Shell plc publishes first quarter 2024 press release
Shell plc reported strong operational and financial performance in Q1 2024, with Adjusted Earnings of $7.7 billion and CFFO of $13.3 billion. The company announced a $3.5 billion share buyback program and maintained its 2024 cash capex outlook. Net debt reduced by $3 billion to $40.5 billion. Integrated Gas, Upstream, Marketing, Chemicals & Products, and Renewables & Energy Solutions segments all showed positive performance. Renewables power generation capacity increased, and Shell Ventures continued to invest in energy and mobility transformation companies.
Shell plc reported strong operational and financial performance in Q1 2024, with Adjusted Earnings of $7.7 billion and CFFO of $13.3 billion.
The company announced a $3.5 billion share buyback program and maintained its 2024 cash capex outlook.
Net debt reduced by $3 billion to $40.5 billion.
Integrated Gas, Upstream, Marketing, Chemicals & Products, and Renewables & Energy Solutions segments all showed positive performance.
Renewables power generation capacity increased, and Shell Ventures continued to invest in energy and mobility transformation companies.
- None.
Insights
Shell plc's first-quarter financial performance exhibits a robust operational and financial execution. The announcement of a new
Adjusted earnings of
The operational data reflects a strategic pivot within Shell's portfolio. The increment in renewable generation capacity, with projects like CrossWind and Madison Fields coming online, indicates progress in Shell's energy transition strategy. This move is fundamental, given the global shift towards sustainable energy solutions and may strengthen Shell's market positioning in the long-term amidst emerging carbon restrictions and change in consumer preferences.
The refinery utilisation has improved, showcased by a rise to
The considerable outlay on capital expenditure (
Considering the broader market dynamics, Shell's Q1 financials can be seen as indicative of the energy sector's continued recovery post-pandemic and the ability to navigate geopolitical tensions affecting energy supply. The company's financial robustness may support its strategic initiatives, particularly in the renewables and low-carbon sectors, which are expected to command increasing capital as nations push for more aggressive climate targets.
Investors should also recognize the potential impact of the scheduled maintenance across Shell's portfolio in Q2, which could pressure production levels and therefore financial outcomes in the short-term. However, this is a routine aspect of energy operations, necessary to uphold safety and efficiency standards.
London, May 2, 2024
"Shell delivered another quarter of strong operational and financial performance, demonstrating our continued focus on delivering more value with less emissions. We continue to deliver on our Capital Markets Day targets, giving us the confidence to commence another
Shell plc Chief Executive Officer, Wael Sawan
DELIVERING STRONG Q1 RESULTS
- Q1 2024 Adjusted Earnings1 of
$7.7 billion , reflecting strong operational performance across the business. CFFO of$13.3 billion for the quarter includes a working capital outflow of$2.8 billion . - Commencing a
$3.5 billion share buyback programme, expected to be completed by Q2 2024 results announcement. Over the last 4 quarters, total shareholder distributions paid were41% of CFFO. - 2024 cash capex outlook unchanged:
$22 - 25 billion.
| $ million1 | Adj. Earnings | Adj. EBITDA | CFFO | Cash capex | |
| Integrated Gas | 3,680 | 6,136 | 4,712 | 1,041 | |
| Upstream | 1,933 | 7,888 | 5,727 | 2,010 | |
| Marketing | 781 | 1,686 | 1,319 | 465 | |
| Chemicals & Products2 | 1,615 | 2,826 | (349) | 500 | |
| Renewables & Energy Solutions | 163 | 267 | 2,466 | 438 | |
| Corporate | (368) | (92) | (545) | 37 | |
| Less: Non-controlling interest (NCI) | 70 | ||||
| Shell | Q1 2024 | 7,734 | 18,711 | 13,330 | 4,493 |
| Q4 2023 | 7,306 | 16,335 | 12,575 | 7,113 | |
1Income/(loss) attributable to shareholders for Q1 2024 is
2Chemicals & Products adjusted earnings at a subsegment level are as follows - Chemicals
- CFFO of
$13.3 billion for Q1 2024 includes a working capital outflow of$2.8 billion , given higher crude and oil products prices towards the end of the quarter. CFFO reflects tax payments of$2.6 billion . Net debt reduced by$3 billion over the quarter to$40.5 billion .
| $ billion1 | Q1 2023 | Q2 2023 | Q3 2023 | Q4 2023 | Q1 2024 |
| Divestment proceeds | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 1.0 |
| Free cash flow | 9.9 | 12.1 | 7.5 | 6.9 | 9.8 |
| Net debt | 44.2 | 40.3 | 40.5 | 43.5 | 40.5 |
1 Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures can be found in the unaudited results, available at www.shell.com/investors.
Q1 2024 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE DRIVERS
INTEGRATED GAS
| Key data | Q4 2023 | Q1 2024 | Q2 2024 outlook |
| Realised liquids price ($/bbl) | 65 | 73 | — |
| Realised gas price ($/mscf) | 8 | 9 | — |
| Production (kboe/d) | 901 | 992 | 920 - 980 |
| LNG liquefaction volumes (MT) | 7.1 | 7.6 | 6.8 - 7.4 |
| LNG sales volumes (MT) | 18.1 | 16.9 | — |
- Adjusted Earnings were lower than in Q4 2023, due to lower LNG trading and optimisation results partially offset by higher volumes, mainly driven by Prelude. Trading and optimisation results were strong, but significantly lower compared to an exceptional Q4 2023.
- Q2 2024 production and liquefaction outlook reflects scheduled maintenance across the portfolio.
UPSTREAM
| Key data | Q4 2023 | Q1 2024 | Q2 2024 outlook |
| Realised liquids price ($/bbl) | 80 | 77 | — |
| Realised gas price ($/mscf) | 8 | 6 | — |
| Liquids production (kboe/d) | 1,361 | 1,331 | — |
| Gas production (mscf/d) | 2,952 | 3,136 | — |
| Total production (kboe/d) | 1,870 | 1,872 | 1,630 - 1,830 |
- Adjusted Earnings in Q1 2024 reflect increased well write-offs (mainly in Albania). Q4 2023 taxation charge reflected favourable deferred tax movements, not reoccurring in Q1 2024.
- Q2 2024 production outlook reflects scheduled maintenance across the portfolio.
MARKETING
| Key data | Q4 2023 | Q1 2024 | Q2 2024 outlook |
| Marketing sales volumes (kb/d) | 2,997 | 2,763 | 2,700 - 3,200 |
| Mobility (kb/d) | 2,179 | 1,991 | — |
| Lubricants (kb/d) | 78 | 87 | — |
| Sectors & Decarbonisation (kb/d) | 740 | 686 | — |
The Wholesale commercial fuels business, previously reported in Chemicals & Products, is reported in the Marketing segment (Mobility) with effect from Q1 2024.
Comparative information for Marketing and Chemicals & Products has been revised.
- Marketing Adjusted Earnings were in line with Q4 2023. Seasonally higher margins in Lubricants were offset by lower Mobility volumes. Q4 2023 had higher opex offset by one-off tax benefits, not reoccurring in Q1 2024.
CHEMICALS & PRODUCTS
| Key data | Q4 2023 | Q1 2024 | Q2 2024 outlook |
| Refinery processing intake (kb/d) | 1,315 | 1,430 | — |
| Chemicals sales volumes (kT) | 2,588 | 2,883 | — |
| Refinery utilisation (%) | 81 | 91 | 87 - 95 |
| Chemicals manufacturing plant utilisation (%) | 62 | 73 | 72 - 80 |
| Global indicative refining margin ($/bbl) | 10 | 12 | — |
| Global indicative chemical margin ($/t) | 125 | 150 | — |
The Wholesale commercial fuels business, previously reported in Chemicals & Products, is reported in the Marketing segment (Mobility) with effect from Q1 2024.
Comparative information for Marketing and Chemicals & Products has been revised.
- Higher refining margins in Q1 2024 driven by higher utilisation and global supply disruptions. Chemicals losses reduced due to improved margin environment and utilisation.
- Trading and optimisation significantly higher than in Q4 2023.
RENEWABLES & ENERGY SOLUTIONS
| Key data | Q4 2023 | Q1 2024 |
| External power sales (TWh) | 68 | 77 |
| Sales of natural gas to end-use customers (TWh) | 175 | 190 |
| Renewables power generation capacity* | 6.6 | 6.7 |
| 2.5 | 3.2 |
| 4.1 | 3.5 |
*Excluding Shell's equity share of associates where information cannot be obtained
Segment earnings for Q1 2024 are
- Adjusted Earnings in line with Q4 2023, driven by lower trading and optimisation margins, offset by lower opex.
- Renewable generation capacity in operation increased as CrossWind, an offshore wind project in the Netherlands, and Madison Fields, a solar project in the USA, reached commercial operation.
Renewables and Energy Solutions includes renewable power generation, the marketing and trading and optimisation of power and pipeline gas, as well as carbon credits, and digitally enabled customer solutions. It also includes the production and marketing of hydrogen, development of commercial carbon capture and storage hubs, investment in nature-based projects that avoid or reduce carbon emissions, and Shell Ventures, which invests in companies that work to accelerate the energy and mobility transformation.
CORPORATE
| Key data | Q4 2023 | Q1 2024 | Q2 2024 outlook |
| Adjusted Earnings ($ billion) | (0.6) | (0.4) | (0.6) - (0.4) |
- The Adjusted Earnings outlook is a net expense of
$1.7 - 2.3 billion for the full year 2024. This excludes the impact of currency exchange rate and fair value accounting effects.
UPCOMING INVESTOR EVENTS
| May 21, 2024 | Annual General Meeting |
| August 1, 2024 | Second quarter 2024 results and dividends |
| October 31, 2024 | Third quarter 2024 results and dividends |
USEFUL LINKS
ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE (NON-GAAP) MEASURES
This announcement includes certain measures that are calculated and presented on the basis of methodologies other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) such as IFRS, including Adjusted Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA, CFFO excluding working capital movements, Cash capital expenditure, free cash flow, Divestment proceeds and Net debt. This information, along with comparable GAAP measures, is useful to investors because it provides a basis for measuring Shell plc’s operating performance and ability to retire debt and invest in new business opportunities. Shell plc’s management uses these financial measures, along with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, in evaluating the business performance.
This announcement may contain certain forward-looking non-GAAP measures for cash capital expenditure and divestments. We are unable to provide a reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures because certain information needed to reconcile the non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is dependent on future events some of which are outside the control of the company, such as oil and gas prices, interest rates and exchange rates. Moreover, estimating such GAAP measure with the required precision necessary to provide a meaningful reconciliation is extremely difficult and could not be accomplished without unreasonable effort. Non-GAAP measures in respect of future periods which cannot be reconciled to the most comparable GAAP financial measure are estimated in a manner which is consistent with the accounting policies applied in Shell plc’s consolidated financial statements.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
The companies in which Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this announcement "Shell", "Shell Group" and "Group" are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" are also used to refer to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. "Subsidiaries", "Shell subsidiaries" and "Shell companies" as used in this announcement refer to entities over which Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. The terms "joint venture", "joint operations", "joint arrangements", and "associates" may also be used to refer to a commercial arrangement in which Shell has a direct or indirect ownership interest with one or more parties. The term "Shell interest" is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest.
This announcement contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "aim"; "ambition"; "anticipate"’; "believe"; "commit"; "commitment"; "could"; "estimate"; "expect"’; "goals"; "intend"; "may"; "milestones"; "objectives"; "outlook"; "plan"; "probably"; "project"; "risks"; "schedule"; "seek"; "should"; "target"; "will"; "would" and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this [report], including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, judicial, fiscal and regulatory developments including regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; (m) risks associated with the impact of pandemics, such as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, regional conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, and a significant cyber security breach; and (n) changes in trading conditions. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments. All forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Shell plc’s Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 (available at www.shell.com/investors/news-and-filings/sec-filings.html and www.sec.gov). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward-looking statements contained in this [report] and should be considered by the reader.Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this announcement, May 2, 2024. Neither Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.
All amounts shown throughout this announcement are unaudited. The numbers presented throughout this announcement may not sum precisely to the totals provided and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures, due to rounding.
Shell’s Net Carbon Intensity
Also, in this announcement we may refer to Shell’s “Net Carbon Intensity” (NCI), which includes Shell’s carbon emissions from the production of our energy products, our suppliers’ carbon emissions in supplying energy for that production and our customers’ carbon emissions associated with their use of the energy products we sell. Shell’s NCI also includes the emissions associated with the production and use of energy products produced by others which Shell purchases for resale. Shell only controls its own emissions. The use of the terms Shell’s “Net Carbon Intensity” or NCI is for convenience only and not intended to suggest these emissions are those of Shell plc or its subsidiaries.
Shell’s Net-Zero Emissions Target
Shell’s operating plan, outlook and budgets are forecasted for a ten-year period and are updated every year. They reflect the current economic environment and what we can reasonably expect to see over the next ten years. Accordingly, they reflect our Scope 1, Scope 2 and NCI targets over the next ten years. However, Shell’s operating plans cannot reflect our 2050 net-zero emissions target, as this target is currently outside our planning period. In the future, as society moves towards net-zero emissions, we expect Shell’s operating plans to reflect this movement. However, if society is not net zero in 2050, as of today, there would be significant risk that Shell may not meet this target.
The content of websites referred to in this announcement does not form part of this announcement.
We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this announcement that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov.
The financial information presented in this announcement does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434(3) of the Companies Act 2006 (“the Act”). Statutory accounts for the year ended December 31, 2023 were published in Shell’s Annual Report and Accounts, a copy of which was delivered to the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales, and in Shell’s Form 20-F. The auditor’s report on those accounts was unqualified, did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying the report and did not contain a statement under sections 498(2) or 498(3) of the Act.
The information in this announcement does not constitute the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements which are contained in Shell’s first quarter 2024 unaudited results available on www.shell.com/investors.
CONTACTS
- Media: International +44 207 934 5550; USA +1 832 337 4355
FAQ
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