotted one class B share, nominal value Euro 178,376,978, of SPNV for 28,521,530 Royal Dutch Shares held (the “Exchange Ratio”). As a consequence of the Exchange Ratio, the Royal Dutch Shareholders other than Royal Dutch Shell (the “Minority Shareholders”, and each, a “Minority Shareholder”) would only be entitled to a fractional entitlement and, as a function of Dutch law, they will be entitled, in lieu of such fractional entitlements, to receive Euro 52.21 (or the US dollar equivalent based on the noon buying rate for Euro in New York as announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the business day prior to the effective date of the Merger) per Royal Dutch Share in cash (the “Merger Consideration”). As an alternative to receiving the Merger Consideration, eligible UK resident Minority Shareholders will be offered the option to elect to receive a sterling-denominated exchangeable loan note (the “Loan Note”) with a sterling face amount (determined based on the Reuters 3000 Xtra euro sterling spot rate (calculated as the average of the bid and the ask quotations) determined at or about 11.00pm (London time) on the day prior to the effective date of the Merger) equal to the Merger Consideration (the “Loan Note Consideration”).
      The Board of the Company has asked for the opinion of ABN AMRO Bank N.V. (“ABN AMRO”) as to whether or not the value of the Loan Note Consideration, when issued, will be greater than the value of the Merger Consideration.
      For the purposes of providing its opinion, ABN AMRO has:
        1.     Reviewed the form of the Loan Note deed (the “Loan Note Deed”) included as an exhibit to the joint proposal which sets forth the terms of the Merger and which has been approved by each of the Boards of Royal Dutch and SPNV;
ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Established in Amsterdam
Register of Commerce Amsterdam no. 33002587
VAT no. NL 00 30 27 144 B01

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(ABN-AMRO LOGO)
        2.     Reviewed the Loan Note document and election forms which are being separately made available to eligible UK resident Minority Shareholders;
 
        3.     Reviewed certain other documents relating to both the unification transaction consummated on 20 July 2005 (as a result of which Royal Dutch Shell became the parent company of Royal Dutch) and the Proposed Transaction;
 
        4.     Participated in discussions with and reviewed information provided by Royal Dutch Shell, Royal Dutch and its advisers with respect to matters ABN AMRO believed necessary or appropriate to its enquiry; and
 
        5.     Performed such other financial reviews and analysis as ABN AMRO, in its absolute discretion, deemed appropriate.
      ABN AMRO has assumed that the Loan Notes will carry benefits and risks and be subject to the terms and conditions substantially as set out in the Loan Note Deed. ABN AMRO has also assumed, as per Royal Dutch Shell’s stated intention in the Loan Note document, that Royal Dutch Shell will exchange all of the Loan Notes for Royal Dutch Shell class A shares on the earliest possible exchange date, being 6 January 2006 (although ABN AMRO considered the effect of an exchange or redemption at a later date). ABN AMRO has assumed and relied upon, without independent verification, the truth, accuracy and completeness of the information, data, analysis and financial terms provided to it or used by it, has assumed that the same were not misleading and does not assume or accept any liability or responsibility for any independent verification of such information or any independent valuation or appraisal of the Loan Note Consideration nor was ABN AMRO provided with such valuation or appraisal. ABN AMRO has not performed any independent valuation or appraisal of any of the assets, operations or liabilities (other than the analysis of the Loan Note Consideration for the purposes of this letter) of the Company, SPNV, The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited (previously known as The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c. and referred to herein as “Shell Transport”) or Royal Dutch Shell, nor has ABN AMRO been provided with such valuation or appraisal. In preparing this opinion, ABN AMRO received specific confirmation from senior management of the Company that the assumptions specified in this letter are reasonable and no information has been withheld from ABN AMRO that could have influenced the purport of this opinion or the assumptions on which it is based.
      Further, ABN AMRO’s opinion is necessarily based on financial, economic, monetary, market and other conditions, including those in the securities and oil and gas markets, as in effect on, and the information made available to it or used by it up to, the date hereof. This opinion exclusively focuses on whether or not the value of the Loan Note Consideration, when issued, will be greater than the value of the Merger Consideration, and does not address any other issues such as the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Loan Note Consideration to the eligible UK resident Minority Shareholders who elect to receive the Loan Note Consideration in lieu of the Merger Consideration, or the underlying business decision to merge Royal Dutch and SPNV or to recommend the Merger or to effect the Merger as opposed to any other transaction or procedure that would allow Royal Dutch Shell to acquire Royal Dutch Shares that it does not already own, or the commercial merits of any of the foregoing or the prices or volumes at which the shares of Royal Dutch Shell or any other securities may trade following completion of the Proposed Transaction. Subsequent developments in the above mentioned conditions may affect this opinion and the assumptions made in preparing this opinion and ABN AMRO is not obligated to update, revise or reaffirm this opinion if such conditions change.
      In rendering this opinion, ABN AMRO has not provided legal, regulatory, tax, accounting or actuarial advice and accordingly ABN AMRO does not assume any responsibility or liability in respect thereof. ABN AMRO did not participate in negotiations with respect to the terms of the Implementation Agreement or the terms or conditions of the Loan Notes. ABN AMRO has assumed that the Proposed Transaction will be consummated on the terms and conditions as set out in the Implementation Agreement and that the Loan Notes issued will be subject to the terms and conditions as set out in the Loan Note Deed, without any material changes to, or waiver of, any of those respective terms or conditions, that a dividend in an amount equal to Euro 0.46 will be payable by

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(ABN-AMRO LOGO)
the Company to the Royal Dutch Shareholders of record prior to the effective date of the Merger, and that the effective date of the Merger will be no later than 31 December 2005. ABN AMRO has specifically not considered the individual tax situation of any of the Minority Shareholders, which may or may not make the election by any of these shareholders to receive Loan Notes more or less favourable to them.
      The engagement of ABN AMRO, this letter and the opinion expressed herein are provided for the use of the Company’s Board in connection with its evaluation of the Proposed Transaction. This opinion does not in any way constitute a recommendation by ABN AMRO to any Royal Dutch Shareholders as to whether such holders should vote for or against the Merger, whether any Minority Shareholder should receive the Merger Consideration or elect to receive the Loan Note Consideration, or how any Minority Shareholder should otherwise act in relation to the Proposed Transaction. This opinion does not constitute a statement or report pursuant to article 328 Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code.
      ABN AMRO is acting as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the Proposed Transaction, and will receive fees for its services, including for rendering the opinion, which fees are contingent upon rendering the opinion. From time to time ABN AMRO and its affiliates may have also (i) maintained banking relationships with the members of the Royal Dutch Shell group of companies, including overdraft facilities and intraday facilities related to cash management and project financing, (ii) provided investment banking services such as mergers and acquisitions advice and (iii) executed transactions, for their own account or for the accounts of customers, in the Royal Dutch Shares, the shares of Shell Transport, the shares of Royal Dutch Shell or debt securities in any of the foregoing and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities. ABN AMRO is a holder of Royal Dutch Shell shares, and provides financing facilities to the Company and Royal Dutch Shell. ABN AMRO is acting as the exchange agent in connection with the Merger.
      It is understood that this letter may not be relied upon by, nor be disclosed to, in whole or in part, any third party for any purpose whatsoever, without the prior written consent of ABN AMRO. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this letter (i) may be disclosed if required by or requested under applicable law or regulation and (ii) may be reproduced in full in the disclosure document relating to the Merger to be distributed to shareholders and in any filing to be made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, so long as this letter is reproduced in full in such disclosure document and filing and any description of or reference in such disclosure document or filing to ABN AMRO, the opinion or the related analysis is in a form reasonably acceptable to ABN AMRO and its counsel.
      This opinion is issued in the English language and reliance may only be placed on this opinion as issued in the English language. If any translations of this opinion are delivered they are provided only for ease of reference, have no legal effect and ABN AMRO makes no representation as to (and accepts no liability in respect of) the accuracy of any such translation.
      This letter and ABN AMRO’s obligations to the Board hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Dutch law and any claims or disputes arising out of, or in connection with, this letter shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Dutch Courts.
      Based upon and subject to the foregoing, ABN AMRO is of the opinion that the value of the Loan Note Consideration, when issued, will not be greater than the value of the Merger Consideration.
Yours sincerely,
/s/ ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
ABN AMRO Bank N.V.

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
     
Audited Combined Financial Statements of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited for the Year Ended December 31, 2004 (US GAAP)
Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
  F-3
Combined Statement of Income
  F-4
Combined Balance Sheet
  F-5
Combined Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
  F-6
Combined Statement of Cash Flows
  F-7
Notes to the Combined Financial Statements
  F-8
Supplementary Information — Oil and Gas (Unaudited)
  F-52
Reserves
  F-52
Standardised measure of discounted future cash flows
  F-55
Supplementary Information — Derivatives and other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments
  F-57
 
Schedule 1
  F-78
 
Unaudited Condensed Combined Interim Financial Statements of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited for the Three and Nine Month Periods Ended September 30, 2005 (IFRS)
Condensed Combined Interim Statement of Income
  F-80
Condensed Combined Interim Balance Sheet
  F-81
Condensed Combined Interim Statement of Changes in Equity
  F-82
Condensed Combined Interim Statement of Cash Flows
  F-83
Notes to the Condensed Combined Interim Financial Statements
  F-84

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Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited
Combined Financial Statements
For the year ended
December 31, 2004
(Comprising the combined financial statements of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and of The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited which supersede the previously issued financial statements of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company as a result of the unification of those companies under Royal Dutch Shell plc.)

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REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMS
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited
      We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited and their subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related combined statements of income, of changes in shareholders’ equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 on pages F-4 to F-51. These combined financial statements are the responsibility of the Companies’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the combined financial statements based on our audits.
      We conducted our audits in accordance with the Standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the combined financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the combined financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management in the preparation of the combined financial statements, as well as evaluating the overall combined financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
      In our opinion, the combined financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the combined financial position of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited and their subsidiaries at December 31, 2004 and 2003 and the combined results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
      As discussed in Note 1, these financial statements comprise the combined financial statements of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited.
/s/ KPMG Accountants N.V.
 
KPMG Accountants N.V.,
The Hague — The Netherlands
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
London — United Kingdom
March 29, 2005, except for Note 1 (Basis of Presentation) which is as of October 28, 2005.

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COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(US GAAP)
                                 
    Note   2004   2003   2002
                 
        $ million
Sales proceeds
            337,522       263,889       218,287  
Sales taxes, excise duties and similar levies
            72,332       65,527       54,834  
                         
Net proceeds(a)
            265,190       198,362       163,453  
Cost of sales(b)
            221,678       165,147       135,658  
                         
Gross profit
            43,512       33,215       27,795  
Selling and distribution expenses
            12,340       11,409       9,617  
Administrative expenses
            2,542       1,887       1,598  
Exploration
            1,823       1,475       1,052  
Research and development
            553       584       472  
                         
Operating profit of Shell Group companies
            26,254       17,860       15,056  
Share of operating profit of associated companies
    4       5,653       3,446       2,792  
                         
Operating profit
            31,907       21,306       17,848  
Interest and other income
    5       1,730       1,996       782  
Interest expense
    6       1,213       1,324       1,291  
Currency exchange gains/(losses)
            (39 )     (231 )     (25 )
                         
Income before taxation
            32,385       21,747       17,314  
Taxation
    7       15,137       9,352       7,655  
                         
Income after taxation
            17,248       12,395       9,659  
Income applicable to minority interests
            626       353       175  
                         
Income from continuing operations
            16,622       12,042       9,484  
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    3       1,560       25       187  
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of tax
    2             255        
                         
Net income
            18,182       12,322       9,671  
                         
(a) Includes net proceeds related to buy/sell contracts:
    2       24,744       19,795       14,267  
(b) Includes costs related to buy/sell contracts:
    2       24,719       19,713       14,419  
                           
    2004   2003   2002
             
    $
Net income per Royal Dutch Petroleum Company share
    5.39       3.63       2.82  
 
— Continuing operations
    4.93       3.54       2.77  
 
— Discontinued operations
    0.46       0.01       0.05  
 
— Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of tax
          0.08        
Diluted net income per Royal Dutch Petroleum Company share
    5.39       3.63       2.81  
 
— Continuing operations
    4.93       3.54       2.76  
 
— Discontinued operations
    0.46       0.01       0.05  
 
— Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of tax
          0.08        
Net income per Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited share
    0.77       0.52       0.40  
 
— Continuing operations
    0.70       0.51       0.39  
 
— Discontinued operations
    0.07             0.01  
 
— Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of tax
          0.01        
Diluted net income per Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited share
    0.77       0.52       0.40  
 
— Continuing operations
    0.70       0.51       0.39  
 
— Discontinued operations
    0.07             0.01  
 
— Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of tax
          0.01        

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COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
(US GAAP)
                             
        Dec 31,   Dec 31,
    Note   2004   2003
             
    $ million
Fixed assets
                       
 
Tangible assets
    8       88,940       87,088  
 
Intangible assets
    8       4,890       4,735  
 
Investments:
                       
   
associated companies
    4       19,743       19,371  
   
securities
    12       1,627       2,317  
   
other
            1,121       1,086  
                   
Total fixed assets
            116,321       114,597  
                   
Other long term assets
                       
 
Prepaid pension costs
    20       8,278       6,516  
 
Deferred taxation
    7       1,995       2,092  
 
Other
    9       4,369       2,741  
                   
Total other long-term assets
            14,642       11,349  
                   
Current assets
                       
 
Inventories
    10       15,391       12,690  
 
Accounts receivable
    11       38,063       29,013  
 
Cash and cash equivalents
    12       9,208       2,117  
                   
Total current assets
            62,662       43,820  
                   
Current liabilities: amounts due within one year
                       
 
Short-term debt
    13       5,762       10,569  
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    15       39,862       32,383  
 
Taxes payable
    7       9,885       5,927  
                   
Total current liabilities
            55,509       48,879  
                   
Net current assets/(liabilities)
            7,153       (5,059 )
                   
Total assets less current liabilities
            138,116       120,887  
                   
Long-term liabilities: amounts due after more than one year
                       
 
Long-term debt
    13       8,600       9,100  
 
Other
    16       8,065       6,054  
                   
              16,665       15,154  
                   
Provisions
                       
 
Deferred taxation
    7       14,844       15,185  
 
Pensions and similar obligations
    20       5,044       4,927  
 
Decommissioning and restoration costs
    23       5,709       3,955  
                   
              25,597       24,067  
                   
Group net assets before minority interests
            95,854       81,666  
Minority interests
            5,309       3,415  
                   
Net assets
            90,545       78,251  
                   
Shareholders’ equity
                       
 
Equity share capital
    18       586       587  
 
Preference shares
    18       20       20  
 
Additional paid in capital
    17       5,374       5,372  
 
Treasury shares(a)
    17       (4,187 )     (3,428 )
 
Other comprehensive income
    17       (792 )     (3,836 )
 
Retained earnings
    17       89,544       79,536  
                   
              90,545       78,251  
                   
 
(a) Comprises 62 million shares of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company (2003: 51 million) and 184 million shares of The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited (2003: 148 million).

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COMBINED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (see Note 17)
(US GAAP)
                           
    2004   2003   2002
             
    $ million
Shareholders’ equity at 1 January
    78,251       66,195       62,822  
Earnings reinvested:
                       
 
Net income for the year
    18,182       12,322       9,671  
 
Less dividends
    (7,396 )     (6,532 )     (5,522 )
                   
      10,786       5,790       3,945  
                   
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
                       
 
Currency translation differences
    3,548       5,795       3,108  
 
Unrealised gains/(losses) on securities
    (350 )     689       25  
 
Unrealised gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges
    31       51       (225 )
 
Minimum pension liability adjustments
    (185 )     358       (1,475 )
                   
      3,044       6,893       1,433  
                   
Common stock held in treasury:
                       
 
Purchase of treasury shares
    (848 )     (715 )     (981 )
 
Release of treasury shares
          21       52  
 
Dividends received
    89       63       85  
                   
      (759 )     (631 )     (844 )
                   
(Share buy backs)/cancellations
    (777 )     4       (1,365 )
                   
Shareholders’ equity at 31 December
    90,545       78,251       66,195  
                   

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COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (see Note 19)
(US GAAP)
                                       
    Note   2004   2003   2002
                 
        $ million
Cash flow provided by operating activities
                               
 
Net income:
            18,182       12,322       9,671  
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flow provided by operating activities
                         
   
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation
    8       12,273       11,711       8,739  
   
Profit on sale of assets
            (3,033 )     (2,141 )     (367 )
   
Movements in:
                         
     
inventories
            (2,731 )     (236 )     (2,079 )
     
accounts receivable
            (8,462 )     1,834       (5,830 )
     
accounts payable and accrued liabilities
            7,317       (212 )     6,989  
     
taxes payable
            2,997       (223 )     (744 )
   
Associated companies: dividends more/(less) than net income
    4       258       511       117  
   
Deferred taxation and other provisions
            (524 )     (621 )     423  
   
Long-term liabilities and other
            (1,391 )     (1,328 )     (1,326 )
   
Income applicable to minority interests
            714       366       175  
                         
Cash flow provided by operating activities
            25,600       21,983       15,768  
                         
Cash flow used in investing activities
                               
 
Capital expenditure (including capitalised leases)
    8       (12,734 )     (12,252 )     (12,102 )
 
Acquisitions (Enterprise Oil, Penzoil-Quaker State and additional shares in Equilon)
                        (8,925 )
 
Proceeds from sale of assets
            5,078       2,286       1,099  
 
New investments in associated companies
    4       (1,058 )     (983 )     (1,289 )
 
Disposals of investments in associated companies
            1,327       708       501  
 
Proceeds from sale and other movements in investments
            1,743       1,988       84  
                         
Cash flow used in investing activities
            (5,644 )     (8,253 )     (20,632 )
                         
Cash flow used in financing activities
                               
 
Long-term debt (including short term part)
                               
   
new borrowings
            544       572       5,267  
   
repayments
            (1,688 )     (2,740 )     (5,610 )
                         
              (1,144 )     (2,168 )     (343 )
 
Net increase/(decrease) in short-term debt
            3,698       (2,501 )     7,075  
 
Change in minority interests
            807       (1,363 )     421  
 
Repurchase of share capital, including expenses
            (781 )           (1,393 )
 
Dividends paid to Royal Dutch and Shell Transport shareholders
            (7,396 )     (6,532 )     (5,522 )
 
Dividends paid to minority interests
            (264 )     (300 )     (228 )
                         
Cash flow used in financing activities
            (12,476 )     (12,864 )     10  
                         
Net investments in treasury stock and dividends received
            (758 )     (633 )     (864 )
Currency translation differences relating to cash and cash equivalents
            369       175       173  
                         
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
            7,091       408       (5,545 )
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1
            2,117       1,709       7,254  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at December 31
            9,208       2,117       1,709  
                         

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NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1 Basis of Presentation
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited
      Royal Dutch Petroleum Company (“Royal Dutch”) and The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited (“Shell Transport”, previously known as The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c.) entered into a scheme of amalgamation dated September 12, 1906 and agreements from 1907 by which the scheme of amalgamation was implemented and pursuant to which they “amalgamated” their interests in the oil industry. This transaction has been accounted for as one involving a single economic entity, based on the history of the operation and management of Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies (the “Royal Dutch/Shell Group”). Since that time, Royal Dutch has owned 60% of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group and Shell Transport has owned 40% of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group. All operating activities have been conducted through the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group and the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group has operated as a single economic enterprise. Prior to the consummation of the Transaction (defined below), economic interests of the Royal Dutch and Shell Transport shareholders in the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group reflected the 60:40 economic interests of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport in the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group.
      The Combined Financial Statements reflect the combination of the Financial Statements of Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group. These Financial Statements provide a more meaningful presentation of the financial results of Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group than the individual Financial Statements previously issued by these entities as a result of the Transaction (described below) in which Royal Dutch Shell plc, a publicly listed company incorporated in England and Wales and headquartered and tax resident in The Netherlands (“Royal Dutch Shell”), became the single parent company controlling Royal Dutch and Shell Transport. The Combined Financial Statements as presented also represent the Financial Statements of the predecessors to Royal Dutch Shell.
      Net income was allocated between Royal Dutch and Shell Transport as follows:
                         
    2004   2003   2002
             
    $ million
Royal Dutch
    10,910       7,395       5,807  
Shell Transport
    7,272       4,927       3,864  
                   
      18,182       12,322       9,671  
                   
      Shareholders’ equity was allocated between Royal Dutch and Shell Transport as follows:
                 
    2004   2003
         
    $ million
Royal Dutch
    54,324       47,087  
Shell Transport
    36,221       31,164  
             
      90,545       78,251  
             
      The basic earnings per share amounts shown relate to profit after taxation. The basic earnings per share number has been restated to exclude shares held by Shell Group (as defined below) companies for stock options and other incentive compensation plans. For the purpose of the calculation, shares repurchased under the buy back programme are deemed to have been cancelled on purchase date. The calculations use the following weighted-average number of shares:
                         
    2004   2003   2002
             
Royal Dutch
    2,023,212,126       2,036,687,755       2,057,657,737  
Shell Transport
    9,480,407,909       9,528,797,724       9,608,614,760  

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NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      The diluted earnings per share are based on the same profit figures. For this calculation, the following weighted-average number of shares are used.
                         
    2004   2003   2002
             
Royal Dutch
    2,025,495,289       2,037,361,965       2,058,100,317  
Shell Transport
    9,485,180,086       9,531,519,807       9,613,276,052  
      The difference between the basic and diluted number of shares relates to stock option schemes as mentioned above.
The Transaction and Royal Dutch Shell plc
      On July 20, 2005, Royal Dutch Shell became the parent company of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport and, through Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group following (a) the registration by the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales of the order of the High Court of Justice in England and Wales sanctioning the scheme of arrangement of Shell Transport under English law (the “Scheme”) and (b) Royal Dutch Shell’s confirmation that its exchange offer (the “Exchange Offer”, and together with the Scheme, the “Transaction”) for all of the ordinary shares of Royal Dutch, commenced on May 19, 2005, had become unconditional (gestanddoening). Pursuant to the Transaction, on July 20, 2005, Royal Dutch Shell acquired all the outstanding capital stock of Shell Transport and approximately 92% of the outstanding capital stock of Royal Dutch. On July 20, 2005, Royal Dutch Shell commenced a subsequent offer acceptance period during which the remaining holders of Royal Dutch ordinary shares were permitted to tender their shares in exchange for Royal Dutch Shell shares (or ADRs), in accordance with the procedures described in the Exchange Offer. The subsequent offer acceptance period expired on 9 August 2005. As a result of the Exchange Offer, including the subsequent offer acceptance period, Royal Dutch Shell acquired and currently holds 98.5% of the outstanding capital stock of Royal Dutch.
      Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offer and the Scheme, holders of ordinary shares of Royal Dutch (“Royal Dutch Ordinary Shares”), holders or Shell Transport Ordinary shares (“Shell Transport Ordinary Shares”), holders of Shell Transport bearer warrants and holders of American depositary receipts representing Shell Transport Ordinary Shares (the “Shell Transport ADRs”) received, respectively:
     
• for each Royal Dutch Ordinary Share held in New York registry form tendered:   1 Royal Dutch Shell Class A American depositary receipt (representing 2 Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares)
 
• for each Royal Dutch Ordinary Share held in bearer or Hague registry form tendered:   2 Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares
 
• for each Shell Transport Ordinary Share (including Shell Transport Ordinary Shares to which holders of Shell Transport bearer warrants are entitled):   0.287333066 Royal Dutch Shell Class B ordinary shares
 
• for each Shell Transport ADR:   0.861999198 Royal Dutch Shell Class B American depositary receipts (representing 2 Royal Dutch Shell Class B ordinary shares)
2 Accounting policies
Nature of the Combined Financial Statements
      The Combined Financial Statements are presented in US dollars and include the accounts of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport and of those companies in which they, either directly or indirectly, have control either through a majority of the voting rights or the right to exercise a controlling influence or to obtain the majority of

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NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
the benefits and be exposed to the majority of the risks. These companies are referred to as Shell Group companies, and collectively as the Shell Group.
      Shell Group companies are engaged in all principal aspects of the oil and natural gas industry. They also have interests in chemicals and additional interests in power generation and renewable energy (mainly in wind and solar energy). The Shell Group conducts its business through five principal segments, Exploration & Production, Gas & Power, Oil Products, Chemicals and Other businesses. These activities are conducted in more than 140 countries and territories and subject to changing economic, regulatory and political conditions.
      US accounting pronouncement FIN 46 (Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities) was implemented in 2003 with a consequential increase in the Shell Group’s tangible fixed assets and debt of $3.4 billion as of September 30, 2003, mainly relating to power generation contracts (“tolling agreements”) which were previously accounted for as executory contracts and marked to market.
      Investments in companies over which Shell Group companies have significant influence but not control are classified as associated companies and are accounted for on the equity basis. Investments in companies over which the Shell Group has no significant influence are stated at cost and dividends received from these companies are accounted for when received. Certain joint ventures in oil and natural gas production activities are taken up in the Combined Financial Statements in proportion to the relevant Shell Group interest.
      The Combined Financial Statements are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”).
      The preparation of Combined Financial Statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the Combined Financial Statements and Notes thereto. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
      The Combined Financial Statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
      The Combined Financial Statements do not constitute the statutory accounts of Shell Transport within the meaning of the United Kingdom Companies Act 1985 (the “Companies Act”) for any accounting period. The statutory accounts of Shell Transport for the three years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 have been delivered to the United Kingdom Registrar of Companies. The statutory accounts for the three years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 were subject to audit and the auditors issued an audit report under section 235 of the Companies Act in respect of the accounts for the three years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 which was unqualified and did not include any statements made under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act.
Currency translation
      Assets and liabilities of non-US dollar Shell Group companies are translated to US dollars at year-end rates of exchange, whilst their statements of income and cash flows are translated at quarterly average rates. Translation differences arising on aggregation are taken directly to a currency translation differences account. Upon divestment or liquidation of a non-US dollar Shell Group company, cumulative currency translation differences related to that company are taken to income.
      The US dollar equivalents of exchange gains and losses arising as a result of foreign currency transactions (including those in respect of inter-company balances unless related to transactions of a long-term investment nature) are included in Shell Group net income.
Revenue recognition
      Sales of oil, natural gas, chemicals and all other products are recorded when title passes to the customer. Revenue from the production of oil and natural gas properties in which the Shell Group has an interest with other producers are recognised on the basis of the Shell Group’s working interest (entitlement method). The difference between actual production and net working interest volumes is not significant. Gains and losses on derivatives

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NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
contracts and contracts involved in energy trading and risk management are shown net in the Statement of Income if these contracts are held for trading purposes. Purchase and sale of hydrocarbons under exchange contracts that are necessary to obtain or reposition feedstock utilised in the Shell Group’s refinery operations are shown net in the Statement of Income. Sales between Shell Group companies, as disclosed in the segment information, are based on prices generally equivalent to commercially available prices.
      In Exploration & Production and Gas & Power title typically passes (and revenues are recognised) when product is physically transferred into a vessel, pipe or other delivery mechanism. For sales by refining companies, title typically passes (and revenues are recognised) either when product is placed onboard a vessel or offloaded from the vessel, depending on the contractually agreed terms. Revenues on wholesale sales of oil products and chemicals are recognised when transfer of ownership occurs and title is passed, either at the point of delivery or the point of receipt, depending on contractual conditions.
      In November 2004, FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) discussed EITF Issue No. 04-13 “Accounting for Purchases and Sales of Inventory with the Same Counterparty”, in order to consider whether or not “buy/sell” contractual arrangements should be reported net in the Statement of Income and accounted for as nonmonetary transactions. There was a further EITF meeting in March 2005 but no consensus was reached on this issue and further discussion is planned.
      Buy/sell contractual arrangements in this context are defined as those entered into concurrently or in contemplation of one another with the same counterparty.
      Buy/sell contracts are entered into by some Shell Group companies for feedstock, principally crude oil, and finished products mainly in the Oil Products segment, and are reported gross in the Combined Statement of Income. Title of the commodity passes to the buyer on delivery, purchases and sales may not necessarily take place at the same time and amounts are separately invoiced and settled; there is no legal right of offset. The Shell Group considers therefore that these are not nonmonetary transactions and are then outside the scope of APB Opinion No. 29 “Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions”. In addition, the guidance provided in EITF No. 99-19 “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent”, EITF No. 02-3 “Issues Involved in Accounting for Derivative Contracts Held for Trading Purposes and Contracts Involved in Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities” and EITF No. 03-11 “Reporting Realized Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments That Are Subject to FASB Statement No. 133 and Not Held for Trading Purposes as Defined in Issue No. 02-3” has been considered in determining the presentation of the results of the Shell Group’s operations. As a result of a communication to the oil and gas industry issued by the US Securities and Exchange Commission in February 2005 requesting additional disclosures regarding buy/sell contracts, the Shell Group reviewed such contracts and has estimated that, if buy/sell contracts were required to be reported net, net proceeds and cost of sales for 2004 would be reduced by approximately $24,744 million and $24,719 million, respectively (2003: $19,795 million and $19,713 million, respectively; 2002: $14,267 million and $14,419 million, respectively) with no impact on net income.
      Such arrangements should be distinguished from purchases and sales under exchange contracts to obtain or reposition feedstock for refinery operations and which are, as described above, shown net in the Statement of Income. The obligations of each party are not independent and settlement is based on volumes.
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation
      Tangible fixed assets related to oil and natural gas production activities are depreciated on a unit-of-production basis over the proved developed reserves of the field concerned, except in the case of assets whose useful life is shorter than the lifetime of the field, in which case the straight-line method is applied. Rights and concessions are depleted on the unit-of-production basis over the total proved reserves of the relevant area. Unproved properties are amortised as required by particular circumstances. Other tangible fixed assets are generally depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives which is generally 20 years for refineries and chemicals plants, and 15 years for retail service station facilities. Goodwill and other intangible

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NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
fixed assets with an indefinite life are not amortised but tested for impairment annually. Other intangible fixed assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives (with a maximum of forty years).
Recoverability of assets
      Other than properties with no proved reserves (where the basis for carrying costs on the Balance Sheet is explained under “Exploration costs”), the carrying amounts of major Exploration & Production fixed assets are reviewed for possible impairment annually, while all assets are reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts for those assets may not be recoverable. If assets are determined to be impaired, the carrying amounts of those assets are written down to fair value, usually determined as the amount of estimated discounted future cash flows. For this purpose, assets are grouped based on separately identifiable and largely independent cash flows. Assets held for sale are written down to the amount of estimated net realisable value.
      Estimates of future cash flows used in the evaluation for impairment for assets related to hydrocarbon production are made using risk assessments on field and reservoir performance and include outlooks on proved reserves and unproved volumes, which are then discounted or risk-weighted utilising the results from projections of geological, production, recovery and economic factors.
Administrative expenses
      Administrative expenses are those which do not relate directly to the activities of a single business segment and include expenses incurred in the management and co-ordination of multi-segment enterprises.
Exploration costs
      Shell Group companies follow the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and natural gas exploration costs. Exploration costs are charged to income when incurred, except that exploratory drilling costs are included in tangible fixed assets, pending determination of proved reserves. Exploration wells that are more than 12 months old are expensed unless (a) (i) they are in an area requiring major capital expenditure before production can begin and (ii) they have found commercially producible quantities of reserves and (iii) they are subject to further exploration or appraisal activity in that either drilling of additional exploratory wells is under way or firmly planned for the near future, or (b) proved reserves are booked within 12 months following the completion of exploratory drilling.
      Management makes quarterly assessments of the amounts included within tangible fixed assets to determine whether capitalisation is initially appropriate and can continue. Exploration wells capitalised beyond 12 months are subject to additional judgment as to whether the facts and circumstances have changed and therefore whether the conditions described in (a) and (b) no longer apply.
      An amendment (FAS 19-1 “Accounting for Suspended Well Costs”) to FASB Statement No. 19 “Financial Accounting and Reporting by Oil and Gas Producing Companies” has been issued. This could result, on a prospective basis, in the continued inclusion of the cost of certain exploratory wells in tangible fixed assets beyond 12 months which do not meet the current requirements given in (a) and (b) above. Under the proposal amounts remain capitalised beyond 12 months if both sufficient reserves have been found to justify completion as a producing well, and sufficient progress is being made towards assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project (which does not include delay for the possibility of a change in circumstances beyond an entity’s control, for example an increase in oil and/or gas prices).
      If this amendment had been reflected in the Shell Group accounting policy, there would not have been a significant effect on the Combined Financial Statements presented; certain write-offs may not have been required which would result in subsequent additional depreciation, depletion and amortisation charges in future years.

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NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Research and development
      Research and development expenditure is charged to income as incurred, with the exception of that on buildings and major items of equipment which have alternative use.
Deferred taxation
      Deferred taxation is provided using the comprehensive liability method of accounting for income taxes based on provisions of enacted laws. Recognition is given to deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognised in the Combined Financial Statements or in the tax returns. In estimating these tax consequences, consideration is given to expected future events. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by a valuation allowance representing the amount of any tax benefits for which there is uncertainty of realisation. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented separately in the Balance Sheet except where there is a right of set-off within fiscal jurisdictions.
Leasing
      Agreements under which Shell Group companies make payments to owners in return for the right to use an asset for a period are accounted for as leases. Leases that transfer substantially all the risks and benefits of ownership are recorded at inception as capital leases within tangible fixed assets and debt. All other leases are recorded as operating leases and the costs are charged to income as incurred.
Interest capitalisation
      Interest is capitalised, as an increase in tangible fixed assets, on significant capital projects during construction. Interest is also capitalised, as an increase in investments in associated companies, on funds invested by Shell Group companies which are used by associated companies for significant capital projects during construction.
Securities
      Securities of a trading nature are carried at fair value with unrealised holding gains and losses being included in net income. Securities intended to be held to maturity are carried at cost, unless permanently impaired in which case they are carried at fair value. All other securities are classified as available for sale and are carried at fair value, with unrealised holding gains and losses being taken to equity as part of other comprehensive income.
      Short-term securities with a maturity from acquisition of three months or less and that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash are classified as cash equivalents. Securities forming part of a portfolio which is required to be held long term are classified under fixed assets – investments.
      Shares in Royal Dutch or Shell Transport held by Shell Group companies are reflected within Equity as treasury shares.
      Cash flows resulting from movements in securities of a trading nature are reported under cash flow provided by operating activities while cash flows resulting from movements in other securities are reported under cash flow used in investing activities.
Inventories
      Inventories are stated at cost to the Shell Group or net realisable value, whichever is lower. Such cost is determined by the FIFO method and comprises direct purchase costs, cost of production, transportation and manufacturing expenses and taxes.

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NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Derivative instruments
      Shell Group companies use derivatives in the management of interest rate risk, foreign currency risk and commodity price risk. The carrying amount of all derivatives, other than those meeting the normal purchases and sales exception, is measured using market prices. Those derivatives qualifying and designated as hedges are either: (1) a hedge of the fair value of a recognised asset or liability or of an unrecognised firm commitment (“fair value” hedge), or (2) a hedge of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognised asset or liability or a forecasted transaction (“cash flow” hedge), or (3) a hedge of the foreign currency exposure of an unrecognised firm commitment or an available for sale security (“foreign currency fair value” hedge) or the foreign currency exposure of a foreign currency denominated forecasted transaction (“foreign currency cash flow” hedge).
      A change in the carrying amount of a fair value hedge is taken to income, together with the consequential adjustment to the carrying amount of the hedged item. The effective portion of a change in the carrying amount of a cash flow hedge is recorded in other comprehensive income, until income reflects the variability of underlying cash flows; any ineffective portion is taken to income. A change in the carrying amount of a foreign currency hedge is recorded on the basis of whether the hedge is a fair value hedge or a cash flow hedge. A change in the carrying amount of other derivatives is taken to income.
      Shell Group companies formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions. The effectiveness of a hedge is also continually assessed. When effectiveness ceases, hedge accounting is discontinued.
Environmental expenditures
      Liabilities for environmental remediation resulting from ongoing or past operations or events are recognised in the period in which an obligation, legal or constructive, to a third party arises and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Measurement of liabilities is based on current legal requirements and existing technology. Recognition of any joint and several liability is based upon Shell Group companies’ best estimate of their final pro rata share of the liability. Liabilities are determined independently of expected insurance recoveries. Recoveries are recognised and reported as separate events and brought into account when reasonably certain of realisation. The carrying amount of liabilities is regularly reviewed and adjusted for new facts or changes in law or technology.
Employee retirement plans
      Retirement plans to which employees contribute and many non-contributory plans are generally funded by payments to independent trusts. Where, due to local conditions, a plan is not funded, a provision which is not less than the present value of accumulated pension benefits, based on present salary levels, is included in the Combined Financial Statements. Valuations of both funded and unfunded plans are carried out by independent actuaries.
      For plans which define the amount of pension benefit to be provided, pension cost primarily represents the increase in actuarial present value of the obligation for pension benefits based on employee service during the year and the interest on this obligation in respect of employee service in previous years, net of the expected return on plan assets.
      For plans where benefits depend solely on the amount contributed to the employee’s account and the returns earned on investments of those contributions, pension cost is the amount contributed by Shell Group companies for the period.
Postretirement benefits other than pensions
      Some Shell Group companies provide certain postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefits to retirees, the entitlement to which is usually based on the employee remaining in service up to retirement age and

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NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
the completion of a minimum service period. The expected costs of these benefits are accrued over the periods employees render service to the Shell Group. These plans are not funded. A provision is included in the Combined Financial Statements which is sufficient to cover the present value of the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation based on current assumptions. Valuations of these obligations are carried out by independent actuaries.
Stock-based compensation plans
      Shell Group companies account for stock-based compensation plans in accordance with the intrinsic value method. This method requires no recognition of compensation expense for plans where the exercise price is not at a discount to the market value at the date of the grant, and the number of options is fixed on the date of grant. However, recognition of compensation expense is required for variable award (performance-related) plans over the vesting periods of such plans, based on the then current market values of the underlying stock.
Decommissioning and restoration costs
      Estimated decommissioning and restoration costs are based on current requirements, technology and price levels and are stated at fair value, and the associated asset retirement costs are capitalised as part of the carrying amount of the related tangible fixed assets. In respect of oil and natural gas production activities, the fair value calculation of the liability is based on the economic life of the production assets and discounted using the credit-adjusted risk-free rate for the Shell Group. For tangible fixed assets not directly associated with mineral reserves, the liability, once an obligation, whether legal or constructive, crystallises, is recognised in the period when a reasonable estimate of the fair value can be made. The obligation is reflected under provisions in the Combined Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The effects of changes resulting from revisions to the timing or the amount of the original estimate of the liability are incorporated on a prospective basis.
      This policy reflects US accounting standard FAS 143 (Asset Retirement Obligations) which was effective for the Shell Group from the beginning of 2003 and resulted in a credit to income of $255 million after tax, which was reported in 2003 as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.
Acquisitions
      Acquisitions are accounted for using the purchase method. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recognised at their fair value at the date of acquisition; the amount of the purchase consideration above this value is reflected as goodwill.
Discontinued operations
      Discontinued operations comprise the activities of Shell Group companies, which therefore do not include associated companies or other investments, which have been disposed of during the year, or remain held for sale at year end, and which are significant for the Shell Group and can be clearly distinguished, operationally and for Combined Financial Statement purposes from other Shell Group operations. The Shell Group does not retain, in the case of discontinued operations which have been disposed of, and will not retain, following such sale in the case of discontinued operations held for sale, any residual interest in such operations.
Changes in US GAAP Accounting Policies since January 1, 2005
      For US GAAP purposes, the Shell Group changed its presentation of incorporated joint ventures, in which the Shell Group has a liability proportionate to its interest. Previously the joint ventures were proportionately consolidated. As of January 1, 2005, these ventures are presented as equity accounted investments. This change has no impact on total equity or income.

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NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      From the same date, the Shell Group changed its US GAAP accounting policy for major inspection costs. Previously such costs were expensed as incurred. From January 1, 2005 such costs are capitalized and amortized to income over the period until the next planned major inspection.
3 Discontinued operations
      The activities of certain Shell Group companies were disposed of during 2004 or remain as held for sale at December 31, 2004. Those activities reported as discontinued operations in the Statement of Income comprise certain operations in Angola, Bangladesh, Egypt and Thailand in the Exploration & Production segment, as part of the ongoing strategy to divest assets where little growth potential is seen for the Shell Group and where there is little strategic fit in relation to the cost of managing those assets; in the US in Gas & Power which were pipelines no longer viewed as integral to continued optimisation of the Shell Group’s existing developments and production in the Gulf of Mexico; and in the Caribbean, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Thailand, Venezuela and the US in Oil Products in line with the strategy of increasing the Shell Group’s profitability through greater focus on key countries and core assets. All of these were disposed of in 2004 except some operations in the Caribbean, Portugal, Romania and Spain, with a carrying amount as at December 31, 2004 of $0.3 billion, which are expected to be sold in 2005.
      Income from discontinued operations comprises:
                         
    2004   2003   2002
             
    $ million
Income before taxation from discontinued operations (including gains on disposal of $1,564 million in 2004 and impairments of $88 million in 2003 and $9 million in 2002)
    1,980       135       282  
Taxation
    332       97       95  
Minority interests
    88       13        
                   
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    1,560       25       187  
                   
      Net proceeds of discontinued operations in 2004 (up to the date of disposal, where applicable), excluding proceeds of the disposal of such operations, were $3.5 billion (2003: $3.4 billion; 2002: $3.1 billion).
      Income from discontinued operations by segment is given in Note 24(b).
4 Associated companies
     (a) Income
      Associated companies engage in similar businesses to Shell Group companies and play an important part in the overall operating activities of the Shell Group. Consequently, the Shell Group share of operating profits arising from associated companies is seen as a contribution to the total Shell Group operating profit and is shown as such in the Combined Statement of Income. The Shell Group share of interest income, interest expense, currency exchange gains/ losses and taxation of associated companies has been included within those items in the Combined Statement of Income.

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      A summarised Statement of Income with respect to the Shell Group share of net income from associated companies, together with a segment analysis, is set out below:
                         
    2004   2003   2002
             
    $ million
Net proceeds
    53,544       44,422       33,467  
Cost of sales
    43,694       37,084       26,744  
                   
Gross profit
    9,850       7,338       6,723  
Other operating expenses
    4,197       3,892       3,931  
                   
Operating profit
    5,653       3,446       2,792  
Interest and other income
    173       228       102  
Interest expense
    580       540       451  
Currency exchange gains/(losses)
    20       (3 )     (15 )
                   
Income before taxation
    5,266       3,131       2,428  
Taxation
    2,065       1,463       990  
                   
Income from continuing operations
    3,201       1,668       1,438  
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    13       13       16  
                   
Net income
    3,214       1,681       1,454  
                   
     Income by segment
                         
    2004   2003   2002
             
    $ million
Exploration & Production
    1,145       800       541  
Gas & Power
    1,142       650       589  
Oil Products
    1,253       632       448  
Chemicals
    (7 )     (169 )     153  
Corporate and Other
    (319 )     (232 )     (277 )
                   
      3,214       1,681       1,454  
                   
     (b) Investments
                                 
            2004   2003
    Shares   Loans   Total   Total
                 
    $ million
At January 1
    16,800       2,571       19,371       17,945  
New investments
    681       377       1,058       983  
Net asset transfers to/(from) associates, disposals and other movements
    (649 )     (284 )     (933 )     (173 )
Net income
    3,214             3,214       1,681  
Dividends
    (3,472 )           (3,472 )     (2,192 )
Currency translation differences
    455       50       505       1,127  
                         
At December 31
    17,029       2,714       19,743       19,371  
                         
      Net income for 2004 includes a $565 million write-down in the carrying amount of Basell (Chemicals). This impairment followed the announcement in 2004 of a review of strategic alternatives regarding this joint venture,

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
and the carrying amount of the Shell Group’s investment in Basell at December 31, 2004 is at expected net realisable value.
      Net income for 2003 includes a $286 million write-down in the carrying amount of Basell (Chemicals) reflecting a reassessment of the outlook for the business, a $200 million write-down in the carrying amount of InterGen (Gas & Power) due to poor power market conditions, mainly in the US merchant power segment, and a $115 million write-down in the carrying amount of the Cuiaba power assets in South America (Gas & Power) in light of a reappraisal of the commercial outlook.
      A summarised consolidated balance sheet with respect to the Shell Group share of investments in associated companies is set out below:
                 
    2004   2003
         
    $ million
Fixed assets
    28,665       30,892  
Current assets
    10,427       8,248  
             
Total assets
    39,092       39,140  
Current liabilities
    7,559       8,745  
Long-term liabilities
    11,790       11,024  
             
Net assets
    19,743       19,371  
             
      An analysis by segment is shown in Note 24.
      The Shell Group’s major investments in associated companies at December 31, 2004 comprised:
               
    Shell Group   Country of
Segment Name   interest   incorporation
         
Exploration & Production
           
 
Aera
    52%    
USA
 
Brunei Shell
    50%    
Brunei
 
Woodside
    34%    
Australia
Gas & Power
           
 
InterGen
    68%    
The Netherlands
 
Nigeria LNG
    26%    
Nigeria
 
Oman LNG
    30%    
Oman
Oil Products
           
 
Motiva
    50%    
USA
 
Showa Shell
    40%    
Japan
Chemicals
           
 
Basell
    50%    
The Netherlands
 
Saudi Petrochemical
    50%    
Saudi Arabia
 
Infinium
    50%    
The Netherlands
      Although the Shell Group has a 52% investment in Aera and a 68% investment in InterGen, the governing agreements and constitutive documents for these entities do not allow the Shell Group to control these entities, as voting control is either split 50:50 between the shareholders or requires unanimous approval of the shareholders or their representatives and, therefore, these entities have not been consolidated.

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
     (c) Transactions between Shell Group companies and associated companies
      Transactions between Shell Group and associated companies mainly comprise sales and purchases of goods and services in the ordinary course of business and in total amounted to:
                         
    2004   2003   2002
             
    $ million
Charges to associated companies
    14,018       18,155       10,573  
Charges from associated companies
    12,373       8,608       5,623  
      Balances outstanding at December 31, 2004 and 2003 in respect of the above transactions are shown in Notes 11 and 15.
5 Interest and other income
                           
    2004   2003   2002
             
    $ million
Shell Group companies
                       
 
Interest income
    457       354       521  
 
Other income
    1,100       1,414       159  
                   
      1,557       1,768       680  
Associated companies
    173       228       102  
                   
      1,730       1,996       782  
                   
      Other income in 2004 includes gains from the disposal of the Shell Group’s interest in Sinopec ($0.3 billion), and Fluxys and Distrigas ($0.5 billion). Other income in 2003 included a $1.3 billion gain from the disposal of the Shell Group’s interest in Ruhrgas.
6 Interest expense
                           
    2004   2003   2002
             
    $ million
Shell Group companies
                       
 
Interest incurred
    839       828       883  
 
less interest capitalised
    206       44       43  
                   
      633       784       840  
Associated companies
    580       540       451  
                   
      1,213       1,324       1,291  
                   

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
7 Taxation
     (a) Taxation charge for the year
                           
    2004   2003   2002
             
    $ million
Shell Group companies
                       
 
Current tax charge
    13,585       8,200       6,658  
 
Deferred tax charge/(credit)
    (513 )     (311 )     7  
                   
      13,072       7,889       6,665  
Associated companies
    2,065       1,463       990  
                   
      15,137       9,352       7,655  
                   
      Reconciliations of the expected tax charge of Shell Group companies to the actual tax charge are as follows:
                         
    2004   2003   2002
             
    $ million
Expected tax charge at statutory rates
    13,718       8,913       6,512  
Adjustments in respect of prior years
    (52 )     166       (252 )
Other reconciling items
    (594 )     (1,190 )     405  
                   
Taxation charge of Shell Group companies
    13,072       7,889       6,665  
                   
      The taxation charge of Shell Group companies includes not only income taxes of general application but also income taxes at special rates levied on income from Exploration & Production activities and various additional income and other taxes to which these activities are subject.
      Earnings retained by the subsidiary and associated companies of the Shell Group amounted to $34,374 million at December 31, 2004 (2003: $25,210 million; 2002: $18,060 million). A portion of these retained earnings will flow up to Royal Dutch and Shell Transport without tax cost. The balance of these retained earnings have been, or will be, substantially reinvested by the companies concerned and provision has not been made for taxes on possible future distribution of these undistributed earnings as it is not meaningful to provide for these taxes nor is it practicable to estimate their full amount or the withholding tax element.
      Tax adjustments in respect of prior years relate to events in the current period and reflect the effects of changes in rules, facts or other factors compared to those used in establishing the tax position or deferred tax balance.
      Other reconciling items in 2004 mainly comprises the effects of disposals during the year that were taxed below the statutory rate.
      Other reconciling items in 2003 include the effects of disposals during the year that were taxed below the statutory rate (including $534 million from the disposal of the Shell Group’s interest in Ruhrgas), in addition to $442 million relating to the effects on deferred tax accounts of legislative changes to certain ring-fencing arrangements.
      Other reconciling items in 2002 include $415 million due to the increase in the UK upstream corporate tax rate during the year.

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NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
     (b) Taxes payable
                 
    2004   2003
         
    $ million
Taxes on activities of Shell Group companies
    5,606       2,148  
Sales taxes, excise duties and similar levies and social law taxes
    4,279       3,779  
             
      9,885       5,927  
             
     (c) Provision for deferred taxation
      The provision for deferred taxation comprises the following tax effects of temporary differences:
                   
    2004   2003
         
    $ million
Tangible and intangible fixed assets
    17,738       17,365  
Pensions and similar obligations
    2,653       2,118  
Other items
    2,568       2,649  
             
Total deferred tax liabilities
    22,959       22,132  
             
Tax losses carried forward
    (4,214 )     (3,876 )
Foreign tax credits(a)
    (2,042 )     (1,633 )
US trademark(b)
    (247 )     (309 )
Provisions
               
 
Pensions and similar obligations
    (1,228 )     (1,329 )
 
Decommissioning and restoration costs
    (2,191 )     (1,934 )
 
Environmental and other provisions
    (455 )     (334 )
Tangible and intangible fixed assets
    (461 )     (153 )
Other items
    (3,266 )     (3,268 )
             
Total deferred tax assets
    (14,104 )     (12,836 )
Asset valuation allowance
    3,994       3,797  
             
Deferred tax assets net of valuation allowance
    (10,110 )     (9,039 )
             
Net deferred tax liability
    12,849       13,093  
             
Presented in the Combined Statement of Assets and Liabilities as:
               
 
Deferred tax assets
    1,995       2,092  
 
Deferred tax liabilities
    14,844       15,185  
 
(a) Foreign tax credits represent surplus credits arising in holding and sub-holding Shell Group companies on income from other jurisdictions. A valuation allowance has been recorded against the substantial part of these balances in both 2004 and 2003.
 
(b) Deferred tax asset created upon transfer of US trademark rights from a US wholly-owned Shell Group company to a Netherlands wholly-owned Shell Group company.

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NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      The Shell Group has tax losses carried forward amounting to $12,705 million at December 31, 2004. Of these, $10,470 million can be carried forward indefinitely. The remaining $2,235 million expires in the following years:
         
    $ million
     
2005
    702  
2006
    239  
2007
    452  
2008
    70  
2009 - 2013
    404  
2014 - 2019
    368  
8 Tangible and intangible fixed assets
                                                 
    2004    
        2003
        Other   Total   Total   Total
    Tangible   Goodwill   intangibles   intangibles   Shell Group   Shell Group
                         
    $ million
Cost
                                               
At January 1
    181,685       4,011       2,998       7,009       188,694       163,957  
Capital expenditure
    12,440       3       291       294       12,734       12,252  
Sales, retirements and other movements(a)
    (9,345 )     (44 )     102       58       (9,287 )     (1,770 )
Currency translation differences
    8,382       62       81       143       8,525       14,255  
                                     
At December 31(b)
    193,162       4,032       3,472       7,504       200,666       188,694  
                                     
Depreciation
                                               
At January 1
    94,597       1,336       938       2,274       96,871       80,898  
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation charge
    11,945             328       328       12,273       11,711  
Sales, retirements and other movements
    (7,310 )     (37 )     (38 )     (75 )     (7,385 )     (3,711 )
Currency translation differences
    4,990       42       45       87       5,077       7,973  
                                     
At December 31
    104,222       1,341       1,273       2,614       106,836       96,871  
                                     
Net 2004
    88,940       2,691       2,199       4,890       93,830          
                                     
Net 2003
    87,088       2,675       2,060       4,735               91,823  
                                     
 
(a) Sales, retirements and other movements in 2003 include the effect of a change in accounting policy for certain long-term agreements (see Note 2).
 
(b) Tangible fixed assets at December 31, 2004 include rights and concessions of $11.1 billion (2003: $12.0 billion).
      Other intangible fixed assets at December 31, 2004 include $0.8 billion (2003: $0.8 billion) in respect of Pennzoil-Quaker State trademarks acquired in 2002. The trademarks are being amortised over an estimated useful life of forty years. Continued brand maintenance in addition to the established long-term leadership of these brands in automotive lubricants and vehicle care markets support this estimate.
      Tangible fixed assets at year end, capital expenditure, together with new investments in associated companies, and the depreciation, depletion and amortisation charges are shown in Note 24, classified, consistent with oil and natural gas industry practice, according to operating activities. Such a classification, rather than one

F-22


Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
according to type of asset, is given in order to permit a better comparison with other companies having similar activities.
      The net balances at December 31 include:
                   
    2004   2003
         
    $ million
Capitalised costs in respect of assets not yet used in operations
               
 
Unproved properties
    2,844       4,576  
 
Proved properties under development and other assets in the course of construction
    13,491       12,680  
             
      16,335       17,256  
             
      Unproved properties include capitalised exploratory well costs, for which the amounts at December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, and movements during 2004, 2003 and 2002 are given in the following table.
                         
    2004   2003   2002
             
    $ million
At January 1
    771       720       515  
Additions pending determination of proved reserves
    566       501       568  
Amounts charged to expense
    (432 )     (449 )     (393 )
Reclassifications to productive wells on determination of proved reserves
    (94 )     (56 )     (24 )
Other movements, including acquisitions, disposals and currency translation effects
    (22 )     55       54  
                   
At December 31
    789       771       720  
                   
      There are no amounts remaining capitalised (a) in areas requiring major capital expenditure before production can begin, where neither drilling of additional exploratory wells is underway nor firmly planned for the near future, or (b) beyond 12 months in areas not requiring major capital expenditure before production can begin.
      Depreciation, depletion and amortisation charges for the year are included within the following headings in the Combined Statement of Income:
                           
    2004   2003   2002
             
    $ million
Cost of sales
    9,876       9,702       7,312  
Selling and distribution expenses
    1,438       1,229       1,041  
Administrative expenses
    121       121       62  
Exploration
    684       411       80  
Research and development
    33       28       33  
                   
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation:
                       
 
from continuing operations
    12,152       11,491       8,528  
 
from discontinued operations
    121       220       211  
                   
      12,273       11,711       8,739  
                   
      Depreciation, depletion and amortisation charges for 2004 include $617 million (2003: $1,249 million; 2002: $191 million) relating to the impairment of tangible fixed assets, and $5 million (2003: $127 million; 2002: $6 million) relating to the impairment of intangible fixed assets. Such charges are recorded within cost of sales. The impairment charges relate to assets held for use (2004: $229 million; 2003: $1,169 million; 2002: $105 million) and to assets held for sale (2004: $393 million; 2003: $207 million; 2002: $92 million).

F-23


Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      For 2004, the majority of the impairment charges were in Oil Products ($579 million) and were related to the deterioration in the local operating environment for certain refinery assets and writing down to expected proceeds of marketing assets held for sale.
      For 2003, the impairments were incurred in Exploration & Production ($698 million, mainly due to lower production outlooks in the UK and South America), in Oil Products ($331 million, mainly due to the announced closure of the Bakersfield refinery and the impact of local economic conditions in Latin America), in Chemicals ($220 million, mainly in CS Metals, as anticipated benefits from a prototype technology did not meet performance expectations) and in Renewables ($127 million for Shell Solar following an extensive review to assess the value of the business).
      For 2002, the majority of the impairment charges (in total $197 million) were in Oil Products, reflecting plans in the USA to close surplus base oil production facilities, the closure of the Pililla base oil and bitumen refinery in the Philippines and a change in outlook for liquefied petroleum gas assets in Argentina coupled with the country’s economic downturn.
      Depreciation, depletion and amortisation charges for 2004 also included $570 million relating to the write-off of various exploration properties mainly in Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom, where new information during the year from exploratory work confirmed lower than expected volume projections (2003: $366 million, mainly in Brazil and Ireland).
9 Other long-term assets
      Reflecting their non-current nature, deferred charges and prepayments due after one year and other non-current assets are presented separately as part of “Other long-term assets”. At December 31, 2004 these include $3,221 million (2003: $1,989 million) of deferred charges and prepayments (including amounts in respect of risk management activities).
10 Inventories
                 
    2004   2003
         
    $ million
Inventories of oil and chemicals
    14,488       11,742  
Inventories of materials
    903       948  
             
      15,391       12,690  
             
11 Accounts receivable
                 
    2004   2003
         
    $ million
Trade receivables
    23,626       17,523  
Amounts owed by associated companies
    2,619       2,093  
Other receivables
    4,061       3,647  
Deferred charges and prepayments
    7,757       5,750  
             
      38,063       29,013  
             
      Provisions for doubtful items deducted from accounts receivable amounted to $564 million at December 31, 2004 (2003: $557 million). Deferred charges and prepayments include amounts in respect of risk management activities.

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
12 Securities
      Investments — securities mainly comprises a portfolio of equity and debt securities required to be held long term by the Shell Group insurance companies as security for their insurance activities, for which the fair value of $1,408 million at December 31, 2004 includes an unrealised gain of $346 million.
      $125 million (2003: $125 million) of these securities are debt securities classified as held-to-maturity, with maturity falling between one and five years. The remainder are classified as available for sale, of which $688 million at December 31, 2004 (2003: $638 million) are debt securities. Of the available for sale securities, the maturities of $21 million fall within one year, $411 million fall between one year and five years, and $256 million exceed five years.
      The carrying amount of securities classified as cash equivalent is $1,477 million at December 31, 2004 (2003: $107 million), all of which are debt securities classified as available for sale.
      Total securities at December 31, 2004 amounting to $814 million (2003: $1,557 million) are listed on recognised stock exchanges.
      During 2004 a Shell Group company disposed of an equity investment, resulting in the reclassification of an unrealised gain of $348 million from Other comprehensive income to Net income.
13 Debt
     (a) Short-term debt
                 
    2004   2003
         
    $ million
Debentures and other loans
    4,661       8,181  
Amounts due to banks and other credit institutions (including long-term debt due within one year)
    1,048       2,279  
             
      5,709       10,460  
Capitalised lease obligations
    53       109  
             
Short-term debt
    5,762       10,569  
less long-term debt due within one year
    1,291       1,874  
             
Short-term debt excluding long-term debt due within one year
    4,471       8,695  
             
      Short-term debt at December 31, 2003 included $1.3 billion of non-recourse debt owed by a Shell Group company, for which a covenant had been breached in 2001. During 2004, this company was disposed of and this debt was relieved in its entirety.
      Short-term debenture balances fell during the year as a consequence of the Shell Group’s reduced need for commercial paper financing.

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      The following relates only to short-term debt excluding long-term debt due within one year:
                   
    2004   2003
         
    $ million
Maximum amount outstanding at the end of any quarter
    6,688       9,159  
Average amount outstanding
    6,381       8,392  
Amounts due to banks and other credit institutions
    812       2,657  
Unused lines of short-term credit
    4,023       3,916  
Approximate average interest rate on:
               
 
average amount outstanding
    3 %     3 %
 
amount outstanding at December 31
    3 %     2 %
      The amount outstanding at December 31, 2004 includes $3,315 million of fixed rate and $248 million of variable rate US dollar debt at an average interest rate of 2% and 9% respectively.
(b) Long-term debt
                 
    2004   2003
         
    $ million
Debentures and other loans
    4,204       4,868  
Amounts due to banks and other credit institutions
    3,744       3,724  
             
      7,948       8,592  
Capitalised lease obligations
    652       508  
             
Long-term debt
    8,600       9,100  
add long-term debt due within one year
    1,291       1,874  
             
Long-term debt including long-term debt due within one year
    9,891       10,974  
             
      The following relates to long-term debt including the short-term part but excluding capitalised lease obligations.
      The amount at December 31, 2004 of $9,186 million (2003: $10,357 million) comprises:
                   
        Average
    $ million   interest rate
         
US Dollar denominated debt
               
 
Fixed rate
    4,925       6%  
 
Variable rate
    697       4%  
Non-dollar denominated debt
               
 
Fixed rate
    3,101       4%  
 
Variable rate
    463       5%  
             
      9,186          
             
      The approximate weighted average interest rate in 2004 was 5% for both US dollar debt and total debt.

F-26


Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      The aggregate maturities of long-term debts are:
         
    $ million
     
2005
    1,238  
2006
    1,884  
2007
    2,474  
2008
    530  
2009
    117  
2010 and after
    2,943  
       
      9,186  
       
      During 2004, the Medium Term Note and Commercial Paper Facilities have been increased to a total level of $30.0 billion. As at December 31, 2004, debt outstanding under central borrowing programmes, which includes these facilities, totalled $8.3 billion with the remaining indebtedness raised by Shell Group companies with no recourse beyond the immediate borrower and/or the local assets.
      In accordance with the risk management policy, Shell Group companies have entered into interest rate swap agreements against most of the fixed rate debt. The use of interest rate swaps is further discussed in Note 28.
14 Commitments
     (a) Leasing arrangements
      The future minimum lease payments under operating leases and capital leases and the present value of net minimum capital lease payments at December 31, 2004 are as follows:
                 
    Operating   Capital
    leases   leases
         
    $ million
2005
    1,744       105  
2006
    1,203       73  
2007
    958       67  
2008
    781       61  
2009
    709       58  
2010 and after
    4,460       852  
             
Total minimum payments
    9,855       1,216  
             
less executory costs and interest
            511  
             
Present value of net minimum capital lease payments
            705  
             
      The figures above for operating lease payments represent minimum commitments existing at December 31, 2004 and are not a forecast of future total rental expense.
      Total rental expense for all operating leases was as follows:
                         
    2004   2003   2002
             
    $ million
Minimum rentals
    2,140       2,135       1,557  
Contingent rentals
    75       60       104  
Sub-lease rentals
    (198 )     (198 )     (300 )
                   
      2,017       1,997       1,361  
                   

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NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
     (b) Long-term purchase obligations
      Shell Group companies have unconditional long-term purchase obligations associated with financing arrangements. The aggregate amount of payments required under such obligations at December 31, 2004 is as follows:
         
    $ million
     
2005
    461  
2006
    420  
2007
    413  
2008
    385  
2009
    380  
2010 and after
    3,437  
       
      5,496  
       
      The agreements under which these unconditional purchase obligations arise relate mainly to the purchase of chemicals feedstock, utilities and to the use of pipelines.
      Payments under these agreements, which include additional sums depending upon actual quantities of supplies, amounted to $542 million in 2004 (2003: $252 million).
15 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
                 
    2004   2003
         
    $ million
Trade payables
    18,716       14,110  
Amounts due to associated companies
    1,927       1,828  
Pensions and similar obligations
    286       261  
Other payables
    11,245       8,841  
Accruals and deferred income
    7,659       7,315  
Dividends payable
    29       28  
             
      39,862       32,383  
             
      Other payables include amounts in respect of risk management activities.
16 Long-term liabilities — Other
                 
    2004   2003
         
    $ million
Risk management activities
    1,801       439  
Deferred income
    1,501       1,354  
Environmental liabilities
    664       676  
Deposits for return items
    603       566  
Liabilities under staff benefit plans
    541       315  
Advance payments received under long-term supply contracts
    354       315  
Redundancy liabilities
    127       165  
Other
    2,474       2,224  
             
      8,065       6,054  
             

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      These amounts include $1,222 million at December 31, 2004 (2003: $1,305 million) which does not fall due until more than five years after the respective Balance Sheet dates.
17 Changes in Combined Shareholders’ Equity
                                                                           
        Shell       Shell                    
    Royal Dutch   Transport   Total equity   Transport   Additional       Other        
    Ordinary   Ordinary   share   Preference   paid in   Treasury   comprehensive   Retained    
    shares   shares   capital   shares   capital   shares   income   earnings   Total
                                     
    $ million
At 1 January 2002
    359       237       596       20       5,385       (1,953 )     (12,162 )     70,936       62,822  
Net income
                                                            9,671       9,671  
Dividends
                                                            (5,522 )     (5,522 )
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
                                                                       
 
Currency translation differences
                                                    3,108               3,108  
 
unrealised gains/(losses) on securities
                                                    25               25  
 
unrealised gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges
                                                    (225 )             (225 )
 
minimum pension liability adjustments
                                                    (1,475 )             (1,475 )
Purchase of treasury shares
                                            (981 )                     (981 )
Release of treasury shares
                                            52                       52  
Dividends received
                                            85                       85  
Shares repurchased for cancellation
    (4 )     (2 )     (6 )             (10 )                     (1,349 )     (1,365 )
                                                       
At January 1 2003
    355       235       590       20       5,375       (2,797 )     (10,729 )     73,736       66,195  
Net income
                                                            12,322       12,322  
Dividends
                                                            (6,532 )     (6,532 )
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
                                                                     
 
Currency translation differences
                                                    5,795               5,795  
 
unrealised gains/(losses) on securities
                                                    689               689  
 
unrealised gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges
                                                    51               51  
 
minimum pension liability adjustments
                                                    358               358  
Purchase of treasury shares
                                            (715 )                     (715 )
Release of treasury shares
                                            21                       21  
Dividends received
                                            63                       63  
Shares repurchased for cancellation
    (3 )             (3 )             (3 )                     10       4  
                                                       
At January 1 2004
    352       235       587       20       5,372       (3,428 )     (3,836 )     79,536       78,251  
Net income
                                                            18,182       18,182  
Dividends
                                                            (7,396 )     (7,396 )
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
                                                                       
 
Currency translation differences
                                                    3,548               3,548  
 
unrealised gains/(losses) on securities
                                                    (350 )             (350 )
 
unrealised gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges
                                                    31               31  
 
minimum pension liability adjustments
                                                    (185 )             (185 )
Purchase of treasury shares
                                            (848 )                     (848 )
Release of treasury shares
                                                                     
Dividends received
                                            89                       89  
Shares repurchased for cancellation
            (1 )     (1 )             2                       (778 )     (777 )
                                                       
At December 31 2004
    352       234       586       20       5,374       (4,187 )     (792 )     89,544       90,545  
                                                       

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NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
18 Share Capital
Equity shares
                 
    2004   2003
         
    $ million
Allotted, called up and fully paid
               
Royal Dutch Ordinary Shares
    352       352  
Shell Transport Ordinary Shares
    234       235  
             
      586       587  
             
      The number of shares outstanding at December 31, 2004 and 2003 were as follows:
                 
        Shell Transport
    Royal Dutch   and Trading
         
Shares outstanding at December 31, 2004
    2,081,725,000       9,624,900,000  
Shares outstanding at December 31, 2003
    2,083,500,000       9,667,500,000  
      Under the terms of the Transaction, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport Ordinary shares were exchanged at the agreed ratios set forth in Note 1.
Non equity shares
                         
    number of        
    shares   2004   2003
             
        $ million
Allotted, called up and fully paid
                       
448 Royal Dutch priority shares
    1,500       1       1  
£1 Shell Transport First Preference Shares
    2,000,000       3       3  
£1 Shell Transport Second Preference Shares
    10,000,000       16       16  
                   
              20       20  
                   
19 Combined Statement of Cash Flows
      This statement reflects the cash flows arising from the activities of Shell Group companies as measured in their own currencies, translated to US dollars at quarterly average rates of exchange.
      Accordingly, the cash flows recorded in the Combined Statement of Cash Flows exclude both the currency translation differences which arise as a result of translating the assets and liabilities of non-US dollar Shell Group companies to US dollars at year-end rates of exchange (except for those arising on cash and cash equivalents) and non-cash investing and financing activities. These currency translation differences and non-cash investing and financing activities must therefore be added to the cash flow movements at average rates in order to arrive at the movements derived from the Combined Balance Sheet.

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NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
                                 
    2004
     
        Movements
    Movements   Movements       derived from
    derived from   arising from       Statement of
    Statement of   currency   Non-cash   Assets and
    Cash Flows   translation   movements   Liabilities
                 
    $ million
Tangible and intangible fixed assets
    (2,626 )     3,447       1,186       2,007  
Investments
    (2,075 )     1,598       194       (283 )
Other long-term assets
    2,053       1,004       236       3,293  
Inventories
    2,731       691       (721 )     2,701  
Accounts receivable
    8,462       1,348       (760 )     9,050  
Cash and cash equivalents
    8,199       (1,108 )           7,091  
Short-term debt
    4,370       (898 )     1,335       4,807  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (7,317 )     (794 )     632       (7,479 )
Taxes payable
    (2,997 )     (579 )     (382 )     (3,958 )
Long-term debt
    817       (357 )     40       500  
Other long-term liabilities
    (1,441 )     (248 )     (322 )     (2,011 )
Deferred taxation
    672       (673 )     342       341  
Other provisions
    (148 )     (471 )     (1,252 )     (1,871 )
Minority interests
    (1,257 )     (109 )     (528 )     (1,894 )
Other items
    (193 )     193              
Adjustment for Treasury stock and Other comprehensive income excluding currency translation differences
    758       504              
                         
                               
                         
Movement in retained earnings of Shell Group companies
    10,008                          
                         
Movement in cumulative currency translation differences
            3,548                  
                         
Movement in net assets
                            12,294  
                         
      Income taxes paid by Shell Group companies totalled $11.6 billion in 2004 (2003: $8.6 billion; 2002: $6.7 billion). Interest paid by Shell Group companies was $0.9 billion in 2004 (2003: $0.9 billion; 2002: $1.0 billion).
      The main non-cash movements relate to the impact on the Balance Sheet of divestments, particularly of the Shell Group’s interest in Rayong Refinery which held $1.3 billion of short-term debt. There was also a review of the estimated provision for decommissioning and restoration costs during 2004 based on current experience and techniques which resulted in an increase of approximately $1.1 billion in both the provision and the corresponding tangible fixed assets.
20 Employee retirement plans and other postretirement benefits
      Retirement plans are provided for permanent employees of all major Shell Group companies. The nature of such plans varies according to the legal and fiscal requirements and economic conditions of the country in which the employees are engaged. Generally, the plans provide defined benefits based on employees’ years of service and average final remuneration. The principal plans in the Shell Group use a December 31 measurement date.

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      Some Shell Group companies have established unfunded defined benefit plans to provide certain postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefits to their retirees, the entitlement to which is usually based on the employee remaining in service up to retirement age and the completion of a minimum service period.
      The Shell Group has accounted for the impact of the United States Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization (“Medicare”) Act of 2003, with effect from January 1, 2004. The impact was a $300 million reduction in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at January 1, 2004 and a $52 million reduction in postretirement benefit cost for 2004. There was no reduction to accumulated postretirement benefit obligations of $159 million at January 1, 2004, for certain separately administered retiree benefit plans which must be analysed under final government regulations. The first subsidies arising from the Medicare Act are expected to be received in 2006.
                                                                 
            Other benefits
             
    Pension benefits   2004   2003
             
    2004   2003   USA   Other   Total   USA   Other   Total
                                 
    $ million
Change in benefit obligation
                                                               
Obligations for benefits based on employee service to date at January 1
    46,476       39,109       2,520       512       3,032       2,068       377       2,445  
Increase in present value of the obligation for benefits based on employee service during the year
    1,086       991       35       16       51       37       15       52  
Interest on the obligation for benefits in respect of employee service in previous years
    2,529       2,333       139       28       167       141       24       165  
Benefit payments made
    (2,350 )     (2,034 )     (119 )     (28 )     (147 )     (95 )     (25 )     (120 )
Currency translation effects
    3,461       5,333             40       40             78       78  
Other components(a)
    3,620       744       (66 )     43       (23 )     369       43       412  
                                                 
Obligations for benefits based on employee service to date at December 31
    54,822       46,476       2,509       611       3,120       2,520       512       3,032  
                                                 
Change in plan assets
                                                               
Plan assets held in trust at fair value at January 1
    43,960       33,035                                                  
Actual return on plan assets
    5,262       6,598                                                  
Employer contributions
    1,562       1,275                                                  
Plan participants’ contributions
    56       40                                                  
Benefit payments made
    (2,350 )     (2,034 )                                                
Currency translation effects
    3,367       4,911                                                  
Other components(a)
    17       135                                                  
                                                 
Plan assets held in trust at fair value at December 31
    51,874       43,960                                                  
                                                 
Plan assets in excess of/(less than) the present value of obligations for benefits at December 31
    (2,948 )     (2,516 )     (2,509 )     (611 )     (3,120 )     (2,520 )     (512 )     (3,032 )
Unrecognised net (gains)/losses remaining from the adoption of current method of determining pension costs
    3       5                                                  
Unrecognised net (gains)/losses since adoption
    9,888       7,295       727       186       913       876       149       1,025  
Unrecognised prior service cost/(credit)
    1,185       1,258       (34 )     2       (32 )     (82 )           (82 )
                                                 
Net amount recognised
    8,128       6,042       (1,816 )     (423 )     (2,239 )     (1,726 )     (363 )     (2,089 )
                                                 

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
                                                                   
            Other benefits
             
    Pension benefits   2004   2003
             
    2004   2003   USA   Other   Total   USA   Other   Total
                                 
    $ million
Amounts recognised in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:
                                                               
Intangible assets
    353       326                                                  
Prepaid benefit costs
    8,278       6,516                                                  
Accrued benefit liabilities:
                                                               
 
Short-term
    (213 )     (182 )     (40 )     (33 )     (73 )     (51 )     (28 )     (79 )
 
Long-term
    (2,878 )     (2,917 )     (1,776 )     (390 )     (2,166 )     (1,675 )     (335 )     (2,010 )
                                                 
      5,540       3,743       (1,816 )     (423 )     (2,239 )     (1,726 )     (363 )     (2,089 )
                                                 
Amount recognised in Equity:
                                                               
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    2,588       2,299                                                  
                                                 
Net amount recognised
    8,128       6,042       (1,816 )     (423 )     (2,239 )     (1,726 )     (363 )     (2,089 )
                                                 
 
(a) Other components comprise mainly the effect of changes in actuarial assumptions, most notably the discount rate and in 2004 the impact of accounting for the US Medicare Act on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at January 1.
Additional information on pension benefits
                   
    2004   2003
         
    $ million
Obligation for pension benefits in respect of unfunded plans
    2,032       2,155  
Accumulated benefit obligation
    48,654       41,865  
For employee retirement plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, the respective amounts are:
               
 
Projected benefit obligation
    36,246       30,291  
 
Plan assets
    33,646       28,176  
For employee retirement plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, the respective amounts are:                
 
Accumulated benefit obligation
    11,844       10,452  
 
Plan assets
    10,734       9,356  
      Employer contributions to defined benefit pension plans during 2005 are estimated to be $1.4 billion. The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:
                                 
        Other benefits
    Pension    
    benefits   USA   Other   Total
                 
    $ million
2005
    2,584       132       32       164  
2006
    2,664       135       33       168  
2007
    2,738       147       33       180  
2008
    2,829       157       34       191  
2009
    2,908       165       35       200  
2010 - 2014
    15,759       905       178       1,083  

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      Benefit costs for the year comprise:
                                                                                                 
                Other benefits
                 
    Pension benefits   2004   2003   2002
                 
    2004   2003   2002   USA   Other   Total   USA   Other   Total   USA   Other   Total
                                                 
    $ million
Service cost
    1,086       991       899       35       16       51       37       15       52       32       7       39  
Interest cost
    2,529       2,333       2,001       139       28       167       141       24       165       111       21       132  
Expected return on plan assets
    (3,894 )     (3,547 )     (3,339 )                                                                        
Other components
    317       303       (100 )     41       8       49       66       4       70       76       7       83  
                                                                         
Cost of defined benefit plans
    38       80       (539 )     215       52       267       244       43       287       219       35       254  
Payments to defined contribution plans
    221       171       84                                                                          
                                                                         
      259       251       (455 )     215       52       267       244       43       287       219       35       254  
                                                                         
      Discount rates, projected rates of remuneration growth and expected rates of return on plan assets vary for the different plans as they are determined in the light of local conditions. Expected rates of return on plan assets are calculated using a common assumption-setting process based on a projection of real long-term bond yields and an equity risk premium which are combined with local inflation assumptions and applied to each plan’s actual asset mix. The weighted averages applicable for the principal plans in the Shell Group are:
                                                                         
                Other benefits
                 
    Pension benefits   2004   2003   2002
                 
    2004   2003   2002   USA   Other   USA   Other   USA   Other
                                     
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31
                                                                       
Discount rate
    5.1%       5.6%       5.9%       5.8%       5.0%       6.0%       5.6%       6.5%       5.6%  
Projected rate of remuneration growth
    3.8%       3.9%       4.0%                                                  
Assumptions used to determine benefit costs for year ended December 31
                                                                       
Discount rate
    5.6%       5.9%       6.0%       6.0%       5.6%       6.5%       5.6%       7.0%       6.0%  
Expected rate of return on plan assets
    7.6%       7.9%       8.0%                                                  
Projected rate of remuneration growth
    3.9%       4.0%       4.0%                                                  
Healthcare cost trend rates
                                                                       
Healthcare cost trend rate in year after reporting year
                            10.0%       3.7%       10.0%       3.9%       7.8%       4.6%  
Ultimate healthcare cost trend rate
                            5.0%       2.9%       5.0%       2.9%       5.0%       2.9%  
Year ultimate healthcare cost trend rate is applicable
                            2012       2007       2011       2006       2010       2004  
      The effect of a one percentage point increase/(decrease) in the annual rate of increase in the assumed healthcare cost trend rates would be to increase/(decrease) annual postretirement benefit cost by approximately $35 million/($25 million) and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation by approximately $456 million/($374 million).

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      Weighted-average plan asset allocations by asset category and the target allocation for December 31, 2004 for the principal pension plans in the Shell Group are:
                         
        Percentage of
    Target   plan assets at
    allocation   December 31
         
    2004   2004   2003
             
Equity securities
    72%       73%       73%  
Debt securities
    23%       21%       22%  
Real estate
    2%       2%       2%  
Other
    3%       4%       3%  
                   
Total
    100%       100%       100%  
                   
      Plan long-term investment strategies are generally determined by the responsible Pension Fund Trustees using a structured asset-liability modelling approach to determine the asset mix which best meets the objectives of optimising investment return and maintaining adequate funding levels.
21 Employee emoluments and numbers
     (a) Emoluments
                         
    2004   2003   2002
             
    $ million
Remuneration
    8,125       7,477       6,096  
Social law taxes
    695       660       518  
Pensions and similar obligations (Note 21)
    526       538       (201 )
                   
      9,346       8,675       6,413  
                   
     (b) Average numbers
                         
    2004   2003   2002
             
    thousands
Exploration & Production
    17       17       17  
Gas & Power
    2       2       2  
Oil Products
    78       82       75  
Chemicals
    8       9       9  
Corporate and Other
    9       9       8  
                   
      114       119       111  
                   
     (c) Year-end numbers
                         
    2004   2003   2002
             
    thousands
Exploration & Production
    17       17       17  
Gas & Power
    2       2       2  
Oil Products
    76       82       80  
Chemicals
    8       9       9  
Corporate and Other
    9       9       8  
                   
      112       119       116  
                   

F-35


Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      In addition to remuneration above, there were charges for redundancy of $526 million in 2004 (2003: $291 million; 2002: $215 million).
      The charges relate to 4,000 employees in 2004 (mainly in the Oil Products segment, primarily due to portfolio restructuring, and in the Corporate and Other segment due to restructuring in information and technology), 2,000 employees in 2003 (mainly in the Exploration & Production and Oil Products segments) and 2,600 employees in 2002 (mainly in the Exploration & Production and Oil Products segments). The liabilities for redundancies at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and movements during 2004 and 2003 are given in the following table.
                 
    2004   2003
         
    $ million
At January 1
    494       395  
Charges
    526       291  
Payments
    (394 )     (245 )
Other movements and currency translation effects
    (29 )     53  
             
At December 31
    597       494  
             
22 Stock-based compensation plans
      On July 20, 2005 Royal Dutch Shell became the parent company of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport by way of the transactions described in Note 1. At the same date the rights to shares of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport under the stock-based compensation schemes were exchanged for equivalent rights to Royal Dutch Shell shares on the basis of the exchange ratios set out in Note 1.
      Certain Shell Group companies have in place various stock-based plans for senior staff and other employees of those and other Shell Group companies. Details of the principal plans are given below.
      The Shell Group Stock Option Plans offer eligible employees options over Royal Dutch Ordinary Shares (Royal Dutch shares) or Shell Transport Ordinary Shares (Shell Transport shares) at a price not less than the fair market value of the shares at the date the options were granted. The options are exercisable three years from grant, except for those granted under the US plans, which vest a third per year for three years. The options lapse ten years after grant, however leaving Shell Group employment may cause options to lapse earlier. For Shell Group Managing Directors and the most senior executives, 100% of the options granted in 2003 (and in subsequent years) are subject to performance conditions.
      Under the Restricted Stock Plan, grants are made on a highly selective basis to senior staff. A maximum of 250,000 Royal Dutch Ordinary Shares (or equivalent value in Shell Transport Ordinary Shares) can be granted under the plan in any year. Shares are granted subject to a three-year restriction period and the number of shares awarded is based on the share price at the start of the restricted period. The shares, together with additional shares equivalent to the value of the dividends payable over the restriction period, are released to the individual at the end of the three-year period.

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      The following table shows for 2003 and 2004, in respect of option plans, the number of shares under option at the beginning of the year, the number of options granted, exercised and expired during the year and the number of shares under option at the end of the year, together with their weighted average exercise price translated at the respective year-end exchange rates:
                                                 
    Royal Dutch Ordinary   Shell Transport   Shell Canada common
    Shares   Ordinary Shares   shares(a)
             
        Weighted       Weighted       Weighted
        average       average       average
        exercise       exercise       exercise
    Number   price   Number   price   Number   price
                         
    (thousands)   ($)   (thousands)   ($)   (thousands)   ($)
Under option at January 1, 2003
    33,381       59.86       101,447       8.26       4,777       21.71  
Granted
    15,643       45.13       41,893       6.74       1,674       35.65  
Exercised
                (192 )     6.47       (505 )     22.88  
Expired
    (1,003 )     64.03       (2,813 )     8.92       (73 )     26.03  
                                     
Under option at December 31, 2003(b)
    48,021       60.09       140,335       8.44       5,873       29.43  
                                     
Granted
    14,816       52.42       42,998       7.47       1,697       45.99  
Exercised
    (495 )     47.20       (1,341 )     7.10       (1,175 )     22.73  
Expired
    (1,644 )     68.14       (6,033 )     9.69       (285 )     25.85  
                                     
Under option at December 31, 2004(b)
    60,698       60.56       175,959       8.73       6,110       37.17  
                                     
 
(a) Unissued.
 
(b) The underlying weighted average exercise prices for Royal Dutch and Shell Transport shares under option at December 31, 2004 were 44.42 (2003: 47.64) and £4.53 (2003: £4.73) respectively.
      The following tables provide further information about the options outstanding at December 31, 2004:
                                         
    Royal Dutch Ordinary Shares
     
    Options outstanding   Options exercisable
         
        Weighted        
        average   Weighted       Weighted
        remaining   average       average
        contractual   exercise       exercise
Range of exercise prices   Number   life   price   Number   price
                     
    (thousands)   (years)   ($)   (thousands)   ($)
$40 to $45
    6,541       8.2       42.25       2,027       42.24  
$45 to $50
    7,096       9.1       48.65       223       45.71  
$50 to $55
    19,118       7.4       52.72       6,241       53.49  
$55 to $60
    8,354       7.6       56.30       2,353       56.21  
$60 to $65
    3,759       6.2       60.77       3,759       60.77  
$65 to $70
    773       2.3       66.70       773       66.70  
$75 to $80
    149       6.8       76.94       149       76.94  
$80 to $85
    9,503       6.3       82.92       1,959       81.34  
$85 to $90
    2,124       5.4       85.36       2,124       85.36  
$90 to $95
    79       5.2       94.11       79       94.11  
$95 to $100
    3,202       6.2       96.21       3,202       96.21  
                               
$40 to $100
    60,698       7.3       60.56       22,889       65.95  
                               

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
                                         
    Shell Transport Ordinary Shares
     
    Options outstanding   Options exercisable
         
        Weighted        
        average   Weighted       Weighted
        remaining   average       average
        contractual   exercise       exercise
Range of exercise prices   Number   life   price   Number   price
                     
    (thousands)   (years)   ($)   (thousands)   ($)
$7 to $8
    93,250       7.8       7.36       9,847       7.00  
$8 to $9
    6,937       3.3       8.45       6,137       8.47  
$9 to $10
    11,694       4.4       9.74       11,694       9.74  
$10 to $11
    51,761       6.3       10.29       14,110       10.64  
$11 to $12
    12,317       6.0       11.80       12,317       11.80  
                               
$7 to $12
    175,959       6.8       8.73       54,105       9.80  
                               
      In the UK, The Shell Petroleum Company Limited and Shell Petroleum N.V. each operate a savings-related stock option scheme, under which options are granted over shares of Shell Transport at prices not less than the market value on a date not more than 30 days before the date of the grant of option and are normally exercisable after completion of a three-year or five-year contractual savings period. The following table shows for 2003 and 2004, in respect of these plans, the number of Shell Transport Ordinary Shares under option at the beginning of the year, the number of options granted, exercised and expired during the year and the number of shares under option at the end of the year:
                 
    2004   2003
         
    thousands
Under option at January 1
    15,089       18,680  
Granted
          4,975  
Exercised
    (1,924 )     (707 )
Expired
    (2,634 )     (7,859 )
             
Under option at December 31
    10,531       15,089  
             
      Certain Shell Group companies have incentive compensation plans containing stock appreciation rights linked to the value of Royal Dutch Ordinary Shares. During 2004 1,375,989 of these stock appreciation rights were exercised and 21,833 forfeited, leaving a balance of 7,484,779 at December 31, 2004 (2003: 8,882,601).
      In 2001, the Global Employee Share Purchase Plan was implemented giving eligible employees the opportunity to buy Royal Dutch or Shell Transport Ordinary Shares, with 15% added after a specified holding period. At December 31, 2004 16,024 (2003: 4,754) Royal Dutch Ordinary Shares and 25,881 (2003: 19,742) Shell Transport Ordinary Shares were held by Shell Group companies in connection with the Global Employee Share Purchase Plan.

F-38


Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Effects on Shell Group net income and Earnings per share under the fair value method
      A comparison of the Shell Group’s net income and Earnings per share for both Royal Dutch and Shell Transport as reported under the intrinsic value method and on a pro forma basis calculated as if the fair value of options and share purchase rights granted would have been considered as compensation expense is as follows:
                                                 
    2004   2003   2002
             
    Pro forma   Pro forma   Pro forma
             
Shell Group net income ($ million)
    18,182       17,937       12,322       12,045       9,671       9,468  
Basic earnings per share attributable to Royal Dutch ($)(a)
    5.39       5.32       3.63       3.55       2.82       2.76  
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Royal Dutch ($)(a)
    5.39       5.31       3.63       3.55       2.81       2.76  
Basic earnings per ADR attributable to Shell Transport ($)(a)
    4.60       4.54       3.10       3.03       2.41       2.36  
Diluted earnings per ADR attributable to Shell Transport ($)(a)
    4.60       4.54       3.10       3.03       2.41       2.36  
 
(a) Based on Royal Dutch and Shell Transport Ordinary Shares/numbers before unification.
      The fair value of the Shell Group’s 2004 option grants was estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following assumptions for US dollar, euro and sterling denominated options respectively: risk-free interest rates of 3.5%, 3.1% and 4.9%; dividend yield of 4.1%, 4.5% and 4.0%; volatility of 28.2%, 30.3% and 31.7% and expected lives of five to seven years.
23 Decommissioning and restoration costs
                                                 
    2004   2003
         
    Short-term   Long-term   Total   Short-term   Long-term   Total
                         
    $ million
At January 1
    89       3,955       4,044       71       3,528       3,599  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting policy(a)
                      108       (102 )     6  
Liabilities incurred
    6       291       297             174       174  
Liabilities settled
    (77 )     (18 )     (95 )     (106 )     (37 )     (143 )
Accretion expense
          284       284             49       49  
Reclassifications and other movements
    160       912       1,072       12       12       24  
Currency translation differences
    7       285       292       4       331       335  
                                     
At December 31
    185       5,709       5,894       89       3,955       4,044  
                                     
 
(a) US accounting standard FAS 143 (Asset Retirement Obligations) was effective from the beginning of 2003 (see Note 2).
      A review of the estimated provision for decommissioning and restoration costs was performed during 2004 based on current experience and techniques. This resulted in an increase of $1.1 billion in both the provision and corresponding tangible fixed assets, reported within other movements.
      For the purposes of calculating provisions for decommissioning and restoration costs, estimated total ultimate liabilities of $9.8 billion at December 31, 2004 (2003: $7.5 billion) were used. Such estimates are subject to various regulatory and technological developments.

F-39


Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
24 Information by geographical area and by industry segment(a)
     (a) Geographical area
                                                 
    2004   2003   2002
             
    Net   Fixed   Net   Fixed   Net   Fixed
    proceeds   assets   proceeds   assets   proceeds   assets
                         
    $ million
Europe
    94,904       37,930       70,375       37,686       62,575       36,516  
Other Eastern Hemisphere
    49,482       36,977       37,482       33,530       32,406       28,492  
USA
    102,877       27,580       75,109       30,343       54,677       27,266  
Other Western Hemisphere
    17,927       13,834       15,396       13,038       13,795       11,869  
                                     
Total Group
    265,190       116,321       198,362       114,597       163,453       104,143  
                                     
 
(a) As a consequence of the separate reporting of income from discontinued operations (see Note 3), information for comparative periods has been reclassified where necessary:
     (b)     Industry segment
                                                   
    2004
     
    Total   Exploration   Gas &   Oil       Corporate
    Shell Group   & Production   Power   Products   Chemicals   and Other
                         
    $ million
Sales
                                               
 
third parties
    265,190       20,643       9,604       207,006       26,877       1,060  
 
inter-segment
            19,001       1,210       11,924       2,620       11  
                                     
Net proceeds
            39,644       10,814       218,930       29,497       1,071  
                                     
Operating profit/(loss)
                                               
 
Shell Group companies
    26,254       18,386       331       7,152       1,245       (860 )
 
Shell Group share of associated companies
    5,653       2,438       1,384       1,749       94       (12 )
                                     
      31,907       20,824       1,715       8,901       1,339       (872 )
                                     
Interest and other income
    1,730       244       768       90       1       627  
Interest expense
    1,213                                       1,213  
Currency exchange gains/(losses)
    (39 )     (78 )     15       (19 )     (16 )     59  
Taxation
    15,137       12,033       429       2,691       394       (410 )
Income applicable to minority interests
    626                                          
                                     
Income from continuing operations
    16,622       8,957       2,069       6,281       930       (989 )
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax(a)
    1,560       358       86       1,256             (52 )
                                     
Net income
    18,182       9,315       2,155       7,537       930       (1,041 )
                                     
Total assets at December 31
    193,626       68,199       23,214       71,447       18,330       12,406  
Total liabilities at December 31
    (97,862 )     (44,602 )     (15,897 )     (44,509 )     (8,062 )     15,208  
Tangible fixed assets at December 31
                                               
 
Cost
    193,162       115,404       8,028       53,773       14,561       1,396  
 
Accumulated depreciation
    (104,222 )     (63,411 )     (1,107 )     (30,689 )     (8,381 )     (634 )
Goodwill at December 31
    2,691             184       2,470       23       14  
Investments in associated companies at December 31
    19,743       4,762       4,312       6,206       4,139       324  
Capital expenditure and new investments in associated companies
    13,792       8,745       1,633       2,466       705       243  
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation charge from continuing operations
                                               
 
Impairment
    622       7             580       29       6  
 
Other
    11,530       8,132       262       2,476       515       145  

F-40


Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
                                                   
    2003
     
    Total   Exploration   Gas &   Oil       Corporate
    Shell Group   & Production   Power   Products   Chemicals   and Other
                         
    $ million
Sales
                                               
 
third parties
    198,362       12,224       7,377       159,075       18,843       843  
 
inter-segment
            20,244       850       3,416       1,974       29  
                                     
Net proceeds
            32,468       8,227       162,491       20,817       872  
                                     
Operating profit/(loss)
                                               
 
Shell Group companies
    17,860       14,968       510       3,175       (112 )     (681 )
 
Shell Group share of associated companies
    3,446       1,857       871       910       (165 )     (27 )
                                     
      21,306       16,825       1,381       4,085       (277 )     (708 )
                                     
Interest and other income
    1,996       88       1,366       (39 )     (29 )     610  
Interest expense
    1,324                                       1,324  
Currency exchange gains/(losses)
    (231 )     (16 )     (23 )     (23 )     (14 )     (155 )
Taxation
    9,352       8,307       454       1,202       (111 )     (500 )
Income applicable to minority interests
    353                                          
                                     
Income from continuing operations
    12,042       8,590       2,270       2,821       (209 )     (1,077 )
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax(a)
    25       78       19       39             (98 )
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax
    255       255                                  
                                     
Net income
    12,322       8,923       2,289       2,860       (209 )     (1,175 )
                                     
Total assets at December 31
    169,737       63,641       19,212       64,725       15,297       6,862  
Total liabilities at December 31
    (88,215 )     (47,866 )     (13,277 )     (42,549 )     (7,888 )     23,365  
Tangible fixed assets at December 31
                                               
 
Cost
    181,685       105,540       6,934       53,556       14,028       1,627  
 
Accumulated depreciation
    (94,597 )     (56,265 )     (985 )     (28,784 )     (7,851 )     (712 )
Goodwill at December 31
    2,675             184       2,455       23       13  
Investments in associated companies at December 31
    19,371       4,108       4,924       5,965       4,017       357  
Capital expenditure and new investments in associated companies
    13,235       8,278       1,511       2,405       599       442  
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation charge from continuing operations
                                               
 
Impairment
    1,288       679             262       220       127  
 
Other
    10,203       7,048       116       2,455       458       126  
 
(a) $88 million of income applicable to minority interests is deducted in arriving at income from discontinued operations for the Shell Group in 2004 (2003: $13 million).

F-41


Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
                                                   
    2002
     
    Total   Exploration   Gas &   Oil       Corporate
    Shell Group   & Production   Power   Products   Chemicals   and Other
                         
    $ million
Sales
                                               
 
third parties
    163,453       11,640       4,254       132,681       14,125       753  
 
inter-segment
            14,680       620       3,080       1,082       17  
                                     
Net proceeds
            26,320       4,874       135,761       15,207       770  
                                     
Operating profit/(loss)
                                               
 
Shell Group companies
    15,056       11,976       89       3,009       438       (456 )
 
Shell Group share of associated companies
    2,792       1,316       729       554       213       (20 )
                                     
      17,848       13,292       818       3,563       651       (476 )
                                     
Interest and other income
    782       98       118       10       3       553  
Interest expense
    1,291                                       1,291  
Currency exchange gains/(losses)
    (25 )     (25 )     6       (67 )     (16 )     77  
Taxation
    7,655       6,724       195       1,021       73       (358 )
Income applicable to minority interests
    175                                          
                                     
Income from continuing operations
    9,484       6,641       747       2,485       565       (779 )
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    187       85       27       142             (67 )
                                     
Net income
    9,671       6,726       774       2,627       565       (846 )
                                     
Total assets at December 31
    153,291       56,988       16,057       60,549       14,172       5,525  
Total liabilities at December 31 (a)
    (83,672 )     (45,191 )     (12,223 )     (41,826 )     (7,903 )     23,471  
Tangible fixed assets at December 31
                                               
 
Cost
    157,499       93,333       2,843       47,689       12,010       1,624  
 
Accumulated depreciation
    (79,136 )     (47,076 )     (763 )     (23,926 )     (6,711 )     (660 )
Goodwill at December 31
    2,324             184       1,989       22       129  
Investments in associated companies at December 31
    17,945       3,591       4,679       5,344       4,154       177  
Capital expenditure, acquisitions and new investments in associated companies
    23,651       13,154       953       7,968       998       578  
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation charge from continuing operations
                                               
 
Impairment
    188       33       4       102       29       20  
 
Other
    8,340       5,603       112       2,160       372       93  
 
(a) Deferred taxation as at December 31, 2002 is included on a net liability basis, rather than as separate deferred taxation assets and liabilities as in 2004 and 2003.
      As a consequence of the separate reporting of income from discontinued operations (see Note 3), information for comparative periods has been reclassified where necessary.

F-42


Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
25 Oil and gas exploration and production activities
(a)     Capitalised costs
      The aggregate amount of tangible fixed assets of Shell Group companies relating to oil and gas exploration and production activities and the aggregate amount of the related depreciation, depletion and amortisation at December 31 are shown in the table below:
                         
    2004   2003   2002
             
    $ million
Cost
                       
Proved properties
    104,479 (a)     94,069 (a)     83,964  
Unproved properties
    4,281       5,400       4,768  
Support equipment and facilities
    3,266       3,128       2,352  
                   
      112,026       102,597       91,084  
                   
Depreciation
                       
Proved properties
    60,101 (a)     53,867 (a)     45,525  
Unproved properties
    1,437       824       325  
Support equipment and facilities
    1,582       1,443       1,224  
                   
      63,120       56,134       47,074  
                   
Net capitalised costs
    48,906       46,463       44,010  
                   
Oil sands: net capitalised costs
    3,087       2,811       2,246  
 
(a) Includes capitalised asset retirement costs.
      The Shell Group share of associated companies’ net capitalised costs was $3,958 million at December 31, 2004 (2003: $3,772 million; 2002: $3,173 million).
(b)     Costs incurred
      Costs incurred by Shell Group companies during the year in oil and gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities, whether capitalised or charged to income currently, are shown in the table overleaf. Development costs exclude costs of acquiring support equipment and facilities, but include depreciation thereon.
                                                           
    2004
     
        Western    
    Eastern Hemisphere   Hemisphere    
             
        Middle East,        
        Asia   Russia,        
    Europe   Africa   Pacific   CIS(a)   USA   Other   Total
                             
    $ million
Acquisition of properties
                                                       
 
Proved
                      192       17       (1 )     208  
 
Unproved
    (3 )     46       (3 )     7       19       44       110  
Exploration
    152       196       141       127       418       214       1,248  
Development(b)
                                                       
 
Excluding oil sands
    2,404       1,831       363       2,645       867       362       8,472  
 
Oil sands
                                            132       132  

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
                                                           
    2003
     
        Western    
    Eastern Hemisphere   Hemisphere    
             
        Middle East,        
        Asia   Russia,        
    Europe   Africa   Pacific   CIS(a)   USA   Other   Total
                             
    $ million
Acquisition of properties
                                                       
 
Proved
    6       8       177       194                   385  
 
Unproved
          209       3       273       17       8       510  
Exploration
    187       163       139       273       342       155       1,259  
Development(b)
                                                       
 
Excluding oil sands
    2,776       1,660       311       1,251       1,599       588       8,185  
 
Oil sands
                                            88       88  
                                                           
    2002
     
        Western    
    Eastern Hemisphere   Hemisphere    
             
        Middle East,        
        Asia   Russia,        
    Europe   Africa   Pacific   CIS   USA   Other   Total
                             
    $ million
Acquisition of properties
                                                       
 
Proved
    3,776                   122       565       801       5,264  
 
Unproved
    1,693       53             3       368       412       2,529  
Exploration
    217       279       115       170       328       182       1,291  
Development
                                                       
 
Excluding oil sands
    1,605       1,370       442       685       1,465       407       5,974  
 
Oil sands
                                            931       931  
 
(a) These amounts do not include Sakhalin II project costs in 2004 of $869 million (2003: $384 million) reported in the Gas & Power segment.
 
(b) Includes capitalised asset retirement costs.
      The Shell Group share of associated companies’ cost incurred was $415 million in 2004 (2003: $417 million; 2002: $551 million).

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(c)     Earnings
      Earnings of Shell Group companies from exploration and production activities are given in the table below. For the purpose of this note, certain purchases of traded product are netted into sales.
                                                           
    2004
     
        Western    
    Eastern Hemisphere   Hemisphere    
             
        Middle East,        
        Asia   Russia,        
    Europe   Africa   Pacific   CIS   USA   Other   Total
                             
    $ million
Sales:
                                                       
 
Third parties
    5,856       137       1,045       1,806       2,092       1,277       12,213  
 
Intra-group
    7,223       5,616       1,517       4,616       4,755       1,187       24,914  
                                           
Net proceeds
    13,079       5,753       2,562       6,422       6,847       2,464       37,127  
                                           
Production costs(a)
    1,895       1,548       537       1,687       779       518       6,964  
Exploration expense
    201       157       139       101       364       209       1,171  
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation
    3,764       700       566       799       1,622       811       8,262  
Other income/(costs)
    (1,308 )     (353 )     280       (517 )     (340 )     (334 )     (2,572 )
                                           
Earnings before taxation
    5,911       2,995       1,600       3,318       3,742       592       18,158  
Taxation
    3,559       2,448       350       2,795       1,298       186       10,636  
                                           
Earnings from continuing operations
    2,352       547       1,250       523       2,444       406       7,522  
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax
          144       109       105                   358  
                                           
Earnings from operations
    2,352       691       1,359       628       2,444       406       7,880  
                                           
Earnings from oil sands
                                            290       290  

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
                                                           
    2003
     
        Western    
    Eastern Hemisphere   Hemisphere    
             
        Middle East,        
        Asia   Russia,        
    Europe   Africa   Pacific   CIS   USA   Other   Total
                             
    $ million
Sales:
                                                       
 
Third parties
    5,386       129       808       1,640       1,903       1,115       10,981  
 
Intra-group
    5,873       3,888       1,179       3,713       4,480       713       19,846  
                                           
Net proceeds
    11,259       4,017       1,987       5,353       6,383       1,828       30,827  
                                           
Production costs(a)
    1,886       1,087       419       1,408       603       366       5,769  
Exploration expense
    229       235       112       121       275       144       1,116  
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation
    3,723       462       539       585       1,667       681       7,657  
Other income/(costs)
    (512 )     (187 )     238       (443 )     30       (240 )     (1,114 )
                                           
Earnings before taxation
    4,909       2,046       1,155       2,796       3,868       397       15,171  
Taxation
    1,686       1,437       217       2,239       1,497       204       7,280  
                                           
Earnings from continuing operations
    3,223       609       938       557       2,371       193       7,891  
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax
          (16 )     68       26                   78  
                                           
Earnings from operations
    3,223       593       1,006       583       2,371       193       7,969  
                                           
Earnings from oil sands
                                            (101 )     (101 )
                                                           
    2002
     
        Western    
    Eastern Hemisphere   Hemisphere    
             
        Middle East,        
        Asia   Russia,        
    Europe   Africa   Pacific   CIS   USA   Other   Total
                             
    $ million
Sales:
                                                       
 
Third parties
    5,472       73       763       1,772       1,997       892       10,969  
 
Intra-group
    4,572       2,538       1,186       3,087       2,863       433       14,679  
                                           
Net proceeds
    10,044       2,611       1,949       4,859       4,860       1,325       25,648  
                                           
Production costs(a)
    1,826       754       420       1,275       589       298       5,162  
Exploration expense
    177       204       58       81       249       208       977  
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation
    2,469       458       572       777       1,461       265       6,002  
Other income/(costs)
    (428 )     (97 )     160       (654 )     (221 )     (219 )     (1,459 )
                                           
Earnings before taxation
    5,144       1,098       1,059       2,072       2,340       335       12,048  
Taxation
    2,340       789       294       1,638       791       93       5,945  
                                           
Earnings from continuing operations
    2,804       309       765       434       1,549       242       6,103  
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax
          (15 )     70       30                   85  
                                           
Earnings from operations
    2,804       294       835       464       1,549       242       6,188  
                                           
Earnings from oil sands
                                            (3 )     (3 )
 
(a) Includes certain royalties paid in cash amounting to $2,019 million in 2004 (2003: $1,700 million; 2002: $1,449 million).

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NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
      The Shell Group share of associated companies’ earnings was $1,145 million in 2004 (2003: $800 million; 2002: $541 million) mainly in the USA $603 million (2003: $424 million; 2002: $330 million) and Asia Pacific $522 million (2003: $353 million; 2002: $170 million).
26 Auditors’ remuneration
                         
Remuneration of KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers   2004   2003   2002
             
    $ million
Audit fees
    42       32       27  
Audit-related fees(a)
    13       11       17  
Tax fees(b)
    9       7       6  
Fees for all other non-audit services
    6       6       12  
 
(a) Fees for audit-related services such as employee benefit plan audits, due diligence assistance, assurance of non-financial data, operational audits, training services and special investigations.
 
(b) Fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services.
27 Contingencies and litigation
      Contingent liabilities of Shell Group companies arising from guarantees related to commitments of non-combined entities amounted to $2.9 billion at December 31, 2004 (2003: $3.4 billion). An analysis of the guarantees outstanding at December 31, 2004 is given in the following table:
         
    $ billion
     
In respect of debt
    1.7  
In respect of customs duties
    0.5  
Other
    0.7  
       
      2.9  
       
      The $1.7 billion of guarantees in respect of debt relate to project finance. Guarantees in respect of customs duties mainly relate to a cross guarantee, renewable annually, for amounts payable by industry participants in a western European country.
      Shell Oil Company (including subsidiaries and affiliates, referred to collectively as SOC), along with numerous other defendants, has been sued by public and quasi-public water purveyors, as well as governmental entities, alleging responsibility for groundwater contamination caused by releases of gasoline containing oxygenate additives. Most of these suits assert various theories of liability, including product liability, and seek to recover actual damages, including clean-up costs. Some assert claims for punitive damages. As of December 31, 2004, there were approximately 66 pending suits by such plaintiffs that asserted claims against SOC and many other defendants (including major energy and refining companies). Although a majority of these cases do not specify the amount of monetary damages sought, some include specific damage claims collectively against all defendants. While the aggregate amounts claimed against all defendants for actual and punitive damages in such suits could be material to the financial statements if they were ultimately recovered against SOC alone rather than apportioned among the defendants, management of the Shell Group considers the amounts claimed in these pleadings to be highly speculative and not an appropriate basis on which to determine a reasonable estimate of the amount of the loss that may be ultimately incurred, for the reasons described below.
      The reasons for this determination can be summarised as follows:
  •  While the majority of the cases have been consolidated for pre-trial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, there are many cases pending in other jurisdictions throughout the U.S. Most of the cases are at a preliminary stage. In many matters, little discovery has been taken and the

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NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
  courts have yet to rule upon motions on substantive legal issues. Consequently, management of the Shell Group does not have sufficient information to assess the facts underlying the plaintiffs’ claims; the nature and extent of damages claimed, if any; the reasonableness of any specific claim for money damages; the allocation of potential responsibility among defendants; or the law that may be applicable. Additionally, given the pendency of cases in varying jurisdictions, there may be inconsistencies in the determinations made in these matters.
 
  •  There are significant unresolved legal questions relating to claims asserted in this litigation. For example, it has not been established whether the use of oxygenates mandated by the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act can give rise to a products liability based claim. While some trial courts have held that it cannot, other courts have left the question open or declined to dismiss claims brought on a products liability theory. Other examples of unresolved legal questions relate to the applicability of federal preemption, whether a plaintiff may recover damages for alleged levels of contamination significantly below state environmental standards, and whether a plaintiff may recover for an alleged threat to groundwater before detection of contamination.
 
  •  There are also significant unresolved legal questions relating to whether punitive damages are available for products liability claims or, if available, the manner in which they might be determined. For example, some courts have held that for certain types of product liability claims, punitive damages are not available. It is not known whether that rule of law would be applied in some or all of the pending oxygenate additive cases. Where specific claims for damages have been made, punitive damages represent in most cases a majority of the total amounts claimed.
 
  •  There are significant issues relating to the allocation of any liability among the defendants. Virtually all of the oxygenate additives cases involve multiple defendants including most of the major participants in the retail gasoline marketing business in the regions involved in the pending cases. The basis on which any potential liability may be apportioned among the defendants in any particular pending case cannot yet be determined.
      For these reasons, management of the Shell Group is not currently able to estimate a range of reasonably possible losses or minimum loss for this litigation; however, management of the Shell Group does not currently believe that the outcome of the oxygenate-related litigation pending as of December 31, 2004 will have a material impact on the Shell Group’s financial condition, although such resolutions could have a significant effect on periodic results for the period in which they are recognised.
      A $490 million judgment in favour of 466 plaintiffs in a consolidated matter that had once been nine individual cases was rendered in 2002 by a Nicaraguan court jointly against SOC and three other named defendants (not affiliated with SOC), based upon Nicaraguan Special Law 364 for claimed personal injuries resulting from alleged exposure to dibromochloropropane (DBCP) — a pesticide manufactured by SOC prior to 1978. This special law imposes strict liability (in a predetermined amount) on international manufacturers of DBCP. The statute also provides that unless a deposit (calculated as described below) of an amount denominated in Nicaraguan cordobas is made into the Nicaraguan courts, the claims would be submitted to the US courts. In SOC’s case the deposit would have been between $19 million and $20 million (based on an exchange rate between 15 and 16 cordobas per US dollar). SOC chose not to make this deposit. The Nicaraguan courts did not, however, give effect to the provision of Special Law 364 that requires submission of the matter to the US courts. Instead, the Nicaraguan court entered judgment against SOC and the other defendants. Further, SOC was not afforded the opportunity to present any defences in the Nicaraguan court, including that it was not subject to Nicaraguan jurisdiction because it had neither shipped nor sold DBCP to parties in Nicaragua. At this time, SOC has not completed the steps necessary to perfect an appeal in Nicaragua and, as described below, the Nicaraguan claimants have sought to enforce the Nicaraguan judgment against SOC in the U.S. and in Venezuela. SOC does not have any assets in Nicaragua. In 2003, an attempt by the plaintiffs to enforce the Nicaraguan judgment described above in the United States against Shell Chemical Company and purported affiliates of the other named defendants was rejected by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, which decision is on

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NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
appeal before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Enforcement of the Nicaraguan judgment was rejected because of improper service and attempted enforcement against non-existent entities or entities that were not named in the Nicaraguan judgment. Thereafter, SOC filed a declaratory judgment action seeking ultimate adjudication of the non-enforceability of this Nicaraguan judgment in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. This district court denied motions filed by the Nicaraguan claimants to dismiss SOC claims that Nicaragua does not have impartial tribunals, the proceedings violated due process, the relationship between SOC and Nicaragua made the exercise of personal jurisdiction unreasonable, and Special Law 364 is repugnant to U.S. public policy because it violates due process. A finding in favour of SOC on any of these grounds will result in a refusal to recognize and enforce the judgment in the United States. Several requests for Exequatur were filed in 2004 with the Tribunal Suprema de Justicia (the Venezuelan Supreme Court) to enforce Nicaraguan judgments. The petitions imply that judgments can be satisfied with assets of Shell Venezuela, S.A., which was neither a party to the Nicaraguan judgment nor a subsidiary of SOC, against whom the Exequatur was filed. The petitions are pending before the Tribunal Suprema de Justicia but have not been accepted. As of December 31, 2004, five additional Nicaraguan judgments had been entered in the collective amount of approximately $226.5 million in favor of 240 plaintiffs jointly against Shell Chemical Company and three other named defendants (not affiliated with Shell Chemical Company) under facts and circumstances almost identical to those relating to the judgment described above. Additional judgments are anticipated (including a suit seeking more than $3 billion). It is the opinion of management of the Group that the above judgments are unenforceable in a U.S. court, as a matter of law, for the reasons set out in SOC’s declaratory judgment action described above. No financial provisions have been established for these judgments or related claims.
      Since 1984, SOC has been named with others as a defendant in numerous product liability cases, including class actions, involving the failure of residential plumbing systems and municipal water distribution systems constructed with polybutylene plastic pipe. SOC fabricated the resin for this pipe while the co-defendants fabricated the raw materials for the pipe fittings. As a result of two class action settlements in 1995, SOC and the co-defendants agreed on a mechanism to fund until 2009 the settlement of most of the residential plumbing claims in the United States. Financial provisions have been taken by SOC for its settlement funding needs anticipated at this time. Additionally, claims that are not part of these class action settlements or that challenge these settlements continue to be filed primarily involving alleged problems with polybutylene pipe used in municipal water distribution systems. It is the opinion of management of the Shell Group that exposure from this other polybutylene litigation pending as of December 31, 2004, is not material. Management of the Shell Group cannot currently predict when or how all polybutylene matters will be finally resolved.
      In connection with the recategorisation of certain hydrocarbon reserves that occurred in 2004, a number of putative shareholder class actions were filed against Royal Dutch, Shell Transport, Managing Directors of Royal Dutch during the class period, Managing Directors of Shell Transport during the class period and the external auditors for Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and the Royal Dutch/Shell Group. These actions were consolidated in the United States District Court in New Jersey and a consolidated complaint was filed in September 2004. The parties are awaiting a decision with respect to defendants’ motions to dismiss asserting lack of jurisdiction with respect to the claims of non-United States shareholders who purchased on non-United States securities exchanges and failure to state a claim. Merits discovery has not begun. The case is at an early stage and subject to substantial uncertainties concerning the outcome of the material factual and legal issues relating to the litigation, including the pending motions to dismiss on lack of jurisdiction and failure to state a claim. In addition, potential damages, if any, in a fully litigated securities class action would depend on the losses caused by the alleged wrongful conduct that would be demonstrated by individual class members in their purchases and sales of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport Ordinary Shares during the relevant class period. Accordingly, based on the current status of the litigation, management of the Shell Group is unable to estimate a range of possible losses or any minimum loss. Management of the Shell Group will review this determination as the litigation progresses.
      Also in connection with the hydrocarbon reserves recategorisation, putative shareholder class actions were filed on behalf of participants in various Shell Oil Company qualified plans alleging that Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and various current and former officers and directors breached various fiduciary duties to employee

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NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
participants imposed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). These suits were consolidated in the United States District Court in New Jersey and a consolidated class action complaint was filed in July 2004. Defendants’ motions to dismiss have been fully briefed. Some document discovery has taken place. The case is at an early stage and subject to substantial uncertainties concerning the outcome of the material factual and legal issues relating to the litigation, including the pending motion to dismiss and the legal uncertainties with respect to the methodology for calculating damage, if any, should defendants become subject to an adverse judgment. The Shell Group is in settlement discussions with counsel for plaintiffs, which it hopes will lead to a successful resolution of the case without the need for further litigation. No financial provisions have been taken with respect to the ERISA litigation.
      The reserves recategorisation also led to the filing of shareholder derivative actions in June 2004. The four suits pending in New York state court, New York federal court and New Jersey federal court demand Shell Group management and structural changes and seek unspecified damages from current and former members of the Boards of Directors of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport. The suits are in preliminary stages and no responses are yet due from defendants. Because any money “damages” in the derivative actions would be paid to Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, management of the Shell Group does not believe that the resolution of these suits will have a material adverse effect on the Shell Group’s financial condition or operating results.
      The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) issued formal orders of private investigation in relation to the reserves recategorisation which Royal Dutch and Shell Transport resolved by reaching agreements with the SEC and the FSA. In connection with the agreement with the SEC, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport consented, without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings or conclusions, to an administrative order finding that Royal Dutch and Shell Transport violated, and requiring Royal Dutch and Shell Transport to cease and desist from future violations of, the antifraud, reporting, recordkeeping and internal control provisions of the US Federal securities laws and related SEC rules, agreed to pay a $120 million civil penalty and has undertaken to spend an additional $5 million developing a comprehensive internal compliance program. In connection with the agreement with the FSA, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport agreed, without admitting or denying the FSA’s findings or conclusions, to the entry of a Final Notice by the FSA finding that Royal Dutch and Shell Transport breached market abuse provisions of the UK’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the Listing Rules made under it and agreed to pay a penalty of £17 million. The penalties from the SEC and FSA and the additional amount to develop a comprehensive internal compliance program have been paid by Shell Group companies and fully included in the Income Statement of the Shell Group. The United States Department of Justice has commenced a criminal investigation, and Euronext Amsterdam, the Dutch Authority Financial Markets and the California Department of Corporations are investigating the issues related to the reserves recategorisation. Management of the Shell Group cannot currently predict the manner and timing of the resolution of these pending matters and is currently unable to estimate the range of reasonably possible losses from such matters.
      Shell Group companies are subject to a number of other loss contingencies arising out of litigation and claims brought by governmental and private parties, which are handled in the ordinary course of business.
      The operations and earnings of Shell Group companies continue, from time to time, to be affected to varying degrees by political, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments, including those relating to the protection of the environment and indigenous people, in the countries in which they operate. The industries in which Shell Group companies are engaged are also subject to physical risks of various types. The nature and frequency of these developments and events, not all of which are covered by insurance, as well as their effect on future operations and earnings, are unpredictable.
28     Financial instruments
      Shell Group companies, in the normal course of business, use various types of financial instruments which expose the Shell Group to market or credit risk. Shell Group companies have procedures and policies in place to limit the amount of credit exposure to any counterparty or market. These procedures and the broad geographical

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NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
spread of Shell Group companies’ activities limit the Shell Group’s exposure to concentrations of credit or market risk.
      Some Shell Group companies enter into derivatives such as interest rate swaps/ forward rate agreements to manage interest rate exposure. The financing of most Operating Companies is structured on a floating-rate basis and, except in special cases, further interest rate risk management is discouraged. Foreign exchange derivatives, such as forward exchange contracts and currency swaps/ options, are used by some Shell Group companies to manage foreign exchange risk. Commodity swaps, options and futures are used to manage price and timing risks mainly involving crude oil, natural gas and oil products.
      The contract/notional amount, together with the estimated fair value (carrying amount) of derivatives held by Shell Group companies at December 31 is as follows:
                                 
    2004   2003
         
    Contract/       Contract/    
    notional   Estimated   notional   Estimated
    amount   fair value   amount   fair value
                 
    $ million
Interest rate swaps/forward rate agreements
    4,307       70       4,322       121  
Forward exchange contracts and currency swaps/options
    18,830       53       18,874       165  
Commodity swaps, options and futures
    101,021       81       65,800       61  
                         
      124,158       204       88,996       347  
                         
      The contract/national amounts of commodity swaps, options and futures have increased during the year as a consequence of rising crude oil and natural gas prices.
      Other financial instruments in the Balance Sheet include fixed assets: investments – securities, trade receivables, short-term securities, cash and cash equivalents, short and long-term debt, and assets and liabilities in respect of risk management activities. The estimated fair values of these instruments approximate their carrying amounts.

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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION — OIL AND GAS (UNAUDITED)
Reserves
      Net quantities (which are unaudited)1 of proved oil and gas reserves are shown in the tables on pages F-53 through F-55. Proved reserves are the estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions, i.e., prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made. Proved developed oil and gas reserves are reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods. The unaudited reserve volumes reported exclude volumes attributable to oil and gas discoveries which are not at present considered proved. Such volumes will be included when technical, fiscal and other conditions allow them to be economically developed and produced.
      Proved reserves are shown net of any quantities of crude oil or natural gas that are expected to be taken by others as royalties in kind but do not exclude quantities related to royalties expected to be paid in cash (except in North America and in other situations in which the royalty quantities are owned by others) or those related to fixed margin contracts. Proved reserves include certain quantities of crude oil or natural gas which will be produced under arrangements which involve Shell Group companies in upstream risks and rewards but do not transfer title of the product to those companies.
      Oil and gas reserves cannot be measured exactly since estimation of reserves involves subjective judgment. These estimates remain subject to revision and are unaudited supplementary information.
 
      1 Reserves, reserves volumes and reserves related information and disclosure are referred to as “unaudited” as a means to clarify that this information is not covered by the audit opinion of the registered independent public accounting firms that have audited and reported on the Combined Financial Statements of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company.

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Crude oil and natural gas liquids
      Shell Group companies’ estimated net proved reserves of crude oil and natural gas liquids at the end of the year, their share of the net proved reserves of associated companies at the end of the year, and the changes in such reserves during the year are set out below.
Proved developed and undeveloped reserves
                                                                                                                                                                         
    2004   2003   2002
             
        Western           Western           Western    
    Eastern Hemisphere   Hemisphere       Eastern Hemisphere   Hemisphere       Eastern Hemisphere   Hemisphere    
                                     
        Middle               Middle               Middle        
        East   Americas           East,               East,        
        Asia   Russia,               Asia   Russia,               Asia   Russia,        
    Europe   Africa(b)   Pacific(c)   CIS(d)   USA   Other   Total   Europe   Africa(b)   Pacific(c)   CIS(d)   USA   Other   Total   Europe   Africa(b)   Pacific(c)   CIS(d)   USA   Other   Total
                                                                                     
    million barrels(a)   million barrels   million barrels
Shell Group companies
                                                                                                                                                                       
At January 1
    1,199       1,379       303       1,202       547       379       5,009       1,377       1,449       323       1,446       717       470       5,782       1,013       1,308       426       1,677       672       504       5,600  
Revisions and reclassifications
    (27 )     (46 )     13       80       (2 )     (197 )     (179 )     88       (102 )     21       (204 )     (54 )     (57 )     (308 )     99       89       (27 )     (26 )     77       (42 )     170  
Improved recovery
    6       2             4                   12       5       (6 )     16       10       8       1       34       13             6       47       51             117  
Extensions and discoveries
    5       13       10       68       12       2       110       12       171             128       9       2       322             173       6             33             212  
Purchases of minerals in place
                                              1                   3                   4       507                         7       41       555  
Sales of minerals in place
    (2 )     (57 )     (35 )                       (94 )     (39 )                       (23 )           (62 )     (1 )     (19 )     (19 )     (62 )     (3 )           (104 )
Production
    (212 )     (146 )     (46 )     (172 )     (99 )     (38 )     (713 )     (245 )     (133 )     (57 )     (181 )     (110 )     (37 )     (763 )     (254 )     (102 )     (69 )     (190 )     (120 )     (33 )     (768 )
Transfers to associated companies
                      (384 )                 (384 )                                                                                    
                                                                                                                               
At December 31
    969       1,145       245       798       458       146       3,761       1,199       1,379       303       1,202       547       379       5,009       1,377       1,449       323       1,446       717       470       5,782  
                                                                                                                               
Shell Group share of associated companies
                                                                                                                                                                       
At January 1
    2             304       86       413             805       2             325       118       413             858       1             307             356             664  
Revisions and reclassifications
                (22 )     (13 )     18             (17 )                 1             41             42       1             55             65             121  
Improved recovery
                38                         38                   13                         13                   4                         4  
Extensions and discoveries
                                                          11       86                   97                   9             33             42  
Purchases of minerals in place
                                                                                                          121                   121  
Sales of minerals in place
                (1 )                       (1 )                       (117 )                 (117 )                       (1 )                 (1 )
Production
                (43 )           (39 )           (82 )                 (46 )     (1 )     (41 )           (88 )                 (50 )     (2 )     (41 )           (93 )
Transfers from Shell Group companies
                      384                   384                                                                                      
                                                                                                                               
At December 31
    2             276       457       392             1,127       2             304       86       413             805       2             325       118       413             858  
                                                                                                                               
Minority Interests’ share of proved reserves of Shell Group companies
                                                                                                                                                                       
At December 31
          23       1       109             14       147             24       1       137             54       216             23       1       126             61       211  
                                                                                                                               
   
million barrels
  million barrels   million barrels
Oil sands(e)
                                                                                                                                                                       
Shell Group companies
                                                                                                                                                                       
At January 1
                                            572       572                                               517       517                                               594       594  
Revisions and reclassifications
                                            72       72                                               10       10                                               (77 )     (77 )
Extensions and discoveries
                                                                                                60       60                                                      
Production
                                            (29 )     (29 )                                             (15 )     (15 )                                                    
                                                                                                                               
At December 31
                                            615       615                                               572       572                                               517       517  
                                                                                                                               
Minority Interests’ share of oil sands
                                                                                                                                                                       
At December 31
                                            135       135                                               126       126                                               115       115  
                                                                                                                               
 
Proved developed reserves
                                                                                                                                                                       
Shell Group companies
                                                                                                                                                                       
At January 1
    962       777       184       864       291       191       3,269       1,063       674       194       1,023       371       191       3,516       750       662       245       1,089       429       212       3,387  
At December 31 (f)
    755       617       134       475       242       115       2,338       962       777       184       864       291       191       3,269       1,063       674       194       1,023       371       191       3,516  
                                                                                                                               
Shell Group share of associated companies
                                                                                                                                                                       
At January 1
    1             224       1       364             590       1             206       15       365             587       1             208             330             539  
At December 31 (f)
    1             187       360       349             897       1             224       1       364             590       1             206       15       365             587  
                                                                                                                               
 
(a) These quantities have not been adjusted to standard heat content.
(b) Excludes Egypt.
(c) Excludes Sakhalin.
(d) Middle East and Former Soviet Union/Commonwealth of Independent States. Includes Caspian region, Egypt and Sakhalin.
(e) Petroleum reserves from operations that do not qualify as oil and gas producing activities, such as our Athabasca Oil Sands Project, are not included in oil and gas reserves and are not considered in the standardised measure of discounted future cash flows for oil and gas reserves, which is found on page F-55. The petroleum reserves for the Athabasca Oil Sands Project are presented in this report net of royalty volumes.
(f) After accounting for a transfer of proved developed reserves from Shell Group to associated companies of 360 million barrels at the end of 2004.

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Natural gas
      Shell Group companies’ estimated net proved reserves of natural gas at the end of the year, their share of the net proved reserves of associated companies at the end of the year, and the changes in such reserves during the year are set out below. The volumes set out below have not been adjusted to standard heat content, which means that volumes of gas are reported on an “as-sold” basis and are treated as equivalent without regard to the quality of the gas (e.g., with respect to the inert gas content thereof or the various hydrocarbon components). The price used to calculate future revenues and cash flows from proved gas reserves is that realised at year-end based on “as-sold” volumes. As such, the realised price reflects the quality of the gas, both in terms of inert components which reduce gas quality and hydrocarbon components with high molecular weights which enrich the quality of the gas.
Proved developed and undeveloped reserves
                                                                                                                                                                         
    2004   2003   2002
             
        Western           Western           Western    
    Eastern Hemisphere   Hemisphere       Eastern Hemisphere   Hemisphere       Eastern Hemisphere   Hemisphere    
                                     
        Middle               Middle               Middle        
        East   Americas           East,               East,        
        Asia   Russia,               Asia   Russia,               Asia   Russia,        
    Europe   Africa(b)   Pacific(c)   CIS(d)   USA   Other   Total   Europe   Africa(b)   Pacific(c)   CIS(d)   USA   Other   Total   Europe   Africa(b)   Pacific(c)   CIS(d)   USA   Other   Total
                                                                                     
    thousand million standard cubic feet(a)
Shell Group companies
                                                                                                                                                                       
At January 1
    19,876       2,743       7,352       3,628       3,143       1,628       38,370       21,284       1,692       7,862       1,118       3,842       1,959       37,757       22,022       1,780       9,031       1,777       3,663       2,257       40,530  
Revisions and reclassifications
    (270 )     (74 )     125       138       (100 )     (45 )     (226 )     (435 )     (688 )     8       (22 )     (70 )     (181 )     (1,388 )     (110 )     1       (680 )     (282 )     162       (123 )     (1,032 )
Improved recovery
    9                               4       13       4       506       17             10       30       567       6             150             20             176  
Extensions and discoveries
    217             171       2,128       257       192       2,965       459       1,361       6       2,790       305       34       4,955       29             126             410       9       574  
Purchases of minerals in place
                            9             9       6                                     6       673                         208       12       893  
Sales of minerals in place
    (48 )           (310 )     (258 )           (37 )     (653 )     (139 )                       (389 )     (17 )     (545 )     (5 )           (212 )           (10 )           (227 )
Production
    (1,345 )     (137 )     (535 )     (253 )     (486 )     (197 )     (2,953 )     (1,303 )     (128 )     (541 )     (258 )     (555 )     (197 )     (2,982 )     (1,331 )     (89 )     (553 )     (377 )     (611 )     (196 )     (3,157 )
                                                                                                                               
At December 31
    18,439       2,532       6,803       5,383       2,823       1,545       37,525       19,876       2,743       7,352       3,628       3,143       1,628       38,370       21,284       1,692       7,862       1,118       3,842       1,959       37,757  
                                                                                                                               
Shell Group share of associated companies
                                                                                                                                                                       
At January 1
    39             3,122             27             3,188       44             3,243             21             3,308       48             2,943             15             3,006  
Revisions and reclassifications
                120             (8 )           112                   106             9             115       1             434             7             442  
Improved recovery
                45                         45       1             11                         12                   8                         8  
Extensions and discoveries
    5             1                         6       1                                     1       3             80             1             84  
Purchases of minerals in place
                                                                                                                             
Sales of minerals in place
                (55 )                       (55 )                                                                                    
Production
    (7 )           (246 )           (2 )           (255 )     (7 )           (238 )           (3 )           (248 )     (8 )           (222 )           (2 )           (232 )
                                                                                                                               
At December 31
    37             2,987             17             3,041       39             3,122             27             3,188       44             3,243             21             3,308  
                                                                                                                               
Minority Interests’ share of proved reserves of Shell Group companies
                                                                                                                                                                       
At December 31
    209             56       2,231             274       2,770                   63       1,285             300       1,648                   61       59             342       462  
                                                                                                                               
Proved developed reserves
                                                                                                                                                                       
Shell Group companies
                                                                                                                                                                       
At January 1
    11,477       886       3,128       446       1,754       1,297       18,988       11,472       735       3,405       574       2,311       1,464       19,961       11,880       668       3,635       1,097       2,363       1,754       21,397  
At December 31
    12,961       919       2,702       166       1,875       1,080       19,703       11,477       886       3,128       446       1,754       1,297       18,988       11,472       735       3,405       574       2,311       1,464       19,961  
                                                                                                                               
Shell Group share of associated companies
                                                                                                                                                                       
At January 1
    34             1,825             22             1,881       38             1,776             17             1,831       41             1,759             11             1,811  
At December 31
    28             1,606             15             1,649       34             1,825             22             1,881       38             1,776             17             1,831  
                                                                                                                               
 
(a) These quantities have not been adjusted to standard heat content.
(b) Excludes Egypt.
(c) Excludes Sakhalin.
(d) Middle East and Former Soviet Union/Commonwealth of Independent States. Includes Caspian region, Egypt and Sakhalin.

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Standardised measure of discounted future cash flows
      United States accounting principles require the disclosure of a standardised measure of discounted future cash flows, relating to proved oil and gas reserve quantities and based on prices and costs at the end of each year, currently enacted tax rates and a 10% annual discount factor. The information so calculated does not provide a reliable measure of future cash flows from proved reserves, nor does it permit a realistic comparison to be made of one entity with another because the assumptions used cannot reflect the varying circumstances within each entity. In addition a substantial but unknown proportion of future real cash flows from oil and gas production activities is expected to derive from reserves which have already been discovered, but which cannot yet be regarded as proved.
                                                                                                                                                                         
    2004   2003   2002
             
        Western           Western           Western    
    Eastern Hemisphere   Hemisphere       Eastern Hemisphere   Hemisphere       Eastern Hemisphere   Hemisphere    
                                     
        Middle               Middle               Middle        
        East,               East,               East,        
        Asia   Russia,               Asia   Russia,               Asia   Russia,        
    Europe   Africa(b)   Pacific(c)   CIS(d)   USA   Other   Total   Europe   Africa(b)   Pacific(c)   CIS(d)   USA   Other   Total   Europe   Africa(b)   Pacific(c)   CIS(d)   USA   Other   Total
                                                                                     
    $ million
Shell Group companies
                                                                                                                                                                       
Future cash inflows
    107,956       47,326       26,461       51,565       33,525       12,578       279,411       108,836       36,965       21,695       42,627       31,203       14,710       256,036       98,126       36,427       22,243       36,513       32,541       16,280       242,130  
Future production costs
    29,641       13,354       4,882       10,020       5,354       3,600       66,851       20,241       6,347       4,365       7,579       4,949       4,156       47,637       18,721       5,034       3,563       5,174       4,841       3,673       41,006  
Future development costs
    11,778       4,928       3,669       10,216       1,841       834       33,266       6,541       4,661       2,528       9,679       3,085       1,315       27,809       4,783       4,670       2,397       2,844       3,201       1,532       19,427  
Future tax expenses
    34,635       16,831       6,147       14,031       9,860       2,074       83,578       39,605       16,396       4,076       15,309       8,467       2,469       86,322       32,125       18,690       4,538       17,443       9,103       3,447       85,346  
                                                                                                                               
Future net cash flows
    31,902       12,213       11,763       17,298       16,470       6,070       95,716       42,449       9,561       10,726       10,060       14,702       6,770       94,268       42,497       8,033       11,745       11,052       15,396       7,628       96,351  
Effect of discounting cash flows at 10%
    14,925       4,037       5,270       11,375       5,803       2,007       43,417       21,126       4,210       4,590       8,491       5,170       2,509       46,096       19,511       3,601       5,343       4,166       5,427       3,143       41,191  
                                                                                                                               
Standardised measure of discounted future net cash flows
    16,977       8,176       6,493       5,923       10,667       4,063       52,299       21,323       5,351       6,136       1,569       9,532       4,261       48,172       22,986       4,432       6,402       6,886       9,969       4,485       55,160  
                                                                                                                               
Shell Group share of associated companies
                                                    5,527                                                       5,501                                                       5,600  
                                                                                                                               
Minority interests
    285       180       36       1,078             548       2,128             136       30       (1,186 )           547       (473 )           123       22       753             468       1,366  
                                                                                                                               
Change in standardised measure of Shell Group companies discounted future net cash flows relating to proved Oil and Gas Reserves(a)
                         
    2004   2003   2002
             
    $ million
At January 1
    48,172       55,160       37,910  
Net changes in prices and production costs
    23,524       12,178       34,592  
Extensions, discoveries and improved recovery
    6,223       9,255       5,177  
Purchases and sales of minerals in place
    (564 )     (2,558 )     7,319  
Revisions of previous reserve estimates
    (385 )     (4,103 )     375  
Development cost related to future production
    (6,829 )     (14,291 )     (6,168 )
Sales and transfers of oil and gas, net of production costs(e)
    (27,530 )     (24,892 )     (20,387 )
Development cost incurred during the year
    9,386       8,205       6,503  
Accretion of discount
    7,947       9,051       6,053  
Net change in income tax
    (7,645 )     167       (16,214 )
                   
At December 31
    52,299       48,172       55,160  
                   
 
(a) The weighted average year-end spot oil price in 2004 was $37.61/bbl ($26.52/bbl in 2003, $24.49/bbl in 2002) and the weighted average year-end spot gas price in 2004 was $21.27/boe ($18.03/boe in 2003, $15.75/boe in 2002).
 
(b) Excludes Egypt.
 
(c) Excludes Sakhalin.
 
(d) Middle East and Former Soviet Union / Commonwealth of Independent States. Includes Caspian region, Egypt and Sakhalin.
 
(e) Includes a transfer of proved developed reserves from Shell Group to associated companies of 360 million barrels in 2004 ($260 million).

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Additional information concerning proved reserves
      Proved reserves can be either developed or undeveloped. Shell Group proved reserves at December 31, 2004 were divided into 58% developed and 42% undeveloped on a barrel of oil equivalent basis.
      Proved reserves are recognised under various forms of contractual agreements. Shell Group proved reserves volumes present in agreements such as Production Sharing Contracts or other forms of economic entitlement contracts where Shell Group share of reserves can vary with actual year-end price are approximately 859 million barrels of crude oil and natural gas liquids and 9,720 thousand million standard cubic feet of gas.

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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION — DERIVATIVES AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND DERIVATIVE COMMODITY INSTRUMENTS
      The following information is provided in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission rules issued in 1997. The contract/ notional amounts of the derivative instruments outstanding give an indication of the extent of the use of these instruments but not of the exposure to credit or market risk. Variable interest rates stated are spot rates applying as at December 31. Amounts denominated in non-US dollar currencies have been translated using spot exchange rates at December 31. Associated companies’ data are excluded.
Debt securities held for trading purposes
      There were no debt securities held for trading purposes by Shell Group companies at December 31, 2004, or at December 31, 2003.
Debt securities held for purposes other than trading
      The following two tables give details of debt securities held for purposes other than trading by Shell Group companies at December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively, at estimated fair value, by year of maturity.
                                                           
                        2010    
    2005   2006   2007   2008   2009   and after   Total
                             
    $ million
2004
                                                       
Fixed rate US dollar debt securities
    1,090       29       100       105       162       95       1,581  
 
average Interest rate
    2.5 %     7.1 %     7.2 %     5.7 %     5.5 %     6.5 %        
Variable rate US dollar debt securities
    1                                     1  
 
average Interest rate
    1.4 %                                      
Fixed rate euro debt securities
    255       47       45             17       119       483  
 
average Interest rate
    2.2 %     5.9 %     5.5 %           4.0 %     4.8 %        
Fixed rate UK pound debt securities
    5                   6             17       28  
 
average Interest rate
    8.5 %                 5.0 %           7.5 %        
Variable rate UK pound debt securities
    24                                     24  
 
average Interest rate
    4.8 %                                      
Fixed rate Canadian dollar debt securities
    106                               10       116  
 
average Interest rate
    2.5 %                             8.1 %        
Other fixed rate debt securities
    1                               14       15  
 
average Interest rate
    4.9 %                             5.8 %        
Other variable rate debt securities
    37                                     37  
 
average Interest rate
    4.6 %                                      
                                           
Total
    1,519       76       145       111       179       255       2,285  
                                           

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                        2009    
    2004   2005   2006   2007   2008   and after   Total
                             
    $ million
2003
                                                       
Fixed rate US dollar debt securities
    9       54       23       230       75       131       522  
 
average Interest rate
    0.7 %     5.8 %     7.1 %     5.6 %     3.3 %     6.2 %        
Variable rate US dollar debt securities
    9                                     9  
 
Average Interest rate
    1.4 %                                      
Fixed rate euro debt securities
    5             48       42             109       204  
 
average Interest rate
    1.9 %           6.1 %     5.3 %           5.7 %        
Fixed rate UK pound debt securities
          8                   10       5       23  
 
average Interest rate
          8.5 %                 5.7 %     7.0 %        
Fixed rate Canadian dollar debt securities
    39                               8       47  
 
average Interest rate
    2.7 %                             9.6 %        
Fixed rate Swedish krone debt securities
                                  6       6  
 
average Interest rate
                                  6.8 %        
Fixed rate Danish krone debt securities
                                  7       7  
 
average Interest rate
                                  5.0 %        
Other fixed rate debt securities
    2                                     2  
 
average Interest rate
    9.0 %                                      
Other variable rate debt securities
    48                                     48  
 
average Interest rate
    5.6 %                                      
                                           
Total
    112       62       71       272       85       266       868  
                                           
Equity securities held for purposes other than trading
      At December 31, 2004, Shell Group companies held equity securities for purposes other than trading amounting to $5,017 million (2003: $4,982 million). These principally comprised shares of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, amounting to $4,187 million (2003: $3,428 million), that are held in connection with share option plans and other incentives compensation plans and a portfolio amounting to $831 million required to be held long-term by the Shell Group insurance companies as security for their insurance activities. The portfolio tracks the Morgan Stanley World Index and therefore is spread over 20 of the major stock markets according to respective market capitalisation, including 55% in the USA, 11% in the UK, 9% in Japan, 4% in France, 3% in Switzerland, 3% in Canada and 3% in Germany.

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Debt
      The following two tables give details of debt owed by Shell Group companies at December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively, by year of maturity. Estimated fair value approximates carrying amount.
                                                           
                        2010    
    2005   2006   2007   2008   2009   and after   Total
                             
    $ million
2004
                                                       
Fixed rate US dollar debt
    4,200       676       1,115       85       91       2,073       8,240  
 
average interest rate
    2.9 %     3.7 %     5.2 %     8.1 %     8.2 %     8.3 %        
Variable rate US dollar debt
    339       260       19       9       9       309       945  
 
average interest rate
    7.5 %     1.8 %     3.6 %     3.6 %     3.7 %     5.8 %        
Fixed rate European debt
    294       723       1,322       419       1       2       2,761  
 
average interest rate
    2.6 %     4.2 %     3.4 %     3.3 %     4.2 %     4.5 %        
Variable rate European debt
    20       1       1       1                   23  
 
average interest rate
    5.4 %     2.9 %     3.0 %     3.0 %     5.0 %     5.0 %        
Other fixed rate debt
    201       14       17       16       16       559       823  
 
average interest rate
    3.6 %     6.6 %     5.6 %     6.9 %     6.9 %     7.3 %        
Other variable rate debt
    655       210                               865  
 
average interest rate
    7.3 %     2.8 %                                
                                           
Total
    5,709       1,884       2,474       530       117       2,943       13,657  
                                           
                                                           
                        2009    
    2004   2005   2006   2007   2008   and after   Total
                             
    $ million
2003
                                                       
Fixed rate US dollar debt
    5,766       804       613       1,073       152       2,709       11,117  
 
average interest rate
    1.2 %     4.8 %     3.2 %     5.0 %     5.5 %     7.9 %        
Variable rate US dollar debt
    1,654       144       169       17       9       316       2,309  
 
average interest rate
    3.9 %     2.2 %     2.1 %     3.3 %     4.2 %     6.1 %        
Fixed rate European debt
    733       4       666       946       377       4       2,730  
 
average interest rate
    8.6 %     3.6 %     4.2 %     3.3 %     3.5 %     3.7 %        
Variable rate European debt
    1,173       2       3       3       1             1,182  
 
average interest rate
    2.3 %     4.3 %     4.1 %     4.1 %     4.6 %     5.3 %        
Other fixed rate debt
    203       3       33       1             180       420  
 
average interest rate
    5.0 %     4.2 %     10.5 %     5.5 %     5.5 %     7.5 %        
Other variable rate debt
    931       255       42       27       22       17       1,294  
 
average interest rate
    6.8 %     5.3 %     4.0 %     4.8 %     4.8 %     4.8 %        
                                           
Total
    10,460       1,212       1,526       2,067       561       3,226       19,052  
                                           
      Fixed rate European currency debt expected to mature in 2005 includes $268 million of UK pound debt (with an average interest rate of 2.8%). The fixed rate European currency debt expected to mature in 2006 is mainly UK pound debt with an average interest rate of 4.3%. Fixed rate European currency debt expected to mature in 2007 includes $1,025 million of Euro debt with an average interest rate of 3.5% and $297 million of UK pound debt with an average interest rate of 3.3%. The fixed rate European currency debt expected to mature in 2008 is Euro debt with an average interest rate of 3.3%. The fixed rate European currency debt due to mature after 2010 is Euro debt with an average interest rate of 4.4%.

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      Other fixed rate debt expected to mature in 2005 includes $101 million of Argentine peso debt at an average interest rate of 3.3%. Other fixed rate debt due to mature after 2010 is mainly comprised of $154 million of Malaysian Ringgit debt (at an average interest rate of 8.0%) and $391 million of Canadian Dollar debt (at an average interest rate of 6.9%).
      Other variable rate debt expected to mature in 2005 includes $205 million of Philippine peso debt with an average interest rate of 8.6% and $116 million of Canadian dollar debt at an average interest rate of 2.5%. Other variable rate debt expected to mature in 2006 includes $191 million of Canadian dollar debt at an average interest rate 2.5%.
Interest rate swaps/forward rate agreements
      The following two tables give details of interest rate swaps/ forward rate agreements held by Shell Group companies at December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively, by expected year of maturity. These are held for purposes other than trading. The variable interest rate component of contracts is generally linked to inter-bank offer rates.
                                                         
                    2009   Total contract/   Estimated
    2005   2006   2007   2008   and after   notional amount   fair value
                             
    $ million
2004
                                                       
US dollar
                                                       
Fixed to Variable: contract/notional amount
    801       600       1,000       300             2,701       72  
average pay rate
    1.7 %     1.3 %     1.4 %     1.4 %                      
average receive rate
    5.1 %     3.1 %     5.0       3.3 %                      
Variable to Fixed: contract/notional amount
    264             122       88             474       (17 )
average pay rate
    2.8 %           7.2 %     6.2 %                      
average receive rate
    3.3 %           4.4 %     7.3 %                      
                                           
UK pound
                                                       
Fixed to Variable: contract/notional amount
          723                         723       8  
average pay rate
          4.5 %                                  
average receive rate
          4.3 %                                  
                                           
Euro
                                                       
Fixed to Variable: contract/notional amount
                      409             409       7  
average pay rate
                      2.0 %                      
average receive rate
                      3.3 %                      
                                           
Total
    1,065       1,323       1,122       797             4,307       70  
                                           

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                    2008   Total contract/   Estimated
    2004   2005   2006   2007   and after   notional amount   fair value
                             
    $ million
2003
                                                       
US dollar
                                                       
Fixed to Variable: contract/notional amount
          1,801       600             400       2,801       140  
average pay rate
          1.3 %     1.1 %           0.9%                  
average receive rate
          5.0 %     3.1 %           3.2%                  
Variable to Fixed: contract/notional amount
          264             122       88       474       (25 )
average pay rate
          2.8 %           7.2 %     6.8%                  
average receive rate
          3.2 %           4.2 %     7.3%                  
                                           
UK pound
                                                       
Fixed to Variable: contract/notional amount
                669                   669       11  
average pay rate
                3.6 %                            
average receive rate
                4.3 %                            
                                           
Euro
                                                       
Fixed to Variable: contract/notional amount
                            378       378       (5 )
average pay rate
                            2.1%                  
average receive rate
                            3.3%                  
                                           
Total
          2,065       1,269       122       866       4,322       121  
                                           

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Foreign exchange contracts
      The following two tables give details of forward exchange contracts held by Shell Group companies at December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively. These are held for purposes other than trading. Contract categories with a contract/notional amount exceeding $100 million and/or an estimated fair value exceeding $10 million (gain or loss) are listed separately.
                         
    Average contractual   Contract/notional   Estimated
    exchange rate   amount   fair value
             
        $ million
2004 (all contracts mature in 2005)
                       
Buy euro/sell US dollar
    1.34       3,919       81  
Buy US dollar/sell euro
    0.74       2,124       (19 )
Buy euro/sell UK pound
    0.70       1,836       35  
Buy UK pound/sell US dollar
    1.89       1,376       25  
Buy US dollar/sell Australian dollar
    1.30       1,024       (9 )
Buy US dollar/sell Norwegian krone
    6.26       741       (27 )
Buy Singapore dollar/sell US dollar
    0.61       401       2  
Buy New Zealand dollar/sell US dollar
    0.71       335       2  
Buy Canadian dollar/sell US dollar
    0.79       208       11  
Buy Norwegian krone/sell US dollar
    0.16       202       1  
Buy US dollar/sell Philippine peso
    56.19       172        
Buy US dollar/sell Swedish krone
    6.61       141        
Buy euro/sell Polish zloty
    4.10       134        
Buy US dollar/sell Hong Kong dollar
    7.77       131        
Other contracts
            1,176       (7 )
                   
Total
            13,920       95  
                   
                         
    Average contractual   Contract/notional   Estimated
    exchange rate   amount   fair value
             
        $ million
2003 (all contracts mature in 2004)
                       
Buy US dollar/sell UK pound
    0.59       2,255       (118 )
Buy US dollar/sell euro
    0.80       1,897       (26 )
Buy euro/sell US dollar
    1.18       2,742       177  
Buy UK pound/sell US dollar
    1.73       1,017       3  
Buy euro/sell UK pound
    0.69       824       24  
Buy US dollar/sell Australian dollar
    1.36       422       (7 )
Buy Swiss franc/sell US dollar
    0.77       431       24  
Buy US dollar/sell Norwegian krone
    6.67       672       (18 )
Buy Singapore dollar/sell US dollar
    0.58       381       2  
Buy US dollar/sell Danish krone
    5.88       239       (3 )
Buy US dollar/sell Swedish krone
    7.14       429       (3 )
Buy Swedish krona/sell US dollar
    0.14       217       1  
Buy euro/sell Norwegian krone
    8.33       127       5  
Buy US dollar/sell Philippine peso
    55.87       118        
Other contracts
            1,074       25  
                   
Total
            12,845       86  
                   

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Currency swaps/options
      The following two tables give details of currency swaps contracts held by Shell Group companies at December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively, by expected year of maturity. These are held for purposes other than trading. Contract categories with a contract/notional amount exceeding $100 million and/or an estimated fair value exceeding $10 million (gain or loss) are listed separately.
                                                                         
    Average                                
    contractual                       2010   Total contract/   Estimated
    exchange rate   2005   2006   2007   2008   2009   and after   notional amount   fair value
                                     
        $ million
2004
                                                                       
Buy UK pound/sell euro
    1.54                   924       410                   1,334       139  
Buy US dollar/sell Canadian dollar
    1.40       867       606       441       296       132             2,342       (175 )
Buy Canadian dollar/sell US dollar
    0.69       283       85       59       33       3             463       35  
Buy US dollar/sell Brazilian real
    2.85       101       5       89       61                   256       (60 )
Buy UK pound/sell US dollar
    1.74       37       31       24       18       14       213       337       26  
Buy US dollar/sell Thai baht
    39.94       142                                     142       (3 )
Other contracts
          36                                     36       (4 )
                                                       
Total
            1,466       727       1,537       818       149       213       4,910       (42 )
                                                       
                                                                         
    Average                                
    contractual                       2009   Total contract/   Estimated
    exchange rate   2004   2005   2006   2007   2008   and after   notional amount   fair value
                                     
        $ million
2003
                                                                       
Buy UK pound/sell euro
    1.54       338                   855       378             1,571       173  
Buy US dollar/sell Canadian dollar
    1.31       1,136       640       358       209       96             2,439       (126 )
Buy US dollar/sell euro
    1.09       461                                     461       171  
Buy Australian dollar/sell US dollar
    1.67       472                                     472       (130 )
Buy Canadian dollar/sell US dollar
    0.67       324       91       56       46       17             534       34  
Buy US dollar/sell Brazilian real
    2.82       121       47             71             15       254       (39 )
Buy UK pound/sell US dollar
    1.74       14       18       5                   144       181       1  
Other contracts
            98       18       1                         117       (5 )
                                                       
Total
            2,964       814       420       1,181       491       159       6,029       79  
                                                       

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Table of Contents

Commodity derivatives
      The tables on this and following pages give details of commodity swaps, options and futures contracts held by Shell Group companies at December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively, by expected year of maturity. Variable prices are linked to indexed or dated commodities.
      The increases in fair values of commodity swaps, options and futures between 2003 and 2004 are primarily caused by underlying increases of commodity prices driven by an increase of crude oil prices in 2004.
Commodity swaps held for trading purposes
                                                                   
                        2010 and   Total contract/   Estimated
    2005   2006   2007   2008   2009   after   notional amount   fair value
                                 
    $ million
2004
                                                               
Crude oil swaps
                                                               
(a)  Variable price to variable price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
    1,776       30                               1,806       (8 )
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
    42       1                                          
 
average pay
    42.3       41.6                                          
 
average receive
    42.1       41.5                                          
                                                 
(b) Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
    1,843       397       49       13                   2,302       390  
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
    54       13       2       *                              
 
average pay
    34.3       31.5       32.6       36.4                              
 
average receive
    39.6       39.3       38.0       37.9                              
                                                 
(c)  Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
    2,304       286       38       10                   2,638       (350 )
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
    64       9       1       *                              
 
average pay
    40.3       38.7       37.8       37.9                              
 
average receive
    36.1       30.7       32.9       36.3                              
                                                 
Crude oil basis swaps
                                                               
(a)  Buy variable/sell variable price contracts
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
    53                                     53       (8 )
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
    34                                                
 
average pay
    3.9                                                
 
average receive
    1.8                                                
                                                 
(b) Sell variable/buy variable price contracts
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
    2                                     2        
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
    *                                                
 
average pay
    4.0                                                
 
average receive
    4.5                                                
                                                 
Crude oil freight swaps
                                                               
(a)  Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
    53                                     53       (7 )
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
    29                                                
 
average pay
    1.9                                                
 
average receive
    1.7                                                
                                                 

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Table of Contents

                                                                   
                        2010 and   Total contract/   Estimated
    2005   2006   2007   2008   2009   after   notional amount   fair value
                                 
    $ million
(b) Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
    63                                     63       1  
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
    47                                                
 
average pay
    1.3                                                
 
average receive
    1.4                                                
                                                 
Oil products swaps
                                                               
(a)  Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
    3,055       106                               3,161       (111 )
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
    117       3                                          
 
average pay
    26.0       39.4                                          
 
average receive
    25.1       40.3                                          
                                                 
(b) Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
    3,193       158                         11       3,362       95  
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
    121       4                         *                  
 
average pay
    25.5       39.6                         41.3                  
 
average receive
    26.3       37.5                         38.4                  
                                                 
(c)  Buy variable/sell variable price contracts
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
    810       15                               825       1  
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
    16       *                                          
 
average pay
    49.3       48.5                                          
 
average receive
    49.4       48.6                                          
                                                 
Oil products basis swaps
                                                               
(a)  Buy variable/sell variable price contracts
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
    1,020       30                               1,050       (8 )
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
    170       4                                          
 
average pay
    5.8       8.5                                          
 
average receive
    5.7       8.6                                          
                                                 
(b) Sell variable/buy variable price contracts
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
    137                                     137       23  
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
    18                                                
 
average pay
    7.5                                                
 
average receive
    8.7                                                
                                                 
Electricity swaps
                                                               
(a)  Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
    3,268       1,296       341       25       2             4,932       (2 )
 
Volume (thousand megawatt hours)
    57       24       7       0       0                        
 
average pay
    57.0       55.0       52.4       64.3       60.5                        
 
average receive
    55.8       56.6       56.4       65.1       56.5                        
                                                 
(b) Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
    3,250       1,245       391       54       6             4,946       (14 )
 
Volume (thousand megawatt hours)
    57       23       7       1       *                        
 
average pay
    56.1       56.4       57.0       60.6       57.3                        
 
average receive
    57.4       55.3       53.3       59.6       61.3                        
                                                 

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                        2010 and   Total contract/   Estimated
    2005   2006   2007   2008   2009   after   notional amount   fair value
                                 
    $ million
Natural gas swaps
                                                               
(a)  Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
    5,947       1,350       308       312       70             7,987       188  
 
Volume (thousand million cubic feet “bcf”)
    923       223       53       55       13                        
 
average pay ($/thousand cf)
    6.4       6.1       5.8       5.2       4.6                        
 
average receive ($/thousand cf)
    6.4       6.5       6.0       5.5       5.1                        
                                                 
(b) Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
    6,267       1,005       426       409       206       57       8,370       123  
 
Volume (thousand million cubic feet “bcf”)
    954       162       70       69       37       11                  
 
average pay ($/thousand cf)
    6.4       6.6       6.0       5.7       5.5       5.2                  
 
average receive ($/thousand cf)
    6.6       6.2       6.1       5.9       5.6       5.1                  
                                                 
(c)  Buy variable price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
    404       8                               412       7  
 
Volume (thousand million cubic feet “bcf”)
    64       1                                          
 
average pay ($/thousand cf)
    6.4       6.6                                          
 
average receive ($/thousand cf)
    6.5       6.6                                          
                                                 
Natural gas basis swaps
                                                               
(a)  Buy variable price/sell variable price
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
    455       184       60       35       22       10       766       (134 )
 
Volume (thousand million cubic feet “bcf”)
    903       365       116       72       43       24                  
 
average pay ($/thousand cf)
    0.5       0.6       0.7       0.6       0.6       0.5                  
 
average receive ($/thousand cf)
    0.4       0.4       0.5       0.5       0.5       0.3                  
                                                 
(b) Sell variable price/buy variable price
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
    388       135       20       18       4       3       568       139  
 
Volume (thousand million cubic feet “bcf”)
    827       281       56       56       18       15                  
 
average pay ($/thousand cf)
    0.3       0.3       0.3       0.3       0.0       0.0                  
 
average receive ($/thousand cf)
    0.4       0.5       0.5       0.4       0.3       0.2                  
                                                 
                                                      43,433       325  
                                                 

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                        Total contract/   Estimated
    2004   2005   2006   2007   2008   notional amount   fair value
                             
    $ million
2003
                                                       
Crude oil swaps
                                                       
(a)  Variable price to variable price contracts:
                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    2,671       13                         2,684       (3 )
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
    84       *                                    
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    31.9       26.3                                    
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    31.9       26.3                                    
                                           
(b) Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    1,452       272       63                   1,787       230  
 
Volume (m bbl)
    58       11       3                              
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    25.0       24.3       24.2                              
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    28.3       28.0       26.1                              
                                           
(c)  Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts:
                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    1,364       241       13                   1,618       (160 )
 
Volume (m bbl)
    58       10       1                              
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    28.9       24.5       26.7                              
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    27.1       23.2       23.8                              
                                           
Crude oil basis swaps
                                                       
(a)  Buy variable price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    2                               2        
 
Volume (m bbl)
    5                                          
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    1.0                                          
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    0.3                                          
                                           
(b) Sell variable price/buy variable price contracts:
                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    3                               3       (1 )
 
Volume (m bbl)
    2                                          
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    0.5                                          
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    1.5                                          
                                           
Crude oil freight swaps
                                                       
(a)  Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    10                               10       1  
 
Volume (m bbl)
    9                                          
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    1.2                                          
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    1.4                                          
                                           
(b) Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts:
                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    53                               53       (9 )
 
Volume (m bbl)
    79                                          
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    0.8                                          
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    0.7                                          
                                           
Oil products swaps
                                                       
(a)  Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    853       19                         872       42  
 
Volume (m bbl)
    34       1                                    
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    25.4       19.9                                    
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    26.4       22.2                                    
                                           
(b) Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts:
                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    934       4       11                   949       (46 )
 
Volume (m bbl)
    40       *       1                              
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    24.3       23.8       24.3                              
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    23.2       22.6       21.7                              
                                           

F-67


Table of Contents

                                                                   
                        2009   Total contract/   Estimated
    2004   2005   2006   2007   2008   and after   notional amount   fair value
                                 
    $ million
Oil products basis swaps
                                                               
(a)  Buy variable price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    268                                     268       (16 )
 
Volume (m bbl)
    94                                                
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    1.8                                                
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    2.9                                                
                                                 
(b) Sell variable price/buy variable price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    95                                     95       13  
 
Volume (m bbl)
    20                                                
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    0.2                                                
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    5.4                                                
                                                 
Electricity swaps
                                                               
(a)  Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    832       177       147       88       12             1,256       35  
 
Volume (thousand megawatt hours “MMwh”)
    17       3       3       2       **                        
 
average pay ($/Mwh)
    50.5       51.3       50.4       51.9       66.3                        
 
average receive ($/Mwh)
    52.9       51.4       49.0       51.0       61.3                        
                                                 
(b) Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    803       188       120       124       33             1,268       1  
 
Volume (MMwh)
    16       3       2       2       1                        
 
average pay ($/Mwh)
    54.1       54.9       53.8       53.5       59.5                        
 
average receive ($/Mwh)
    54.9       53.1       52.3       52.2       56.4                        
                                                 
Natural gas swaps
                                                               
(a)  Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    5,212       485       135       47                   5,879       750  
 
Volume (thousand million cubic feet “bcf”)
    1,005       109       32       9                              
 
average pay ($/thousand cf)
    5.2       4.5       4.1       5.0                              
 
average receive($/thousand cf)
    5.8       5.2       4.8       5.0                              
                                                 
(b) Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    5,362       391       27       4       4       7       5,795       (711 )
 
Volume (bcf)
    1,025       83       445       1       1       2                  
 
average pay ($/thousand cf)
    5.9       5.2       4.7       4.7       4.7       4.6                  
 
average receive ($/thousand cf)
    5.2       4.7       4.8       4.2       4.2       4.2                  
                                                 
Natural gas basis swaps
                                                               
(a)  Buy variable price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    325       97       50       32       14       19       537       (180 )
 
Volume (bcf)
    829       210       109       62       33       46                  
 
average pay ($/thousand cf)
    1.81       0.58       0.60       1.33       0.49       0.43                  
 
average receive ($/thousand cf)
    2.57       0.46       0.46       1.05       0.42       0.42                  
                                                 

F-68


Table of Contents

                                                                   
                        2009   Total contract/   Estimated
    2004   2005   2006   2007   2008   and after   notional amount   fair value
                                 
    $ million
(b) Sell variable price/buy variable price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    255       59       22       9       5       6       356       196  
 
Volume (m bcf)
    743       145       54       30       20       23                  
 
average pay ($/thousand cf)
    0.15       0.20       0.16       0.11       0.11       0.09                  
 
average receive ($/thousand cf)
    0.34       0.41       0.40       0.31       0.23       0.25                  
                                                 
Total
                                                    23,432       142  
                                                 
 
  less than one million barrels
**  less than one thousand megawatt hours
      Shell Group companies also held chemical product and natural gas liquid swaps at December 21, 2004 with a contract/notional amount of $102 million (2003: $10 million) and an estimated fair value of $(1) million (2003: $(1) million) and expected maturity in 2005 – 2007 (2004).
Commodity swaps held for purposes other than trading
      At December 31, 2003 Shell Group companies held crude oil, natural gas and oil product commodity swaps for purposes other than trading with a contract/notional amount of $82 million and an estimated fair value of $1 million.
Commodity options held for trading purposes
                                                   
                2008   Total contract/   Estimated
    2005   2006   2007   and after   notional amount   fair value
                         
    $ million
2004
                                               
Crude oil buy calls
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    870       143       11             1,024       (37 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    19       4       *                        
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
    44.7       33.2       39.7                        
                                     
Crude oil sell calls
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    873       145                   1,018       46  
 
volume (m bbl)
    20       4                              
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
    42.9       32.8                              
                                     
Crude oil buy put
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    917       97       3             1,017       10  
 
volume (m bbl)
    27       3       *                        
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
    34.5       32.0       29.7                        
                                     
Crude oil sell put
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    972       103       20             1,095       (27 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    28       3       1                        
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
    34.2       33.4       31.2                        
                                     
Oil products buy put option
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    177       132                   309       15  
 
volume (m bbl)
    158       128                              
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
    1.1       1.0                              
                                     

F-69


Table of Contents

                                                   
                2008   Total contract/   Estimated
    2005   2006   2007   and after   notional amount   fair value
                         
    $ million
Oil products sell put option
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    193       131                   324       (14 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    158       128                              
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
    1.2       1.0                              
                                     
Oil products buy call option
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    176       51                   227        
 
volume (m bbl)
    50       42                              
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
    3.5       1.2                              
                                     
Oil products sell call option
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    128       51                   179       (1 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    49       42                              
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
    2.6       1.2                              
                                     
Natural gas buy call
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    10,740       1,354       60             12,154       583  
 
volume (bcf)
    1,493       180       9                        
 
average strike price ($/thousand cf)
    7.2       7.5       6.6                        
                                     
Natural gas sell call
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    9,309       1,060       22       6       10,397       (455 )
 
volume (bcf)
    1,312       158       4       *                  
 
average strike price ($/thousand cf)
    7.1       6.7       6.3       6.3                  
                                     
Natural gas buy put
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    8,332       942       25       14       9,313       674  
 
volume (bcf)
    1,757       201       4       3                  
 
average strike price ($/thousand cf)
    4.7       4.7       5.5       4.8                  
                                     
Natural gas sell put
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    9,547       986       44       21       10,598       (818 )
 
volume (bcf)
    1,996       209       8       5                  
 
average strike price ($/thousand cf)
    4.8       4.7       5.8       5.7                  
                                     
Electricity buy call option
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    290                         290       3  
 
volume (million MWh)
    6                                    
 
average strike price ($/MWh)
    48.4                                    
                                     
Electricity sell call option
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    379                         379       (7 )
 
volume (million MWh)
    8                                    
 
average strike price ($/MWh)
    48.6                                    
                                     
Electricity buy put option
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    486                         486       8  
 
volume (million MWh)
    12                                    
 
average strike price ($/MWh)
    41.3                                    
                                     

F-70


Table of Contents

                                                   
                2008   Total contract/   Estimated
    2005   2006   2007   and after   notional amount   fair value
                         
    $ million
Electricity sell put option
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    204                         204       1  
 
volume (million MWh)
    5                                    
 
average strike price ($/MWh)
    38.2                                    
                                     
Total
                                    49,014       (19 )
                                     
 
less than one million barrels
                                                   
                    Total contract/   Estimated
    2004   2005   2006   2007   notional amount   fair value
                         
    $ million
2003
                                               
Crude oil buy calls
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    397       7                   404       31  
 
volume (m bbl)
    14       *                              
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
    29.6       29.8                                  
                                     
Crude oil sell calls
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    389       68                   457       (58 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    14       2                              
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
    28.3       25.6                              
                                     
Crude oil buy put
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    570       28                   598       9  
 
volume (m bbl)
    24       1                              
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
    23.8       20.5                              
                                     
Crude oil sell put
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    455       7                   462       (9 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    20       *                              
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
    23.4       26.6                              
                                     
Oil products buy put option
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    261                         261       (2 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    11                                    
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
    23.1                                    
                                     
Oil products sell put option
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    41                         41        
 
volume (m bbl)
    2                                    
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
    27.7                                    
                                     
Oil products buy call option
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    8                         8        
 
volume (m bbl)
    *                                    
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
    42.0                                    
                                     

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Table of Contents

                                                   
                    Total contract/   Estimated
    2004   2005   2006   2007   notional amount   fair value
                         
    $ million
Oil products sell call option
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    274                         274       (2 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    10                                    
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
    27.2                                    
                                     
Natural gas buy call
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    8,112       414       30             8,556       692  
 
volume (bcf)
    1,242       74       6                        
 
average strike price ($/thousand cf)
    6.5       5.6       4.9                        
                                     
Natural gas sell call
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    6,788       232       39       1       7,060       (528 )
 
volume (bcf)
    1,024       36       7       *                  
 
average strike price ($/thousand cf)
    6.6       6.4       6.0       4.1                  
                                     
Natural gas buy put
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    6,316       168       63             6,547       174  
 
volume (bcf)
    1,479       41       14                        
 
average strike price ($/thousand cf)
    4.3       4.1       4.5                        
                                     
Natural gas sell put
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    7,292       387       47       1       7,727       (252 )
 
volume (bcf)
    1,648       96       12       *                  
 
average strike price ($ /thousand cf)
    4.4       4.1       4.1       5.7                  
                                     
Electricity buy call option
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    409                         409       (28 )
 
volume (million MWh)
    10                                    
 
average strike price ($/MWh)
    41.6                                    
                                     
Electricity sell call option
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    350                         350       30  
 
volume (MWh)
    9                                    
 
average strike price ($/MWh)
    39.3                                    
                                     
Electricity buy put option
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    176                         176       (11 )
 
volume (MWh)
    6                                    
 
average strike price ($/MWh)
    31.1                                    
                                     
Electricity sell put option
                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    183                         183       16  
 
volume (MWh)
    6                                    
 
average strike price ($/MWh)
    28.8                                    
                                     
Total
                                    33,513       62  
                                     
 
less than one million barrels

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      Shell Group companies also held chemical options at December 31, 2003 with a contract/notional amount of $1 million and estimated fair value less than $1 million and expected maturity in 2004.
Commodity options held for purposes other than trading
      At December 31, 2004 Shell Group companies held natural gas commodity sales contracts for purposes other than trading with a contract/notional amount of $1.6 billion (2003: $1.1 billion) and estimated fair value of $(359) million (2003: $(191) million) with expected maturity 2005 - 2025.
Commodity futures held for trading purposes
                                           
                Total contract/   Estimated
    2005   2006   2007   notional amount   fair value
                     
    $ million
2004
                                       
IPE Brent futures
                                       
(a)  Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    341       26             367       66  
 
volume (m bbl)
    8       1                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    42.2       34.3                        
(b)  Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    561       79             640       86  
 
volume (m bbl)
    14       2                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    40.9       39.2                        
                               
IPE Gasoil futures
                                       
(a)  Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    274                   274       17  
 
volume (m bbl)
    6                              
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    34.81                              
(b)  Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    196       2             198       (5 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    4       *                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    39.42       32.7                        
                               
IPE Natural gas futures
                                       
(a)  Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    6                   6       3  
 
volume (bcf)
    1                              
 
weighted average price ($/thousands cf)
    6.0                              
(b)  Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    4                   4       4  
 
volume (bcf)
    1                              
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    5.7                              
                               

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                Total contract/   Estimated
    2005   2006   2007   notional amount   fair value
                     
    $ million
Nymex crude oil futures
                                       
(a)  Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    130       132       15       277       (18 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    3       3       *                  
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    43.9       39.4       36.4                  
(b)  Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    427       21       10       458       (15 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    10       1       *                  
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    44.1       40.5       37.0                  
                               
Nymex oil product futures
                                       
(a)  Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    533                   533       (28 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    11                              
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    50.9                              
(b)  Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    308       4             312        
 
volume (m bbl)
    6       *                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    51.9       47.88                        
                               
Nymex natural gas futures
                                       
(a)  Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    1,824       121       1       1,946       95  
 
volume (bcf)
    278       19       **                  
 
weighted average price ($/thousand cf)
    5.9       6.1       5.7                  
(b)  Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    1,678       77       2       1,757       (70 )
 
volume (bcf)
    256       13       **                  
 
weighted average price ($/thousand cf)
    5.7       5.2       5.8                  
                               
Imarex freight futures
                                       
(a)  Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    14                   14       2  
 
volume (million tonnes)
    3                              
 
weighted average price ($/tonne)
    11.8                              
(b)  Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    7                   7        
 
volume (million tonnes)
    1                              
 
weighted average price ($/tonne)
    12.9                              
                               

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                Total contract/   Estimated
    2005   2006   2007   notional amount   fair value
                     
    $ million
Nord Pool electricity futures
                                       
(a)  Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                             
 
volume (million MWh)
                                 
 
weighted average price ($/MWh)
                                 
(b)  Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    10       37             47       (2 )
 
volume (million MWh)
    ***       1                        
 
weighted average price ($/MWh)
    34.7       378                        
                               
Total
                            6,840       135  
                               
 
  less than one million barrels
  **  less than one billion cubic feet
***  less than one million megawatt hours
                                           
                Total contract/   Estimated
    2004   2005   2006   notional amount   fair value
                     
    $ million
2003
                                       
IPE Brent futures
                                       
(a)  Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    218       15             233        
 
volume (m bbl)
    8       *                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    28.4       26.7                        
(b)  Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    510       33             543       32  
 
volume (m bbl)
    17       1                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    29.9       26.8                        
                               
IPE Gasoil futures
                                       
(a)  Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    89       21             110       (4 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    2       1                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    36.7       30.3                        
(b)  Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    92       20             112       2  
 
volume (m bbl)
    3       *                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    33.9       30.0                        
                               

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                Total contract/   Estimated
    2004   2005   2006   notional amount   fair value
                     
    $ million
IPE Natural gas futures
                                       
(a)  Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    11                   11       (1 )
 
volume (bcf)
    2                              
 
weighted average price ($/thousand bcf)
    5.8                              
(b)  Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    75                   75       (3 )
 
volume (bcf)
    12                              
 
weighted average price ($/thousand bcf
    6.3                              
                               
Nymex crude oil futures
                                       
(a)  Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    82       4             86       1  
 
volume (mbbl)
    3       *                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    31.6       24.9                        
(b)  Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    456       22             478       43  
 
volume (m bbl)
    16       1                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    28.9       25.2                        
                               
Nymex oil product futures
                                       
(a)  Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    350                   350       (6 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    9                              
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    38.4                              
(b)  Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    71       1             72        
 
volume (m bbl)
    2       *                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    34.8       31.6                        
                               
Nymex natural gas futures
                                       
(a)  Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    1,983       22             2,005       (253 )
 
volume (bcf)
    384       4                        
 
weighted average price ($/thousand cf)
    5.2       5.2                        
(b)  Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    1,776       81       2       1,859       242  
 
volume (bcf)
    344       18       **                  
 
weighted average price ($/thousand cf)
    5.2       4.6       4.4                  
                               

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                Total contract/   Estimated
    2004   2005   2006   notional amount   fair value
                     
    $ million
Nord Pool electricity futures
                                       
(a)  Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    52                   52        
 
volume (million MWh)
    2                              
 
weighted average price ($/MWh)
    31.8                              
(b)  Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    1,420       222             1,642       (5 )
 
volume (million MWh)
    43       7                        
 
weighted average price ($/MWh))
    33.0       32.9                        
                               
Total
                            7,628       48  
                               
 
  less than one million barrels.
**  less than one billion cubic feet.
      Futures contracts shown above represent unmatched positions. The total contract/notional amount of short contracts represents an aggregation of Shell Group companies’ positions where, at December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively, sales contracts exceed the purchase contracts with the same maturity date. The total contract/notional amount of long contracts represents an aggregation of Shell Group companies’ positions where, at December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively, purchase contracts exceed the sales contracts with the same maturity date.

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Schedule I
      The following table shows the net income and shareholders’ equity in the Combined Financial Statements attributable to Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, along with the currency translation used to convert these amounts to the US GAAP amounts shown in the financial statements of Royal Dutch (note 17) and Shell Transport (note 14) as set forth in the Form 20-F/A of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport for the year ended December 31, 2004. Net income has been translated at an average rate and shareholders’ equity has been translated at the year end rate.
                 
    Currency of    
    financial statements    
2004   in 2004 20-F/A   US$m
         
Share of net income:
               
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company
    8,788m       10,910  
Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited
    £3,973.0m       7,272  
              18,182  
Share of shareholders’ equity:
               
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company
    39,839m       54,324  
Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited
    £18,785.0m       36,221  
             
              90,545  
             
                 
    Currency of    
    financial statements    
2003   in 2004 20-F/A   US$m
         
Share of net income:
               
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company
    6,649m       7,395  
Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited
    £3,045.2m       4,927  
              12,322  
Share of shareholders’ equity:
               
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company
    37,332m       47,087  
Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited
    £17,478.8m       31,164  
             
              78,251  
             
                 
    Currency of    
    financial statements    
2002   in 2004 20-F/A   US$m
         
Share of net income:
               
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company
    6,167m       5,807  
Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited
    £2,578.0m       3,864  
             
              9,671  
             

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Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited
Unaudited Condensed Combined Interim Financial Statements
For the three and nine month periods ended
September 30, 2005
(Comprising the combined financial statements of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and of The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited.)

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CONDENSED COMBINED INTERIM STATEMENT OF INCOME
(IFRS)
                                 
    Three months ended   Nine months ended
    September 30,   September 30,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
    $ million
Sales proceeds
    94,717       89,006       286,168       243,634  
Less: Sales taxes, excise duties and similar levies
    18,282       18,321       54,933       53,549  
                         
Revenue
    76,435       70,685       231,235       190,085  
Cost of sales
    60,704       58,604       188,733       157,901  
                         
Gross profit
    15,731       12,081       42,502       32,184  
Selling and distribution expenses
    3,150       3,110       9,462       9,046  
Administrative expenses
    613       533       1,757       1,646  
Exploration
    275       294       784       1,294  
Share of profit of equity accounted investments
    3,081       1,254       5,734       3,496  
Net finance costs and other income
    (268 )     11       (159 )     (32 )
                         
Income before taxation
    15,042       9,387       36,392       23,726  
Taxation
    5,558       3,790       14,427       9,276  
                         
Income from continuing operations
    9,484       5,597       21,965       14,450  
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations (see Note 7)
    (93 )     23       (307 )     65  
                         
Income for the period
    9,391       5,620       21,658       14,515  
                         
Attributable to minority interest
    313       249       669       546  
                         
Income attributable to Shareholders of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport
    9,078       5,371       20,989       13,969  
                         
                                   
    Three months   Nine months
    ended   ended
    September 30,   September 30,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
Net income per Royal Dutch Petroleum Company share
    2.74       1.60       6.29       4.14  
 
— Continuing operations
    2.77       1.59       6.38       4.12  
 
— Discontinued operations
    (0.03 )     0.01       (0.09 )     0.02  
Diluted net income per Royal Dutch Petroleum Company share
    2.73       1.60       6.27       4.13  
 
— Continuing operations
    2.76       1.59       6.36       4.11  
 
— Discontinued operations
    (0.03 )     0.01       (0.09 )     0.02  
Net income per Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited share
    0.39       0.23       0.89       0.59  
 
— Continuing operations
    0.39       0.23       0.90       0.59  
 
— Discontinued operations
                (0.01 )      
Diluted net income per Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited share
    0.39       0.23       0.89       0.59  
 
— Continuing operations
    0.39       0.23       0.90       0.59  
 
— Discontinued operations
                (0.01 )      
      The Notes on pages F-84 to F-117 are an integral part of these Condensed Combined Interim Financial Statements.
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CONDENSED COMBINED INTERIM BALANCE SHEET
(IFRS)
                     
    Sept 30,   Dec 31,
    2005   2004
         
    $ million
ASSETS
               
Non-current assets
               
 
Property, plant and equipment
    85,601       87,918  
 
Intangible assets
    4,361       4,528  
 
Investments:
               
   
equity accounted investments
    17,138       20,493  
   
financial assets
    3,236       2,700  
 
Deferred tax
    3,039       2,789  
 
Employee benefit assets
    2,453       2,479  
 
Other
    4,102       4,490  
             
      119,930       125,397  
             
Current assets
               
 
Inventories
    21,490       15,375  
 
Accounts receivable
    83,812       37,473  
 
Cash and cash equivalents
    15,998       9,201  
             
      121,300       62,049  
             
Total assets
    241,230       187,446  
             
LIABILITIES
               
Non-current liabilities
               
 
Debt
    9,339       8,858  
 
Deferred tax
    12,411       12,930  
 
Employee benefit obligations
    6,018       6,795  
 
Other provisions
    7,114       6,828  
 
Other
    4,395       5,800  
             
      39,277       41,211  
             
Current liabilities
               
 
Debt
    6,714       5,734  
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    86,284       37,909  
 
Taxes payable
    12,510       9,058  
 
Employee benefit obligations
    302       339  
 
Other provisions
    1,254       1,812  
             
      107,064       54,852  
             
Total liabilities
    146,341       96,063  
             
EQUITY
               
Equity share capital (see Note 9)
    583       584  
Non-equity share capital (see Note 9)
          20  
Additional paid-in capital
    5,670       5,546  
Treasury shares
    (3,772 )     (4,187 )
Other reserves
    103       3,319  
Retained earnings
    85,695       80,788  
             
Equity attributable to Shareholders of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport
    88,279       86,070  
Minority interest
    6,610       5,313  
             
Total equity
    94,889       91,383  
             
Total liabilities and equity
    241,230       187,446  
             
      The Notes on pages F-84 to F-117 are an integral part of these Condensed Combined Interim Financial Statements.
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CONDENSED COMBINED INTERIM STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(IFRS)
                                                                         
    Equity attributable to shareholders of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport        
             
    Equity   Preference   Additional            
    share   share   paid in   Treasury   Other   Retained       Minority   Total
    capital(1)   capital(1)   capital   shares   reserves(2)   earnings   Total   interests   equity
                                     
    $ million
At January 1, 2005
    584       20       5,546       (4,187 )     3,319       80,788       86,070       5,313       91,383  
IAS 32/39 transition
          (20 )                 823       (7 )     796             796  
Income for the period
                                  20,989       20,989       669       21,658  
Income/(expense) recognised directly in equity
                124             (4,039 )     4       (3,911 )     92       (3,819 )
Change in minority interest
                                              733       733  
Dividends
                                  (15,579 )     (15,579 )     (197 )     (15,776 )
(Purchase)/release of treasury shares, net of dividends
                      415                   415             415  
Shares repurchased for cancellation
    (1 )                             (500 )     (501 )           (501 )
                                                       
At September 30, 2005
    583             5,670       (3,772 )     103       85,695       88,279       6,610       94,889  
                                                       
 
At January 1, 2004
    587       20       5,432       (3,428 )     512       70,412       73,535       3,408       76,943  
Income for the period
                                  13,969       13,969       547       14,516  
Income/(expense) recognised directly in equity
                91             (857 )           (766 )     17       (749 )
Change in minority interest
                                                964       964  
Dividends
                                  (7,390 )     (7,390 )     (202 )     (7,592 )
(Purchase)/release of treasury shares, net of dividends
                      (740 )                 (740 )           (740 )
Shares repurchased for cancellation
    (3 )                             (792 )     (795 )           (795 )
                                                       
At September 30, 2004
    584       20       5,523       (4,168 )     (345 )     76,199       77,813       4,734       82,547  
                                                       
 
(1)  See Note 9.
 
(2)  See Note 4.
      The Notes on pages F-84 to F-117 are an integral part of these Condensed Combined Interim Financial Statements.
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CONDENSED COMBINED INTERIM STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(IFRS)
                   
    Nine months ended
    September 30,
     
    2005   2004
         
    $ million
Cash flow from operating activities:
               
Income for the period
    21,658       14,515  
Adjustment for:
               
 
Taxation accrued
    14,945       9,544  
 
Interest accrued
    484       645  
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation
    9,194       8,655  
 
(Profit)/loss on sale of assets
    (1,103 )     (859 )
 
Decrease/(increase) in net working capital
    (5,587 )     (4,237 )
 
Share of profit of equity accounted investments
    (5,512 )     (3,562 )
 
Dividends received from equity accounted investments
    5,268       2,731  
 
Deferred taxation and other provisions
    (646 )     (142 )
 
Other
    (1,102 )     (356 )
             
Cash flow from operating activities (pre-tax)
    37,599       26,934  
Taxation paid
    (12,579 )     (6,746 )
             
Cash flow from operating activities
    25,020       20,188  
             
Cash flow from investing activities:
               
Capital expenditure
    (10,457 )     (8,911 )
Proceeds from sale of assets
    1,914       1,300  
Proceeds from sales and (additions):
               
 
equity accounted investments
    3,535       (380 )
 
investments: financial assets
    363       1,069  
Interest received
    618       332  
             
Cash flow from investing activities
    (4,027 )     (6,590 )
             
Cash flow from financing activities:
               
Net increase/(decrease) in debt
    1,988       (2,963 )
Interest paid
    (813 )     (671 )
Change in minority interest
    893       860  
Net issue/ (repurchase) of shares
    (501 )     (698 )
Dividends paid to:
               
 
Shareholders of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport
    (15,677 )     (7,309 )
 
Minority interest
    (235 )     (202 )
Treasury shares: net sales/(purchases) and dividends received
    399       (738 )
             
Cash flow from financing activities
    (13,946 )     (11,721 )
             
Currency translation differences relating to cash and cash equivalents
    (250 )     (37 )
             
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    6,797       1,840  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    9,201       2,108  
             
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
    15,998       3,948  
             
      The Notes on pages F-84 to F-117 are an integral part of these Condensed Combined Interim Financial Statements.
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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED COMBINED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1.     Basis of Presentation
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited
      Royal Dutch Petroleum Company (“Royal Dutch”) and The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited (“Shell Transport”, previously known as The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c.) entered into a scheme of amalgamation dated September 12, 1906 and agreements from 1907 by which the scheme of amalgamation was implemented and pursuant to which they “amalgamated” their interests in the oil industry. This transaction has been accounted for as one involving a single economic entity, based on the history of the operation and management of Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies (the “Royal Dutch/ Shell Group”). Since that time, Royal Dutch has owned 60% of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group and Shell Transport has owned 40% of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group. All operating activities have been conducted through the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group and the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group has operated as a single economic enterprise. Prior to the consummation of the Transaction (defined below), economic interests of the Royal Dutch and Shell Transport shareholders in the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group reflected the 60:40 economic interests of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport in the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group.
      The Condensed Combined Interim Financial Statements reflect the combined financial position of Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group. These Financial Statements provide a more meaningful presentation of the financial results of Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group than the individual Financial Statements of these entities as a result of the Transaction (described below) in which Royal Dutch Shell plc, a publicly listed company headquartered and tax resident in The Netherlands (“Royal Dutch Shell”), became the single parent company controlling Royal Dutch and Shell Transport.
      Net income was allocated between Royal Dutch and Shell Transport as follows:
                                 
    Three months    
    ended   Nine months ended
    September 30,   September 30,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
    $ million
Royal Dutch
    5,447       3,223       12,594       8,381  
Shell Transport
    3,631       2,148       8,395       5,588  
                         
 
    9,078       5,371       20,989       13,969  
                         
      Shareholders’ equity was allocated between Royal Dutch and Shell Transport as follows:
                 
    Sept 30,   Dec 31,
    2005   2004
         
    $ million
Royal Dutch
    52,967       51,642  
Shell Transport
    35,312       34,428  
             
 
    88,279       86,070  
             
      The basic earnings per share amounts shown relate to profit after taxation. The basic earnings per share number has been restated to exclude shares held by Shell Group (as defined below) companies for stock options and other incentive compensation plans. For the purpose of the calculation, shares repurchased under the buy
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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED COMBINED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
back programme are deemed to have been cancelled on purchase date. The calculations use the following weighted-average number of shares:
                                 
    Three months ended   Nine months ended
    September 30,   September 30,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
Royal Dutch
    1,984,420,979       2,018,231,477       2,001,475,299       2,026,830,771  
Shell Transport
    9,423,242,311       9,460,440,999       9,426,262,883       9,493,874,001  
      The diluted earnings per share are based on the same profit figures. For this calculation, the following weighted-average number of shares are used.
                                 
    Three months ended   Nine months ended
    September 30,   September 30,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
Royal Dutch
    1,993,403,299       2,020,728,970       2,008,538,475       2,028,688,303  
Shell Transport
    9,455,010,531       9,466,211,000       9,450,450,597       9,497,099,001  
      The difference between the basic and diluted number of shares relates to stock option schemes as mentioned above.
     The Transaction and Royal Dutch Shell plc
      On July 20, 2005, Royal Dutch Shell became the parent company of Royal Dutch Petroleum and Shell Transport and, through Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, of the rest of the Shell Group (as defined below) following (a) the registration by the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales of the order of the High Court of Justice in England and Wales sanctioning the scheme of arrangement of Shell Transport under English law (the “Scheme”) and (b) Royal Dutch Shell’s confirmation that its exchange offer (the “Exchange Offer”, and together with the Scheme, the “Unification Transaction”) for all of the ordinary shares of Royal Dutch, commenced on May 19, 2005, had become unconditional (gestanddoening). Pursuant to the Unification Transaction, on July 20, 2005, Royal Dutch Shell acquired all the outstanding capital stock of Shell Transport and approximately 92% of the outstanding capital stock of Royal Dutch. On July 20, 2005, Royal Dutch Shell commenced a subsequent offer acceptance period during which the remaining holders of Royal Dutch shares were permitted to tender their shares in exchange for Royal Dutch Shell shares (or ADRs), in accordance with the procedures described in the Exchange Offer. The subsequent offer acceptance period expired on 9 August 2005. As a result of the Exchange Offer, including the subsequent offer acceptance period, Royal Dutch Shell acquired and currently holds 98.5% of the outstanding capital stock of Royal Dutch. Shareholders of Royal Dutch who did not validly tender their shares in the Exchange Offer (the “Minority”) hold an interest in the same economic entity as that of the shareholders of Royal Dutch Shell. Effectively, the 1.5% minority interest in Royal Dutch Shell represents a 0.9% interest in the Shell Group.
      Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offer and the Scheme, holders of ordinary shares of Royal Dutch (“Royal Dutch Ordinary Shares”), holders of Shell Transport Ordinary shares (the “Shell Transport Ordinary Shares”), holders of Shell Transport bearer warrants and holders of American depositary receipts representing Shell Transport Ordinary Shares (the “Shell Transport ADRs”) received, respectively:
     
• for each Royal Dutch Ordinary Share held in New York registry form tendered:   1 Royal Dutch Shell Class A American depositary receipt (representing 2 Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares)
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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED COMBINED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
     
 
• for each Royal Dutch Ordinary Share held in bearer or Hague registry form tendered:   2 Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares
 
• for each Shell Transport Ordinary Share (including Shell Transport Ordinary Shares to which holders of Shell Transport bearer warrants are entitled):   0.287333066 Royal Dutch Shell Class B ordinary shares
 
• for each Shell Transport ADR:   0.861999198 Royal Dutch Shell Class B American depositary receipts (representing 2 Royal Dutch Shell Class B ordinary shares)
      On October 31, 2005 Royal Dutch Shell and Royal Dutch announced that they propose to implement an internal restructuring and merger of certain subsidiaries to achieve governance, management and fiscal efficiencies. As part of the restructuring, Royal Dutch would be merged into a subsidiary, Shell Petroleum N.V. (“SPNV”), and the remaining shareholders in Royal Dutch would receive 52.21 per Royal Dutch Ordinary Share held or, at the option of eligible UK resident shareholders who so elect the equivalent principal amount of sterling denominated loan notes exchangeable into Royal Dutch Shell A shares. Following approval at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM), the restructuring is expected to be effective December 21, 2005. The terms of the merger provide (a) for interest to accrue on the merger consideration at the statutory rate of 4% per annum from October 31, 2005 until the effective date of the merger, as part of the consideration under the merger, and (b) for any dividends payable in that period (before the deduction of any withholding tax from such dividend) to be deducted from that interest amount. As the interim dividend for the third quarter of 2005 of 0.46 per share (or $0.5556 per share for holders of New York registered shares) payable on December 15, 2005 will exceed the amount of interest accrued at 4% per annum to December 21, 2005 (the expected effective date of the merger), no interest is expected to be payable.
2.     Basis of preparation
      The Condensed Combined Interim Financial Statements of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport and their combined subsidiaries (referred to as the “Shell Group” or “Group”) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34 Interim Financial Reporting and with the policies set out in Note 3.
      Royal Dutch and Shell Transport will adopt IFRS for the first time in their Financial Statements for the year ending December 31, 2005, which will include comparative Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2004. IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards requires that an entity develop accounting policies based on the standards and related interpretations effective at the reporting date of its first annual IFRS Financial Statements (December 31, 2005). IFRS 1 also requires that those policies be applied as of the date of transition to IFRS (January 1, 2004) and throughout all periods presented in the first IFRS Financial Statements. The accompanying interim financial information as of and for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, has been prepared in accordance with those IASB standards and IFRIC interpretations issued and effective, or issued and early-adopted, as at the date of this report. The IASB standards and IFRIC interpretations that will be applicable at December 31, 2005, including those that will be applicable on an optional basis, are not known with certainty at the time of preparing this interim financial information. As a result, the accounting policies used to prepare these Financial Statements are subject to change up to the reporting date of the first IFRS Financial Statements of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport.
      The Shell Group’s first application of IFRS and the accounting policies are set out in Note 3 below. The Combined Financial Statements of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport for 2004 had been prepared in accordance
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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED COMBINED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP); accounting policies were set out in Note 3 to those Financial Statements. US GAAP differs in certain respects from IFRS and comparative figures for 2004 have been restated as necessary in accordance with IFRS. Reconciliations and descriptions of the effect of the transition from US GAAP to IFRS on equity and income are given below in Note 12, including a description of the nature of the changes in accounting policies. As part of the Shell Group’s adoption of IFRS, the following elections were made under IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards as at January 1, 2004:
  •  cumulative currency translation differences were eliminated by transfer to retained earnings.
 
  •  cumulative previously unrecognised actuarial gains and losses on post-employment benefits were recognised.
 
  •  prior business combinations have not been restated.
 
  •  IFRS 2 Share-based Payment has only been applied to options issued after November 7, 2002 and not vested by January 1, 2005.
      The policies set out in Note 3 below have been consistently applied to all periods presented except, as explained in the Note, for those relating to the classification and measurement of financial instruments to the extent that IFRS differs from US GAAP. The Shell Group has taken the exemption available under IFRS 1 to apply IAS 32 and IAS 39 from January 1, 2005 and the impact on transition is described in Notes 4 and 8.
      The Condensed Combined Interim Financial Statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities.
      The preparation of interim financial information in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Shell Group’s accounting policies. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
      The Condensed Combined Interim Financial Statements on pages F79 to F117 should be read in conjunction with the Combined Royal Dutch and Shell Transport Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2004 on pages F4 to F51.
3.     Accounting policies
     Nature of the Condensed Combined Interim Financial Statements
      The Condensed Combined Interim Financial Statements are presented in US dollars and include the accounts of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport and of those companies in which they either, directly or indirectly, have control either through a majority of the voting rights or the right to exercise a controlling influence or to obtain the majority of the benefits and be exposed to the majority of the risks.
     Revenue recognition
      Revenue from sales of oil, natural gas, chemicals and all other products is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred, which is when title passes to the customer. In Exploration & Production and Gas & Power this generally occurs when product is physically transferred into a vessel, pipe or other delivery mechanism. For sales by refining companies, it is either when product is placed onboard a vessel or offloaded from the vessel, depending on the contractually agreed terms. For wholesale sales of oil products and chemicals it is either at the point of delivery or the point of receipt, depending on contractual conditions.
      Revenue resulting from the production of oil and natural gas properties in which the Shell Group has an interest with other producers is recognised on the basis of the Shell Group’s working interest (entitlement method). Gains and losses on derivatives contracts and contracts involved in energy trading and risk management
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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED COMBINED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
are shown net in the Statement of Income if these contracts are held for trading purposes. Purchase and sale of hydrocarbons under exchange contracts that are necessary to obtain or reposition feedstock utilised in the Shell Group’s refinery operations are shown net in the Statement of Income. Sales between Shell Group companies, as disclosed in the segment information, are based on prices generally equivalent to commercially available prices.
      The Shell Group enters in to certain contracts that are classified and held for trading purposes. Revenue and costs associated with such contracts are reported on a net basis in the Statement of Income.
     Segmental reporting
      The Shell Group is engaged in all principal aspects of the oil and natural gas industry, including chemicals, power generation and renewable energy. The Shell Group conducts its business through five principal segments, Exploration & Production, Gas & Power, Oil Products, Chemicals and Corporate and Other. These activities are conducted in more than 140 countries and territories.
     Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
     (a) Recognition on the Balance Sheet
      Property, plant and equipment, including expenditure on major inspections, and intangible assets are initially recorded on the Balance Sheet at cost where it is probable that they will generate future economic benefits. This includes capitalisation of decommissioning and restoration costs associated with provisions for asset retirement (see “Provisions”) and certain development costs (see “Research and development”). Accounting for exploration costs is described separately below (“Exploration costs”). Intangible assets include goodwill. Interest is capitalised, as an increase in property, plant and equipment, on capital projects during construction.
      Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets are subsequently recognised at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment.
     (b) Depreciation, depletion and amortisation
      Property, plant and equipment related to oil and natural gas production activities are depreciated on a unit-of-production basis over the proved developed reserves of the field concerned, except in the case of assets whose useful life is shorter than the lifetime of the field, in which case the straight-line method is applied. Rights and concessions are depleted on the unit-of-production basis over the total proved reserves of the relevant area. Unproved properties are amortised as required by particular circumstances. Other property, plant and equipment are generally depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives which is generally 20 years for refineries and chemicals plants, 15 years for retail service station facilities, and until the next planned major inspection (generally 3 to 5 years) for inspection costs. Property, plant and equipment held under finance leases are depreciated over the shorter of the assets’ estimated useful lives and the lease term.
      Goodwill is not amortised but instead tested for impairment annually. Other intangible assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives (for periods up to forty years).
     (c) Impairment of assets
      Other than properties with no proved reserves (where the basis for carrying costs on the Balance Sheet is explained under “Exploration costs”), the carrying amounts of major Exploration & Production property, plant and equipment are reviewed for possible impairment annually, while all assets are reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts for those assets may not be recoverable. If assets are determined to be impaired, the carrying amounts of those assets are written down to recoverable amount which is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. For this purpose, assets are grouped based on separately
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identifiable and largely independent cash flows. Assets held for sale are recognised at the lower of the carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. No further provision for depreciation is charged on such assets.
      Estimates of future cash flows used in the evaluation for impairment of assets related to hydrocarbon production are made using risk assessments on field and reservoir performance and include outlooks on proved reserves and unproved volumes, which are then discounted or risk-weighted utilising the results from projections of geological, production, recovery and economic factors.
      Impairments, except those related to goodwill, are reversed as applicable to the extent that the events or circumstances that triggered the original impairment have changed.
     Exploration costs
      Shell Group companies follow the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and natural gas exploration costs. Exploration costs are charged to income when incurred, except that exploratory drilling costs are included in property, plant and equipment, pending determination of proved reserves. Exploration wells that are more than 12 months old are expensed unless (a) (i) they are in an area requiring major capital expenditure before production can begin and (ii) they have found commercially producible quantities of reserves and (iii) they are subject to further exploration or appraisal activity in that either drilling of additional exploratory wells is under way or firmly planned for the near future, or (b) proved reserves are booked within 12 months following the completion of exploratory drilling. Unless, in accordance with FASB Staff Position FSP FAS ig-1, (a) the well found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify its completion as a producing well and (b) the entity is making sufficient progress assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project.
     Associated companies and joint ventures
      Investments in companies over which Shell Group companies have significant influence but not control are classified as associated companies and are accounted for on the equity basis. Interests in jointly controlled entities are also recognised on the equity basis. Interests in jointly controlled assets are recognised by including the Shell Group share of assets, liabilities, income and expenses on a line-by-line basis.
     Inventories
      Inventories are stated at cost to the Shell Group or net realisable value, whichever is lower. Such cost is determined by the first-in first-out (FIFO) method and comprises direct purchase costs, cost of production, transportation and manufacturing expenses and taxes.
     Deferred taxation
      Deferred taxation is provided using the liability method of accounting for income taxes based on provisions of enacted or substantively enacted laws. Recognition is given to deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognised in the Condensed Combined Interim Financial Statements or in the tax returns (temporary differences); deferred tax is not generally provided on initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that, at the time of the transaction, affects neither accounting nor taxable profit. In estimating these tax consequences, consideration is given to expected future events.
      Deferred tax assets are recognised where future recovery is probable. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented separately in the Balance Sheet except where there is a right of set-off within fiscal jurisdictions.
      Deferred tax is not provided for taxes on possible future distributions of retained earnings of Shell Group companies and equity accounted investments where the timing of the distribution can be controlled and it is probable that the retained earnings will be reinvested by the companies concerned.
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     Employee benefits
     (a) Employee retirement plans
      Retirement plans to which employees contribute and many non-contributory plans are generally funded by payments to independent trusts. Where, due to local conditions, a plan is not funded, a provision is made. Valuations of both funded and unfunded plans are carried out by independent actuaries.
      For plans which define the amount of pension benefit to be provided, pension cost primarily represents the increase in actuarial present value of the obligation for pension benefits based on employee service during the year and the interest on this obligation in respect of employee service in previous years, net of the expected return on plan assets.
      Unrecognised gains and losses at the date of transition to IFRS have been recognised in the 2004 opening balance sheet. The Shell Group recognises actuarial gains and losses that arise subsequent to January 1, 2004 using the corridor method. Under this method, to the extent that any cumulative unrecognised actuarial gain or loss exceeds 10% of the greater of the present value of the defined benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets, that portion is recognised in income over the expected average remaining working lives of the employees participating in the plan. Otherwise, the actuarial gain or loss is not recognised.
      For plans where benefits depend solely on the amount contributed to the employee’s account and the returns earned on investments of these contributions, pension cost is the amount of contributions payable by Shell Group companies for the period.
     (b) Postretirement benefits other than pensions
      Some Shell Group companies provide certain postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefits to retirees, the entitlement to which is usually based on the employee remaining in service up to retirement age and the completion of a minimum service period. These plans are not funded and a provision is made. Valuations of benefits are carried out by independent actuaries.
      The expected costs of postretirement benefits other than pensions are accrued over the periods employees render service to the Shell Group. Unrecognised gains and losses at the date of transition to IFRS have been recognised in the 2004 opening balance sheet. The Shell Group recognises actuarial gains and losses that arise subsequent to January 1, 2004 using the corridor method.
     (c) Share-based compensation plans
      The fair value of share-based compensation granted to employees after November 7, 2002, and which had not vested by January 1, 2005, is recognised as an expense from the date of grant over the vesting period with a corresponding increase directly in equity. The fair value of the Shell Group’s share-based compensation for options was estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model.
     Leases
      Agreements under which Shell Group companies make payments to owners in return for the right to use an asset for a period are accounted for as leases. Leases that transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are recorded at inception as finance leases within property, plant and equipment and debt. All other leases are recorded as operating leases and the costs are charged to income as incurred.
     Financial instruments and other derivative contracts
      The Shell Group adopted IAS 32 and IAS 39 with effect from January 1, 2005 and therefore accounted for financial instruments and other derivative contracts until the end of 2004 under US GAAP. Information for 2004
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has not been restated and the impact on transition, which is mainly restricted to certain commodity contracts and embedded derivatives, unquoted investments with estimable fair values, is included in the description below.
     (a) Financial assets
      Investments: financial assets comprise debt and equity securities.
          Securities of a trading nature
      Securities of a trading nature are carried at fair value with unrealised holding gains and losses being included in income.
          Securities held to maturity
      Securities held to maturity are carried at amortised cost, unless impaired.
          Available for sale securities
      All other securities are classified as available for sale and are carried at fair value, other than unquoted equity securities with no estimable fair value which are carried at cost, less any impairment. Unrealised holding gains and losses other than impairments are taken directly to equity, except for translation differences arising on foreign currency debt securities which are taken to income. Upon sale or maturity, the net gains and losses are included in income.
      Fair value is based on market prices where available, otherwise it is calculated as the net present value of expected future cash flows.
      From January 1, 2005 this has resulted in certain unquoted equity securities being recognised at fair value compared with recognition at cost under US GAAP and the impact on transition is disclosed in Note 8. This change in accounting has no impact on the timing of recognition of income arising from these investments.
      Securities forming part of a portfolio which is required to be held long-term are classified under investments.
      Interest on debt securities is accounted for in income by applying the effective interest method. Dividends on equity securities are accounted for in income when receivable.
          Receivables
      Receivables are recognised initially at fair value based on amounts exchanged and subsequently at amortised cost less any impairment.
          Cash and cash equivalents
      Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, short-term deposits and other investments which have a maturity from acquisition of three months or less and are readily convertible into known amounts of cash.
     (b) Financial liabilities
      Debt and accounts payable are recognised initially at fair value based on amounts exchanged and subsequently at amortised cost, except for fixed rate debt subject to fair value hedging.
      Interest expense, other than interest capitalised, is accounted for in income using the effective interest method.
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     (c) Derivative contracts
      Shell Group companies use derivatives in the management of interest rate risk, foreign currency risk and commodity price risk. These derivative contracts are recognised at fair value, using market prices.
      Those derivatives qualifying and designated as hedges are either: (1) a “fair value” hedge of the change in fair value of a recognised asset or liability or an unrecognised firm commitment, or (2) a “cash flow” hedge of the change in cash flows to be received or paid relating to a recognised asset or liability or a highly probable forecasted transaction.
      A change in the fair value of a hedging instrument designated as a fair value hedge is taken to income, together with the consequential adjustment to the carrying amount of the hedged item. The effective portion of a change in fair value of a derivative designated as a cash flow hedge is recognised directly in equity, until income reflects the variability of underlying cash flows; any ineffective portion is taken to income.
      Shell Group companies formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking hedge transactions. The effectiveness of a hedge is also continually assessed and when it ceases, hedge accounting is discontinued.
      Certain contracts to purchase and sell commodities are required to be recognised at fair value, generally based on market prices (with gains and losses taken to income). These are contracts which can be net settled or sales contracts containing volume optionality.
      Certain embedded derivatives within contracts are required to be separated from their host contract and recognised at fair value, generally based on market prices (with gains and losses taken to income), if the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative are not closely related to that of the host contract.
      These policies are very similar to those applied until the end of 2004 under US GAAP and the impact of transition on January 1, 2005 is shown in Note 8.
     Provisions
      Provisions are liabilities where the timing or amount of future expenditure is uncertain. Provisions are recorded at the best estimate of the present value of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the balance sheet date. Non-current amounts are discounted using the risk-free rate. Specific details for decommissioning and restoration costs and environmental remediation are described below.
      Estimated decommissioning and restoration costs are based on current requirements, technology and price levels and are stated at fair value, and the associated asset retirement costs are capitalised as part of the carrying amount of the related property, plant and equipment. The liability, once an obligation (whether legal or constructive) crystallises, is recognised with a corresponding amount of property, plant and equipment in the period when a reasonable estimate of the fair value can be made. The fair value is calculated using amounts discounted over the useful economic life of the assets. The effects of changes resulting from revisions to the timing or the amount of the original estimate of the provision are incorporated on a prospective basis.
      Provisions for environmental remediation resulting from ongoing or past operations or events are recognised in the period in which an obligation, legal or constructive, to a third party arises and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Measurement of liabilities is based on current legal requirements and existing technology. Recognition of any joint and several liability is based upon Shell Group companies’ best estimate of their final pro rata share of the liability. Liabilities are determined independently of expected insurance recoveries. Recoveries are recognised and reported as separate events and brought into account when reasonably certain of realisation. The carrying amount of provisions is regularly reviewed and adjusted for new facts or changes in law or technology.
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     Treasury shares
      Shares in Royal Dutch and Shell Transport held by Shell Group Employee Share Ownership Trusts are not included in assets but, after deducting dividends received, are reflected at cost as a deduction from equity as treasury shares.
     Administrative expenses
      Administrative expenses are those which do not relate directly to the activities of a single business segment and include expenses incurred in the management and co-ordination of multi-segment enterprises.
     Research and development
      Development costs which are expected to generate probable future economic benefits are capitalised. All other research and development expenditure is charged to income as incurred, with the exception of that on buildings and major items of equipment which have alternative use.
     Discontinued operations
      Discontinued operations comprise those activities which have been disposed of during the period, or remain held for sale at period end, and represent a separate major line of business or geographical area of operation which can be clearly distinguished, operationally and for financial reporting purposes, from other activities of the Shell Group.
     Business combinations
      Assets acquired and liabilities assumed on a business combination are recognised at their fair value at the date of the acquisition; the amount of the purchase consideration above this value is reflected as goodwill.
     Currency translation
      Assets and liabilities of non-US dollar Shell Group companies are translated to US dollars at year-end rates of exchange, whilst their statements of income and cash flows are translated at quarterly average rates. Translation differences arising on aggregation are taken directly to a currency translation differences account within equity. As part of the transition to IFRS, the balance of this account was eliminated at January 1, 2004 and transferred to retained earnings with no impact on total equity. Upon divestment or liquidation of an entity, cumulative currency translation differences related to that entity are taken to income.
      The US dollar equivalents of exchange gains and losses arising as a result of foreign currency transactions (including those in respect of inter-company balances unless related to transactions of a long-term investment nature) are included in income.
     New accounting standards and interpretations
      Certain new IFRS and IFRIC interpretations have been published which are not mandatory for 2005. The Shell Group has elected to early adopt in 2005 IFRS 6 Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources and IFRIC 4 Determining whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease, and these are reflected in the accounting policies described above. All other published pronouncements, which are not mandatory in 2005, are not expected to have an impact on the Shell Group.
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4.     Other reserves
                                         
    Income/(expense)
     
        At Jan 1,    
        2005    
        after    
    At Dec 31,   IAS 32/39   IAS 32/39       At Sept 30,
    2004   transition   transition   Movement   2005
                     
    $ million
Cumulative currency translation differences
    3,126             3,126       (3,843 )     (717 )
Unrealised gains/(losses) on securities
    350             350       736       1,086  
Unrealised gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges
    (157 )     823       666       (932 )     (266 )
                               
Total
    3,319       823       4,142       (4,039 )     103  
                               
                         
    Income/(expense)
     
    At Jan 1,       At Sept 30,
    2004   Movement   2004
             
    $ million
Cumulative currency translation differences
          (403 )     (403 )
Unrealised gains/(losses) on securities
    700       (443 )     257  
Unrealised gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges
    (188 )     (11 )     (199 )
                   
Total
    512       (857 )     (345 )
                   
5.     Earnings per share
      The basic earnings per share amounts shown relates to income attributable to Royal Dutch and Shell Transport shareholders. Details regarding the weighted-average number of shares used are contained in Note 1.
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6.     Information by business segment
      Following a change in business circumstances certain contracts are classified as held for trading purposes and reported net rather than gross with effect from the third quarter of 2005.
      Refer to Note 11 for the revenue and cost of sales effect.
Three months ended September 30, 2005
                                                           
                    Corporate        
    Exploration &   Gas &           and       Total
    Production   Power   Oil Products   Chemicals   Other   Elimination   Shell Group
                             
    $ million
Revenue
                                                       
 
Third party
    7,078       3,086       58,877       7,311       83             76,435  
 
Inter-segment
    8,603       417       1,709       1,165             (11,894 )      
                                           
Total
    15,681       3,503       60,586       8,476       83             76,435  
                                           
Segment result
    7,136       228       4,241       354       (266 )           11,693  
Share of profit of equity accounted investments
    2,220       271       492       85       13             3,081  
Net finance costs
                                                    (106 )
Other income
                                                    162  
Taxation
                                                    5,558  
                                           
Income from continuing operations
                                                    9,484  
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations
                      (93 )                 (93 )
                                           
Income for the period
                                                    9,391  
                                           
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Three months ended September 30, 2004
                                                           
                    Corporate        
    Exploration &   Gas &           and       Total
    Production   Power   Oil Products   Chemicals   Other   Elimination   Shell Group
                             
    $ million
Revenue
                                                       
 
Third party
    5,640       2,190       55,761       6,915       179             70,685  
 
Inter-segment
    6,582       243       1,445       893             (9,163 )      
                                           
Total
    12,222       2,433       57,206       7,808       179             70,685  
                                           
Segment result
    4,737       (16 )     3,087       565       (229 )           8,144  
Share of profit of equity accounted investments
    422       277       466       163       (74 )           1,254  
Net finance costs
                                                    74  
Other income
                                                    63  
Taxation
                                                    3,790  
                                           
Income from continuing operations
                                                    5,597  
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations
                      23                   23  
                                           
Income for the period
                                                    5,620  
                                           
Nine months ended September 30, 2005
                                                           
    Exploration               Corporate        
    and   Gas &           and       Total
    Production   Power   Oil Products   Chemicals   Other   Elimination   Group
                             
    $ million
Revenue
                                                       
 
Third party
    17,717       9,221       180,799       22,941       557             231,235  
 
Inter-segment
    24,125       1,143       4,765       2,882             (32,915 )      
                                           
Total
    41,842       10,364       185,564       25,823       557             231,235  
                                           
Segment Result
    18,686       299       10,829       1,396       (711 )           30,499  
Share of profit of equity accounted investments
    3,394       630       1,517       329       (136 )           5,734  
Net finance costs
                                                    76  
Other income
                                                    235  
Taxation
                                                    14,427  
                                           
Income from continuing operations
                                                    21,965  
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations
                      (307 )                 (307 )
                                           
Income for the period
                                                    21,658  
                                           
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Nine months ended September 30, 2004
                                                           
    Exploration               Corporate        
    and   Gas &           and       Total
    Production   Power   Oil Products   Chemicals   Other   Elimination   Group
                             
    $ million
Revenue
                                                       
 
Third party
    12,350       6,502       151,442       19,053       738             190,085  
 
Inter-segment
    18,324       880       3,815       2,387       4       (25,410 )      
                                           
Total
    30,674       7,382       155,257       21,440       742             190,085  
                                           
Segment Result
    12,400       87       7,241       1,093       (623 )           20,198  
Share of profit of equity accounted investments
    1,560       854       980       342       (240 )           3,496  
Net finance costs
                                                    581  
Other income
                                                    613  
Taxation
                                                    9,276  
                                           
Income from continuing operations
                                                    14,450  
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations
                      65                   65  
                                           
Income for the period
                                                    14,515  
                                           
      The information above is provided in accordance with IAS 14 Segment Reporting. Operating segment results are appraised by management on the basis of income including equity accounted investments and certain net finance costs and other (income)/expense and after tax. The table below reconciles the foregoing segment information to the information used for management reporting and is consistent with how the information will be presented in the Shell Group’s annual Financial Statements to comply with SFAS 131.
Income for the period by segment — Three months ended September 30, 2005
                                                 
    Exploration               Corporate    
    and   Gas &           and   Total
    Production   Power   Oil Products   Chemicals   Other   Group
                         
    $ million
Segment result — IAS 14
    7,136       228       4,241       354       (266 )     11,693  
Share of profit of equity accounted investments
    2,220       271       492       85       13       3,081  
Net finance costs and other (income)/expense
    53       (144 )     (3 )     4       (178 )     (268 )
Taxation
    4,326       87       1,296       21       (172 )     5,558  
Discontinued operations
                      (93 )           (93 )
                                     
Segment result
    4,977       556       3,440       321       97       9,391  
                                     
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Income for the period by segment — Three months ended September 30, 2004
                                                 
    Exploration               Corporate    
    and   Gas &           and   Total
    Production   Power   Oil Products   Chemicals   Other   Group
                         
    $ million
Segment result — IAS 14
    4,737       (16 )     3,087       565       (229 )     8,144  
Share of profit of equity accounted investments
    422       277       466       163       (74 )     1,254  
Net finance costs and other (income)/expense
    (15 )     (12 )     2       8       28       11  
Taxation
    2,831       (81 )     994       171       (125 )     3,790  
Discontinued operations
                      23             23  
                                     
Segment result
    2,343       354       2,557       572       (206 )     5,620  
                                     
Income for the period by segment — Nine months ended September 30, 2005
                                                 
    Exploration               Corporate    
    &   Gas &           and   Total
    Production   Power   Oil Products   Chemicals   Other   Group
                         
    $ million
Segment result — IAS 14
    18,686       299       10,829       1,396       (711 )     30,499  
Share of profit of equity accounted investments
    3,394       630       1,517       329       (136 )     5,734  
Net finance costs and other (income)/expense
    203       (174 )     (16 )     5       (177 )     (159 )
Taxation
    11,200       60       3,208       384       (425 )     14,427  
Discontinued operations
                      (307 )           (307 )
                                     
Segment result
    10,677       1,043       9,154       1,029       (245 )     21,658  
                                     
Income for the period by segment — Nine months ended September 30, 2004
                                                 
    Exploration               Corporate    
    &   Gas &           and   Total
    Production   Power   Oil Products   Chemicals   Other   Group
                         
    $ million
Segment result — IAS 14
    12,400       87       7,241       1,093       (623 )     20,198  
Share of profit of equity accounted investments
    1,560       854       980       342       (240 )     3,496  
Net finance costs and other (income)/expense
    38       (245 )     (30 )     13       192       (32 )
Taxation
    7,017       (24 )     2,327       319       (363 )     9,276  
Discontinued operations
                      65             65  
                                     
Segment result
    6,905       1,210       5,924       1,168       (692 )     14,515  
                                     
7.     Discontinued operations
      Discontinued operations in the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 comprise the activities of Basell, a jointly controlled Chemicals entity (Shell Group interest 50%), which has been held for sale
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at fair value less costs to sell since the announcement in 2004 of a review of strategic alternatives regarding this venture. The loss for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 comprised an impairment at fair value less costs to sell at September 30, 2005.
8.     Implementation of IAS 32 and IAS 39 Financial Instruments
      As described in Note 2, the impact on transition at January 1, 2005 resulting from recognising at fair value certain additional derivative contracts and unquoted securities, and recognising preference shares as debt, was an increase in total equity of $0.8 billion. This was reflected by increases in assets and liabilities at January 1, 2005 as follows:
         
    $ million
     
Investments: financial assets
    1,018  
Non-current assets: deferred tax
    5  
Current assets
    42  
Non-current liabilities: deferred tax
    (195 )
Non-current liabilities debt
    (20 )
Current liabilities
    (54 )
       
      796  
       
      Preference share capital of $20 million was recategorised as debt on January 1, 2005 on the adoption of IAS 32 and 39.
9.     Share capital
     Equity share capital
                 
    Sept 30   Dec. 31
    2005   2004
         
    $ million
Allotted, called up and fully paid
               
Royal Dutch Ordinary shares
    350       350  
Shell Transport Ordinary shares
    233       234  
             
      583       584  
             
      The number of shares outstanding at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, were as follows:
                 
    Royal Dutch   Shell Transport
         
Shares outstanding at September 30, 2005
    2,069,520,000       9,603,350,002  
Shares outstanding at December 31, 2004
    2,074,400,000       9,624,900,000  
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     Non-equity share capital
                                 
    Sept 30   Dec. 31   Sept 30   Dec. 31
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
    Number of shares       $ million
Allotted, called up and fully paid
                               
448 Priority Shares
          1,500             1  
£1 First Preference Shares
          2,000,000             3  
£1 Second Preference Shares
          10,000,000             16  
                         
                            20  
                         
      The preference share capital was recategorised as debt on January 1, 2005 on the adoption of IAS 32 and 39.
10.     Contingencies and litigation
      Shell Oil Company (including subsidiaries and affiliates, referred to collectively as SOC), along with numerous other defendants, has been sued by public and quasi-public water purveyors, as well as governmental entities, alleging responsibility for groundwater contamination caused by releases of gasoline containing oxygenate additives. Most of these suits assert various theories of liability, including product liability, and seek to recover actual damages, including clean-up costs. Some assert claims for punitive damages. As of October 27, 2005, there were approximately 64 pending suits by such plaintiffs that asserted claims against SOC and many other defendants (including major energy and refining companies). Although a majority of these cases do not specify the amount of monetary damages sought, some include specific damage claims collectively against all defendants. While the aggregate amounts claimed against all defendants for actual and punitive damages in such suits could be material to the Combined Financial Statements if they were ultimately recovered against SOC alone rather than apportioned among the defendants, management of the Shell Group considers the amounts claimed in these pleadings to be highly speculative and not an appropriate basis on which to determine a reasonable estimate of the amount of the loss that may be ultimately incurred, for the reasons described below.
      The reasons for this determination can be summarised as follows:
  •  While the majority of the cases have been consolidated for pre-trial proceedings in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, there are many cases pending in other jurisdictions throughout the U.S. Most of the cases are at a preliminary stage. In many matters, little discovery has been taken and many critical substantial legal issues remain unresolved. Consequently, management of the Shell Group does not have sufficient information to assess the facts underlying the plaintiffs’ claims; the nature and extent of damages claimed, if any; the reasonableness of any specific claim for money damages; the allocation of potential responsibility among defendants; or the law that may be applicable. Additionally, given the pendency of cases in varying jurisdictions, there may be inconsistencies in the determinations made in these matters.
 
  •  There are significant unresolved legal questions relating to claims asserted in this litigation. For example, it has not been established whether the use of oxygenates mandated by the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act can give rise to a products liability based claim. While some trial courts have held that it cannot, other courts have left the question open or declined to dismiss claims brought on a products liability theory. Other examples of unresolved legal questions relate to the applicability of federal preemption, whether a plaintiff may recover damages for alleged levels of contamination significantly below state environmental standards, and whether a plaintiff may recover for an alleged threat to groundwater before detection of contamination.
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  •  There are also significant unresolved legal questions relating to whether punitive damages are available for products liability claims or, if available, the manner in which they might be determined. For example, some courts have held that for certain types of product liability claims, punitive damages are not available. It is not known whether that rule of law would be applied in some or all of the pending oxygenate additive cases. Where specific claims for damages have been made, punitive damages represent in most cases a majority of the total amounts claimed.
 
  •  There are significant issues relating to the allocation of any liability among the defendants. Virtually all of the oxygenate additives cases involve multiple defendants including most of the major participants in the retail gasoline marketing business in the regions involved in the pending cases. The basis on which any potential liability may be apportioned among the defendants in any particular pending case cannot yet be determined.
      For these reasons, management of the Shell Group is not currently able to estimate a range of reasonably possible losses or minimum loss for this litigation; however, management of the Shell Group does not currently believe that the outcome of the oxygenate-related litigation pending as of October 27, 2005 will have a material impact on the Shell Group’s financial condition, although such resolutions could have a significant effect on periodic results for the period in which they are recognised.
      A $490 million judgment in favour of 466 plaintiffs in a consolidated matter that had once been nine individual cases was rendered in 2002 by a Nicaraguan court jointly against SOC and three other named defendants (not affiliated with SOC), based upon Nicaraguan Special Law 364 for claimed personal injuries resulting from alleged exposure to dibromochloropropane (DBCP) — a pesticide manufactured by SOC prior to 1978. This special law imposes strict liability (in a predetermined amount) on international manufacturers of DBCP. The statute also provides that unless a deposit (calculated as described below) of an amount denominated in Nicaraguan cordobas is made into the Nicaraguan courts, the claims would be submitted to the US courts. In SOC’s case the deposit would have been between $19 million and $20 million (based on an exchange rate between 15 and 16 cordobas per US dollar). SOC chose not to make this deposit. The Nicaraguan courts did not, however, give effect to the provision of Special Law 364 that requires submission of the matter to the U.S. courts. Instead, the Nicaraguan court entered judgment against SOC and the other defendants. Further, SOC was not afforded the opportunity to present any defences in the Nicaraguan court, including that it was not subject to Nicaraguan jurisdiction because it had neither shipped nor sold DBCP to parties in Nicaragua. At this time, SOC has not completed the steps necessary to perfect an appeal in Nicaragua and, as described below, the Nicaraguan claimants have sought to enforce the Nicaraguan judgment against SOC in the U.S. and in Venezuela. SOC does not have any assets in Nicaragua. In 2003, an attempt by the plaintiffs to enforce the Nicaraguan judgment described above in the United States against Shell Chemical Company and purported affiliates of the other named defendants was rejected by the United States District Court for the Central District of California because of improper service and attempted enforcement against non-existent entities or entities that were not named in the Nicaraguan judgment. The plaintiffs initially appealed this decision but have subsequently withdrawn their appeal. SOC filed a declaratory judgment action seeking ultimate adjudication of the non-enforceability of this Nicaraguan judgment in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. This district court denied motions filed by the Nicaraguan claimants to dismiss SOC claims that Nicaragua does not have impartial tribunals, the proceedings violated due process, the relationship between SOC and Nicaragua made the exercise of personal jurisdiction unreasonable, and Special Law 364 is repugnant to U.S. public policy because it violates due process. A finding in favour of SOC on any of these grounds will result in a refusal to recognize and enforce the judgment in the United States. Several requests for Exequatur were filed in 2004 with the Tribunal Suprema de Justicia (the Venezuelan Supreme Court) to enforce Nicaraguan judgments. The petitions imply that judgments can be satisfied with assets of Shell Venezuela, S.A., which was neither a party to the Nicaraguan judgment nor a subsidiary of SOC, against whom the Exequatur was filed. The petitions are pending before the Tribunal Suprema de Justicia. As of October 27, 2005, eight additional Nicaraguan judgments had been entered in the collective
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amount of approximately $398.2 million in favor of 489 plaintiffs jointly against Shell Chemical Company and three other named defendants (not affiliated with Shell Chemical Company) under facts and circumstances almost identical to those relating to the judgment described above. Additional judgments are anticipated (including a suit seeking more than $3 billion). It is the opinion of management of the Shell Group that the above judgments are unenforceable in a U.S. court, as a matter of law, for the reasons set out in SOC’s declaratory judgment action described above. No financial provisions have been established for these judgments or related claims.
      Since 1984, SOC has been named with others as a defendant in numerous product liability cases, including class actions, involving the failure of residential plumbing systems and municipal water distribution systems constructed with polybutylene plastic pipe. SOC fabricated the resin for this pipe while the co-defendants fabricated the raw materials for the pipe fittings. As a result of two class action settlements in 1995, SOC and the co-defendants agreed on a mechanism to fund until 2009 the settlement of most of the residential plumbing claims in the United States. Financial provisions have been taken by SOC for its settlement funding needs anticipated at this time. Additionally, claims that are not part of these class action settlements or that challenge these settlements continue to be filed primarily involving alleged problems with polybutylene pipe used in municipal water distribution systems. It is the opinion of management of the Shell Group that exposure from this other polybutylene litigation pending as of October 27, 2005, is not material. Management of the Shell Group cannot currently predict when or how all polybutylene matters will be finally resolved.
      In connection with the recategorisation of certain hydrocarbon reserves that occurred in 2004, a number of putative shareholder class actions were filed against Royal Dutch, Shell Transport, Managing Directors of Royal Dutch during the class period, Managing Directors of Shell Transport during the class period and the external auditors for Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group. These actions were consolidated in the United States District Court in New Jersey and a consolidated complaint was filed in September 2004. The complaint asserted claims under the U.S. securities laws on behalf of all purchasers of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport securities between April 8, 1999 and March 18, 2004.
      On August 9, 2005, the court ruled on motions to dismiss filed by Shell and other defendants. These motions generally addressed whether plaintiffs’ complaint sufficiently alleges claims and should be allowed to proceed. First, the court dismissed with prejudice the private plaintiffs’ attempts to challenge Shell’s shareholder notifications under section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The court ruled that, as a non-U.S. private issuer of securities, Shell is exempt from the provisions of section 14(a). Plaintiffs may not attempt to replead these claims. Second, the court dismissed all claims against seven of Shell’s current and former managing and supervisory directors: non-executive Chairman Aad Jacobs, Executive Committee member Malcolm Brinded, Maarten van den Bergh, Mark Moody-Stuart, Steven Miller, Paul Skinner and Harry Roels (the “Dismissed Individuals”). The plaintiffs were given 30 days to try to file an adequate complaint against these individuals. Third, the court declined to dismiss plaintiffs’ remaining claims against Shell, as well as the claims against its current Chief Executive, Jeroen van der Veer, and three of its former executive directors, Sir Philip Watts, Walter van de Vijver and Judith Boynton. Fourth, the Court decided to permit the class action plaintiffs to proceed with claims on behalf of non-US purchasers of Shell securities who bought their shares on markets outside the United States. Shell had argued that, in this case, the jurisdiction of U.S. courts was limited to those who purchased Shell’s shares on U.S. securities exchanges or who are U.S. citizens. Finally, the court decided to dismiss claims brought by shareholders who purchased Shell shares after the January 9, 2004 announcement of the reserves recategorisation and by shareholders who purchased shares during the class period and still hold those shares. The court ruled that the former group may attempt to replead their claims, but the latter group will not.
      On September 19, 2005, plaintiffs filed their Second Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint (the “Second Amended Complaint”). The substantive allegations remain unchanged from those in the earlier complaint, except that plaintiffs dropped their section 14(a) claims and their claims against the Dismissed Individuals. In addition, the Second Amended Complaint does not name Shell’s current Chief Executive, Jeroen van der Veer, as a defendant, subject to plaintiffs’ reservation of the right to rename him as a defendant in the
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future. It reinstates claims on behalf of those who purchased shares after the January 9, 2005 announcement of the reserves recategorisation.
      Shell has filed a motion for reconsideration on the issue of jurisdiction over non-U.S. purchasers who bought their securities on non-U.S. markets and, alternatively, a motion to certify this issue for appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Plaintiffs have sought reconsideration of the court’s ruling dismissing with prejudice the claims of those who still hold the shares of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport that they purchased during the class period. Because of uncertainties relating to the pending reconsideration and/or certification motions and because of the relatively early stage of the proceedings, the company is currently unable to assess the impact of the ruling on the litigation. Further, the case is at an early stage and subject to substantial uncertainties concerning the outcome of material factual and legal issues relating to the litigation. In addition, potential damages, if any, in a fully litigated securities class action would depend on the losses caused by the alleged wrongful conduct that would be demonstrated by individual class members in their purchases and sales of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport shares during the relevant class period. Accordingly, based on the current status of the litigation, management of the Shell Group is unable to estimate a range of possible losses or any minimum loss. Management of the Shell Group will review this determination as the litigation progresses.
      Also in connection with the hydrocarbon reserves recategorisation, a number of putative class actions were filed on behalf of participants in certain employee benefit plans sponsored by Shell Oil Company or one of its United States-based affiliates alleging that Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and various current and former officers and directors breached various fiduciary duties to employee participants imposed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). These suits were consolidated in the United States District Court in New Jersey and a consolidated class action complaint was filed in July 2004. The parties executed a settlement agreement in July 2005 and, on August 31, 2005, the court approved the settlement. The court’s order has now become final. The settlement agreement requires defendants to pay $90 million to the settlement class, the court-appointed class counsel’s out-of-pocket expenses (which totaled $742,949.13), plus the costs incurred in providing notice of the settlement to class members. The corporate defendants must also require Shell Oil Company to adopt specific procedures regarding the monitoring and training of individuals appointed to be ERISA fiduciaries.
      The reserves recategorisation also led to the filing of shareholder derivative actions in 2004. The four suits pending in New York state court, New York federal court and New Jersey federal court demanded Shell Group management and structural changes and sought unspecified damages from certain current and former members of the Boards of Directors of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport. On October 21, 2005, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey ruled that it would approve the settlement in a forthcoming opinion. Terms of the settlement include payment by the Shell Group of $9.2 million in attorneys’ fees and expenses to counsel for the derivative plaintiffs and the adoption and implementation by the Shell Group of certain corporate governance principles.
      The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) issued formal orders of private investigation in relation to the reserves recategorisation which Royal Dutch and Shell Transport resolved by reaching agreements with the SEC and the FSA as announced on August 24, 2004. In connection with the agreement with the SEC, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport consented, without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings or conclusions, to an administrative order finding that Royal Dutch and Shell Transport violated, and requiring Royal Dutch and Shell Transport to cease and desist from future violations of, the antifraud, reporting, recordkeeping and internal control provisions of the US Federal securities laws and related SEC rules, agreed to pay a $120 million civil penalty and undertook to spend an additional $5 million developing a comprehensive internal compliance program.
      In connection with the agreement with the FSA, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport agreed, without admitting or denying the FSA’s findings or conclusions, to the entry of a Final Notice by the FSA finding that Royal Dutch
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and Shell Transport breached market abuse provisions of the UK’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the Listing Rules made under it and agreed to pay a penalty of £17 million. The penalties from the SEC and FSA and the additional amount to develop a comprehensive internal compliance program have been paid by Shell Group companies and fully included in the Income Statement of the Shell Group for the year 2004. The United States Department of Justice commenced a criminal investigation but announced on June 29, 2005 that it had made a determination not to prosecute. Euronext Amsterdam, the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) and the California Department of Corporations are investigating the issues related to the reserves recategorisation. The AFM have announced that their findings do not give rise to any further action from their side at this time. Management of the Shell Group cannot currently predict the manner and timing of the resolution of these pending matters and is currently unable to estimate the range of reasonably possible losses from such matters.
      Shell Group companies are subject to a number of other loss contingencies arising out of litigation and claims brought by governmental and private parties, which are handled in the ordinary course of business.
      The operations and earnings of Shell Group companies continue, from time to time, to be affected to varying degrees by political, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments, including those relating to the protection of the environment and indigenous people, in the countries in which they operate. The industries in which Shell Group companies are engaged are also subject to physical risks of various types. The nature and frequency of these developments and events, not all of which are covered by insurance, as well as their effect on future operations and earnings, are unpredictable.
11.     Reconciliation from IFRS to US GAAP
      The Group adopted IFRS in 2005, which varies from US GAAP in certain respects, with a date of transition of January 1, 2004 (see Note 13). The reconciliation at transition and for 2004 and 2005 are in Note 11, 12 and 13. The significant differences between IFRS and US GAAP are described below.
     Cumulative currency translation differences (CCTD)
      Under IFRS at January 1, 2004, the balance of CCTD of $1,208 million was eliminated by transfer to retained earnings. For US GAAP there is no change in the accounting for CCTD and the before mentioned amount is included in accumulated other comprehensive income. Equity at that date in total under both IFRS and US GAAP was not impacted.
     Joint ventures
      Under IFRS incorporated joint ventures, in which the Group has a liability proportionate to its interest are presented as equity accounted investments. For US GAAP purposes, the Shell Group proportionally combined these joint ventures until December 31, 2004. As of January 1, 2005, these joint ventures are presented as equity accounted investments under US GAAP. This change has no impact on total equity or income.
     Major Inspection costs
      Under IFRS major inspection costs are capitalised and are amortised to income over the period until the next planned major inspection. On a US GAAP basis prior to January 1, 2005, the Group expensed these costs as they were incurred. From January 1, 2005 such costs are capitalised and are amortised to income over the period until the next planned major inspection.
      The cumulative effect of the change of policy ($554 million) has been included in US GAAP net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. Consequently, the related reconciling items between IFRS and US GAAP that
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existed at December 31, 2004 do not exist any more. The impact on income going forward is reflected in lower operating costs and higher depreciation.
     Financial instruments and other derivatives contracts
      The Shell Group adopted IAS 32 and IAS 39 as of January 1, 2005, which requires certain unquoted equity securities to be recognised at fair value. Under US GAAP these are recognised at cost. This change in accounting has no impact on the timing of recognition of income arising from these investments.
      From the same date, certain commodity contracts and embedded derivatives that are not recognised under US GAAP are recognised at fair value under IFRS.
     Employee benefits
     (a) Employee retirement plans and other postretirement benefits
      Under IFRS, all gains and losses related to defined benefit pension arrangements and other post retirement benefits at the date of transition to IFRS have been recognised in the 2004 opening balance sheet, with a corresponding reduction in equity of $4,954 million. Under US GAAP these amounts are amortized therefore equity under US GAAP at September 30, 2005 is $4,786 million higher.
      Under IFRS, the use of the fair value of pension plan assets (rather than market-related value under US GAAP) to calculate annual expected investment returns and the changed approach to amortisation of investment gains/ losses can be expected to increase volatility in income going forward as compared to past IFRS and US GAAP results. Under US GAAP, the pension charge for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005 is $148 million higher (2004: $115 million lower) and for the three month period ended September 30, 2005 of $43 million higher (2004: $47 million lower).
     (b) Share-based compensation
      Under IFRS, share-based compensation awarded after November 7, 2002 and not yet vested at January 1, 2005 is recognised as an expense based on fair value measurement. For the US GAAP the Group has adopted SFAS 123R as of January 1, 2005 using the modified prospective approach. This will minimise the difference between US GAAP and IFRS reporting. The remaining difference relates to share-based compensation awarded but not yet vested and granted before November 7, 2002, which under US GAAP is also recognised as an expense, and the treatment of deferred tax on share-based payments. Under IFRS deferred tax is re-measured every reporting period and under US GAAP deferred tax is estimated at grant date and not subsequently revised.
      Under US GAAP until December 31, 2004 share based compensation expense was recognised based on the intrinsic value method, which required no recognition of compensation expense for plans where the exercise price is not at a discount to the market value at the date of the grant, and the number of options is fixed on the grant date.
     Impairments
      Under IFRS an impairment is based on discounted cash flows. Under US GAAP, only if an asset’s estimated undiscounted future cash flows are below its carrying amount is a determination required of the amount of any impairment based on discounted cash flows. There is no undiscounted test under IFRS.
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     Reversal of impairments
      Under IFRS, a favourable change in the circumstance, which resulted in an impairment of an asset other than goodwill, would trigger the requirement for a redetermination of the amount of the impairment and any reversal is recognised in income. Under US GAAP, impairments are not reversed.
     Other adjustments
      Other reconciling items include: the reclassification between line item allocations under IFRS which do not affect equity compared with that shown under US GAAP; differences arising from cumulative currency translation differences; presentation of income from equity accounted investments; other differences arising from IAS 12 Income Taxes and IAS 17 Leases.
     Recent US GAAP accounting pronouncements
      On April 4, 2005, the FASB adopted FASB Staff Position FSP FAS 19-1 that amends Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 19 (FAS 19), “Financial Accounting and Reporting by Oil and Gas Producing Companies,” to permit the continued capitalization of exploratory well costs beyond one year if (a) the well found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify its completion as a producing well and (b) the entity is making sufficient progress assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project. The guidance in the FSP is required to be applied prospectively as of the third quarter of 2005. Currently we do not expect this to have a material impact on our financial statements.
      EITF Issue no. 04-13 “Accounting for Purchases and Sales of Inventory with the Same Counterparty”, was ratified in September, 2005 and requires “buy/sell” contractual arrangements entered into after March 15, 2006, or modifications or renewals of existing arrangements after that date, to be reported net in the Statement of Income and accounted for as non-monetary transactions; earlier adoption in 2005 is permitted. The Shell Group has implemented EITF 04-13 with effect from July 1, 2005. The implementation of EITF 04-13 does not create a GAAP difference with the Shell Group’s IFRS accounts.
      In prior periods the Group has entered into buy/sell agreements which, if reported net under EITF 04-13, would lead to a reduction in revenue and cost of sales for the nine months to September 30, 2005 of $15,720 million and $15,749 million, respectively, (three months to September 30, 2004: $6,422 million and $6,407 million; nine months to September 30, 2004: $18,089 million and $18,186 million) with no impact on net income.
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Reconciliation of statement of income from IFRS to US GAAP for Three months ended September 30, 2005
                                                                         
                Employee                
                benefits                
        Discontinued               Reversals of        
    IFRS   operations(1)   Reclassifications(2)   (a)   (b)   Impairments   Impairments   Other   US GAAP
                                     
    $ million
Sales proceeds
    94,717                                           45       94,762  
less: Sales taxes, excise duties and similar levies
    18,282                                                 18,282  
                                                       
Revenue
    76,435                                           45       76,480  
Cost of sales
    60,704       85       (2 )     47       9       11       (203 )     333       60,984  
                                                       
Gross profit
    15,731       (85 )     2       (47 )     (9 )     (11 )     203       (288 )     15,496  
Selling and distribution expenses
    3,150                   10       4                   (7 )     3,157  
Administrative expenses
    613                   18       1                         632  
Exploration
    275                                                 275  
Research and development
                71                                     71  
Share of profit of equity accounted investments
    3,081       (8 )           (1 )                 9       1       3,082  
Net finance costs and other income
    (268 )           (69 )                             (21 )     (358 )
                                                       
Income before taxation
    15,042       (93 )           (76 )     (14 )     (11 )     212       (259 )     14,801  
Taxation
    5,558                   (34 )           (3 )     (2 )     (67 )     5,452  
                                                       
Income from continuing operations
    9,484       (93 )           (42 )     (14 )     (8 )     214       (192 )     9,349  
Income from discontinued operations
    (93 )     93                                            
Cumulative effect of change in accounting policy
                                                     
                                                       
Income for the period
    9,391                   (42 )     (14 )     (8 )     214       (192 )     9,349  
                                                       
Attributable to minority interest
    359                                                 359  
                                                       
Income attributable to shareholders of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport
    9,032                   (42 )     (14 )     (8 )     214       (192 )     8,990  
                                                       
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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED COMBINED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Reconciliation of statement of income from IFRS to US GAAP for Nine months ended September 30, 2005
                                                                                 
                Employee                    
                benefits           Major        
        Discontinued               Reversals of   inspection        
    IFRS   operations(1)   Reclassifications(2)   (a)   (b)   Impairments   Impairments   costs   Other   US GAAP
                                         
    $ million
Sales proceeds
    286,168       (1,374 )                                           31       284,825  
less: Sales taxes, excise duties and similar levies
    54,933       (726 )                                                 54,207  
                                                             
Revenue
    231,235       (648 )                                           31       230,618  
Cost of sales
    188,733       (85 )     (64 )     150       23       31       (256 )             263       188,795  
                                                             
Gross profit
    42,502       (563 )     64       (150 )     (23 )     (31 )     256               (232 )     41,823  
Selling and distribution expenses
    9,462       (64 )           62       4                           (34 )     9,430  
Administrative expenses
    1,757                   23       2                           (25 )     1,757  
Exploration
    784                                                         784  
Research and development
                303                                             303  
Share of profit of equity accounted investments
    5,734       (222 )           (2 )                 129               (13 )     5,626  
Net finance costs and other income
    (159 )     (1 )     (239 )                                     (21 )     (420 )
                                                             
Income before taxation
    36,392       (720 )           (237 )     (29 )     (31 )     385               (165 )     35,595  
Taxation
    14,427       (35 )           (90 )     3       (64 )     (2 )             (70 )     14,169  
                                                             
Income from continuing operations
    21,965       (685 )           (147 )     (32 )     33       387               (95 )     21,426  
Income from discontinued operations
    (307 )     685                                                   378  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting policy
                                              (554 )           (554 )
                                                             
Income for the period
    21,658                   (147 )     (32 )     33       387       554       (95 )     22,358  
                                                             
Attributable to minority interest
    715                               60                           775  
                                                             
Income attributable to shareholders of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport
    20,943                   (147 )     (32 )     (27 )     387       554       (95 )     21,583  
                                                             
 
(1)  The definition of activities classified as discontinued operations differs from that under US GAAP. Under IFRS equity accounted or other investments are not excluded from this classification, but the activity must be a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, discontinued operations have been assessed and presented in accordance with FAS 144. Where new discontinued operations have been identified in the current period, the disclosures have been applied retrospectively. This is a 2005 event and does not affect the combined financial statements of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport for the year ended December 31, 2004.
 
(2)  Reclassifications are differences in line item allocation under IFRS but do not affect income compared with that shown under US GAAP. They mainly comprise impacts from reporting 1) all jointly controlled entities
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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED COMBINED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
using the equity method, 2) the results of equity accounted investments on a single line (therefore after net finance costs and tax), 3) accretion expense arising on asset retirement obligations as net finance costs rather than as cost of sales, and 4) research and development within cost of sales.
Earnings per share under US GAAP
                                 
    Three months   Nine months
    ended   ended
    September 30,   September 30,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
    $
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company
                               
Earnings per share
    2.72       1.60       6.47       4.12  
— Continuing operations
    2.72       1.57       6.19       3.99  
— Discontinuing operations
          0.03       0.11       0.13  
— Cumulative effect of change in accounting policy
                0.17        
                         
Diluted earnings per share
    2.71       1.60       6.45       4.11  
— Continuing operations
    2.71       1.57       6.17       3.98  
— Discontinuing operations
          0.03       0.11       0.13  
— Cumulative effect of change in accounting policy
                0.17        
                         
The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited
                               
Earnings per share
    0.38       0.22       0.92       0.59  
— Continuing operations
    0.38       0.22       0.88       0.57  
— Discontinuing operations
                0.02       0.02  
— Cumulative effect of change in accounting policy
                0.02        
                         
Diluted earnings per share
    0.38       0.22       0.91       0.59  
— Continuing operations
    0.38       0.22       0.87       0.57  
— Discontinuing operations
                0.02       0.02  
— Cumulative effect of change in accounting policy
                0.02        
                         
      Details of the number of shares used in these calculations are contained in Note 1. Income from continuing operations is adjusted for income attributable to minority interest.
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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED COMBINED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Reconciliation of balance sheet from IFRS to US GAAP as at September 30, 2005
                                                     
        Employee       Reversals of        
    IFRS   benefits   Impairments   Impairments   Other   US GAAP
                         
    $ million
ASSETS
                                               
Non-current assets
                                               
 
Property, plant and equipment
    85,601             675       (156 )     (105 )     86,015  
 
Intangible assets
    4,361       349       (5 )           (17 )     4,688  
 
Investments:
                                               
   
equity accounted investments
    17,138       121       (212 )     (53 )     (49 )     16,945  
   
financial assets
    3,236                         (385 )     2,851  
 
Deferred tax
    3,039       (991 )     (3 )           206       2,251  
 
Other long term assets
    6,555       5,545                   (166 )     11,934  
                                     
      119,930       5,024       455       (209 )     (516 )     124,684  
                                     
Current assets
                                               
 
Inventories
    21,490                               21,490  
 
Accounts receivable
    83,812                         (31 )     83,781  
 
Cash and cash equivalents
    15,998                               15,998  
                                     
      121,300                         (31 )     121,269  
                                     
Total assets
    241,230       5,024       455       (209 )     (547 )     245,953  
                                     
LIABILITIES
                                               
Non-current liabilities
                                               
 
Debt
    9,339                         (290 )     9,049  
 
Deferred tax
    12,411       1,428       237       (125 )     16       13,967  
 
Provisions
    13,132       (1,188 )                 (1,279 )     10,665  
 
Other
    4,395                         1,360       5,755  
                                     
      39,277       240       237       (125 )     (193 )     39,436  
                                     
Current liabilities
                                               
 
Debt
    6,714                         (12 )     6,702  
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    86,284       (22 )                 73       86,335  
 
Taxes payable
    12,510                         6       12,516  
                                     
      107,064       (22 )                 67       107,109  
                                     
Total liabilities
    146,341       218       237       (125 )     (126 )     146,545  
                                     
Minority interest
                                    6,653       6,653  
                                     
Equity attributable to shareholders of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport
    88,279       4,786       218       (84 )     (444 )     92,755  
Minority interest
    6,610       20                   (6,630 )      
                                     
Total equity
    94,889       4,806       218       (84 )     (7,074 )     92,755  
                                     
Total liabilities and equity
    241,230       5,024       455       (209 )     (547 )     245,953  
                                     
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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED COMBINED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income under US GAAP comprises the following amounts:
         
    At September 30,
    2005
     
    $ million
Currency translation differences
    234  
Unrealised gains on securities
    1,083  
Unrealised gains on cash flow hedges
    692  
Minimum pension liability
    (1,645 )
       
      (1,020 )
       
      An amount of $3.8 billion has been reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings compared to the Royal Dutch and Shell Transport Combined Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2004.
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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED COMBINED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
12. Reconciliations from IFRS to US GAAP in 2004
Reconciliation of statement of income from IFRS to US GAAP for Three months ended September 30, 2004
                                                                                         
                Employee   Cumulative                    
                benefits(3)   currency           Major        
        Discontinued           translation       Reversals of   inspection        
    IFRS   operations(1)   Reclassifications(2)   (a)   (b)   differences(3)   Impairments(3)   impairments(3)   costs(3)   Other   US GAAP
                                             
    $ million
Sales proceeds
    89,006       (1,985 )     453                                           2       87,476  
Less: Sales taxes, excise duties and similar levies
    18,321       (690 )     148                                                 17,779  
                                                                   
Revenue
    70,685       (1,295 )     305                                           2       69,697  
Cost of sales
    58,604       (1,006 )     6       (76 )     (35 )     (33 )                 15       19       57,494  
                                                                   
Gross profit
    12,081       (289 )     299       76       35       33                   (15 )     (17 )     12,203  
Selling and distribution expenses
    3,110       (129 )           (4 )     (3 )     28                         24       3,026  
Administrative expenses
    533       (5 )           5       (1 )                             (7 )     525  
Exploration
    294       (2 )     10                                                 302  
Research and development
                97                                                 97  
Share of profit of equity accounted investments
    1,254       20       574       (3 )                             5       (9 )     1,841  
Net finance costs and other income
    11       (18 )     67                                           (35 )     25  
                                                                   
Income before taxation
    9,387       (115 )     699       72       39       5                   (10 )     (8 )     10,069  
Taxation
    3,790       (22 )     699       26       3                         (3 )     81       4,574  
                                                                   
Income from continuing operations
    5,597       (93 )           46       36       5                   (7 )     (89 )     5,495  
Income from discontinued operations
    23       64                                                       87  
                                                                   
Income for the period
    5,620       (29 )           46       36       5                   (7 )     (89 )     5,582  
                                                                   
Attributable to minority interest
    249       (29 )           (1 )     1                         (5 )     9       224  
                                                                   
Income attributable to shareholders of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport
    5,371                   47       35       5                   (2 )     (98 )     5,358  
                                                                   
 
(1)  The definition of activities classified as discontinued operations differs from that under US GAAP. Under IFRS equity accounted or other investments are not excluded from this classification, but the activity must be a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations. As a result, all of the items presented as discontinued operations in 2004 and 2005 under US GAAP are included within continuing operations under IFRS.
 
(2)  Reclassifications are differences in line item allocation under IFRS but do not affect income compared with that shown under US GAAP. They mainly comprise impacts from reporting 1) all jointly controlled entities using the equity method, 2) the results of equity accounted investments on a single line (therefore after net finance costs and tax), 3) accretion expense arising on asset retirement obligations as net finance costs rather than as cost of sales, and 4) research and development within cost of sales.
 
(3)  See Note 11.
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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED COMBINED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Reconciliation of statement of income from IFRS to US GAAP for Nine months ended September 30, 2004
                                                                                         
                Employee   Cumulative                    
                benefits(3)   currency           Major        
        Discontinued           translation       Reversals of   inspection        
    IFRS   operations(1)   Reclassifications(2)   (a)   (b)   differences(3)   Impairments(3)   impairments(3)   costs(3)   Other   US GAAP
                                             
    $ million
Sales proceeds
    243,634       (5,448 )     2,449                                           5       240,640  
Less: Sales taxes, excise duties and similar levies
    53,549       (1,981 )     920                                                 52,488  
                                                                   
Revenue
    190,085       (3,467 )     1,529                                           5       188,152  
Cost of sales
    157,901       (2,422 )     187       (210 )     (91 )     (21 )                 190       52       155,586  
                                                                   
Gross profit
    32,184       (1,045 )     1,342       210       91       21                   (190 )     (47 )     32,566  
Selling and distribution expenses
    9,046       (357 )           3       (8 )     28                         22       8,734  
Administrative expenses
    1,646       (21 )     1       22       (2 )                             (5 )     1,641  
Exploration
    1,294       (5 )     15                                                 1,304  
Research and development
                392                                                 392  
Share of profit of equity accounted investments
    3,496       52       1,197       (9 )                 (4 )           (17 )     (20 )     4,695  
Net finance costs and other income
    (32 )     (49 )     4                                           (66 )     (143 )
                                                                   
Income before taxation
    23,726       (561 )     2,127       176       101       (7 )     (4 )           (207 )     (18 )     25,333  
Taxation
    9,276       (134 )     2,127       63       6                         (68 )     103       11,373  
                                                                   
Income from continuing operations
    14,450       (427 )           113       95       (7 )     (4 )           (139 )     (121 )     13,960  
Income from discontinued operations
    65       371                                                       436  
                                                                   
Income for the period
    14,515       (56 )           113       95       (7 )     (4 )           (139 )     (121 )     14,396  
                                                                   
Attributable to minority interest
    546       (56 )           (2 )     2                         (10 )     6       486  
                                                                   
Income attributable to shareholders of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport
    13,969                   115       93       (7 )     (4 )           (129 )     (127 )     13,910  
                                                                   
Unaudited Condensed Combined Interim Financial Report

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED COMBINED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Reconciliation of statement of income from IFRS to US GAAP for the year ended December 31, 2004
                                                                                         
                Employee   Cumulative                    
                benefits(3)   currency           Major        
        Discontinued           translation       Reversals of   inspection        
    IFRS   operations(1)   Reclassifications(2)   (a)   (b)   differences(3)   Impairments(3)   impairments(3)   costs(3)   Other   US GAAP
                                             
    $ million
Sales proceeds
    338,756       (6,945 )     3,803                                           7       335,621  
Less: Sales taxes, excise duties and similar levies
    72,370       (2,529 )     1,499                                                 71,340  
                                                                   
Revenue
    266,386       (4,416 )     2,304                                           7       264,281  
Cost of sales
    223,259       (1,810 )     134       (306 )     (128 )     102       (730 )     211       223       54       221,009  
                                                                   
Gross profit
    43,127       (2,606 )     2,170       306       128       (102 )     730       (211 )     (223 )     (47 )     43,272  
Selling and distribution expenses
    12,550       (448 )           25       (9 )     28                         87       12,233  
Administrative expenses
    2,548       (28 )     3       25       (5 )                             (1 )     2,542  
Exploration
    1,809       (5 )     19                                                 1,823  
Research and development
                553                                                 553  
Share of profit of equity accounted investments
    5,015       (252 )     1,420       (6 )                 (212 )     (258 )     (50 )     (4 )     5,653  
Net finance costs and other income
    (424 )     (28 )     121                                           (145 )     (476 )
                                                                   
Income before taxation
    31,659       (2,349 )     2,894       250       142       (130 )     518       (469 )     (273 )     8       32,250  
Taxation
    12,168       (381 )     2,894       77       27             258             (75 )     120       15,088  
                                                                   
Income from continuing operations
    19,491       (1,968 )           173       115       (130 )     260       (469 )     (198 )     (112 )     17,162  
Income from discontinued operations
    (234 )     1,880                                                       1,646  
                                                                   
Income for the period
    19,257       (88 )           173       115       (130 )     260       (469 )     (198 )     (112 )     18,808  
                                                                   
Attributable to minority interest
    717       (88 )           (3 )                             (2 )     2       626  
                                                                   
Income attributable to shareholders of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport
    18,540                   176       115       (130 )     260       (469 )     (196 )     (114 )     18,182  
                                                                   
 
(1)  The definition of activities classified as discontinued operations differs from that under US GAAP. Under IFRS equity accounted or other investments are not excluded from this classification, but the activity must be a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations. As a result, all of the items presented as discontinued operations in 2004 and 2005 under US GAAP are included within continuing operations under IFRS.
 
(2)  Reclassifications are differences in line item allocation under IFRS but do not affect income compared with that shown under US GAAP. They mainly comprise impacts from reporting 1) all jointly controlled entities using the equity method, 2) the results of equity accounted investments on a single line (therefore after net finance costs and tax), 3) accretion expense arising on asset retirement obligations as net finance costs rather than as cost of sales, and 4) research and development within cost of sales.
 
(3)  See Note 11.
Unaudited Condensed Combined Interim Financial Report

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED COMBINED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Reconciliation of balance sheet from IFRS to US GAAP as at September 30, 2004
                                                     
                Major        
            Employee   inspection        
    IFRS   Reclassifications(1)   benefits (a)(2)   costs(2)   Other(3)   US GAAP
                         
    $ million
ASSETS
                                               
Non-current assets
                                               
 
Property, plant and equipment
    85,357       1,222             (630 )     (42 )     85,907  
 
Intangible assets
    4,338       15       326             (11 )     4,668  
 
Investments:
                                               
   
equity accounted investments
    20,709       32       97       (138 )     59       20,759  
   
financial assets
    2,435                         51       2,486  
 
Deferred tax(2)
    3,015             (541 )     29       (797 )     1,706  
 
Employee benefit assets
    1,975             5,305             (10 )     7,270  
 
Other
    4,648       9       (103 )           (30 )     4,524  
                                     
      122,477       1,278       5,084       (739 )     (780 )     127,320  
                                     
Current assets
                                               
 
Inventories
    16,866       13                         16,879  
 
Accounts receivable
    37,898       232                   (7 )     38,123  
 
Cash and cash equivalents
    3,948       5                         3,953  
                                     
      58,712       250                   (7 )     58,955  
                                     
Total assets
    181,189       1,528       5,084       (739 )     (787 )     186,275  
                                     
LIABILITIES
                                               
Non-current liabilities
                                               
 
Debt
    9,638       10                   (180 )     9,468  
 
Deferred tax(2)
    13,459       251       2,040       (229 )     (908 )     14,613  
 
Employee benefit obligations
    6,873       19       (1,920 )           11       4,983  
 
Other provisions
    5,525       (1,086 )                 122       4,561  
 
Other
    5,675       1,786                   178       7,639  
                                     
      41,170       980       120       (229 )     (777 )     41,264  
                                     
Current liabilities
                                               
 
Debt
    7,173                         (3 )     7,170  
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    38,399       1,310                   17       39,726  
 
Taxes payable
    10,471       588                         11,059  
 
Employee benefit obligations
    301       (245 )     (57 )           1        
 
Other provisions
    1,128       (1,105 )                 (23 )      
                                     
      57,472       548       (57 )           (8 )     57,955  
                                     
Total liabilities
    98,642       1,528       63       (229 )     (785 )     99,219  
                                     
Minority interest
                                    4,733       4,733  
                                     
Equity attributable to shareholders of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport
    77,813             5,001       (495 )     4       82,323  
Minority interest
    4,734             20       (15 )     (4,739 )      
                                     
Total equity
    82,547             5,021       (510 )     (4,735 )     82,323  
                                     
Total liabilities and equity
    181,189       1,528       5,084       (739 )     (787 )     186,275  
                                     
 
(1)  Reclassifications are differences in line item allocation under IFRS which do not affect equity compared with that shown under US GAAP. They mainly comprise impacts from reporting all jointly controlled entities using the equity method and separate reporting of all provisions.
 
(2)  See Note 11.
 
(3)  Includes the impact of the effect of transition to IFRS on cumulative currency translation differences.
Unaudited Condensed Combined Interim Financial Report

F-115


Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED COMBINED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Reconciliation of balance sheet from IFRS to US GAAP as at December 31, 2004
                                                                     
                        Major        
            Employee       Reversals of   inspection        
    IFRS   Reclassifications(1)   benefits (a)(2)   Impairments(2)   impairments(2)   costs(2)   Other(3)   US GAAP
                                 
    $ million
ASSETS
                                                               
Non-current assets
                                                               
 
Property, plant and equipment
    87,918       1,309             730       (211 )     (660 )     (146 )     88,940  
 
Intangible assets
    4,528       19       349                         (6 )     4,890  
 
Investments:
                                                               
   
equity accounted investments
    20,493       (222 )     99       (212 )     (397 )     (170 )     152       19,743  
   
financial assets
    2,700                                     48       2,748  
 
Deferred tax
    2,789       (6 )     (980 )     (12 )           31       173       1,995  
 
Employee benefit assets
    2,479             5,377                         422       8,278  
 
Other
    4,490       8       (98 )                       (31 )     4,369  
                                                 
      125,397       1,108       4,747       506       (608 )     (799 )     612       130,963  
                                                 
Current assets
                                                               
 
Inventories
    15,375       16                                     15,391  
 
Accounts receivable
    37,473       575                               15       38,063  
 
Cash and cash equivalents
    9,201       6                               1       9,208  
                                                 
      62,049       597                               16       62,662  
                                                 
Total assets
    187,446       1,705       4,747       506       (608 )     (799 )     628       193,625  
                                                 
LIABILITIES
                                                               
Non-current liabilities
                                                               
 
Debt
    8,858       (26 )                             (232 )     8,600  
 
Deferred tax
    12,930       206       1,541       246       (139 )     (220 )     280       14,844  
 
Employee benefit obligations
    6,795       21       (1,711 )                       (61 )     5,044  
 
Other provisions
    6,828       (1,227 )                             108       5,709  
 
Other
    5,800       2,014                               251       8,065  
                                                 
      41,211       988       (170 )     246       (139 )     (220 )     346       42,262  
                                                 
Current liabilities
                                                               
 
Debt
    5,734                                     28       5,762  
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    37,909       1,868                               85       39,862  
 
Taxes payable
    9,058       829                               (2 )     9,885  
 
Employee benefit obligations
    339       (282 )     (57 )                              
 
Other provisions
    1,812       (1,698 )                             (114 )      
                                                 
      54,852       717       (57 )                       (3 )     55,509  
                                                 
Total liabilities
    96,063       1,705       (227 )     246       (139 )     (220 )     343       97,771  
                                                 
Minority interest
                                        5,309       5,309  
                                                 
Equity attributable to Shareholders of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport
    86,070             4,954       260       (469 )     (564 )     294       90,545  
Minority interest
    5,313             20                   (15 )     (5,318 )      
                                                 
Total equity
    91,383             4,974       260       (469 )     (579 )     (5,024 )     90,545  
                                                 
Total liabilities and equity
    187,446       1,705       4,747       506       (608 )     (799 )     628       193,625  
                                                 
 
(1)  Reclassifications are differences in line item allocation under IFRS which do not affect equity compared with that shown under US GAAP. They mainly comprise impacts from reporting all jointly controlled entities using the equity method and separate reporting of all provisions. The impact of the reclassification to report all jointly controlled entities using the equity method will also be reflected in the Supplementary information — Oil and Gas (unaudited) in the Shell Group’s 2005 Annual Report.
 
(2)  See Note 11.
 
(3)  Includes the impact of the effect of transition to IFRS on cumulative currency translation differences.
Unaudited Condensed Combined Interim Financial Report

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED COMBINED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
13.     Transition to IFRS on January 1, 2004
                                                     
                Major        
            Employee   inspection        
    US GAAP   Reclassifications(1)   benefits (a)(2)   costs(2)   Other   IFRS
                         
    $ million
ASSETS
                                               
Non-current assets
                                               
 
Property, plant and equipment
    87,088       (1,350 )           440       103       86,281  
 
Intangible assets
    4,735       (16 )     (326 )                 4,393  
 
Investments:
                                               
   
equity accounted investments
    19,371       (118 )     (109 )     113       (78 )     19,179  
   
financial assets
    3,403                         (54 )     3,349  
 
Deferred tax
    2,092             935       (17 )     53       3,063  
 
Employee benefit assets
    6,516             (5,055 )                 1,461  
 
Other
    2,741       (14 )     119             33       2,879  
                                     
      125,946       (1,498 )     (4,436 )     536       57       120,605  
                                     
Current assets
                                               
 
Inventories
    12,690       (13 )                       12,677  
 
Accounts receivable
    29,013       (328 )                 2       28,687  
 
Cash and cash equivalents
    2,117       (10 )                       2,107  
                                     
      43,820       (351 )                 2       43,471  
                                     
Total assets
    169,766       (1,849 )     (4,436 )     536       59       164,076  
                                     
LIABILITIES
                                               
Non-current liabilities
                                               
 
Debt
    9,100                         174       9,274  
 
Deferred tax
    15,185       (257 )     (1,596 )     153       316       13,801  
 
Employee benefit obligations
    4,927       (20 )     2,038                   6,945  
 
Other provisions
    3,955       1,072                   (86 )     4,941  
 
Other
    6,054       (1,838 )                 (194 )     4,022  
                                     
      39,221       (1,043 )     442       153       210       38,983  
                                     
Current liabilities
                                               
 
Debt
    10,569                         6       10,575  
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    32,383       (1,553 )                 (15 )     30,815  
 
Taxes payable
    5,927       (561 )                       5,366  
 
Employee benefit obligations
          259       60                   319  
 
Other provisions
          1,049                   26       1,075  
                                     
      48,879       (806 )     60             17       48,150  
                                     
Total liabilities
    88,100       (1,849 )     502       153       227       87,133  
                                     
Minority interests
    3,415             (20 )     15       (3,410 )      
Equity attributable to shareholders of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport
    78,251             (4,918 )     368       (166 )     73,535  
Minority interest
                            3,408       3,408  
                                     
Total equity
    78,251             (4,918 )     368       3,242       76,943  
                                     
Total liabilities and equity
    169,766       (1,849 )     (4,436 )     536       59       164,076  
                                     
 
(1)  Reclassifications are differences in line item allocation under IFRS which do not affect equity compared with that shown under US GAAP. They mainly comprise impacts from reporting all jointly controlled entities using the equity method and separate reporting of all provisions. The impact of the reclassification to report all jointly controlled entities using the equity method will also be reflected in the Supplementary information — Oil and Gas (unaudited) in the Shell Group’s 2005 Annual Report.
 
(2)  See Note 11.
Unaudited Condensed Combined Interim Financial Report

F-117

EXHIBIT 99.A.5.C
 

Advertisement in connection with the merger, published in NRC Handelsblad on November 1, 2005
[Unofficial English translation]
In connection with the intended legal merger of the following companies the documents as prescribed by statutory law have been filed for public inspection with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in The Hague: Shell Petroleum N.V., with corporate seat in The Hague, address at Carel van Bylandtlaan 30, 2596 HR The Hague (the acquiring company); and N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij, with corporate seat in The Hague, address at Carel van Bylandtlaan 30, 2596 HR The Hague (the disappearing company). Also, the documents as referred to in section 2:314 paragraph 2 and section 2:328 paragraph 2 Civil Code have been made available for inspection at the office of each of the companies mentioned above. The board of management of the acquiring company intends to resolve to legally merge. The documents are available for inspection until the moment of the legal merger and, at the office of the surviving company, until six months thereafter.

EXHIBIT 99.C.C
Table of Contents

THE FORMAT AND LAYOUT OF THIS PRESENTATION HAS BEEN CHANGED FOR THE PURPOSES OF FILING AS AN EXHIBIT TO SCHEDULE 13E-3.
Project Unwind
Presentation to the Board of the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company regarding the fairness of the Merger Consideration, from a financial point of view, to the Minority Shareholders
Note: capitalised terms defined within
STRICTLY PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
Corporate Finance, 31 October 2005
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          Disclaimer
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
This presentation was prepared by ABN AMRO Bank N.V. (“ABN AMRO”) exclusively for internal consideration by the Board of the N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij (“RD” or the “Company”) solely in connection with the provision by ABN AMRO to the Board of the Company of a fairness opinion in connection with the proposed legal merger between RD and Shell Petroleum N.V (“SPNV”) (“the Merger”). This presentation is issued subject to the terms of our engagement letter with you dated 19 September 2005. This presentation is based upon information made available to ABN AMRO by the Company, The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited (“STTL”), SPNV, Royal Dutch Shell plc (“RDS”) and their advisers and publicly available sources in order to enable ABN AMRO to render an opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the minority shareholders of RD, of the exchange ratio and the cash consideration resulting from the fractional entitlements to be paid to such minority shareholders of RD in connection with the Merger (“the Merger Consideration”). This presentation is incomplete without reference to, and should be viewed/assessed solely in conjunction with, the oral briefing provided by ABN AMRO, if any, and ABN AMRO’s written opinion delivered to the Board of RD. RD confirms that it will treat as confidential and will not publicly disclose this presentation without the prior consent of ABN AMRO (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), except that: (a) any fairness opinion delivered by ABN AMRO may be reproduced in full, and any public disclosure may also include references to such opinion and ABN AMRO and its relationship with RD (in each case in form and substance as ABN AMRO and its legal advisers acting reasonably shall approve) in any disclosure document relating to the Merger that is required to be filed with the SEC and distributed to shareholders, (b) this confirmation does not extend to disclosure to (i) RD regulators (where such disclosure is required or requested by law or regulation) provided ABN AMRO is notified thereof in advance insofar as permitted by applicable law or regulation, (ii) any other RD affiliates, including RDS, STTL, SPNV and Shell Petroleum Company Limited, provided that such RD affiliate, including RDS, STTL, SPNV and Shell Petroleum Company Limited, agrees to be bound by the restrictions on public disclosure contained in clause 7, and by the acknowledgements of, undertakings by, and the restrictions on liability to RD contained in clause 11 and Appendix 2 of the engagement letter or, (iii) to advisers who agree on terms reasonably satisfactory to ABN AMRO that they will not rely on such advice provided by ABN AMRO. ABN AMRO is not and shall not be obliged to update or correct any information set out in this presentation or to provide any additional information. This presentation is not a fairness opinion. It does not constitute an offer or invitation for the sale, purchase, exchange or transfer of any securities or any recommendation to effect the Merger, is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision, does not constitute a recommendation as to how any person should vote in connection with the Merger or otherwise act in relation to the Merger and does not constitute a statement or report pursuant to article 328 Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code.
The presentation is based upon information provided by the Company, STTL, SPNV, RDS and their advisers (in respect of the Company and other counterparties to the Merger) and reflects prevailing conditions and our views as of this date. In preparing this presentation, we have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all information available from public sources or which was provided to us by or on behalf of the Company, STTL, SPNV, RDS or their advisers or which was otherwise reviewed by us, including any statements with respect to projections or prospects of the Company, RDS, STTL, SPNV, the RDS Group of companies or their advisers (that may have been made available) or the assumptions on which such statements are based. We accept no liability or responsibility for (and no representation, warranty or assurance of any kind, express or implied, is or will be made as to or in relation to) the accuracy or completeness of such information.
In addition, this presentation and our analyses set out herein are not and do not purport to be an appraisal or valuation of any of the securities, assets or businesses of the Company or RDS (or any other counterparties to the Merger). ABN AMRO does not provide legal advice and/or legal services in general nor on the topics discussed in this presentation. Legal advice by local legal counsel in the relevant jurisdictions should be sought when considering and or reviewing any type of transaction.
     
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     Contents
         
Chapter   Page  
 
    4  
 
    6  
 
    9  
 
    14  
 
    34  
 
    41  
 
    45  
 
    51  
     
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INTRODUCTION
(INTRODUCTION)
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          Introduction
     
§
  On September 20, 2005 Royal Dutch Shell plc (“RDS”) announced a proposal to implement an internal restructuring (the “Unwind Transaction”), including the merger of N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij (“RD”) into its subsidiary Shell Petroleum N.V. (“SPNV”) (the “Merger”), in order to achieve governance, management and fiscal efficiencies. The Merger would allow for the acquisition on a compulsory basis of the remaining interest in RD held by the minority shareholders (the “Minority Shareholders”)
 
   
§
  Among other steps in the Unwind Transaction, RD will issue ordinary shares of RD to RDS at a ratio of 40 new shares for 60 currently outstanding shares of RD, and RDS will contribute to RD the outstanding share capital of its wholly owned subsidiary, The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited (“STTL”), so that prior to the Merger, RD will be the intermediate holding company of all the group companies of RDS (together with RDS, the “RDS Group”). The effective date of the Merger will be no later than December 31, 2005. A dividend in an amount equal to EUR 0.46 to the shareholders in the record of RD will be payable prior to such effective date
 
   
§
  Under the terms of the Merger shareholders of RD shall be allotted one class A share of SPNV, nominal value EUR 200,000,000, for every 31,978,937 shares held of RD (provided, that any shareholder that has been allotted 105 class A shares will then be allotted one class B share of SPNV, nominal value EUR 178,376,978, for 28,521,530 shares held of RD) (the “Exchange Ratio”). As a consequence of the Exchange Ratio, the Minority Shareholders would only be entitled to a fractional entitlement and as a function of Dutch law, they would be entitled, in lieu of such fractional entitlements, to receive EUR 52.21 (or the US dollar equivalent based on a EUR/US dollar exchange rate on the business day before the date of the Merger) per RD share in cash (the “Merger Consideration”), or, for eligible UK resident Minority Shareholders who so elect, to loan notes exchangeable for RDS class A (“RDS-A shares”) ordinary shares. The loan notes are not analysed in connection with the fairness opinion, and the fairness opinion does not address the fairness of the loan note consideration to the Minority Shareholders who elect to receive the loan notes in the Merger
 
   
§
  This presentation contains analyses conducted by ABN AMRO Bank N.V. (“ABN AMRO”) relating to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto to the Minority Shareholders who will receive the Merger Consideration in the Merger
 
   
§
  This presentation is being provided to the Board of RD subject to the terms and conditions of ABN AMRO’s engagement letter with RD dated 19 September 2005
 
   
§
  ABN AMRO’s opinion on the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Merger Consideration to the Minority Shareholders, is contained in a separate letter to the Board of RD
 
   
§
  In Chapter 2, we have set out the details of the Unwind Transaction as described to us by RDS and its advisers as of this date and as set forth in the draft dated 27 October 2005 of the Disclosure Document. We have described our scope of work in Chapter 3. Chapters 4 to 7 contain our analyses with respect to the fairness of the Merger Consideration to the Minority Shareholders. Chapter 8 contains our overall conclusions
     
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THE UNWIND TRANSACTION
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Background to the Unwind Transaction
     
§
  On 20 July 2005, RDS, RD and The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company p.l.c. (“STT”) jointly announced that all conditions to the public exchange offer for RD (the “RD Offer”) and the scheme of arrangement of STT (the “STT Scheme”) (together, the “Unification Transaction”) had been satisfied or waived and the Unification Transaction had completed
 
§
  It was also announced that a subsequent offer acceptance period would expire on 9 August 2005. We understand that RDS has acquired beneficial ownership of 2,038,380,043 ordinary shares of RD, representing approximately 98.5% of the outstanding ordinary shares of RD
 
§
  Under the RD Offer, holders of RD shares were offered 2 RDS-A ordinary shares in exchange for each RD share. After the Unification Transaction, including the subsequent offer acceptance period, there remained a minority shareholding in RD of 31,140,057 ordinary shares, representing approximately 1.5% of the outstanding ordinary shares of RD
 
§
  The RD offer document and listing particulars dated 19 May 2005 stated that:
     
  if the number of RD shares tendered represents at least 95% of the issued share capital of RD, RDS expects, but is not obliged to, initiate squeeze-out proceedings in accordance with article 2:92a of the Civil Code in order to acquire all RD shares held by minority holders of RD shares against payment of a price in cash to be determined by the court
 
   
  in addition to the squeeze-out proceedings, RDS reserved the right to use any other legally permitted method to obtain 100% of the RD shares, including engaging in one or more corporate restructuring transactions such as a merger
     
§
  On 20 September 2005, RDS made an announcement regarding the Unwind Transaction, including the Merger
     
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Overview of the Unwind Transaction
(STRUCTURE  CHART)
§   As part of the Unwind Transaction, RDS will transfer its entire holding in STTL to RD in exchange for the issuance of 1,379,680,000 new RD shares
 
§   Immediately prior to the Merger, RD’s share capital will, for capital gains rollover qualification purposes relating to the loan note alternative, be reorganised as follows: X shares (to be held by RDS), Y shares (to be exchanged for loan notes by UK resident Minority Shareholders who so elect) and ordinary shares (held by RDS, and by the Minority Shareholders who are to receive cash). This share capital reorganisation will only last temporarily and as such is not included in our analysis
 
§   Due to the Exchange Ratio, Minority Shareholders will be only entitled to a fractional entitlement and will not receive SPNV shares
    in lieu of these fractional entitlements, the Minority Shareholders would receive cash in an amount equal to EUR 52.21, or the US dollar equivalent based on the noon Federal Reserve Bank of New York buying rate on the business day prior to the effective date of the Merger
 
    the price to be paid for fractional interests was determined by taking the highest of: (i) two times the opening price of RDS-A shares as of 20 July 2005 on Euronext Amsterdam (EUR 51.90), (ii) the average of the RD closing share price on Euronext Amsterdam from 20 July 2005 to 30 September 2005 (EUR 51.89), (iii) two times the average of the RDS-A closing share price on Euronext Amsterdam from 20 July 2005 to 28 October 2005 (EUR 52.21), (iv) two times the trailing five day average of the RDS-A closing share price on Euronext Amsterdam to 28 October 2005 (EUR 49.82), and (v) two times the trailing two day average of the RDS-A closing share price on Euronext Amsterdam to 28 October 2005 (EUR 50.30). In each case the price would be adjusted for an amount, if positive, equal to the excess of interest on the Merger Consideration at the Dutch statutory rate of interest (4%) from the date the price is announced (31 October 2005) to the date of the effectiveness of the Merger (expected to be 21 December 2005), less dividends payable during this period
 
    as an alternative to the cash payment, eligible UK-resident Minority Shareholders will be offered the opportunity to elect to receive loan notes that are exchangeable, at the option of the holder or RDS at certain times, for RDS-A shares
     
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Scope of work
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Nature of fairness opinion
§   RD has engaged ABN AMRO to provide an opinion to the Board of RD as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto to the Minority Shareholders who will receive the Merger Consideration in the Merger
 
§   The specific scope of our work is set out in the engagement letter between RD and ABN AMRO dated 19 September 2005
 
§   Our fairness opinion will be limited to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration pursuant thereto to the Minority Shareholders who will receive the Merger Consideration in the Merger and will be subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth in such letter and in the fairness opinion
 
§   A key principle underlying our approach and analyses is that the Merger Consideration should be considered in the context of the Unification Transaction, whereby the holders of approximately 98.5% of RD shares received 2 RDS-A shares for each RD share held. In addition, RDS has announced that it would pursue statutory squeeze-out proceedings under Dutch law if the merger is not consummated. Accordingly, the Minority Shareholders should receive, at least the same consideration as they would have received in a squeeze-out under Dutch law
 
§   In particular, we express no opinion as to:
    the underlying business decision to merge RD and SPNV or to recommend the Merger or to effect the Merger as opposed to any other transaction or procedure that would allow RDS to acquire shares of RD that it does not already own, or the commercial merits of any of the foregoing
 
    the fairness of the loan note consideration to eligible UK resident Minority Shareholders who elect to receive loan notes in lieu of the Merger Consideration in the Merger
 
    the prices or volumes at which the shares of RDS or any other securities may trade following completion of the Unwind Transaction
     
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Approach
§   In arriving at our opinion, and in the context of the Unification Transaction in which 98.5% of the RD shareholders received 2 RDS-A shares for each 1 RD share, ABN AMRO has taken the following approach:
  i.     We have analysed the value that would be attributable to the Minority Shareholders (before payment of fractional entitlements) in the Unwind Transaction based on their economic interest in the RDS Group. In particular we have undertaken analysis to establish that the Unwind Transaction does not alter the current economic interest of the Minority Shareholders in the RDS Group (before payment of fractional entitlements). We have also analysed market practice with respect to determining the cash value of fractional entitlements
 
      In addition, we have conducted an analysis to determine whether the market price of RDS shares can be used as a reasonable indication of going concern value of the RDS Group, and accordingly, of RD (chapter 4)
 
  ii.    Given that RDS and RD have decided to implement the Merger as a substitute for statutory squeeze-out proceedings under Dutch law in order to achieve certain efficiencies, and given also that RDS has decided to pursue squeeze-out proceedings if the Merger is not consummated, we have considered how a Dutch court would typically determine the price payable to minority shareholders in squeeze-out proceedings under Dutch law (chapter 5)
 
  iii.   We have analysed certain transactions that we deemed comparable to the Merger (chapter 6)
 
  iv.   We have compared the Merger Consideration to both (a) the current and historic price of RD shares on Euronext Amsterdam and, (b) net asset value per RD share (chapter 7)
§   We have not analysed the liquidation value of RD due to the unavailability of appraisals relating to the value of the assets and liabilities of the RDS Group and the impracticality of making a meaningful analysis of this value. In addition, RDS has stated that it does not intend to liquidate RDS or RD in the foreseeable future
     
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Information review
§   We have assumed, inter alia, that the Unwind Transaction will be consummated on the terms and conditions as set out in the Implementation Agreement, without any material changes to, or waiver of, its terms or conditions
 
§   We have assumed that the effective date of the Merger will be no later than 31 December 2005. A dividend in an amount equal to EUR 0.46 to the shareholders of RD will be payable prior to such effective date;
 
§   We have assumed and relied upon, without independent verification, the truth, accuracy and completeness of the information, data analysis, and financial terms provided by RDS, RD or SPNV to us and used by us
 
§   For the purposes of providing our opinion, we have:
  reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to RD, including the audited annual accounts for the consecutive financial years ending 31 December 1999 through 31 December 2004 and the unaudited 9-month financial figures for the period ending 30 September 2005;
 
  reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to STT, including the audited annual accounts for the consecutive financial years ending 31 December 1999 through 31 December 2004 and the unaudited 9-month financial figures for the period ending 30 September 2005 as prepared for the purposes of the Proposed Transaction;
 
 
  reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to RDS, including the audited annual accounts for the consecutive financial years ending 31 December 2002 through 31 December 2004 and the unaudited 9-month financial figures for the period ending 30 September 2005; 
 
  reviewed certain documents relating to the Unwind Transaction and the Unification Transaction, among other things the pricing methodology approved by the Boards of RDS, RD and SPNV;
 
  participated in discussions with and reviewed information provided by management and employees of RDS and RD and their advisers with respect to the matters we believed necessary or appropriate to our enquiry;
     
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Information review (cont’d)
  reviewed the historical share prices and trading volumes of RDS shares, RD shares and STT shares;
 
  reviewed publicly available data regarding share buybacks of RDS, RD and STT;
 
  reviewed the financial terms of certain transactions we believe to be comparable to the Unwind Transaction;
 
  reviewed the legal review on the typical price determination in a squeeze-out proceeding under Dutch law by the Court of Appeal in The Netherlands provided to RDS by De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek (“DBBW”), Dutch legal counsel to RDS, RD and SPNV, which was reviewed and concurred with by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (“Freshfields”), Dutch legal counsel to ABN AMRO
 
  reviewed publicly available data regarding the market practice of settlement of fractional entitlements;
 
  performed such other financial reviews and analysis, as we, in our absolute discretion, deemed appropriate
§   We have relied on the information, analyses and advice provided to us by RDS, RD and SPNV, including, among other things, the information, analyses and advice received by RDS, RD and SPNV from their respective advisors. We have done so without independent verification of such information, analysis and advice, other than the legal review mentioned above
 
§   In addition, we have held discussions with certain members of the management and employees of RD and RDS and its advisers with respect to matters we believed necessary or appropriate to our enquiry
     
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Analysis of the value based on economic interest
     (ANALYSIS OF THE VALUE BASED ON ECONOMIC INTEREST LOGO)
     
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Summary of approach
§   In this chapter we analyse in four steps the value which would be attributable to the Minority Shareholders based on the economic interest that they have through holding RD shares:
  1.   we establish that the current economic interest of the Minority Shareholders in RDS Group is approximately 0.9%. In order to achieve this, we first conclude that 60/40 was the relative contribution of RD and STT implemented in the Unification Transaction whereby former RD shareholders received a 60% interest in the RDS Group through RDS-A shares and former STT shareholders received a 40% interest in the RDS Group through RDS-B shares. We then conclude that the 60/40 ratio is supported by historical dividend receipts, share buybacks, trading relationship and relative adjusted net current assets
 
  2.   we establish that this economic interest of the Minority Shareholders in the RDS Group does not change as a result of the Unwind Transaction (before payment of fractional entitlements)
 
  3.   we analyse market practice with respect to determining the cash value of fractional entitlements and establish that the RDS-A share is an appropriate reference instrument for determination of the Merger Consideration
 
  4.   we analyse whether the market capitalisation of RDS can be a reasonable indication of the going concern value of RD on the basis that RD shares and RDS shares confer an interest in the same economic unit. For purposes of this analysis, we have reviewed certain market data for the RDS shares
     
     
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Analysis to establish the current
economic interest of the Minority
Shareholders in RDS Group
     
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Exchange ratio adopted in Unification Transaction
§   The exchange ratio that was agreed between RD, STT and RDS in order to implement the Unification Transaction, was as follows:
    for each ordinary RD share 2 RDS-A shares1
 
    for each ordinary STT share 0.287333066 RDS-B shares2
§   This was equivalent to a 60/40 apportionment, as set out below:
                 
    RD     STT  
Shares outstanding as at 19 May 2005
    2,069,520,000       9,603,350,000  
 
Exchange ratio
    2.0       0.287333066  
 
Equivalent RDS shares
    4,139,040,000       2,759,360,000  
 
% of RDS shares (based on 6,898,400,000 total)
    60.0%       40.0%  
§   In addition, an ADR programme was established for both the RDS-A shares and RDS-B shares, where one RDS ADR represented two RDS shares (of the appropriate class)
 
1   Source: Offer Document and Listing Particulars dated 19 May 2005
 
2   Source: Scheme document dated 19 May 2005
     
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Historical dividend payments to RD and STT
§   We have extracted information regarding the dividends received and receivable from the Cash Flow Statements and Balance Sheets respectively of RD and STT from annual reports on Form 20-F for the preceding six years
§   This information has been translated at exchange rates applicable to those periods
§   For each year, we have calculated the dividends received and receivable by each of RD and STT as a percentage of the total dividends received and receivable (as set out in the charts)
§   We have concluded that dividends paid and payable from RDS Group companies to RD and STT have broadly been on a 60/40 basis
Average over 6 years
                 
    Cash Flow Statements   Balance Sheets*
RD
    60.0 %     60.2 %
STT
    40.0 %     39.8 %
 
*   Some of the deviation from the 60/40 ratio may be due to differences in exchange rates assumed
(BAR GRAPH)
(BAR GRAPH)
Source: Annual report and accounts for RD and STT, 1999 to 2004
     
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Share buy back programme
Analysis of buy backs of RD and STT shares
(BAR GRAPH)
Commentary
§   We have examined the repurchases (by RD and STT) of RD and STT shares from February 2001 to the completion of the Unification Transaction
§   The total value of RD and STT shares repurchased was calculated, respectively, for each buy back date
§   The total value of STT shares repurchased was converted into EUR at the prevailing exchange rate for each repurchase date
§   The values of STT and RD shares repurchased on each date were compared to assess any deviation from the 60/40 relationship (see adjacent graph)
    RD shares, on average, made up 59.7% of the total value of shares repurchased
 
    STT shares, on average, made up 40.3% of the total value of shares repurchased
§   We did not consider the purchase of shares by other RDS Group companies to be share buy-backs for the purposes of this analysis, as such share purchases are made by RDS Group companies only to hedge employee share option plans, and are not part of the wider share buy back strategy
§   We have concluded, therefore, that in practice, the current 60/40 ownership structure is broadly supported in the context of buy backs of RD and STT shares
Source: Share buy back data — RDS website. Exchange rate data — Datastream
     
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Dividend payments post-completion of the Unification Transaction
Dividend payments
                         
    Q105   Q205   Q305
 
RD (EUR)
    0.46       0.46       0.46  
STT (GBp)
    4.55              
 
                       
RDS-A (EUR)
          0.23       0.23  
RDS-B (GBp)
          15.89       15.64  
Source: Shell Investor Centre website, October 2005
§   The dividend policy of RDS in 2005 and onwards is based on a quarterly dividend payment. Previously, dividends declared by RD and STT were paid on a semi-annual basis
§   On 28 July 2005, RDS announced an interim dividend in respect of the second quarter of 2005 of EUR 0.23 per “A” and “B” share, payable on 15 September 2005
    dividends on “A” shares are paid, by default, in Euros
 
    dividends on “B” shares are paid, by default, in Pounds Sterling (based on £/€ conversion)
 
    dividends on “A” and “B” ADRs are paid, by default, in US dollars (based on $/€ conversion)
§   On 28 July 2005, the Board of RD decided to pay a second quarter interim dividend of EUR 0.46 per RD ordinary share, payable on 15 September 2005
§   We have concluded that the second quarter 2005 dividends declared to RDS-A and RD shareholders post completion of the Unification Transaction support a 2:1 exchange ratio between RDS-A shares and RD shares
§   On 27 October 2005, RDS announced an interim dividend in respect of the third quarter of 2005 of EUR 0.23 per “A” and “B” share, payable on 15 December 2005
§   On 27 October 2005, the Board of RD decided to pay a third quarter interim dividend of EUR 0.46 per RD ordinary share, payable on 15 December 2005
§   We have concluded that the third quarter 2005 dividends declared to RDS-A and RD shareholders post completion of the Unification Transaction support a 2:1 exchange ratio between RDS-A shares and RD shares
Source: RDS press releases
     
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Share buy backs post-completion of the Unification Transaction
Share buy backs
§   Between completion of the subsequent acceptance period following the RD Offer on 9 August 2005 and the date of this presentation, RDS has repurchased (for cancellation) approximately 82 million RDS-A shares, representing approximately 2.0% of RDS-A shares outstanding as at 20 July 2005, and no RDS-B shares
§   There has been no repurchase of RD shares since the RD Offer commenced
§   In theory (specific tax, structuring and strategic issues aside), given the reduction in RDS market value by a smaller proportion than the reduction in total number of RDS shares outstanding (because of the presence of the Minority Shareholders, whose interest in RD remains unchanged), we believe that share buy backs by RDS would have the effect of transferring value from the Minority Shareholders to RDS shareholders
    total value of RDS-A shares repurchased is approximately EUR 2.2 billion
 
    reduction in value of RD’s holdings in RDS Group companies is approximately EUR 1.3 billion (60%)
 
    approximately 1.5%, or EUR 19.5 million of that value dilution is attributable to Minority Shareholders
 
    however, given that Minority Shareholders will receive cash based on the ‘higher of’ methodology as detailed on page 8, such value dilution effect would be reversed under terms of the Merger and is therefore not relevant for the purposes of our consideration of fairness of the Merger Consideration
§   Given that the RDS-A share price forms the reference instrument for determining the Merger Consideration (see subsequent analysis), we conclude that the share buy backs post-Unification Transaction should have no impact on our analysis of fairness of the Merger Consideration
Source: RDS press releases
     
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Trading relationship
Averages over time
                 
      RD     STT
20 Jul ‘05
    59.57 %     40.43 %
6m prior
    59.11 %     40.89 %
1yr prior
    59.43 %     40.57 %
2yrs prior
    59.93 %     40.07 %
5yrs prior
    60.26 %     39.74 %
10yrs prior
    61.39 %     38.61 %
20yrs prior
    61.56 %     38.44 %
RD contribution to market capitalisation of RDS Group (20 years, adjusted for stock splits)
(LINE GRAPH)
n   RD’s contribution to the market capitalisation of RDS Group as at 20 July 2005 stood at 59.6%
n   The longer-term averages indicate that RD and STT have historically traded broadly in line with the 60/40 ratio
Source: Datastream (based on weekly data), public information
     
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Balance Sheets of RD and STTL
                 
    RD (USDm)     STTL (USDm)  
Balance sheet 30 September 2005   NL GAAP     NL GAAP  
FIXED ASSETS
               
Investments in RDS Group companies
    48,646       32,430  
Deferred tax asset
          1  
 
           
TOTAL FIXED ASSETS
    48,646       32,431  
 
               
CURRENT ASSETS
               
Dividends receivable from RDS Group companies
    5,100       3,400  
Other receivables
    20        
Receivables from Group companies
    5        
Cash and cash equivalents
    5,312       407  
 
           
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
    10,437       3,807  
 
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES
               
Amounts due to RDS Group companies
          2  
Dividends payable
          3,400  
Unclaimed dividends
          23  
Other creditors and accruals
          4  
Other liabilities
    65        
 
           
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
    65       3,429  
 
               
TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
           
 
               
 
           
TOTAL ASSETS LESS TOTAL LIABILITIES
    59,018       32,809  
 
           
 
               
NET CURRENT ASSETS
    10,372       378  
Remaining Q2 dividend received from SPCo and not paid to RDS
          (250 )
Remaining Q2 dividend received from SPNV and not paid to RD shareholders *
    (5,230 )      
Remaining Q3 dividend received from SPNV and not paid to RD shareholders *
    (5,100 )      
Foreign exchange losses
    270       110  
 
           
ADJUSTED NET CURRENT ASSETS
    312       238  
 
           
 
*   The value of the working capital and unpaid dividends within RD are effectively included in the Merger Consideration through the pricing methodology applied, based on RDS share prices Source: Information received from RDS 28 October 2005
n   The balance sheets of RD and STTL have been analysed in order to determine whether they have a material bearing on the Exchange Ratio
n   The adjusted net current assets (NCAs) positions for RD and STTL are relevant for this analysis
n   An analysis of the balance sheets as at 30 September 2005 shows:
    RD’s adjusted NCAs as at 30 September 2005 were USD 312m
 
    STTL’s adjusted NCAs as at 30 September 2005 were USD 238m
 
    The ratio of adjusted NCAs of RD:STTL as at 30 September 2005 was 56.7/43.3, broadly in line with the 60:40 ratio
 
    If the combined adjusted NCAs of RD and STTL of USD 550m were divided between RD and STTL on a 60:40 basis, then RD’s adjusted NCAs would need to be USD 18m higher and STTL’s adjusted NCAs USD 18m lower
 
    In the context of the RDS Group’s net assets as at 30 September 2005, a USD 18m difference represents a de minimis amount:
    as a % of RDS Group net assets (USD 99.8bn): 0.02%
n   Reviews of RD, STTL as well as RDS were performed to identify any material items of value that resided at or above the RD, STTL and/or RDS holding company level. No such material value was identified. Appendix 1 includes a list of the various confirmations received
     
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Analysis to establish that the economic interest of the Minority Shareholders in RDS Group does not change as a result of the Unwind Transaction before payment of fractional entitlements
 
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Analysis of the impact of the Unwind Transaction on the economic interest of the Minority Shareholders in RDS Group
§   Minority Shareholders currently hold 31,140,057 RD shares, representing an interest of approximately 1.5% in RD, which represents 60% of the RDS Group
 
§   Immediately prior to the Merger, following the issue of new RD shares by RD to RDS in exchange for the transfer of RDS’ interest in STTL to RD, the interest of the Minority Shareholders in RD will be diluted (see table below)
                             
Pre-Merger economic interest in RDS               RD-%       Minority-% in
Group by Minority Shareholders               in RDS       RDS Group
RD shares held by Minority Shareholders
    31,140,057                      
Total RD shares in issue
    2,069,520,000                      
% of RD shares held by Minority Shareholders
    1.5 %   x   60%   =     0.9 %
 
                           
New RD shares issued to RDS
    1,379,680,000                      
New total RD shares in issue
    3,449,200,000                      
Diluted % of new total RD shares held by Minority Shareholders
    0.9 %   x   100%   =     0.9 %
                                         
Post-Merger economic interest in RDS Group by Minority                                   Minority-% in
Shareholders (before payment of fractional entitlements)                 SPNV% in RDS             RDS Group
Par value SPNV share capital to which Minority Shareholders entitled1
    ERU 194,753,547                                  
Par value SPNV share capital to which RDS entitled2
    ERU 21,376,945,354                                  
% of SPNV attributable to Minority Shareholders
    0.9 %     x       100%       =       0.9 %
§   Under the proposed terms of the Merger, the Minority Shareholders would receive a 0.9% interest in SPNV (post Merger) (before payment of fractional entitlements)
 
§   Given that SPNV and RDS are equivalent in value (post Merger) (being the direct or indirect holders of all RDS Group companies), this 0.9% interest in SPNV is equivalent to a 0.9% interest in RDS Group
 
1. See overleaf for detailed calculation
2. Includes 1 B share. RDS will receive no Merger Consideration in respect of its fractional A share entitlement
 
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Details of Exchange Ratio: post-Merger holding in SPNV of Minority Shareholders
                                 
                            Total par value of SPNV  
                            share capital post-Merger  
                    Fractional     (before payment of fractional  
    Whole number of     Whole number of     entitlement to SPNV     entitlements) plus par value  
RD shareholder   SPNV A shares     SPNV B shares     A shares     of fractional entitlements  
RDS
    105       1       0.9928419 (1)        
 
                               
(entitlement to SPNV share capital)
    (€21,000,000,000 )     (€178,376,978 )     (€198,568,376 )   21,376,945,354  
 
                               
Minority Shareholders
  Nil   Nil     0.9737677          
 
                               
(entitlement to SPNV share capital)
    (0 )     (0 )     (194,753,547 )   194,753,547  
 
                               
 
                          21,571,698,901  
 
1.   RDS will receive no Merger Consideration in respect of this fractional entitlement
§   Therefore, as summarised on the previous slide, the interest (before payment of fractional entitlements) of the Minority Shareholders in SPNV, calculated as their share of entitlement to the total post-Merger par value of SPNV share capital, is 0.9%
 
     
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Analysis of the methods used to determine the cash value of fractional entitlements
 
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Analysis of the value of fractional entitlements
Precedent transactions reviewed:
Air France — KLM
30-09-03
DSM — Gist Brocades
23-02-98
Epicor — Scala
14-11-03
Getronics — Pink Roccade
01-11-04
KPN — SNT
18-10-04
Modex — Isotis
23-09-02
NH Hoteles — Krasnapolsky
25-04-00
Pink Roccade — TAS
09-10-00
Rodamco Europe — Rodamco Retail
30-05-01
Telefonica — Endemol
17-03-00
Tiscali — WorldOnline
07-09-00
Note: Dates are announcement dates
§   A review was performed on fractional entitlements resulting from mergers and share exchange offers involving Dutch companies to identify the standard practice for the settlement of fractional entitlements
 
§   Analyses of the standard practice of Dutch banks settling fractional entitlements resulting from mergers and share exchange offers, and a subsequent review of eleven precedent transactions, indicate that fractional entitlements are settled in cash on the settlement date, usually based on the opening price of the acquirer’s shares, or a date/period closely near that date
 
§   Neither the shares of SPNV nor the shares of RD will be listed at the time when the amounts payable under the Merger are settled. However, on the following page we conclude that the RDS-A share price can be used as a reference on which to base the settlement value of the fractional entitlements of the Minority Shareholders
 
§   We understand, based on legal advice, that Dutch law does not allow for consideration to be based on a future share price. As a result, the last possible date for establishing the value of fractional entitlements based on the RDS-A share price will be the day/time shortly before the resolution of the boards of RD and SPNV to determine the Exchange Ratio and the resulting amount of the Merger Consideration.
 
§   We understand that in squeeze-out proceedings under Dutch law interest would likely be accrued, at the statutory rate, from the date of the court decision until the date of payment (minus any dividends)
 
     
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Analysis of RDS-A shares as appropriate reference instrument on which to base the settlement value of the fractional entitlements
§     No stock exchange price of RD or SPNV shares is expected to be available at the time the Merger is consummated to provide a reference on which to base the settlement value of the fractional entitlements of the Minority Shareholders. However, given that following the Merger, an interest in one RD share represents an equivalent interest in the RDS Group as 2 RDS shares, RDS shares would provide on appropriate reference instrument
 
§     In addition, we established that:
    the 98.5% of the RD shareholders who tendered their RD shares in the RD Offer, received 2 RDS-A shares for each 1 RD share held
 
    RD and RDS shareholders hold interests in the same economic entity
 
    RD shares traded substantially in line with RDS-A shares in the period between 20 July 2005 and 9 August 2005 (when the subsequent offer period closed). Since then, RD shares have traded at a 0 - 6% discount relative to RDS-A shares (see graph below)
§   In addition we note, that (i) RDS is a very large listed company that is well covered by equity analysts, (ii) that it has a diversified shareholder base, and (iii) that its shares are highly liquid (the average daily traded volume of RD shares at Euronext for the period from 21 July 2005 through 30 September 2005 is 571,282 and the average daily traded volume of RDS-A shares for the period from 21 July 2005 through 28 October 2005 is 17,874,792)
(BAR GRAPH)
Notes
1) 1: 2 RDS shares versus 1 RD share
2) Graphs showing the data for the New York Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange shown in Appendix 3 Source: Bloomberg
§   We conclude that RDS-A is trading at a premium to RD. In addition, we conclude that the RDS-A share price can be used as a reference on which to base the settlement value of the fractional entitlements of the Minority Shareholders
 
     
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Review of RDS shares
 
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Review of the RDS shares
     
(LINE GRAPH)
  (LINE GRAPH)
  We have observed that on average each business day since 20 July 2005, EUR 493.9m and EUR 337.8m is traded in RDS-A and RDS-B shares respectively
  We have observed that RDS-A and RDS-B both have a free float of 100%, meaning that there is no shareholder with a stake of 5% or more (source: FactSet Research Systems Inc.)
  We have observed that RDS is among the 10 largest companies in the world by total market capitalisation
 
  We have observed that RDS is widely covered by a diverse group of equity analysts
  We have observed that RDS shares are traded on Euronext and London Stock Exchange and RDS ADR’s are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”)
  We conclude that market inefficiencies significantly impacting the RDS shares are unlikely and that the market value of the RDS shares can be used as a reasonable indication of the going concern value of RDS, and, given that immediately prior to the Merger 2 RDS shares and 1 RD share will represent the same economic interest in the RDS Group, the market value of the RDS shares can be used as a reasonable indication of the going concern value of RD
  Though RDS-A and RDS-B shares hold the same economic interest in the RDS Group, the difference in market prices between them is likely attributable to the dividend access scheme, created for tax purposes, in which RDS-B shareholders participate, and in which RDS-A and RD shareholders do not participate
  Finally, we observe that the Merger Consideration offered to the Minority Shareholders is at a premium of 3.4% to two times the RDS-A share closing price Euronext on 28 October 2005
World’s largest companies (by market cap.)
                     
Rank   Company   Country   USDbn
1
      ExxonMobil   US     400.6  
2
      General Electric   US     356.9  
3
      Microsoft   US     275.6  
4
      BP   GB     250.1  
5
      Citigroup   US     235.3  
6
      Royal Dutch Shell   NL/UK     228.8  
7
      Johnson & Johnson   US     188.2  
8
      Pfizer   US     184.0  
9
      HSBC   UK     182.7  
10
      Wal-Mart Stores   US     182.4  
Source: The FT Global 500 survey, 6 October 2005
Covering equity analysts
     
BNP- Paribas
  Ixis Securities
Citigroup
  JPMorgan
Credit Suisse
  KBC Securities
Daiwa Securities
  Kepler Securities
Deutsche Bank Securities
  Landesbank Baden
 
  -Wuertenberg
Dexia Securities
  Merrill Lynch
Fortis
  Morgan Stanley
Goldman Sachs
  Rabo Securities
Helana Trust
  Sanford C. Bernstein & Co
HSBC
  Societe Generale
Independent Research GmbH
  Williams de Broe
ING Wholesale Banking
   
Source: Bloomberg, Reuters and Thomson
     
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(Chapter 4 conclusions)
     
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Conclusions: Chapter 4 analyses
1   We conclude that the current economic interest of the Minority Shareholders in RDS Group is 0.9%, being a 1.5% direct shareholding in RD which in turn represents a 60% economic interest in RDS Group. Furthermore we conclude that the 60%/40% apportionment of value between RD and STT respectively is supported by historical dividend receipts, share buy-backs, trading relationship and relative adjusted net current assets
 
2   We conclude that the Unwind Transaction does not alter the current economic interest of the Minority Shareholders in the RDS Group (before payment of fractional entitlements). The economic interest of the Minority Shareholders in the RDS Group at the time of the Merger will be 0.9%, being 0.9% (fractional) entitlement to SPNV shares, where SPNV represents a 100% economic interest in RDS Group
 
3   We conclude that cash settlement of fractional entitlements resulting from mergers and exchange offers is most commonly based on the price of the respective shares on (or near) the day of settlement
 
4   Neither the shares of SPNV nor the shares of RD are expected to be listed at the time when the amounts payable under the Merger are settled. However, we conclude that the RDS-A share price can be used as a reference on which to base the settlement value of the fractional entitlements of the Minority Shareholders
 
5   We understand that Dutch law does not allow for a consideration to be based on a future share price. As a result, the last possible date for establishing the value of fractional entitlements based on the RDS-A share price will be the day/time shortly before the resolution of the boards of RD and SPNV to determine the Exchange Ratio and the resulting amount of the Merger Consideration. We understand that in squeeze-out proceedings under Dutch law interest would likely be accrued, at the statutory rate, from the date of the court decision until the date of payment (minus any dividends)
 
6   We conclude that market inefficiencies significantly impacting the RDS shares are unlikely and that the market value of the RDS shares can be used as a reasonable indication of the going concern value of RDS, and, given that immediately prior to the Merger 2 RDS shares and 1 RD share will represent the same economic interest in the RDS Group, the market value of the RDS shares can be used as a reasonable indication of the going concern value of RD. We observe that the Merger Consideration offered to the Minority Shareholders is at a premium of 3.4% to two times the RDS-A share closing price Euronext on 28 October 2005
     
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Analysis of the consideration typically paid to minority shareholders under Dutch legal squeeze-out proceedings
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Introduction to the analysis of Dutch squeeze-out proceedings
§   RDS and RD have stated that they decided to implement the Merger as a simpler, quicker and more cost efficient alternative to a statutory squeeze-out proceeding under Dutch law
 
§   The joint RDS and RD press release of 20 September 2005 and Schedule 13D filed by RDS stated that if the Merger is not completed as proposed, the Board of Directors of RDS intends to commence Dutch statutory squeeze-out proceedings in order to acquire the shares held by the Minority Shareholders. A squeeze-out would result in the Minority Shareholders receiving a cash payment in exchange for their RD shares
 
§   In this chapter, we analyse the consideration typically paid to minority shareholders under Dutch legal squeeze-out proceedings following a cash or share exchange offer
 
§   For this analysis, we have reviewed:
    instances where squeeze-outs were preceded by cash offers with regards to the decision of the court regarding the price, the date upon which this price was based and any adjustments of this price
 
    instances where squeeze-outs were preceded by share exchange offers with regard to the consideration paid to the relevant minority shareholders
 
    legal advice on the likely outcome of the price determination by the Court of Appeal
§   The precedents used in the analysis of the cash offers and the share exchange offers were selected using the following criteria:
    the target company had a Dutch statutory seat
 
    the squeeze-out was performed under Dutch law
 
    the offer and the subsequent squeeze-out proceedings were completed
 
    the squeeze-out proceedings or the exchange offer took place in the last five years
     
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Dutch counsel’s analysis of price determination by the Court of Appeal
From the analysis on the likely outcome of the price determination by the Court of Appeal provided by DBBW to RDS, RD and SPNV, and subsequently reviewed and concurred with by Freshfields, we understand that:
§   It is a near certainty that, in this case, the court would base the price on the exchange ratio in the RD Offer of two RDS-A shares for every RD share
    As a result of the thirteenth EU company directive, Dutch law will specifically provide that in a squeeze-out within three months after the end of an acceptance period for a public offer for the relevant shares, the squeeze-out price shall be deemed to be reasonable if it is equal in value to the offer consideration
 
    As this provision will not become effective before May 2006 and the Merger price will be announced shortly after the end of a three month period, this provision is not (yet) binding on the Court of Appeal, but it is more than likely that the Court of Appeal will anticipate, the more so because of:
    acceptance of the RD Offer by an overwhelming majority of approximately 98.5% of the RD shareholders
 
    the fact that the exchange ratio was uncontested
 
    the fairness opinion rendered by ABN AMRO on 13 May 2005 as part of the Unification Transaction
 
    case law of the Court of Appeal in squeeze-out cases supports the view that the exchange ratio should be the basis for determining the squeeze-out price
§   It is less clear which date and time would likely be used by the Court of Appeal to determine the cash value of the offer consideration
    In most cases, the date of the offer becoming unconditional or the date of first settlement is selected, without clarification as to the opening price or closing price
§   In almost all squeeze-out cases the Court of Appeal wants to be satisfied that in the period between the relevant date for determining the cash value of the offer consideration and a date shortly before the date of its decision, there is no relevant change of circumstance which should force the court to change its mind on the valuation of the minority shares
 
§   In squeeze-out cases the minority shareholders are entitled to interest at the statutory interest rate on the cash amount as from the date on which the Court of Appeal has determined the value of the minority shares. The cash value of any dividends declared after such date and before the date of payment is deducted from the amount of interest
     
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Analysis of precedent cash and share exchange offers
                         
            Offer declared   Date court   Price set    
Acquirer   Target   Offer price   unconditional   decision   by court   Decision by the court
 
RIVR Acquisition B.V.
  Petroplus
International
  EUR 9.00 in cash   15 March 2005   21 July 2005   EUR 9.00  
- Price equal to price of the public offer
 
  B.V.   including dividend                
 
                       
Epicor Software
Corporation
  Scala Business Solutions N.V.   USD 1,823 and 0.1795 common stock   15 June 2004   26 May 2004   EUR equivalent Of USD 4.07   - Price equal to price of the public
    offer
           
- - Settlement date was chosen to determine the cash value of the share component in the preceding offer
 
                       
ING Real Estate Asia Investment B.V.
  Rodamco Asia N.V.   EUR 18.00 in cash including dividend   6 May 2004   30 June 2004   EUR 18.00  
- Price equal to price of the public offer minus dividend
             
- - Settlement date was chosen to base the price on
 
                       
Euretco Holding B.V.
  Euretco B.V.   EUR 84.98 in cash incl. EUR 3.30 dividend   17 July 2003   24 February 2005   EUR 81.68  
- Price equal to price of the public offer minus dividend
 
                       
VDXK Acquisition B.V.
  VendexKBB B.V.   EUR 15.40 in cash including dividend   28 June 2004   24 February 2005   EUR 15.40  
- Price equal to price of the public offer
 
                       
Voestalpine Profilforn
GmbH
  Nedcon Groep N.V.   EUR 19.20   23 August 2004   26 May 2005   EUR 19.20  
- Price equal to price of the public offer
 
                       
Welch Allyn International Holdings Inc.
  Welch Allyn Cardio Control B.V.   EUR 6.00 in cash including dividend   28 April 2003   24 February 2005   EUR 6.00  
- Price equal to price of the public offer
           
- - Date at which offer was declared unconditional was chosen to base the price on
 
                       
NH Hoteles Participaties N.V. (& NH Hoteles S.A.)
  Krasnapolsky Hotels and Restaurants N.V.   6.5 shares of NH Hoteles per 1 share of Krasnapolsky   6 September 2000   21 February 2002   EUR 91.33  
- Price equal to price of the public offer
           
- - Date at which offer was declared unconditional was chosen to base the price on
           
- - Large acceptance of public offer was deemed relevant
 
                       
Reckitt Benckiser Holdings B.V.
  Reckitt Benckiser N.V.   5 shares of the acquirer for the target   30 November 1999   19 July 2001   EUR 60.50  
- Price equal to the cash price of the public offer of 5 shares of the acquirer
           
- - Date based on the date at the offer was declared unconditional
§   Based on precedent transactions, we conclude that typically the consideration under Dutch legal squeeze-out proceeding is based on the date of first settlement or the date at which the offer is declared unconditional. The date of the RD Offer in the Unification Transaction becoming unconditional (being 19 July 2005) is before the date of the first listing of the RDS-A shares and therefore not applicable. As a result, we considered 20 July 2005, which is the first date on which RDS shares traded
Sources: Public available information compiled by DBBW, ABN AMRO analysis, Bloomberg
     
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Comparison of third quarter dividend with the likely consideration when applying the statutory interest rate
     
§
  In squeeze-out cases the minority shareholders are entitled to interest at the statutory interest rate on the cash amount as from the date on which the Court of Appeal has determined the value of the minority shares until the date of payment. The cash value of any dividends declared after such date and before the date of payment is deducted from the amount of interest
 
   
§
  We have analysed how the proposal by RDS and SPNV, whereby holders of record RD shares on 1 November 2005 will be entitled to receive the quarterly dividend of EUR 0.46, per share, which will be payable on 15 December 2005, compares to the above mentioned methodology under Dutch legal squeeze-out proceedings
         
 
    Interim dividend in respect of the third quarter is EUR 0.46 per RD share
 
 
    Likely amount of interest, when applying the squeeze-out methodology as indicated above, is EUR 0.30 per share based on the following assumptions:
             
 
        Statutory annual interest rate: 4.0%
 
 
        The Merger Consideration: EUR 52.21
 
 
        Start date for interest calculation: 31 October 2005 (based on the date of the determination of the Merger Consideration)
 
 
        End date for interest calculation: 21 December 2005 (based on expected date of effectuation of the Merger)
     
§
  We have analysed the impact of a delay in effectuating the Merger, and conclude that a delay up until 18 January 2006 will result in third quarter dividend being higher than the amount of interest
 
§
  We conclude that the amount of interest that would likely have been received in case of squeeze-out proceedings under Dutch law is likely to be less than the third quarter interim dividend if the effective date of the Merger is prior to 19 January 2006. We therefore conclude that the proposal by RDS, in this respect, compares favourably to the methodology under Dutch legal squeeze-out proceedings
 
   
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(Chapter 5 conclusions)
 
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Conclusions regarding the consideration under a Dutch legal squeeze-out procedure
1   Based on information and legal analysis provided by DBBW to RDS, RD and SPNV, and subsequently reviewed and concurred with by Freshfields, and analysis of precedent transactions, we conclude that in squeeze-out procedures under Dutch law, it is likely that the squeeze-out price will be deemed to be reasonable if it is equal in value to the offer consideration in the preceding public offer
2   The date and time which would likely be used by the Court of Appeal to determine the cash value of such offer consideration would either be the date of the offer becoming unconditional, or the date of first settlement. However, the Court of Appeal would want to be satisfied that in the period between the relevant date for determining the cash value of the offer consideration and a date shortly before the date of its decision, there is no relevant change of circumstance which should force the court to change its mind on the valuation of the minority shares
3   Interest, at the statutory interest rate, would likely be accrued from the date on which the Court of Appeal has determined the value of the minority shares until the date of payment (minus any dividends). However, the amount of interest that would likely have been received in case of squeeze-out proceedings under Dutch law is less than the expected third quarter interim dividend if the effective date of the Merger is prior to 19 January 2006. We conclude that the proposal by RDS and SPNV, in this respect, compares favourably to the methodology under Dutch legal squeeze-out proceedings
 
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Analysis of the consideration paid in precedent unification transactions
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Overview of decisions with regard to the value of the offer, if any, after unification transactions
§   We have analysed precedent unification transactions in which minority shareholdings were subsequently acquired by means of a squeeze-out or other corporate restructuring such as a legal merger in order to analyse the value which was offered to the minority shareholders
 
§   The purpose of this analysis is to establish whether precedent unification transactions provide any insight into methods of establishing the value of minority shareholdings following a unification transaction
         
Unification transaction   Value to the minority shareholder
 
       
ABB Ltd
(13-10-97 announcement offer)
    ABB offered the minority shareholders, who did not accept the offer and who did not want to wait for the arbitration process, a redemption offer with the same price which would be settled under Swiss law
 
Dexia
(26-03-99 introduction ABB Ltd single class share)
    After a second offer on the same conditions, Dexia offered a repurchase offer followed by a squeeze-out in compliance with the Regalement General du Conseil des Marches Financiers, the Boards of Directors of Dexia and of Dexia France
 
       
Merita Nordbanken
(01-10-99 Public exchange offer date)
    Merita Nordbanken offered the minority shareholders, who did not accept the offer and who did not want to wait for the arbitration process, a redemption offer with the same price which would be settled under Finnish law
The value of the secondary offer to the minority shareholders, in the relevant precedent unification transactions for which sufficient information was available, was equal to the price which would likely have been determined under the local applicable law for squeeze-out proceedings
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(Chapter 6 conclusions)
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Conclusions regarding the consideration based on precedent unification transactions
1   Based on an analysis of consideration offered to minority shareholders in subsequent offers following unification transactions, we conclude that the consideration offered to the minority shareholders was equal to the price which would likely have been determined under the local applicable law for squeeze-out proceedings
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Comparison of the Merger Consideration to the RD share price and RD net asset value per RD share
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Comparison of the Merger Consideration amount to RD and RDS share price
     
§
  We have reviewed the current and historic share price of RD and RDS-A shares on Euronext Amsterdam, the London Stock Exchange (RD shares listed at LSE were listed until 21 May 2004) and on the NYSE (RD shares listed at Euronext Amsterdam until 30 September 2005. Trading of RD shares halted on NYSE on 30 September 2005)
     
(LINE GRAPH)
  (LINE GRAPH)
     
§
  We have observed that the RD share price as traded on Euronext Amsterdam has traded at an average share price of EUR 42.45 since 1 January 2003. We have observed that the RD share price as traded on the NYSE has traded at an average share price of EUR 42.45 since 1 January 2003. The closing share prices on 30 September 2005 are EUR 51.60 and EUR 52.22 on Euronext and NYSE respectively
 
   
§
  We have observed that the RDS-A share price as traded on Euronext Amsterdam, LSE and on the NYSE has traded at an average share price of EUR 26.10, EUR 26.09 and EUR 26.07 respectively since 20 July 2005. The closing share price on 28 October 2005 is EUR 25.24, EUR 25.19 and EUR 25.53 respectively
Notes:
1) The RDS-A share price at LSE and NYSE have been recalculated using their respective spot exchange rates.
2) Since one ADR at NYSE represents 2 RDS-A shares, we adjusted this in the graph accordingly.
Source: Bloomberg
     
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Comparison of the Merger Consideration amount to RD and RDS share price (continued)
     
§
  Applying the pricing methodology recommended by RDS yields the following results:
                 
    RDS-A Share   Merger Consideration
Pricing Basis   Price1   per RD Share1
RDS-A opening share price: 20 July
    25.950       51.902  
Average RD share price: 20 July to 30 September
            51.89    
Average RDS-A share price: 20 July to 28 October
    26.103       52.212  
Av. RDS-A share price: 5 days to 28 October
    24.912       49.822  
Av. RDS-A share price: 2 days to 28 October
    24.150       50.302  
 
1   In Euro, based on closing prices on Euronext Amsterdam unless stated otherwise.
 
2   Calculated by multiplying the relevant RDS-A share price by two to take account of the exchange ratio in the Unification Transaction and rounding up to the nearest Euro cent.
     
§
  The Merger Consideration is equal to two times EUR 26,103 (rounded up to the nearest Euro cent), therefore being equal to EUR 52.21, being the highest value derived from the above analysis. This would result in the Merger Consideration representing a 1.2% premium to the RD closing price on Euronext on 30 September 2005, a 2.9% premium to the RD closing price on Euronext on 20 July 2005, a 23.0% premium to the RD average price on Euronext since 1 January 2003 up until 30 September 2005, and which results in premiums of 0.6% and 2.8% relative to two times the RDS-A opening price and closing price, respectively, on Euronext on 20 July 2005 (see appendix A3 for overview share price developments on the NYSE and the London Stock Exchange)
 
   
§
  Additionally, it was noted that the Merger Consideration consisted of a premium of 20.7% over the average euro buyback price for RD shares since the beginning of 2004 and 11.2% over the average Euro buyback price for RD shares in 2005. For these purposes, buybacks in US Dollars were converted to euro at the prevailing spot rate on the date of purchase
     
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Comparison of the Merger Consideration amount to the net assets of RD per share
         
RD – parent company only      
30 September 2005      
US$ million unless otherwise stated   NL GAAP  
 
Available for sale investments
    48,646  
 
     
TOTAL FIXED ASSETS
    48,646  
 
       
Dividends receivable from RDS Group companies
    5,100  
Other receivables
    20  
Receivables from RDS Group companies
    5  
Cash and cash equivalents
    5,312  
 
     
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
    10,437  
TOTAL ASSETS
    59,083  
LESS: TOTAL LIABILITIES
    (65 )
 
     
NET ASSETS
    59,018  
 
     
 
       
Total number RD shares in issue (‘000)
    2,069,520  
Net assets per RD share (US$)
  $ 28.52  
Net assets per RD share (EUR)1
  23.68  
 
Source: RD balance sheet as at 30 September 2005
1. Converted at rate of 0.83040 as at 30 September 2005
     
§
  We observed that the net assets per share of RD, determined on a parent company-only basis under Dutch GAAP as at 30 September 2005, was approximately EUR 23.68, and that the Merger Consideration represents a premium of 120.5% to that number
 
   
§
  We understand from RDS that 60% of the consolidated net assets of the RDS Group represents a proxy for the consolidated net assets of RD (both on IFRS bases)
         
 
    the consolidated net assets (total assets less total liabilities) of the RDS Group on an IFRS basis as at 30 September 2005 were approximately USD 99.8 billion
 
       
 
    therefore, 60% of that figure, or USD 59.9 billion, represents an approximation of the RD consolidated net assets as at 30 September 2005 on an IFRS basis
 
       
 
    on a per RD share basis, this is equivalent to approximately USD 28.93, or EUR 24.031
 
       
 
    The Merger Consideration represents a premium of 117.3% to that number
     
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(Chapter 7 conclusions)
     
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Table of Contents

Conclusions regarding RD share price and net asset value per RD share
1   Applying the pricing methodology recommended by RDS, the Merger Consideration would be equal to EUR 52.21, which is two times 26.103, being the highest value derived from (i) two times the price of RDS-A shares as of 20 July 2005 on Euronext Amsterdam, (ii) the average of the RD share price on Euronext Amsterdam from 20 July 2005 to 30 September 2005, (iii) two times the average of the RDS-A share price on Euronext Amsterdam from 20 July 2005 to 28 October 2005, (iv) two times the trailing five day average of the RDS-A share price on Euronext Amsterdam to 28 October 2005 and (v) two times the trailing two day average of the RDS-A share price on Euronext Amsterdam to 28 October 2005. This results in the Merger Consideration representing a 1.2% premium to the RD closing price on Euronext on 30 September 2005, a 2.9% premium to the RD closing price on Euronext on 20 July 2005, a 23.0% premium to the RD average price on Euronext since 1 January 2003 up until 30 September 2005, and which results in premiums of 0.6% and 2.8% relative to two times the RDS-A opening price and closing price, respectively, on Euronext on 20 July 2005 (see appendix A3 for overview of results based on closing prices on NYSE and London Stock Exchange)
 
2   We observed that RD net assets per share as at 30 September 2005, on Dutch GAAP and IFRS bases respectively, were approximately EUR 23.7 and EUR 24.0. The Merger Consideration represents a premium of 120.5% and 117.3% respectively over those figures
 
     
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Table of Contents

(CONCLUSIONS)
8. Conclusions
     
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Table of Contents

Conclusions
1   From our analysis based on economic interest we conclude that the current economic interest of the RD Minority Shareholders in RDS Group is 0.9% and that this economic interest does not change as a result of the Unwind Transaction (before payment of fractional entitlements) We conclude that the RDS-A share price is the most appropriate reference to determine the settlement price for the fractional entitlements in SPNV. Market inefficiencies significantly impacting the RDS shares are unlikely and the market value of the RDS shares can be used as a reasonable indication of the going concern value of RDS, and, given that immediately prior to the Merger 2 RDS shares and 1 RD share will represent the same economic interest in the RDS Group, the market value of the RDS shares can be used as a reasonable indication of the going concern value of RD. We observe that the Merger Consideration offered to the Minority Shareholders is at a premium of 1.2% to RD share closing price on Euronext on 30 September 2005, and 3.4% to two times the RDS-A share closing price Euronext on 28 October 2005
 
2   Based on information and legal analysis provided by DBBW to RDS, RD and SPNV, and subsequently reviewed and concurred with by Freshfields, and analysis of precedent transactions, we conclude that in squeeze-out procedures under Dutch law, it is likely that the squeeze-out price will be deemed to be reasonable if it is equal in value to the offer consideration in the preceding public offer The date and time which would likely be used by the Court of Appeal to determine the cash value of such offer consideration would likely be the date of the offer becoming unconditional or the date of first settlement. However, the Court of Appeal would want to be satisfied that in the period between the relevant date for determining the cash value of the offer consideration and a date shortly before the date of its decision, there is no relevant change of circumstance which should force the court to change its mind on the valuation of the minority shares Interest, at the statutory interest rate, would likely be accrued from the date as of the court’s decision until the date of payment (minus any dividends). However, the amount of interest that would likely have been received in case of squeeze-out proceedings under Dutch law is less than the expected third quarter interim dividend if the effective date of the Merger is prior to 19 January 2006
 
3   Based on an analysis of decisions with regard to the consideration offered in subsequent offers after unification transactions we conclude that the consideration to the minority shareholders was equal to the price which would likely have been determined under the local applicable law for squeeze-out proceedings
 
4   Applying the pricing methodology recommended by RDS, the Merger Consideration would be equal to EUR 52.21, which is two times 26.103, (rounding up to the nearest Euro cent), being the highest value derived from (i) two times the opening price of RDS-A shares as of 20 July 2005 on Euronext Amsterdam, (ii) the average of the RD closing share price on Euronext Amsterdam from 20 July 2005 to 30 September 2005, (iii) two times the average of the RDS-A closing share price on Euronext Amsterdam from 20 July 2005 to 28 October 2005, (iv) two times the trailing five day average of the RDS-A closing share price on Euronext Amsterdam to 28 October 2005 and (v) two times the trailing two day average of the RDS-A closing share price on Euronext Amsterdam to 28 October 2005. This results in the Merger Consideration representing a 1.2% premium to the RD closing price on Euronext on 30 September 2005, a 2.9% premium to the RD closing price on Euronext on 20 July 2005, a 23.0% premium to the RD average price on Euronext since 1 January 2003 up until 30 September 2005, and which results in premiums of 0.6% and 2.8% relative to two times the RDS-A opening price and closing price, respectively, on Euronext on 20 July 2005. We observe that the Merger Consideration represents a premium of 120.5% and 117.3% respectively to the RD net assets per share, on Dutch GAAP and IFRS bases respectively
     
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Table of Contents

(A1 REVIUED)
A1
Review of RD, STTL and RDS
holding companies 53
ABN AMRO
     
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Table of Contents

Review of RD, STTL and RDS holding companies
§   A review of RD, STTL and RDS was performed to identify any material items of value that resided at or above the RD, STTL or RDS holding company levels
 
§   This review included a review of the information made available to us in the electronic dataroom as well as various other documents, and discussions with the representatives of, and advisers to, RD, STTL and RDS
 
§   In particular, we have placed reliance on the confirmations provided to us by RD, STTL and RDS at a meeting which took place on 24 October 2005. The confirmations provided by RD, STTL and RDS include, inter alia:
                 
        Confirmation provided
Inquiry   RD   STTL   RDS
1.
  Any subsidiaries and investments held outside the RDS Group   None   A holding in a dormant joint venture company. Not material   None
 
               
2.
  Any convertible securities, loan stock and share option schemes   None   None (preference shares
redeemed)
  None
 
               
3.   Any significant assets
held by the Parents
  None material, after adjusting for the distortions resulting from the timing of cashflows related to dividend payments. RDS holds share capital of Shell International Finance (not deemed material)
 
               
4.   Any contingent liabilities   Settlement of any liabilities would come from RDS Group funds below the level of RD, STTL and RDS (i.e. on a 60/40 basis)
 
               
5.
  All material licences, consents and registrations   None material   None material   None material
 
               
6.
  Any specific pension fund
or management
remuneration issues
  None – RD has no direct
employees
  None – STTL has no
direct employees
  None – RDS has no direct employees (although is recharged costs relating to certain senior executives)
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Table of Contents

Review of RD, STTL and RDS holding companies (cont’d)
                 
        Confirmation provided
Inquiry   RD   STTL   RDS
7.
  Any valuable IP or brands   None identified   STT transferred the “Shell” trademark to a separate company for the RDS Group’s use – not considered a major value issue   None identified
 
               
8.   Any significant change of control provisions   All issues identified reside below the level of RD, STTL and RDS, and have consequently no bearing on the Exchange Ratio
 
               
9.
  Any material contracts   None material   None material   Listing agreement, Implementation Agreement and brokerage agreements. Nothing that would distort the 60/40 relationship
 
               
10.
  Any borrowings/financing
agreements, insurance
policies, off- balance
sheet guarantees
  None identified   None identified   RDS a guarantor (but not yet an issuer) – would meet any obligations by drawing on RDS Group funds (i.e. on 60/40 basis)
 
               
11.   Any restrictive covenants   Eliminated when 1906/1907 agreements eliminated. No restrictive covenants identified in Implementation Agreement
 
               
12.
  Any specific tax issues   None identified   None identified   None identified, other than Unwind Transaction to create new tax consolidations (only to occur on completion of Unwind Transaction)
§   It is concluded from our enquiries performed that no material value or liability has been identified which resides exclusively with RD, STTL or RDS
 
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Table of Contents

Analysis of the value of fractional entitlements
(GRAPHIC)
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Table of Contents

Analysis of the value of remaining fractional entitlements
             
Acquirer   Target   Public offer   Remaining fractional entitlements
Air France S.A.
  KLM N.V.   11 Air France shares plus 10 warrants for every 10 shares of KLM – 30/09/03   1 share of KLM is entitled to 1 and 1/10 share of Air France plus 1 warrant Air France. Remaining fractions are settled using the stock dividend allocation method based on the opening price of Air France on 5 May 2004, one day after the offer was being declared unconditional
 
           
DSM N.V.
  Koninklijke Gist Brocades N.V.   1 DSM share for 6 shares of Gist Brocades – 23/02/98   DSM will issue “scrips”, where 6 scrips can be exchanged into 1 share of DSM. The scrips can be traded. If after 31 July 1998 scrips are still outstanding, the DSM shares will be sold and the net proceeds are used to pay holders of these scrips. ABN AMRO settled the remaining fractional entitlements on 31 July 1998
 
           
Epicor Software
Corporation
  Scala Business Solutions N.V.   0.1795 shares of Epicor plus USD 1.823 per share of Scala – 14/11/03   Remaining fractions will be settled in cash, based on the opening price of Epicor on the settlement date. The offer document states that fractions should be settled using the stock dividend allocation method
 
           
Getronics N.V.
  PinkRoccade N.V.   EUR 14.30 in cash per share of PinkRoccade (11.25 shares of Getronics in the legal merger) – 01/11/04   The price was based on the cash offer and the weighted average share price of Getronics during 2 May – 6 May 2005. The date was arbitrarily chosen to favor the shareholders of PinkRoccade. Remaining fractions will be settled in cash
 
           
Koninklijke KPN N.V.
  SNT Group N.V.   EUR 13.50 per share in cash – 18/10/04   Acquisition was concluded by a legal merger. Shareholders of SNT get 2.14626 shares of KPN, based on the share price of KPN at 15 October 2005 (closing share price of KPN before the public offer) and the offer price of EUR 13.50 per share of SNT. Remaining fractions will be paid in cash and rounded downwards
 
           
Modex Therapeutics S.A.
  Isotis N.V.   1.4 Modex shares for 1 share of Isotis – 23/09/02   Remaining fractions are entitled to a payment in cash based on the opening price of the Modex share, converted using the prevailing EUR/CHF exchange rate on the settlement date.
 
           
NH Hoteles S.A.
  Krasnapolsky Hotels and Restaurants N.V.   6.5 shares of NH Hoteles for one share of Krasnapolsky – 25/04/00   Remaining fractional shares will be settled in cash, based on the opening price on the settlement date of one NH Hoteles share on the Madrid stock exchange and using the stock dividend allocation method
 
           
PinkRoccade N.V.
  TAS Groep N.V.   1 share of PinkRoccade per 28.7 TAS shares – 09/10/00   Remaining fractions will be settled in cash based on the average of the opening and closing share price of a new share of PinkRoccade on the settlement date.
 
           
Rodamco Europe N.V.
  Rodamco Retail Nederland B.V.   1.28 shares of Rodamco Europe for 1 share of Rodamco Retail – 30/05/01   Remaining fractions will be settled in cash calculated against the closing price of the share Rodamco Europe prior to the day on announcement or in shares of Rodamco Europe, if shareholders entitled to fractions indicated this within three months following the transaction
 
           
Telefonica S.A.
  Endemol Entertainment Holding N.V.   6.20233 shares of Telefonica for 1 share of Endemol – 17/03/00   Remaining fractions will be settled in cash based on the opening share price on the date of delivery of shares of Telefonica. The offer document states that fractions should be settled using the stock dividend allocation method
 
           
Tiscali S.p.A.
  World Online International N.V.   0.4891 shares of Tiscali for 1 share World Online – 07/09/00   Remaining fractions will be settled in cash based on the opening price of a Tiscali share on the settlement date. Offer document states that fractions should be settled using the stock dividend allocation method
Sources: Offer documents published by the acquirer, ABN AMRO research
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Table of Contents

Overview of RDS-A and RD share price and volume development
(GRAPHIC)
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Table of Contents

Share price and volume development of RDS-A
     
(LINE GRAPH)
  (LINE GRAPH)
(LINE GRAPH)
  (LINE GRAPH)
     
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Table of Contents

Share price and volume development of RD
     
(LINE GRAPH)
  (LINE GRAPH)
     
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EXHIBIT 99.C.D
 

THE FORMAT AND LAYOUT OF THIS PRESENTATION HAS BEEN CHANGED FOR THE PURPOSES OF FILING AS AN EXHIBIT TO SCHEDULE 13E-3.
Project Unwind
Presentation to the Board of Royal Dutch regarding the value of the Loan Note Consideration relative to the Merger Consideration
Note: capitalised terms defined within
STRICTLY PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
     Corporate Finance, 31 October 2005
     
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Disclaimer
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
This presentation was prepared by ABN AMRO Bank N.V. (“ABN AMRO”) exclusively for internal consideration by the Board of N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij (“Royal Dutch” or the “Company”) solely in connection with the provision by ABN AMRO to the Board of the Company of an opinion in connection with the proposed legal merger between Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum N.V (“SPNV”) (“the Merger”). This presentation is issued subject to the terms of our engagement letter with you dated 19 September 2005. This presentation is based upon information made available to ABN AMRO by the Company, The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited (“STTL”), SPNV, Royal Dutch Shell plc (“RDS”) and their advisers and publicly available sources in order to enable ABN AMRO to render an opinion as to whether or not the value of the Loan Note Consideration (described in this presentation), when issued, will be greater than the value of the Merger Consideration (described in this presentation). This presentation is incomplete without reference to, and should be viewed/assessed solely in conjunction with, the oral briefing provided by ABN AMRO, if any, and ABN AMRO’s written opinion delivered to the Board of Royal Dutch. Royal Dutch confirms that it will treat as confidential and will not publicly disclose this presentation without the prior consent of ABN AMRO (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), except that: (a) any opinion delivered by ABN AMRO may be reproduced in full, and any public disclosure may also include references to such opinion and ABN AMRO and its relationship with Royal Dutch (in each case in form and substance as ABN AMRO and its legal advisers acting reasonably shall approve) in any disclosure document relating to the Merger that is required to be filed with the SEC and distributed to shareholders, (b) this confirmation does not extend to disclosure to (i) Royal Dutch regulators (where such disclosure is required or requested by law or regulation) provided ABN AMRO is notified thereof in advance insofar as permitted by applicable law or regulation, (ii) any other Royal Dutch affiliates including RDS, STTL, SPNV and Shell Petroleum Company Limited, provided that such Royal Dutch affiliate including RDS, STTL, SPNV and Shell Petroleum Company Limited agrees to be bound by the restrictions on public disclosure contained in clause 7, and by the acknowledgements of, undertakings by, and the restrictions on liability to Royal Dutch contained in clause 11 and Appendix 2 of the engagement letter or, (iii) to advisers who agree on terms reasonably satisfactory to ABN AMRO that they will not rely on such advice provided by ABN AMRO. ABN AMRO is not and shall not be obliged to update or correct any information set out in this presentation or to provide any additional information. This presentation is not a fairness opinion. It does not constitute an offer or invitation for the sale, purchase, exchange or transfer of any securities or any recommendation to effect the Merger, is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision, does not constitute a recommendation as to how any person should vote in connection with the Merger or otherwise act in relation to the Merger and does not constitute a statement or report pursuant to article 328 Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code.
The presentation is based upon information provided by the Company, STTL, SPNV, RDS and their advisers (in respect of the Company and other counterparties to the Merger) and reflects prevailing conditions and our views as of this date. In preparing this presentation, we have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all information available from public sources or which was provided to us by or on behalf of the Company, STTL, SPNV, RDS or their advisers or which was otherwise reviewed by us, including any statements with respect to projections or prospects of the Company, RDS, STTL, SPNV, the RDS group of companies or their advisers (that may have been made available) or the assumptions on which such statements are based. We accept no liability or responsibility for (and no representation, warranty or assurance of any kind, express or implied, is or will be made as to or in relation to) the accuracy or completeness of such information.
In addition, this presentation and our analyses set out herein are not and do not purport to be an appraisal or valuation of any of the securities, assets or businesses of the Company or RDS (or any other counterparties to the Merger). ABN AMRO does not provide legal advice and/or legal services in general nor on the topics discussed in this presentation. Legal advice by local legal counsel in the relevant jurisdictions should be sought when considering and or reviewing any type of transaction.
         
 
       
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Contents
         
Chapter   Page  
    4  
    5  
    6  
    7  
    8  
    10  
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    12  
 
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1. Introduction
§   On 20 September 2005, Royal Dutch Shell plc (“RDS”) announced a proposal to implement an internal restructuring (the “Proposed Transaction”), including the merger of N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij (“Royal Dutch”) into its subsidiary Shell Petroleum N.V. (“SPNV”) (the “Merger”), in order to achieve, inter alia, governance, management and fiscal efficiencies. The Merger would allow for the acquisition on a compulsory basis of the remaining interest in Royal Dutch held by the minority holders of Royal Dutch ordinary shares (“Minority Shareholders”, and each, a “Minority Shareholder”)
 
§   Under the terms of the Merger, RDS will be allotted 105 class A shares of SPNV, being one class A share for every 31,978,937 Royal Dutch shares held by it, and thereafter one class B share of SPNV for 28,521,530 Royal Dutch shares held by it (the “Exchange Ratio’’)
 
§   As a consequence of the Exchange Ratio in the Merger, the Minority Shareholders would be entitled to receive a cash payment of EUR 52.21 for each Royal Dutch share held (the “Merger Consideration”)
 
§   We understand that the effective date of the Merger will be no later than 31 December 2005. A dividend in an amount equal to EUR 0.46 to the shareholders of record of Royal Dutch will be payable prior to such effective date (the “Dividend”)
 
§   In addition to the Merger Consideration, the Minority Shareholders will be entitled to receive, if positive (i) an amount of interest accrued on the Merger Consideration at the statutory rate of 4% per annum until the effective date of the Merger; reduced by (ii) any dividends paid during the same period (before the deduction of any withholding tax from such dividend) (the sum being, “Interest”)
 
§   As an alternative to receiving the Merger Consideration, eligible UK resident Minority Shareholders will be offered the option to elect to receive, for each Royal Dutch share held, consideration comprised of a sterling denominated exchangeable loan note (the “Loan Note”) with a sterling face amount (determined based on the Reuters 3000 Xtra euro sterling spot rate (calculated as the average of the bid and the ask quotations) determined at or about 11.00pm (London time) on the day prior to the effective date of the Merger) equal to the value of the Merger Consideration (the “Loan Note Consideration”)
 
§   Regardless of whether Minority Shareholders receive the Merger Consideration or the Loan Note Consideration, they will be entitled to receive the same amount of Interest (if any) and the Dividend. The Interest and the Dividend are therefore disregarded for the purposes of these analyses as equal value will be received
 
(ABN-AMRO LOGO)   4

 


 

2. Nature of opinion
§   The Board of Royal Dutch has asked for the opinion of ABN AMRO Bank N.V. (“ABN AMRO”) as to whether or not the value of the Loan Note Consideration, when issued, will be greater than the value of the Merger Consideration
 
§   The specific scope of ABN AMRO’s work is set out in the engagement letter between Royal Dutch and ABN AMRO dated 19 September 2005. ABN AMRO’s opinion will be subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth in such letter and in the opinion
 
§   In particular, ABN AMRO expresses no opinion as to:
    the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Loan Note Consideration to eligible UK resident Minority Shareholders who elect to receive Loan Notes in the Merger
 
    the underlying business decision to merge Royal Dutch and SPNV or to recommend the Merger or to effect the Merger as opposed to any other transaction or procedure that would allow RDS to acquire shares of Royal Dutch that it does not already own, or the commercial merits of any of the foregoing
 
    the prices or volumes at which the shares of RDS or any other securities may trade following completion of the Proposed Transaction
(ABN-AMRO LOGO)   5

 


 

3. Information reviewed and approach
§   For the purpose of providing its opinion, ABN AMRO:
    reviewed the form of the Loan Note deed included as an exhibit to the joint proposal which sets forth the terms of the Merger and which has been approved by each of the Boards of Royal Dutch and SPNV
 
    reviewed the Loan Note document and election forms which are being separately made available to eligible UK resident Minority Shareholders
 
    reviewed certain other documents relating to both the unification transaction consummated on 20 July 2005 (as a result of which RDS became the parent company of Royal Dutch) and the Proposed Transaction
 
    participated in discussions with and reviewed information provided by RDS, Royal Dutch and its advisers with respect to matters ABN AMRO believed necessary or appropriate to its enquiry
 
    performed such other financial reviews and analysis as ABN AMRO, in its absolute discretion, deemed appropriate
§   In arriving at its opinion, ABN AMRO has undertaken the following analyses:
  i.   analysis of the various price scenarios of the underlying RDS class A shares
 
  ii.   analysis of the Loan Note value by disaggregation into, and valuation of, its hypothetical component parts
 
  iii.   analysis of the impact on any of our conclusions of assuming that the Loan Note is exchanged/redeemed later than 6 January 2006
 
(ABN-AMRO LOGO)   6

 


 

4. Summary of Loan Note terms
§   The Loan Notes will be issued by SPNV and denominated in British Pounds Sterling. The principal amount per Royal Dutch share will represent the sterling equivalent of the Merger Consideration based on the Reuters 3000 Xtra euro sterling spot rate (calculated as the average of the bid and the ask quotations) determined at or about 11.00pm (London time) on the day prior to the effective date of the Merger. The Loan Notes will not be transferable, other than to RDS or an affiliate of RDS. Other terms of the Loan Notes, extracted from the Loan Note deed, are summarised below:
    Interest payment: The Loan Notes will bear interest payable every quarter in arrears, with the first interest payment date being 6 January 2006 and the final interest payment date being 6 January 2009, at a floating rate of 1.50 per cent. below three month LIBOR (as defined in the Loan Note deed)
 
    Exchange: By giving written notice no later than two days prior to an exchange date, either RDS or the holder of the Loan Note may elect to exchange the Loan Note for RDS class A shares. The exchange will take place on the respective exchange date, being an interest payment date. The Loan Note will be exchangeable into a number of RDS class A shares calculated as the lesser of:
    such number as is calculated by dividing the principal amount of the Loan Note by the average of the means of the daily price quotations of an RDS class A share (in London) on the 3 business days immediately preceding the date of exchange; and
 
    two
    The maximum number of RDS class A shares that may be received in exchange for a Loan Note is therefore the same number of shares to which such a holder would have been entitled had the holder exchanged his Royal Dutch ordinary shares in the original Royal Dutch exchange offer
 
    Redemption: The Loan Notes will be redeemable in full at par (together with accrued interest), on 6 January 2007 or on any of the subsequent interest payment dates. The final date for redemption will be 6 January 2009
    the Loan Note holder will have the option (by giving 30-35 days’ notice) to receive either euros or sterling at the time of redemption, with specific terms to shield the holder from material gain/loss from any exchange rate movement between the date of election and the date of redemption
 
(ABN-AMRO LOGO)   7

 


 

5. Analysis of the various price scenarios of the underlying RDS class A shares
§   At the date of exchange of the Loan Notes, the average of the means of the daily price quotations of an RDS class A share published in the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange on the three business days immediately preceding the date of exchange (the “Market Price”) may be greater than, less than or equal to the sterling equivalent (based on the Reuters 3000 Xtra euro sterling spot rate (calculated as the average of the bid and the ask quotations) determined at or about 11.00pm (London time) on the day prior to the effective date of the Merger) of the value of half of the Merger Consideration (being equal to one half of the principal amount of the Loan Note), (the “Base Price”)
 
§   Taking each scenario in turn, ABN AMRO has made a comparison of, on the one hand, the value of the RDS class A shares received following exchange of the Loan Notes into RDS class A shares, to, on the other hand, the value which the Minority Shareholders would otherwise have received based on a sterling cash amount equal to two times the Base Price
    Market Price greater than Base Price: the holder of a Loan Note would receive, on the date of exchange, less than two RDS class A shares. Fractions of RDS class A shares would be paid in cash. The aggregate value of such shares plus any fractions paid in cash would be equal to the principal amount of the Loan Note, which in turn would be equal to two times the Base Price
 
    Market Price less than Base Price: the holder of a Loan Note would receive, on the date of exchange, two RDS class A shares. The aggregate value of such shares would be less than the principal amount of the Loan Note and therefore less than two times the Base Price
 
    Market Price equal to Base Price: the holder of a Loan Note would receive, on the date of exchange, two RDS class A shares. The aggregate value of such shares would be equal to the principal amount of the Loan Note, which in turn would be equal to two times the Base Price
§   Under each scenario, the holder of a Loan Note would receive accrued interest at an annual rate of LIBOR (as defined in the Loan Note deed) minus 1.50 per cent. on the principal amount, being equal to two times the Base Price, for the period between the date of issue and the date of exchange
 
(ABN-AMRO LOGO)   8

 


 

5. Analysis of the various price scenarios of the underlying RDS class A shares (cont’d)
§   Under each scenario, had the Minority Shareholder not elected to receive the Loan Note Consideration and instead received the Merger Consideration, such Minority Shareholder would have been able to invest the Merger Consideration in order to receive interest
    In ABN AMRO’s opinion, the yield on an asset swap basis equivalent on sterling denominated AA-rated notes in the secondary market will under normal circumstances be no less than 50 bps below LIBOR
§   Accordingly, such a Minority Shareholder would have, on the date of exchange, the Merger Consideration plus interest at an annual rate of no less than LIBOR minus 50 bps from the date of issue to the date of exchange into RDS class A shares
 
§   ABN AMRO concluded that under no RDS class A share price scenario could the value of the Loan Note Consideration on the effective date of the Merger exceed the value of the Merger Consideration
 
(ABN-AMRO LOGO)   9

 


 

6. Analysis of the Loan Note value by disaggregation into, and valuation of, its hypothetical component parts
§   ABN AMRO believes that the value of the Loan Note instrument may be considered by disaggregation into two hypothetical components: (i) the obligation associated with two written ‘European put’ options on RDS class A shares, each with a strike price equal to the Base Price; and (ii) a floating rate non-exchangeable debt instrument, given that a Loan Note holder will not, upon exchange of the Loan Note, receive a greater number of RDS class A shares than he would otherwise have received under the terms of the original Royal Dutch exchange offer
§   ABN AMRO analysed:
    the value of a hypothetical floating rate non-exchangeable debt instrument, paying interest at an annual rate of LIBOR minus 1.50 per cent., to be redeemed at par on the date of exchange (assumed to be 6 January 2006) by discounting the negative spread of 150 basis points over the zero coupon swap curve
 
    the value of two hypothetical ‘European put’ options over RDS class A shares, each with a strike price equal to the Base Price and an assumed expiry date of 6 January 2006 by application of the Black-Scholes valuation technique
§   ABN AMRO established that the value of such a hypothetical floating rate non-exchangeable debt instrument would be less than par value. Furthermore, ABN AMRO established that the obligation associated with such hypothetical written ‘European put’ options would confer a negative value to the Loan Note holder. ABN AMRO therefore concluded that the value of the Loan Note, calculated as the sum of the value of the two hypothetical components, would not exceed the value of a cash amount equal to two times the Base Price and, accordingly, that the value of the Loan Note Consideration, when issued, would not exceed the value of the Merger Consideration
 
(ABN-AMRO LOGO)   10

 


 

7. Analysis of the impact of assuming that the Loan Note is exchanged later than 6 January 2006
§   ABN AMRO considered the impact on the value of the Loan Notes of assuming that exchange of the Loan Notes into RDS class A shares or redemption of the Loan Notes takes place later than 6 January 2006
 
§   ABN AMRO considered, with reference to the disaggregation of the Loan Notes into hypothetical component parts:
    the increased period during which a Loan Note holder would earn annual interest of 1.50 per cent. below LIBOR
 
    the extended tenor of the hypothetical written ‘European put’ options
§   ABN AMRO concluded that, under such a scenario:
    the value to the holder of the hypothetical floating rate non-exchangeable debt instrument would be lower than in the event of the exchange taking place on 6 January 2006
 
    the duration over which the Loan Note holder would be exposed to the obligation would be longer and therefore the value of such obligation would be lower (i.e. more negative) than in the event of the exchange taking place on 6 January 2006
§   ABN AMRO therefore concluded that if the exchange of the Loan Notes into RDS class A shares were to take place later than the earliest possible date of exchange, then the value of the Loan Note Consideration would be relatively lower
 
(ABN-AMRO LOGO)   11

 


 

8. Analysis of the impact of assuming that the Loan Note is redeemed
§   ABN AMRO also considered the impact on the value of the Loan Note assuming that a redemption of the Loan Notes, in full at par, takes place after 6 January 2006 and on or before the final redemption date
 
§   In the event of a redemption of the Loan Notes, the Loan Note holder would receive, in total, cash equal to the Loan Note principal (equal to two times the Base Price), plus interest at an annual rate of 1.50 per cent. below LIBOR for the period between issue and redemption
 
§   For the purposes of this analysis, and in the context of the interest received over at least one year from the date of issue, ABN AMRO assumed that any impact of the option (of the Loan Note holder) to receive sterling or euro at the time of redemption was de minimis
 
§   ABN AMRO concluded, by reference to the zero coupon swap curve, that the value of the Loan Note in the event of a redemption, would be less than par
 
(ABN-AMRO LOGO)   12

 

EXHIBIT 99.C.E
 

(DELOITTE LOGO)
     
 
  Deloitte Accountants B.V.
 
  Orlyplein 10
 
  1043 DP Amsterdam
 
  P.O.Box 58110
 
  1040 HC Amsterdam
 
  Netherlands
 
   
 
  Tel:+31(20) 582 5000
 
  Fax:+31(20)582 4024
 
  www.deloitte.nl
N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij
Carel van Bylandtlaan 30
2596 HR The Hague
         
Date
  From   Reference
October 31, 2005
  A.J. Coster   3100033319/OP9999/jw
Auditors’ report ex section 2:328, subsection 1 of the Netherlands Civil Code
Introduction
We have examined the proposal dated 31 October 2005 for the merger between Shell Petroleum N.V. (acquiring company), The Hague, and N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij (disappearing company), The Hague.
This proposal is the responsibility of the companies’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the merger proposal as referred to in section 2:328 subsection 1 of the Netherlands Civil Code.
Scope
We conducted our examination in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the Netherlands. Those standards require that we plan and perform our examination to obtain reasonable assurance about whether:
  1.   the share exchange ratio as set out in the merger proposal, as referred to in section 2:326 of the Netherlands Civil Code, is reasonable;
 
  2.   the shareholders’ equity of N.V. Koninklijk Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij at 30 September 2005, on the basis of valuation methods generally accepted in the Netherlands at least corresponds to the nominal paid-up amount on the aggregate number of shares to be acquired by its shareholders under the merger, increased by the cash payments (including loan notes) to which they are entitled according to the exchange ratio.
Deloitte Accountants B.V. is registered with the Trade Register of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Rotterdam number 24362853.   Member of
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

 


 

(DELOITTE LOGO)
2
31 October 2005
3100033319/OP9999/jw
We believe that our examination provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion:
  1.   the share exchange ratio as set out in the merger proposal, as referred to in section 2:326 of the Netherlands Civil Code is reasonable, having regard inter alia to the documents attached to the merger proposal;
 
  2.   the shareholders’ equity of N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij, at 30 September 2005, on the basis of valuation methods generally accepted in the Netherlands at least corresponds to the nominal paid-up amount on the aggregate number of shares to be acquired by its shareholders under the merger amounting to 21,178,376,978, increased by the cash payments (including loan notes) to which they are entitled according to the exchange ratio.
This report is intended solely for the use in respect of the proposed transaction and may not be used for any other purpose.
-s- Deloitte Accountants B.V.

 

EXHIBIT 99.C.F
 

     
(ERNST & YOUNG LOGO)
  (ERNST & YOUNG ACCOUNTANTS)
AUDITORS’ REPORT EX SECTION 2:328, SUBSECTION 1 OF THE NETHERLANDS CIVIL CODE
Introduction
We have examined the proposal dated 31 October 2005 for the merger between Shell Petroleum N.V. (acquiring company), The Hague, and N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij (disappearing company), The Hague.
This proposal is the responsibility of the companies’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the merger proposal as referred to in section 2:328 subsection 1 of the Netherlands Civil Code.
Scope
We conducted our examination in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the Netherlands. Those standards require that we plan and perform our examination to obtain reasonable assurance about whether:
  the share exchange ratio as set out in the merger proposal, as referred to in section 2:326 of the Netherlands Civil Code, is reasonable;
 
  the shareholders’ equity of N.V. Koninklijk Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij at 30 September 2005, on the basis of valuation methods generally accepted in the Netherlands at least corresponds to the nominal paid-up amount on the aggregate number of shares to be acquired by its shareholders under the merger, increased by the cash payments (including loan notes) to which they are entitled according to the exchange ratio.
We believe that our examination provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion:
  the share exchange ratio as set out in the merger proposal, as referred to in section 2:326 of the Netherlands Civil Code is reasonable, having regard inter alia to the documents attached to the merger proposal;
 
  the shareholders’ equity of N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij, at 30 September 2005, on the basis of valuation methods generally accepted in the Netherlands at least corresponds to the nominal paid-up amount on the aggregate number of shares to be acquired by its shareholders under the merger amounting to 21,178,376,978, increased by the cash payments (including loan notes) to which they are entitled according to the exchange ratio.

 


 

     
(ERNST  &  YOUNG LOGO)
  (ERNST  &  YOUNG ACCOUNTANTS)
This report is intended solely for the use in respect of the proposed transaction and may not be used for any other purpose.
Rotterdam, 31 October 2005
-s- Ernst  &  Young Accountants
Ernst & Young Accountants

2

EXHIBIT 99.C.G
 

(DELOITTE LOGO)
     
 
  Deloitte Accountants B.V.
 
  Orlyplein 10
 
  1043 DP Amsterdam
 
  P.O. Box 58110
 
  1040 HC Amsterdam
 
  Netherlands
 
   
 
  Tel: +31 (20) 582 5000
 
  Fax:+31 (20) 582 4024
 
  www.deloitte.nl
N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij
Carel van Bylandtlaan 30
2596 HR The Hague
         
Date
  From   Reference
October 31, 2005
  A.J. Coster   3100033319/OP9997/jw
Auditors’ report ex section 2:328, subsection 2 of the Netherlands Civil Code
Introduction
We have examined the information provided by management in conformity with section 2:327 of The Netherlands Civil Code, as included in the notes to the proposal dated 31 October 2005 for the merger between Shell Petroleum N.V. (acquiring company), The Hague, and N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij (disappearing company), The Hague. This information is the responsibility of the companies’ management. Our responsibility is to issue an audit report as referred to in section 2:328 subsection 2 of the Netherlands Civil Code.
Scope
We conducted our examination in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the Netherlands, Those standards require that we plan and perform our examination to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the information provided by management included in the notes is in conformity with the requirements as referred to in section 2:327 of the Netherlands Civil Code, We believe that our examination provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion the information provided by management, as included in the notes to the merger proposal, is in conformity with the relevant requirements in respect of the following matters:
a.   the method(s) for determining the share exchange ratio;
 
b.   the suitability of these method(s);
 
c.   the results of these method(s);
 
d.   the generally acceptability in the Netherlands of the relative weight of the method(s) used in the valuation;
 
e.   the difficulties that have arisen with the valuation and determination of the exchange ratio.
Deloitte Accountants B.V. is registered with the Trade Register of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Rotterdam number 24362853.   Member of
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

 


 

(DELOITTE LOGO)
2
31 October 2005
3100033319/OP9997/jw
This report is intended solely for the use in respect of the proposed transaction and may not be used for any other purpose.
-s- Delotte Accountants B.V.

 

EXHIBIT 99.C.H
 

     
(ERNST & YOUNG LOGO)
  (ERNST & YOUNG ACCOUNTANTS)
AUDITORS’ REPORT EX SECTION 2:328, SUBSECTION 2 OF THE NETHERLANDS CIVIL CODE
Introduction

We have examined the information provided by management in conformity with section 2:327 of The Netherlands Civil Code, as included in the notes to the proposal dated 31 October 2005 for the merger between Shell Petroleum N.V. (acquiring company), The Hague, and N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij (disappearing company), The Hague.
This information is the responsibility of the companies’ management. Our responsibility is to issue an audit report as referred to in section 2:328 subsection 2 of the Netherlands Civil Code.
Scope

We conducted our examination in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the Netherlands. Those standards require that we plan and perform our examination to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the information provided by management included in the notes is in conformity with the requirements as referred to in section 2:327 of the Netherlands Civil Code. We believe that our examination provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Opinion

In our opinion the information provided by management, as included in the notes to the merger proposal, is in conformity with the relevant requirements in respect of the following matters:
  the method(s) for determining the share exchange ratio;
 
  the suitability of these method(s);
 
  the results of these method(s);
 
  the generally acceptability in the Netherlands of the relative weight of the method(s) used in the valuation;
 
  the difficulties that have arisen with the valuation and determination of the exchange ratio.
This report is intended solely for the use in respect of the proposed transaction and may not be used for any other purpose.
Rotterdam, 31 October 2005
-s- Ernst & Young Accountants
Ernst & Young Accountants