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ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC 4th QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

Source: GlobeNewswire
ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC 4th QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 




 

               
ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC
4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS		    

 

                           
 
SUMMARY OF UNAUDITED RESULTS
Quarters$ million Full year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019%¹ Reference20202019%
(4,014) 489  965  -516Income/(loss) attributable to shareholders (21,680) 15,842  -237
(4,478) 177  871  -614CCS earnings attributable to shareholdersNote 2(19,922) 15,270  -230
393  955  2,931  -87Adjusted Earnings²A4,846  16,462  -71
6,287  10,403  10,267  -39Cash flow from operating activities 34,105  42,178  -19
(5,406) (2,833) (4,862)  Cash flow from investing activities (13,277) (15,779)  
882  7,571  5,405   Free cash flowG20,828  26,399   
5,503  3,737  6,883   Cash capital expenditureC17,827  23,919   
8,544  7,854  9,993  -15Underlying operating expensesF32,502  36,993  -12
(6.8)%(4.9)%6.7% ROACE (Net income basis)D(6.8)%6.7% 
2.9%3.9%6.9% ROACE (CCS basis excluding identified items)D2.9%6.9% 
75,386  73,463  79,093   Net debtE75,386  79,093   
32.2%31.4%29.3% GearingE32.2%29.3% 
3,371  3,081  3,763  -10Total production available for sale (thousand boe/d) 3,386  3,665  -8
(0.52) 0.06  0.12  -533Basic earnings per share ($) (2.78) 1.97  -241
0.05  0.12  0.37  -86Adjusted Earnings per share ($)B0.62  2.04  -70
0.1665  0.1665  0.47  -65Dividend per share ($) 0.6530  1.88  -65

1.     Q4 on Q4 change.

2.     Adjusted Earnings is defined as income/(loss) attributable to shareholders plus cost of supplies adjustment (see Note 2) and excluding identified items (see Reference A).


 

Income attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders amounted to a loss of $4.0 billion for the fourth quarter 2020, which included post-tax impairment charges of $2.7 billion and charges of $1.1 billion mainly due to onerous contract provisions. Fourth quarter 2020 results reflected lower realised prices for oil and LNG as well as lower production volumes and realised refining margins compared with the fourth quarter 2019. This was partly offset by lower operating expenses and higher chemicals margins.


 

Cost of supplies adjustment attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders for the fourth quarter 2020 was negative $0.5 billion.


 

Adjusted Earnings were $0.4 billion for the fourth quarter 2020, reflecting lower realised prices for oil and LNG as well as lower production volumes and realised refining margins compared with the fourth quarter 2019. This was partly offset by lower operating expenses and higher chemicals margins.


 

Cash flow from operating activities for the fourth quarter 2020 was $6.3 billion, which included cash outflows from commodity derivatives of $0.9 billion and negative working capital movements of $0.3 billion. Cash flow from investing activities for the quarter was an outflow of $5.4 billion, driven mainly by capital expenditure.


 

Net debt was $75.4 billion at the end of the fourth quarter 2020, compared with $73.5 billion at the end of the third quarter 2020, mainly driven by lower free cash flow generation and by lease additions, partly offset by favourable foreign currency exchange translation differences. Gearing was 32.2% at the end of the fourth quarter 2020, compared with 31.4% at the end of the third quarter 2020, mainly driven by increased net debt and reduced earnings, partly offset by favourable foreign currency exchange translation differences and a reduction in pensions deficit.


 

Total dividends distributed to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders in the quarter were $1.3 billion. The Board expects that the first quarter 2021 interim dividend will be US$0.1735 per share, an increase of ~4% over the US dollar dividend for the fourth quarter 2020.


 

 






 


 

   
 
ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC
4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 


 

Supplementary financial and operational disclosure and a separate press release for this quarter are available at www.shell.com/investor1.

1. Not incorporated by reference.



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FOURTH QUARTER 2020 PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENTS

 

Integrated Gas

During the quarter, QGC Common Facilities Company Pty Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shell, announced that it has agreed to the sale of a 26.25% interest in the Queensland Curtis LNG Common Facilities to Global Infrastructure Partners Australia for US$2.5 billion. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval in Australia and customary conditions and is expected to complete in the first half of 2021.

 

Upstream

In January 2021, Shell completed the sale of its 30% interest in Oil Mining Lease 17 in the Eastern Niger Delta, and associated infrastructure, to TNOG Oil and Gas Limited, a related company of Heirs Holdings Limited and Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, for a consideration of $533 million. A total of $453 million was paid by completion with the balance to be paid over an agreed period.


 



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ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC
4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 


 

PERFORMANCE BY SEGMENT

 

                        
 
INTEGRATED GAS   
Quarters$ millionFull year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019%¹ 20202019%
20  (151) 1,897  -99Segment earnings(6,278) 8,628  -173
(1,089) (920) (89)  Of which: Identified items (Reference A)(10,661) (326)  
1,109  768  1,986  -44Adjusted Earnings4,383  8,955  -51
2,203  2,323  3,457  -36Cash flow from operating activities11,175  15,311  -27
2,195  2,396  4,017  -45Cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements (Reference H)10,814  14,828  -27
1,664  1,020  1,323   Cash capital expenditure (Reference C)4,301  4,299   
156  143  161  -3Liquids production available for sale (thousand b/d)153  156  -2
4,555  4,067  4,578  0Natural gas production available for sale (million scf/d)4,396  4,442  -1
942  844  950  -1Total production available for sale (thousand boe/d)911  922  -1
8.21  7.80  9.21  -11LNG liquefaction volumes (million tonnes)33.25  35.55  -6
16.89  17.13  20.09  -16LNG sales volumes (million tonnes)69.67  74.45  -6

1.     Q4 on Q4 change.


 

Fourth quarter segment earnings were $20 million. This included a net charge of $519 million due to the fair value accounting of commodity derivatives and a charge of $481 million related to onerous contract provisions. These net charges are part of identified items (see Reference A).

Compared with the fourth quarter 2019, Integrated Gas Adjusted Earnings of $1,109 million primarily reflected lower realised prices for LNG, oil and gas and lower contributions from trading and optimisation, partly offset by lower operating expenses.


 

Cash flow from operating activities for the quarter was $2,203 million, primarily driven by Adjusted Earnings before non-cash expenses including depreciation, as well as dividends received. This was partly offset by cash outflows from commodity derivatives of $289 million.


 

Compared with the fourth quarter 2019, total oil and gas production decreased by 1% mainly due to more maintenance activities and field decline, partly offset by the transfer of the Rashpetco operations in Egypt from the Upstream segment and PSC effects. LNG liquefaction volumes decreased mainly as a result of feedgas constraints and maintenance activities.


 

Full year segment earnings amounted to a loss of $6,278 million. This included a post-tax impairment charge of $9,282 million mainly related to the Queensland Curtis LNG and Prelude floating LNG operations in Australia. Also included were a net charge of $969 million due to the fair value accounting of commodity derivatives and a charge of $607 million related to onerous contract provisions. These charges are part of identified items (see Reference A).

Compared with the full year 2019, Integrated Gas Adjusted Earnings of $4,383 million primarily reflected lower realised prices for LNG, oil and gas and lower contributions from trading and optimisation, partly offset by lower operating expenses.


 

Cash flow from operating activities for the full year 2020 was $11,175 million, primarily driven by Adjusted Earnings before non-cash expenses including depreciation and well write-offs.


 

Compared with the full year 2019, total oil and gas production decreased by 1% mainly due to more maintenance activities and lower wells performance, partly offset by the transfer of the Rashpetco operations in Egypt from the Upstream segment and field ramp-ups. LNG liquefaction volumes decreased mainly as a result of lower feedgas availability, more maintenance and cargo timing.



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ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC
4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 


 

                        
 
UPSTREAM    
Quarters$ millionFull year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019%¹ 20202019%
(2,091) (1,110) (855) -145Segment earnings(10,785) 3,855  -380
(1,344) (226) (1,564)  Of which: Identified items (Reference A)(7,933) (598)  
(748) (884) 709  -205Adjusted Earnings(2,852) 4,452  -164
2,010  2,101  3,995  -50Cash flow from operating activities10,037  19,085  -47
2,890  2,629  4,834  -40Cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements (Reference H)9,784  19,946  -51
1,654  1,245  2,768   Cash capital expenditure (Reference C)7,296  10,205   
1,537  1,520  1,716  -10Liquids production available for sale (thousand b/d)1,599  1,668  -4
4,837  3,960  6,027  -20Natural gas production available for sale (million scf/d)4,785  5,935  -19
2,371  2,203  2,755  -14Total production available for sale (thousand boe/d)2,424  2,691  -10

1.    Q4 on Q4 change.


 

Fourth quarter segment earnings amounted to a loss of $2,091 million. This included a post-tax impairment charge of $1,272 million mainly related to partial impairment of the Appomattox asset in the US Gulf of Mexico. This charge is part of identified items (see Reference A).

Compared with the fourth quarter 2019, Upstream Adjusted Earnings were a loss of $748 million, reflecting lower oil and gas prices, lower production volumes mainly driven by hurricanes affecting US Gulf of Mexico production and OPEC+ restrictions, and unfavourable deferred tax movements. These were partly offset by lower well write-offs, and lower operating expenses.


 

Cash flow from operating activities for the quarter was $2,010 million, primarily driven by Adjusted Earnings before non-cash expenses including depreciation.


 

Compared with the fourth quarter 2019, total production decreased by 14%, mainly due to the impact of more maintenance activities, hurricanes in the US Gulf of Mexico, the impact of divestments, OPEC+ restrictions, and lower production in the NAM joint venture. New fields and ramp-ups offset the impact of field declines.


 

Full year segment earnings amounted to a loss of $10,785 million. This included a post-tax impairment charge of $6,447 million mainly related to offshore assets in the US Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, Nigeria and Europe, and unconventional assets in North America. Also included was a net charge of $782 million related to the impact of the weakening Brazilian real on a deferred tax position. These net charges are part of identified items (see Reference A).

Compared with the full year 2019, Upstream Adjusted Earnings amounted to a loss of $2,852 million, primarily reflecting lower realised oil and gas prices, and lower production volumes.


 

Cash flow from operating activities for the full year 2020 was $10,037 million, primarily driven by Adjusted Earnings before non-cash expenses including depreciation.


 

Compared with the full year 2019, total production decreased by 10%, mainly due to the impact of divestments, lower production in the NAM joint venture, OPEC+ restrictions and higher maintenance. New fields and ramp-ups, mainly in Brazil, offset the impact of field declines.


 



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ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC
4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 


 

                        
 
OIL PRODUCTS   
Quarters$ millionFull year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019%¹ 20202019%
(1,775) 2,092  1,183  -250Segment earnings²(494) 6,139  -108
(2,315) 411  (318) 
 		Of which: Identified items (Reference A)(6,489) (93)  
540  1,680  1,501  -64Adjusted Earnings²5,995  6,231  -4
    Of which:   
(287) 55  531  -154Refining & Trading1,425  1,526  -7
828  1,626  971  -15Marketing4,570  4,705  -3
1,198  5,131  2,538  -53Cash flow from operating activities10,845  6,345  +71
782  3,476  3,120  -75Cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements (Reference H)7,041  10,738  -34
1,310  832  1,628   Cash capital expenditure (Reference C)3,328  4,908   
1,940  1,972  2,438  -20Refinery processing intake (thousand b/d)2,063  2,564  -20
4,781 ³4,740 ³6,435  -26Oil Products sales volumes (thousand b/d)4,710 ³6,561  -28

1.    Q4 on Q4 change.

2.    Earnings are presented on a CCS basis (see Note 2).

3.    With effect from January 1, 2020, the reporting of Oil Products sales volumes has changed (see Note 2). Sales volumes would be 5,256 thousand b/d in the fourth quarter 2020 on a comparable basis with 2019.


 

Fourth quarter segment earnings were a loss of $1,775 million. This included a post-tax impairment charge of $1,325 million, mainly related to assets in the Netherlands and in Singapore, and the shutdown of the Convent Refinery in the USA. The shutdown of the Convent Refinery also led to further post-tax charges of $661 million, related to provisions for onerous contracts, and redundancy and restructuring. Also included was a net charge of $352 million due to the fair value accounting of commodity derivatives. These charges are part of identified items (see Reference A).

Compared with the fourth quarter 2019, Oil Products Adjusted Earnings of $540 million for the quarter reflected lower realised refining margins due to a weaker macroeconomic environment and the COVID-19 pandemic, and lower contributions from trading and optimisation. This was partly offset by lower operating expenses, and favourable deferred tax movements.


 

Cash flow from operating activities for the fourth quarter 2020 was $1,198 million, primarily driven by Adjusted Earnings before depreciation, as well as positive working capital movements of $416 million, offset by cash outflows for commodity derivatives of $784 million.


 

With effect from January 1, 2020, certain Oil Products contracts are no longer included in sales volumes (see Note 2). Excluding this impact, Oil Products sales volumes decreased due to the impact of COVID-19 with lower Refining & Trading and Marketing sales volumes, compared with the fourth quarter 2019.


 

▪Refining & Trading Adjusted Earnings reflected lower realised refining margins, and lower contributions from trading and optimisation. This was partly offset by favourable deferred tax movements and lower operating expenses, compared with the fourth quarter 2019.

▪Marketing Adjusted Earnings reflected lower marketing sales volumes and unfavourable deferred tax movements, partly offset by strong retail and global commercial margins, and lower operating expenses, compared with the fourth quarter 2019.

With effect from January 1, 2020, Shell discloses utilisation instead of availability to improve transparency on refinery production volumes. Utilisation is defined as the actual usage of the plants as a percentage of the rated capacity. Refinery utilisation was 72% compared with 78% in the fourth quarter 2019, mainly due to lower demand and economic optimisation of the plants, as well as the shutdown of the Convent Refinery.


 

Full year segment earnings were a loss of $494 million. This included a post-tax impairment charge of $5,530 million, as a result of revised medium- and long-term price outlook assumptions in response to changes to the energy market demand and supply fundamentals as well as the macroeconomic conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, and the shutdown of the Convent Refinery in the USA. This shutdown also led to further post-tax charges of $661 million, related to provisions for onerous contracts, and redundancy and restructuring. Segment earnings also included further redundancy and



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ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC
4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 


 

restructuring costs of $223 million and a net charge of $101 million due to the fair value accounting of commodity derivatives. These net charges are part of identified items (see Reference A).

Compared with the full year 2019, Oil Products Adjusted Earnings of $5,995 million reflected lower realised refining margins and lower marketing sales volumes due to the weak macroeconomic environment and the COVID-19 pandemic. These were partly offset by lower operating expenses, contributions from crude and oil products trading and optimisation, and favourable deferred tax movements.


 

Cash flow from operating activities for the full year 2020 was $10,845 million, primarily driven by Adjusted Earnings before depreciation and positive working capital movements. This was partly offset by cost-of-sales adjustments for the full year 2020.


 

With effect from January 1, 2020, certain Oil Products contracts are no longer included in sales volumes (see Note 2). Excluding this impact, Oil Products sales volumes decreased due to lower refining & trading and marketing sales volumes, compared with the full year 2019.


 

▪Refining & Trading Adjusted Earnings reflected lower realised refining margins, partly offset by lower operating expenses, contributions from crude and oil products trading and optimisation as well as favourable deferred tax movements, compared with the full year 2019.


 

▪Marketing Adjusted Earnings reflected lower marketing sales volumes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, partly offset by strong retail and global commercial margins, and lower operating expenses, compared with the full year 2019.


 


 

With effect from January 1, 2020, Shell discloses utilisation instead of availability to improve transparency on refinery production volumes. Utilisation is defined as the actual usage of the plants as a percentage of the rated capacity. Refinery utilisation was 72% compared with 78% in the full year 2019, mainly due to lower demand and economic optimisation of the plants.



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ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC
4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 


 

                        
 
CHEMICALS   
Quarters$ millionFull year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019%¹ 20202019%
367  131  (78) +570Segment earnings²808  479  +69
(14) (96) (13)  Of which: Identified items (Reference A)(154) (263)  
381  227  (65) +685Adjusted Earnings²962  741  +30
774  335  (44) +1854Cash flow from operating activities1,664  1,394  +19
775  488  338  +129Cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements (Reference H)1,756  1,721  +2
830  595  1,023   Cash capital expenditure (Reference C)2,640  4,090   
3,718  3,823  3,454  +8Chemicals sales volumes (thousand tonnes)15,036  15,223  -1

1.    Q4 on Q4 change.

2.    Earnings are presented on a CCS basis (see Note 2).


 

Fourth quarter segment earnings were $367 million, which reflected higher realised margins in base chemicals and intermediates from a stronger price environment, compared with the fourth quarter 2019. There were no significant identified items during the quarter.

Cash flow from operating activities for the quarter was $774 million, primarily driven by Adjusted Earnings before depreciation and dividends received from joint ventures.


 

With effect from January 1, 2020, Shell discloses utilisation instead of availability to improve transparency on chemicals production volumes. Utilisation is defined as the actual usage of the plants as a percentage of the rated capacity. Chemicals manufacturing plant utilisation in the fourth quarter 2020 was 79% compared with 71% in the fourth quarter 2019, mainly due to improved site availability, with a higher level of maintenance activities in 2019.


 

Full year segment earnings were $808 million, which reflected higher realised margins from a stronger price environment in the fourth quarter, partly offset by lower volumes due to the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the full year 2019. Segment earnings included a charge of $104 million due to a legal provision and redundancy and restructuring costs of $38 million. These net charges are part of identified items (see Reference A).


 

Compared with the full year 2019, Chemicals Adjusted Earnings of $962 million reflected higher realised margins from a stronger price environment in the fourth quarter, partly offset by lower volumes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


 

Cash flow from operating activities for the full year 2020 was an inflow of $1,664 million, primarily driven by Adjusted Earnings before depreciation. This was partly offset by cost-of-sales adjustments for the full year 2020.


 

With effect from January 1, 2020, Shell discloses utilisation instead of availability to improve transparency on chemicals production volumes. Utilisation is defined as the actual usage of the plants as a percentage of the rated capacity. Chemicals manufacturing plant utilisation was 80% compared with 76% in the full year 2019, mainly due to higher maintenance activities in Asia and Europe in 2019, and the impact of strike actions in the Netherlands in 2019.


 


 



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ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC
4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 


 

                  
 
CORPORATE  
Quarters$ millionFull year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019 20202019
(954) (739) (1,151) Segment earnings(2,952) (3,273) 
(118) 52  (76) Of which: Identified items (Reference A)460  109  
(836) (792) (1,075) Adjusted Earnings(3,412) (3,383) 
102  514  321  Cash flow from operating activities384  44  
(17) (33) (9) Cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements (Reference H)101  (274) 

Fourth quarter segment earnings were an expense of $954 million. This included a loss of $124 million from the deferred tax impact of the strengthening Brazilian real on financing positions, which is part of identified items (see Reference A).

Adjusted Earnings were an expense of $836 million, reflecting favourable currency exchange rate effects and lower net interest expense, compared with the fourth quarter 2019.


 

Full year segment earnings were an expense of $2,952 million. This included gains of $454 million from the deferred tax impact of the weakening Brazilian real on financing positions, which is part of identified items (see Reference A).

Adjusted Earnings were an expense of $3,412 million, reflecting adverse currency exchange rate effects and lower interest expense, compared with the full year 2019.


 

 

PRELIMINARY RESERVES UPDATE


 

When final volumes are reported in the 2020 Annual Report and Accounts and 2020 Form 20-F, Shell expects that SEC proved oil and gas reserves reductions before taking into account production will be approximately 0.7 billion boe, and that 2020 production will be approximately 1.3 billion boe. As a result, total proved reserves on an SEC basis are expected to be approximately 9.1 billion boe. Acquisitions and divestments of 2020 reserves are expected to account for a net reduction of approximately 0.1 billion boe.

The proved Reserves Replacement Ratio on an SEC basis is expected to be -53% for the year and 23% for the 3-year average. Excluding the impact of acquisitions and divestments, the proved Reserves Replacement Ratio is expected to be -46% for the year and 34% for the 3-year average.

Further information will be provided in the 2020 Annual Report and Accounts and 2020 Form 20-F, which are expected to be filed in March 2021.

 

OUTLOOK FOR THE FIRST QUARTER 2021

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there continues to be significant uncertainty in the macroeconomic conditions with an expected negative impact on demand for oil, gas and related products. The first quarter 2021 outlook provides ranges for operational and financial metrics based on current expectations, but these are subject to change in the light of evolving market conditions. Due to demand or regulatory requirements and/or constraints in infrastructure, Shell may need to take measures to curtail or reduce oil and/or gas production, LNG liquefaction as well as utilisation of refining and chemicals plants and similarly sales volumes could be impacted. Such measures will likely have a variety of impacts on our operational and financial metrics.

 

Integrated Gas production is expected to be approximately 900 - 950 thousand boe/d. LNG liquefaction volumes are expected to be approximately 8.0 - 8.6 million tonnes.

 

Upstream production is expected to be approximately 2,400 - 2,600 thousand boe/d.

 

Refinery utilisation is expected to be approximately 73% - 81%.

Oil Products sales volumes are expected to be approximately 4,000 - 5,000 thousand b/d.

 

Chemicals manufacturing plant utilisation is expected to be approximately 80% - 88%.

Chemicals sales volumes are expected to be approximately 3,600 - 3,900 thousand tonnes.



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ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC
4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 


 

Corporate Adjusted Earnings are expected to be a net expense of approximately $600 - $700 million in the first quarter 2021 and a net expense of approximately $2,400 - $2,800 million for the full year 2021, mainly representing a decrease in expected interest expense when compared to the full year 2020. This excludes the impact of currency exchange rate effects.



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ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC
4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 


 

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

The Shell Strategy Day is scheduled to take place on February 11, 2021.


 

The LNG Outlook and Integrated Gas Strategy is scheduled for February 25, 2021.


 

The ESG Update is scheduled to take place on April 15, 2021.


 

The Pre-AGM Engagement is scheduled for May (TBD), 2021.


 

The Annual General Meeting is scheduled to take place on May 18, 2021.


 

The Upstream Investor Day is scheduled to take place on May 26, 2021.


 

First quarter 2021 results and dividends are scheduled to be announced on April 29, 2021. Second quarter and half year 2021 results and dividends are scheduled to be announced on July 29, 2021. Third quarter 2021 results and dividends are scheduled to be announced on October 28, 2021.

From the first quarter 2021 onwards, the Quarterly Update Note will be published up to one calendar week after the end of each quarter.

 


 



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ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC
4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 


 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

                  
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME  
Quarters$ millionFull year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019 20202019
43,989  44,021  84,006  Revenue¹180,543  344,877  
629  461  719  Share of profit of joint ventures and associates1,783  3,604  
411  234  340  Interest and other income869  3,625  
45,028  44,717  85,066  Total revenue and other income183,196  352,106  
28,511  27,276  60,570  Purchases117,093  252,983  
6,701  5,496  7,247  Production and manufacturing expenses24,001  26,438  
2,751  2,366  2,831  Selling, distribution and administrative expenses9,881  10,493  
199  233  306  Research and development907  962  
508  222  965  Exploration1,747  2,354  
9,573  7,689  9,238  Depreciation, depletion and amortisation²52,444  28,701  
908  992  1,118  Interest expense4,089  4,690  
49,152  44,275  82,275  Total expenditure210,162  326,621  
(4,124) 442  2,791  Income/(loss) before taxation(26,966) 25,485  
(168) (104) 1,702  Taxation charge/(credit)(5,433) 9,053  
(3,956) 546  1,089  Income/(loss) for the period¹(21,534) 16,432  
58  57  124  Income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interest146  590  
(4,014) 489  965  Income/(loss) attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders(21,680) 15,842  
(0.52) 0.06  0.12  Basic earnings per share ($)³(2.78) 1.97  
(0.52) 0.06  0.12  Diluted earnings per share ($)³(2.78) 1.95  

1.    See Note 2 “Segment information”.

2.    See Note 7 “Other notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements”.

3.    See Note 3 “Earnings per share”.

 

                  
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  
Quarters$ millionFull year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019 20202019
(3,956) 546  1,089  Income/(loss) for the period(21,534) 16,432  
   Other comprehensive income/(loss) net of tax:  
   Items that may be reclassified to income in later periods:  
2,280  1,246  1,467  – Currency translation differences1,179  344  
3  5  (2) – Debt instruments remeasurements23  29  
54  75  (120) – Cash flow hedging gains/(losses)(160) (276) 
(170) (153) (15) – Net investment hedging gains/(losses)(423) 9  
3  (59) (45) – Deferred cost of hedging100  66  
39  (51) 24  – Share of other comprehensive income/(loss) of joint ventures and associates(42) (76) 
2,208  1,063  1,310  Total678  96  
   Items that are not reclassified to income in later periods:  
1,045  (580) 2,553  – Retirement benefits remeasurements(2,702) (2,102) 
88  36  (5) – Equity instruments remeasurements64  (30) 
6  45  6  – Share of other comprehensive income/(loss) of joint ventures and associates119  2  
1,140  (499) 2,554  Total(2,519) (2,130) 
3,347  564  3,863  Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the period(1,842) (2,034) 
(609) 1,111  4,952  Comprehensive income/(loss) for the period(23,375) 14,398  
134  82  143  Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interest136  625  
(743) 1,029  4,809  Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders(23,512) 13,773  



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4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 


 

         
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
$ million  
 December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Assets  
Non-current assets  
Intangible assets22,822  23,486  
Property, plant and equipment210,847  238,349  
Joint ventures and associates22,451  22,808  
Investments in securities3,222  2,989  
Deferred tax16,311  10,524  
Retirement benefits¹2,474  4,717  
Trade and other receivables7,641  8,085  
Derivative financial instruments²2,805  689  
 288,572  311,647  
Current assets  
Inventories19,457  24,071  
Trade and other receivables33,625  43,414  
Derivative financial instruments²5,783  7,149  
Cash and cash equivalents31,830  18,055  
 90,694  92,689  
Total assets379,267  404,336  
Liabilities  
Non-current liabilities  
Debt91,115  81,360  
Trade and other payables2,304  2,342  
Derivative financial instruments²420  1,209  
Deferred tax10,463  14,522  
Retirement benefits¹15,168  13,017  
Decommissioning and other provisions¹27,310  21,799  
 146,780  134,249  
Current liabilities  
Debt16,899  15,064  
Trade and other payables41,677  49,208  
Derivative financial instruments²5,308  5,429  
Taxes payable6,006  6,693  
Retirement benefits¹437  419  
Decommissioning and other provisions¹3,624  2,811  
 73,950  79,624  
Total liabilities220,729  213,873  
Equity attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders155,310  186,476  
Non-controlling interest¹3,227  3,987  
Total equity158,537  190,463  
Total liabilities and equity379,267  404,336  

1.    See Note 7 "Other notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements".

2.    See Note 6 “Derivative financial instruments and debt excluding lease liabilities”.


 


 


 



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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
 Equity attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders  
$ millionShare capital¹Shares held in trustOther reserves²Retained earningsTotalNon-controlling interestTotal equity
At January 1, 2020657  (1,063) 14,451  172,431  186,476  3,987  190,463  
Comprehensive income/(loss) for the period⁴ —  —  (1,832) (21,397) (23,229) 136  (23,092) 
Transfer from other comprehensive income—  —  270  (270) —  —  —  
Dividends³—  —  —  (7,271) (7,271) (311) (7,581) 
Repurchases of shares(6) —  6  (1,214) (1,214) —  (1,214) 
Share-based compensation—  354  (143) (230) (19) —  (19) 
Other changes in non-controlling interest—  —  —  566  566  (585) (19) 
At December 31, 2020651  (709) 12,752  142,616  155,310  3,227  158,537  
At January 1, 2019685  (1,260) 16,615  182,610  198,650  3,888  202,538  
Comprehensive income/(loss) for the period—  —  (2,069) 15,842  13,773  625  14,398  
Transfer from other comprehensive income—  —  (74) 74  —  —  —  
Dividends—  —  —  (15,198) (15,198) (537) (15,735) 
Repurchases of shares(28) —  28  (10,286) (10,286) —  (10,286) 
Share-based compensation—  197  (49) (613) (465) —  (465) 
Other changes in non-controlling interest—  —  —  2  2  11  13  
At December 31, 2019657  (1,063) 14,451  172,431  186,476  3,987  190,463  

1.    See Note 4 “Share capital”.

2.    See Note 5 “Other reserves”.

3.    The amount charged to retained earnings is based on prevailing exchange rates on payment date.

4. Comprehensive loss for the period of $21,397 million recognised in retained earnings includes a gain of $283 million, recognised in equity, that relates to remeasurement of a share of interest in a joint venture in respect of prior years.


 



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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS  
Quarters$ millionFull year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019 20202019
(4,124) 442  2,791  Income before taxation for the period(26,966) 25,485  
   Adjustment for:  
716  814  859  – Interest expense (net)3,316  3,705  
9,573  7,689  9,238  – Depreciation, depletion and amortisation52,444  28,701  
199  14  496  – Exploration well write-offs815  1,218  
(162) (103) (36) – Net (gains)/losses on sale and revaluation of non-current assets and businesses(286) (2,519) 
(629) (461) (719) – Share of (profit)/loss of joint ventures and associates(1,783) (3,604) 
982  468  1,318  – Dividends received from joint ventures and associates2,591  4,139  
(1,809) 405  (546) – (Increase)/decrease in inventories4,477  (2,635) 
(107) (540) (2,448) – (Increase)/decrease in current receivables9,626  (921) 
1,579  1,583  961  – Increase/(decrease) in current payables(9,493) (1,223) 
78  233  254  – Derivative financial instruments977  (1,484) 
212  152  217  – Retirement benefits568  (365) 
771  43  (141) – Decommissioning and other provisions1,104  (686) 
(355) 265  (82) – Other8  (28) 
(638) (601) (1,894) Tax paid(3,290) (7,605) 
6,287  10,403  10,267  Cash flow from operating activities34,105  42,178  
(5,206) (3,679) (6,707) Capital expenditure(16,585) (22,971) 
(269) (34) (112) Investments in joint ventures and associates(1,024) (743) 
(28) (23) (65) Investments in equity securities(218) (205) 
94  571  1,049  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and businesses2,489  4,803  
111  159  1,032  Proceeds from sale of joint ventures and associates1,240  2,599  
7  139  55  Proceeds from sale of equity securities281  469  
111  112  224  Interest received532  911  
622  588  918  Other investing cash inflows3,239  2,921  
(848) (665) (1,255) Other investing cash outflows(3,232) (3,563) 
(5,406) (2,833) (4,862) Cash flow from investing activities(13,277) (15,779) 
(299) (176) (406) Net increase/(decrease) in debt with maturity period within three months(63) (308) 
   Other debt:  
2,048  4,745  8,758  – New borrowings23,033  11,185  
(4,862) (2,688) (2,731) – Repayments(17,385) (14,292) 
(1,153) (831) (1,232) Interest paid(4,105) (4,649) 
495  419  (124) Derivative financial instruments1,157  (48) 
(2) —  2  Change in non-controlling interest(42) —  
   Cash dividends paid to:  
(1,307) (1,236) (3,725) – Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders¹(7,424) (15,198) 
(69) (65) (133) – Non-controlling interest(311) (537) 
—  —  (2,848) Repurchases of shares(1,702) (10,188) 
(184) 1  (618) Shares held in trust: net sales/(purchases) and dividends received(382) (1,174) 
(5,333) 169  (3,057) Cash flow from financing activities(7,224) (35,209) 
567  36  289  Currency translation differences relating to cash and cash equivalents172  124  
(3,884) 7,775  2,637  Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents13,775  (8,686) 
35,714  27,939  15,417  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period18,055  26,741  
31,830  35,714  18,055  Cash and cash equivalents at end of period31,830  18,055  

1.     Cash dividends paid represents the payment of net dividends (after deduction of withholding taxes where applicable) and payment of withholding taxes on dividends paid in the previous quarter.



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4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 


 

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Basis of preparation

These unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Royal Dutch Shell plc (“the Company”) and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Shell”) have been prepared on the basis of the same accounting principles as those used in the Annual Report and Accounts (pages 190 to 238) and Form 20-F (pages 142 to 189) for the year ended December 31, 2019 as filed with the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, respectively, and should be read in conjunction with these filings.

The financial information presented in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434(3) of the Companies Act 2006 (“the Act”). Statutory accounts for the year ended December 31, 2019 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.

Key accounting considerations, significant judgements and estimates.

Future commodity price assumptions and management's view on the future development of refining margins represent a significant estimate and both were subject to change in the second quarter 2020, resulting in the recognition of impairments in the second quarter 2020. These assumptions continue to apply for impairment testing purposes in the third and fourth quarter 2020.


 

After the finalisation of the operating plan in the fourth quarter 2020, the overall deferred tax position was reviewed and deferred tax positions recognised were updated in line with the operating plan.


 

The refinery portfolio is expected to be transformed during the energy transition from fifteen sites into six high-value energy and chemical parks integrated with Chemicals. Further evaluation and decisions on assets resulted in the recognition of impairment charges and provisions for decommissioning & restoration, onerous contracts and restructuring in the fourth quarter 2020.


 


 

 

2. Segment information

With effect from January 1, 2020, Shell's reporting segments consist of Integrated Gas, Upstream, Oil Products, Chemicals and Corporate, reflecting the way Shell reviews and assesses its performance. Oil Products and Chemicals businesses were previously reported under the Downstream segment. Oil sands mining activities, previously included in the Upstream segment, are reported under Oil Products. Comparative information has been reclassified.

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

With effect from January 1, 2020, additional contracts are classified as held for trading purposes and consequently revenue is reported on a net rather than gross basis. The effect on revenue for the fourth quarter 2020 is a reduction of $10,469 million (Q3 2020: $11,478 million, full year 2020: $46,289 million).



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4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 


 

                  
 
INFORMATION BY SEGMENT  
Quarters$ millionFull year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019 20202019
   Third-party revenue  
8,010  7,684  11,006  Integrated Gas33,287  41,323  
1,576  1,670  2,604  Upstream6,767  9,482  
31,001  31,823  67,354  Oil Products128,717  280,460  
3,386  2,831  3,033  Chemicals11,721  13,568  
16  13  9  Corporate51  45  
43,989  44,021  84,006  Total third-party revenue¹180,543  344,877  
   Inter-segment revenue²  
1,098  864  1,117  Integrated Gas3,410  4,280  
5,860  5,111  9,416  Upstream21,564  35,735  
1,733  1,547  1,629  Oil Products6,213  7,819  
784  715  854  Chemicals2,850  3,917  
—  —  —  Corporate—  —  
   CCS earnings  
20  (151) 1,897  Integrated Gas(6,278) 8,628  
(2,091) (1,110) (855) Upstream(10,785) 3,855  
(1,775) 2,092  1,183  Oil Products(494) 6,139  
367  131  (78) Chemicals808  479  
(954) (739) (1,151) Corporate(2,952) (3,273) 
(4,434) 222  996  Total CCS earnings(19,702) 15,827  

1.    Includes revenue from sources other than from contracts with customers, which mainly comprises the impact of fair value accounting of commodity derivatives. Fourth quarter 2020 included income of $114 million (Q3 2020: $1,803 million income; full year 2020: $10,008 million income). This amount includes both the reversal of prior gains of $147 million (Q3 2020: $15 million losses) related to sales contracts and prior gains of $23 million (Q3 2020: $22 million gains) related to purchase contracts that were previously recognised and where physical settlement has taken place in the fourth quarter 2020.

2.    Comparative information for inter-segment revenue for Upstream, Oil Products and Chemicals has been revised to conform with reporting segment changes applicable from January 1, 2020.

                  
 
RECONCILIATION OF INCOME FOR THE PERIOD TO CCS EARNINGS  
Quarters$ millionFull year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019 20202019
(4,014) 489  965  Income/(loss) attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders(21,680) 15,842  
58  57  124  Income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interest146  590  
(3,956) 546  1,089  Income/(loss) for the period(21,534) 16,432  
   Current cost of supplies adjustment:  
(589) (395) (69) Purchases2,358  (784) 
133  100  13  Taxation(586) 194  
(23) (29) (37) Share of profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates59  (15) 
(479) (324) (93) Current cost of supplies adjustment1,831  (605) 
   of which:  
(465) (312) (94) Attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders1,758  (572)
(14) (12) 1Attributable to non-controlling interest74  (33)
(4,434) 222  996  CCS earnings(19,702) 15,827  
   of which:  
(4,478) 177  871  CCS earnings attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders(19,922) 15,270  
44  45  125  CCS earnings attributable to non-controlling interest220  557  


 


 



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4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 


 

3. Earnings per share

                  
 
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Quarters Full year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019 20202019
(4,014) 489  965  Income/(loss) attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders ($ million)(21,680) 15,842  
   Weighted average number of shares used as the basis for determining:  
7,784.4  7,788.7  7,907.2  Basic earnings per share (million)7,795.6  8,058.3  
7,784.4  7,823.6  7,962.5  Diluted earnings per share (million)7,795.6  8,112.5  

 

4. Share capital

                  
 
ISSUED AND FULLY PAID ORDINARY SHARES OF €0.07 EACH1
 Number of sharesNominal value ($ million)
 ABABTotal
At January 1, 20204,151,787,517  3,729,407,107  349308657
Repurchases of shares(50,548,018) (23,223,271) (4)(2)(6)
At December 31, 20204,101,239,499  3,706,183,836  345306651
At January 1, 20194,471,889,296  3,745,486,731  376309685
Repurchases of shares(320,101,779) (16,079,624) (27)(1)(28)
At December 31, 20194,151,787,517  3,729,407,107  349308657

1.    Share capital at December 31, 2020 also included 50,000 issued and fully paid sterling deferred shares of £1 each.

At Royal Dutch Shell plc’s Annual General Meeting on May 19, 2020, the Board was authorised to allot ordinary shares in Royal Dutch Shell plc, and to grant rights to subscribe for, or to convert, any security into ordinary shares in Royal Dutch Shell plc, up to an aggregate nominal amount of €182.7 million (representing 2,611 million ordinary shares of €0.07 each), and to list such shares or rights on any stock exchange. This authority expires at the earlier of the close of business on August 19, 2021, and the end of the Annual General Meeting to be held in 2021, unless previously renewed, revoked or varied by Royal Dutch Shell plc in a general meeting.

 

5. Other reserves

                     
 
OTHER RESERVES
$ millionMerger reserveShare premium reserveCapital redemption reserveShare plan reserveAccumulated other comprehensive incomeTotal
At January 1, 202037,298  154  123  1,049  (24,173) 14,451  
Other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders—  —  —  —  (1,832) (1,832) 
Transfer from other comprehensive income—  —  —  —  270  270  
Repurchases of shares—  —  6  —  —  6  
Share-based compensation—  —  —  (143) —  (143) 
At December 31, 202037,298  154  129  906  (25,735) 12,752  
At January 1, 201937,298  154  95  1,098  (22,030) 16,615  
Other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders—  —  —  —  (2,069) (2,069) 
Transfer from other comprehensive income—  —  —  —  (74) (74) 
Repurchases of shares—  —  28  —  —  28  
Share-based compensation—  —  —  (49) —  (49) 
At December 31, 201937,298  154  123  1,049  (24,173) 14,451  



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

 

6. Derivative financial instruments and debt excluding lease liabilities

As disclosed in the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, presented in the Annual Report and Accounts and Form 20-F for that year, Shell is exposed to the risks of changes in fair value of its financial assets and liabilities. The fair values of the financial assets and liabilities are defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair values at December 31, 2020, are consistent with those used in the year ended December 31, 2019, though the carrying amounts of derivative financial instruments measured using predominantly unobservable inputs have changed since that date.

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

         
 
DEBT EXCLUDING LEASE LIABILITIES
$ millionDecember 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Carrying amount79,594  65,887  
Fair value¹88,294  71,163  

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

 


 

7. Other notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statement of Income

Depreciation, depletion and amortisation

                  
 
Quarters$ millionFull year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019 20202019
9,573  7,689  9,238  Depreciation, depletion and amortisation52,444  28,701  

Impairment losses of $3,344 million, of which $3,318 million recognised in depreciation, depletion and amortisation and $26 million recognised in share of profit of joint ventures and associates (Q3 2020: $1,636 million, of which $1,615 million recognised in depreciation, depletion and amortisation and $21 million recognised in share of profit of joint ventures and associates; full year: $28,062 million, of which $27,463 million recognised in depreciation, depletion and amortisation and $599 million recognised in share of profit of joint ventures and associates), mainly relate to impairments in Upstream ($1,688 million pre-tax and $1,272 million post-tax) and in Oil Products ($1,486 million pre-tax and $1,325 million post-tax). In Upstream, the Appomattox asset in the US Gulf of Mexico was partially impaired due to subsurface updates. The impairments in Oil Products reflect the impact of the announced transformation of the refining portfolio and mainly relate to assets in the Netherlands and in Singapore, and the shutdown of the Convent Refinery in the USA. The commodity price assumptions and the discount rate applied remained unchanged from those disclosed in the notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the period ended June 30, 2020. For further information regarding the impairments recognised in the second quarter 2020, see notes 1 and 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the period ended June 30, 2020.


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 



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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

Retirement benefits

         
 
$ million  
 December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Non-current assets  
Retirement benefits2,474  4,717  
Non-current liabilities  
Retirement benefits15,168  13,017  
Current liabilities  
Retirement benefits437  419  
Net liability13,131  8,719  

The increase in the net retirement benefit liability is mainly driven by a decrease of the market yield on high-quality corporate bonds partly offset by returns on plan assets. Amounts recognised in the balance sheet in relation to defined benefit plans include both plan assets and obligations that are presented on a net basis on a plan-by-plan basis.


 

Decommissioning and other provisions

         
 
$ million  
 December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Non-current liabilities  
Decommissioning and other provisions27,310  21,799  
Current liabilities  
Decommissioning and other provisions3,624  2,811  

The discount rate applied at December 31, 2020 was 1.75% (December 31, 2019: 3.0%). Compared with December 31, 2019, non-current decommissioning and restoration provisions increased by $3,999 million at June 30, 2020 as a result of the change in the discount rate as at that date.


 

Non-controlling interest

         
 
$ million  
 December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Non-controlling interest3,227  3,987  

The change in the non-controlling interest is mainly related to the non-controlling interest in Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. (“SHLX”) following the completion of the sale of Shell's 79% interest in the Mattox Pipeline Company LLC and certain logistics assets at the Shell Norco Manufacturing Complex to SHLX in the second quarter 2020.


 

 

8. Post-Balance Sheet Events

A restructuring plan named Reshape was announced in the fourth quarter 2020. Under Reshape, between 7,000 and 9,000 job reductions are expected by the end of 2022. The impact of Reshape was communicated to employees in January 2021. Costs related to the currently announced plan will be recognised in 2021.


 



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ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE (NON-GAAP) MEASURES

A.Adjusted Earnings

The “Adjusted Earnings” measure aims to facilitate a comparative understanding of Shell’s financial performance from period to period by removing the effects of oil price changes on inventory carrying amounts and removing the effects of identified items. These items are in some cases driven by external factors and may, either individually or collectively, hinder the comparative understanding of Shell’s financial results from period to period. This measure excludes earnings attributable to non-controlling interest. This measure was previously referred to as “CCS earnings attributable to shareholders excluding identified items” and was renamed for simplicity with effect from the second quarter 2020.

                  
 
ADJUSTED EARNINGS
Quarters$ millionFull year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019 20202019
(4,014) 489  965  Income/(loss) attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders(21,680) 15,842  
(465) (312) (94) Add: Current cost of supplies adjustment attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders (Note 2)1,758  (572) 
(4,871) (778) (2,060) Less: Identified items attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders(24,767) (1,192) 
393  955  2,931  Adjusted Earnings4,846  16,462  

Identified items

Identified items comprise: divestment gains and losses, impairments, fair value accounting of commodity derivatives and certain gas contracts, redundancy and restructuring, the impact of exchange rate movements on certain deferred tax balances, and other items.

                  
 
IDENTIFIED ITEMS
Quarters$ millionFull year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019 20202019
   Identified items before tax  
162  103  128  Divestment gains/(losses)316  2,611  
(3,344) (1,636) (2,941) Impairments(28,061) (4,155) 
(957) 721  616  Fair value accounting of commodity derivatives and certain gas contracts(1,151) 602  
(372) 25  (59) Redundancy and restructuring(883) (132) 
(1,404) (267) (333) Other1(2,098) (770) 
(5,914) (1,055) (2,589) Total identified items before tax(31,877) (1,844) 
1,033  276  529  Total tax impact of identified items7,100  674  
   Identified items after tax  
(20) 46  111  Divestment gains/(losses)4  2,170  
(2,746) (1,143) (2,240) Impairments(21,267) (3,162) 
(864) 532  526  Fair value accounting of commodity derivatives and certain gas contracts(1,034) 650  
(267) 4  (46) Redundancy and restructuring(644) (89) 
157  13  29  Impact of exchange rate movements on tax balances(240) (69) 
(1,141) (230) (441) Other1(1,595) (670) 
(4,881) (778) (2,060) Impact on CCS earnings(24,777) (1,170) 
   Of which:  
(1,089) (920) (89) Integrated Gas(10,661) (326) 
(1,344) (226) (1,564) Upstream(7,933) (598) 
(2,315) 411  (318) Oil Products(6,489) (93) 
(14) (96) (13) Chemicals(154) (263) 
(118) 52  (76) Corporate460  109  
(4,871) (778) (2,060) Impact on CCS earnings attributable to shareholders(24,767) (1,192) 
(10) —  —  Impact on CCS earnings attributable to non-controlling interest(10) 22  

1.    Includes certain provisions for onerous contracts of post-tax $994 million (pre-tax $1,259 million) for the fourth quarter 2020, post-tax $126 million (pre-tax $133 million) for the third quarter 2020 and post-tax $1,120 million (pre-tax $1,392 million) for the full year 2020. There were no provisions for onerous contracts in 2019.



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ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC
4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 


 


 

The identified items categories above may include after-tax impacts of identified items of joint ventures and associates which are fully reported within "Share of profit of joint ventures and associates" in the Consolidated Statement of Income, and fully reported as identified items before tax in the table above. Identified items related to subsidiaries are consolidated and reported across appropriate lines of the Consolidated Statement of Income. Only pre-tax identified items reported by subsidiaries are taken into account in the calculation of underlying operating expenses (Reference F).

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

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

Other identified items represent other credits or charges that based on Shell management's assessment hinder the comparative understanding of Shell's financial results from period to period and can include items such as certain provisions for onerous contracts or litigation, the impact arising from changes in tax legislation, the impact of changes in discount rate used for provisions, as well as other credits or charges. The fourth quarter 2020 mainly reflects provisions for onerous contracts ($994 million charge post-tax) in Integrated Gas and Oil Products.

B.    Adjusted Earnings per share

Adjusted Earnings per share is calculated as Adjusted Earnings (see Reference A), divided by the weighted average number of shares used as the basis for basic earnings per share (see Note 3).

C.    Cash capital expenditure

Cash capital expenditure represents cash spent on maintaining and developing assets as well as on investments in the period. Management regularly monitors this measure as a key lever to delivering sustainable cash flows. Cash capital expenditure is the sum of the following lines from the Consolidated Statement of Cash flows: Capital expenditure, Investments in joint ventures and associates and Investments in equity securities.

With effect from the first quarter 2020, “Capital investment” is no longer presented in this announcement since Cash capital expenditure is considered to be more closely aligned with management’s focus on free cash flow generation.

                  
 
Quarters$ millionFull year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019 20202019
5,206  3,679  6,707  Capital expenditure16,585  22,971  
269  34  112  Investments in joint ventures and associates1,024  743  
28  23  65  Investments in equity securities218  205  
5,503  3,737  6,883  Cash capital expenditure17,827  23,919  
   Of which:  
1,664  1,020  1,323  Integrated Gas4,301  4,299  
1,654  1,245  2,768  Upstream7,296  10,205  
1,310  832  1,628  Oil Products3,328  4,908  
830  595  1,023  Chemicals2,640  4,090  
46  45  141  Corporate262  418  


 


 



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ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC
4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 


 

D.    Return on average capital employed


 

Return on average capital employed ("ROACE") measures the efficiency of Shell’s utilisation of the capital that it employs. Shell uses two ROACE measures: ROACE on a Net income basis and ROACE on a CCS basis excluding identified items, both adjusted for after-tax interest expense. With effect from the second quarter 2020, the after-tax interest expense adjustment is calculated using an applicable blended statutory tax rate. This change is implemented to eliminate the distorting volatility effects of the effective tax rate. There is no significant impact on prior periods comparatives, which therefore have not been revised.

Both measures refer to Capital employed which consists of total equity, current debt and non-current debt.

ROACE on a Net income basis

In this calculation, the sum of income for the current and previous three quarters, adjusted for after-tax interest expense, is expressed as a percentage of the average capital employed for the same period.

            
 
$ millionQuarters
 Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019
Income - current and previous three quarters(21,534)(16,489)16,432
Interest expense after tax - current and previous three quarters2,8222,9333,024
Income before interest expense - current and previous three quarters(18,712)(13,556)19,456
Capital employed – opening286,887281,505295,398
Capital employed – closing266,551269,397286,887
Capital employed – average276,719275,451291,142
ROACE on a Net income basis(6.8)%(4.9)%6.7%


 

ROACE on a CCS basis excluding identified items

In this calculation, the sum of CCS earnings excluding identified items for the current and previous three quarters, adjusted for after-tax interest expense, is expressed as a percentage of the average capital employed for the same period.

            
 
$ millionQuarters
 Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019
CCS earnings - current and previous three quarters(19,702)(14,272)15,827
Identified items - current and previous three quarters(24,777)(21,957)(1,170)
Interest expense after tax – current and previous three quarters2,8222,9333,024
CCS earnings excluding identified items before interest expense - current and previous three quarters7,89810,61820,021
Capital employed – average276,719275,451291,142
ROACE on a CCS basis excluding identified items2.9%3.9%6.9%

E.    Gearing

Gearing is a key measure of Shell’s capital structure and is defined as net debt as a percentage of total capital. Net debt is defined as the sum of current and non-current debt, less cash and cash equivalents, adjusted for the fair value of derivative financial instruments used to hedge foreign exchange and interest rate risks relating to debt, and associated collateral balances. Management considers this adjustment useful because it reduces the volatility of net debt caused by fluctuations in foreign exchange and interest rates, and eliminates the potential impact of related collateral payments or receipts. Debt-related derivative financial instruments are a subset of the derivative financial instrument assets and liabilities presented on the balance sheet. Collateral balances are reported under “Trade and other receivables” or “Trade and other payables” as appropriate.



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ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC
4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 


 

            
 
$ millionQuarters
 December 31, 2020September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Current debt16,89917,81115,064
Non-current debt91,11591,24581,360
Total debt¹108,014109,05696,424
Add: Debt-related derivative financial instruments: net liability/(asset)(1,979)(564)701
Add: Collateral on debt-related derivatives: net liability/(asset)1,18168623
Less: Cash and cash equivalents(31,830)(35,714)(18,055)
Net debt75,38673,46379,093
Add: Total equity158,537160,341190,463
Total capital233,923233,804269,556
Gearing32.2 %31.4 %29.3 %

1.    Includes lease liabilities of $28,419 million at December 31, 2020, $28,930 million at September 30, 2020, and $30,537 million at December 31, 2019.

F.    Operating expenses

Operating expenses is a measure of Shell’s cost management performance, comprising the following items from the Consolidated Statement of Income: production and manufacturing expenses; selling, distribution and administrative expenses; and research and development expenses.

Underlying operating expenses is a measure aimed at facilitating a comparative understanding of performance from period to period by removing the effects of identified items, which, either individually or collectively, can cause volatility, in some cases driven by external factors.

                  
 
Quarters$ millionFull year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019 20202019
6,701  5,496  7,247  Production and manufacturing expenses24,001  26,438  
2,751  2,366  2,831  Selling, distribution and administrative expenses9,881  10,493  
199  233  306  Research and development907  962  
9,652  8,095  10,384  Operating expenses34,789  37,893  
   Of which identified items:  
(371) 25  (58) Redundancy and restructuring (charges)/reversal(872) (130) 
(737) (267) (333) (Provisions)/reversal(1,415) (639) 
—  —  —  Other—  (131) 
(1,108) (242) (391)  (2,287) (900) 
8,544  7,854  9,993  Underlying operating expenses32,502  36,993  

G.    Free cash flow

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

Cash flows from acquisition and divestment activities are removed from Free cash flow to arrive at the Organic free cash flow, a measure used by management to evaluate the generation of free cash flow without these activities.



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ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC
4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 


 

                  
 
Quarters$ millionFull year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019 20202019
6,287  10,403  10,267  Cash flow from operating activities34,105  42,178  
(5,406) (2,833) (4,862) Cash flow from investing activities(13,277) (15,779) 
882  7,571  5,405  Free cash flow20,828  26,399  
212  869  2,135  Less: Divestment proceeds (Reference I)4,010  7,871  
—  —  106  Add: Tax paid on divestments (reported under "Other investing cash outflows")—  187  
202  12  551  Add: Cash outflows related to inorganic capital expenditure1817  1,400  
871  6,713  3,928  Organic free cash flow217,634  20,116  

1.Cash outflows related to inorganic capital expenditure includes portfolio actions which expand Shell's activities through acquisitions and restructuring activities as reported in capital expenditure lines in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

2.Free cash flow less divestment proceeds, adding back outflows related to inorganic expenditure.

H.    Cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements

Working capital movements are defined as the sum of the following items in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows:    (i) (increase)/decrease in inventories, (ii) (increase)/decrease in current receivables, and (iii) increase/(decrease) in current payables.

Cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements is a measure used by Shell to analyse its operating cash generation over time excluding the timing effects of changes in inventories and operating receivables and payables from period to period.

                  
 
Quarters$ millionFull year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019 20202019
6,287  10,403  10,267  Cash flow from operating activities34,105  42,178  
(1,809) 405  (546) (Increase)/decrease in inventories4,477  (2,635) 
(107) (540) (2,448) (Increase)/decrease in current receivables9,626  (921) 
1,579  1,583  961  Increase/(decrease) in current payables(9,493) (1,223) 
(337) 1,448  (2,033) (Increase)/decrease in working capital4,610  (4,779) 
6,624  8,955  12,300  Cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements29,495  46,957  
   Of which:  
2,195  2,396  4,017  Integrated Gas10,814  14,828  
2,890  2,629  4,834  Upstream9,784  19,946  
782  3,476  3,120  Oil Products7,041  10,738  
775  488  338  Chemicals1,756  1,721  
(17) (33) (9) Corporate101  (274) 

I.    Divestment proceeds

Divestment proceeds represent cash received from divestment activities in the period. Management regularly monitors this measure as a key lever to deliver sustainable cash flow.

                  
 
Quarters$ millionFull year
Q4 2020Q3 2020Q4 2019 20202019
94  5711,049Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and businesses2,4894,803
111  1591,032Proceeds from sale of joint ventures and associates1,2402,599
7  13955Proceeds from sale of equity securities281469
212  8692,135Divestment proceeds4,0107,871


 



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ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC
4TH QUARTER 2020 AND FULL YEAR UNAUDITED RESULTS

 


 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

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

The companies in which Royal Dutch Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this announcement “Shell”, “Shell Group” and “Royal Dutch Shell” are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to Royal Dutch 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 Royal Dutch Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. Entities and unincorporated arrangements over which Shell has joint control are generally referred to as “joint ventures” and “joint operations”, respectively. Entities over which Shell has significant influence but neither control nor joint control are referred to as “associates”. The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

This announcement contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Royal Dutch Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “aim”, “ambition”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “goals”, “intend”, “may”, “objectives”, “outlook”, “plan”, “probably”, “project”, “risks”, “schedule”, “seek”, “should”, “target”, “will” and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Royal Dutch Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this announcement, including (without limitation):     (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; (m) risks associated with the impact of pandemics, such as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak; 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 Royal Dutch Shell’s Annual Report and Accounts and Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019 (available at www.shell.com/investor and www.sec.gov). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward-looking statements contained in this announcement and should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this announcement, February 4, 2021. Neither Royal Dutch Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.

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

We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this announcement that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC. 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.

This announcement contains inside information.

February 4, 2021

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


 

Contacts:


 

- Linda M. Coulter, Company Secretary

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


 

LEI number of Royal Dutch Shell plc: 21380068P1DRHMJ8KU70

Classification: Inside Information


 



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