1. Q1 on Q1 change.
CCS earnings attributable to shareholders excluding identified items were $2.9 billion, reflecting lower realised oil, gas and LNG prices, weaker realised refining and chemicals margins as well as lower sales volumes, compared with the first quarter 2019. This was partly offset by favourable movements in deferred tax positions and lower operating expenses.Cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements was $7.4 billion, reflecting lower earnings and higher cost-of-sales adjustment, partly offset by higher cash inflows related to commodity derivatives and lower tax payments, compared with the first quarter 2019.
Total dividends distributed to shareholders in the quarter were $3.5 billion. During the quarter, Shell completed another tranche of the share buyback programme. Since the launch of the programme, Shell has bought back almost $16 billion in shares for cancellation.
Royal Dutch Shell Chief Executive Officer Ben van Beurden commented: “Under extremely challenging conditions, Shell is stepping up to protect our people and support communities around the globe while delivering strong safety and operational performance across our business. Our Integrated Gas and Marketing businesses continued to achieve robust results this quarter, bringing resilience to our cash flows. In March, we took decisive actions to reduce our spending, increase our liquidity and position our business to manage the deteriorating macroeconomic and commodity price outlook. Our integrated business model, the high quality of our assets and the resourcefulness of our people have allowed us to respond swiftly.Given the continued deterioration in the macroeconomic outlook and the significant mid and long-term uncertainty, we are taking further prudent steps to bolster our resilience, underpin the strength of our balance sheet and support the long-term value creation of Shell. Starting this quarter, the Board has decided to reduce our quarterly dividend to 16 US cents per share.”Chair of the Board of Royal Dutch Shell Chad Holliday commented: “Shareholder returns are a fundamental part of Shell’s financial framework. However, given the risk of a prolonged period of economic uncertainty, weaker commodity prices, higher volatility and uncertain demand outlook, the Board believes that maintaining the current level of shareholder distributions is not prudent. Following the announcement not to continue with the next tranche of the share buyback programme, the Board has also decided to reduce the first quarter 2020 dividend and reset to 16 US cents per share.As conditions allow, the Board will continue to evaluate our capital allocation priorities between ongoing investment in our business, maintaining a strong balance sheet and increasing returns to shareholders which remains our ambition”
1. Q1 on Q1 change.Supplementary financial and operational disclosure for this quarter is available at www.shell.com/investor.
FIRST QUARTER 2020 PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENTS
Integrated GasDuring the quarter, Shell announced that it will not proceed with the proposed Lake Charles LNG project due to the current market conditions. Accordingly, Energy Transfer will take over as the project developer. In April, Shell took the final investment decision to develop the first phase of Arrow Energy’s (Shell interest 50%) Surat Gas Project in Queensland, Australia, which will bring up to 90 billion cubic feet per year of new gas to market at peak production.
Oil ProductsDuring the quarter, Shell completed the sale of the Martinez refinery in the USA to PBF Energy for $1.2 billion, which includes the refinery and inventory.
PERFORMANCE BY SEGMENT
1. Q1 on Q1 change.First quarter identified items primarily reflected losses of $154 million related to the fair value accounting of commodity derivatives and a charge of $121 million related to the impact of the weakening Australian dollar on a deferred tax position.Compared with the first quarter 2019, Integrated Gas earnings excluding identified items primarily reflected lower realised LNG, oil and gas prices as well as lower contributions from trading and optimisation and higher depreciation, partly offset by favourable movements in deferred tax positions and higher LNG sales volumes. Compared with the first quarter 2019, total production increased by 12% mainly due to lower maintenance activities and field ramp-ups in Trinidad and Tobago and Australia. LNG liquefaction volumes increased mainly as a result of lower maintenance activities and new LNG capacity, partly offset by lower feedgas availability compared with the first quarter 2019.Compared with the first quarter 2019, cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements mainly reflected lower cash earnings, partly offset by higher cash inflows related to commodity derivatives.
1. Q1 on Q1 change.First quarter identified items primarily reflected a charge of $776 million related to the impact of the weakening Brazilian real on a deferred tax position and a charge of $416 million related to impairments, mainly in Brazil and the USA.Compared with the first quarter 2019, Upstream earnings excluding identified items reflected lower realised oil and gas prices as well as lower total production volumes. Earnings were also negatively impacted by lower sales volumes associated with the timing of liftings.Compared with the first quarter 2019, total production was 5% lower, mainly due to divestments, field decline and lower production in the NAM joint venture, partly offset by field ramp-ups in the Santos Basin, Gulf of Mexico and Permian. Excluding portfolio impacts, production was in line with the same quarter a year ago.Compared with the first quarter 2019, cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements mainly reflected lower cash earnings, partly offset by lower tax payments.
1. Q1 on Q1 change.
2. Earnings are presented on a CCS basis (See Note 2).
3. With effect from the first quarter 2020, the reporting of Oil Products sales volumes has changed (See Note 2). Sales volumes would be 5,937 thousand b/d in the first quarter 2020 on a comparable basis with 2019.First quarter identified items primarily reflected gains of $966 million related to the fair value accounting of commodity derivatives.Compared with the first quarter 2019, Oil Products earnings excluding identified items reflected weaker realised refining margins and lower contributions from crude oil trading and optimisation as well as unfavourable movements in deferred tax positions. This was partly offset by higher realised marketing margins and lower operating expenses.Cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements reflected lower earnings and higher cost-of-sales adjustment, partly offset by increased cash inflows from commodity derivatives, compared with the first quarter 2019.The COVID-19 outbreak had a relatively minor impact on Marketing volumes in the first two months of the first quarter 2020. The estimated impact in March is a decrease of approximately 15% in Marketing volumes. The expected impact in the second quarter 2020 is reflected in the outlook section.With effect from the first quarter 2020, Oil Products sales volumes reporting has changed. Excluding this impact, Oil Products sales volumes decreased due to lower refining, trading and marketing sales volumes compared with the first quarter 2019.Refining & Trading earnings excluding identified items reflected lower realised refining margins and lower contributions from crude oil trading and optimisation, partly offset by lower operating expenses, compared with the first quarter 2019.With effect from the first quarter 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 81% compared with 79% in the first quarter 2019, mainly due to lower planned downtime.Marketing earnings excluding identified items reflected higher realised global commercial and retail margins as well as lower operating expenses, partly offset by lower retail and aviation sales volumes, compared with the first quarter 2019.
1. Q1 on Q1 change.
2. Earnings are presented on a CCS basis (See Note 2).Compared with the first quarter 2019, Chemicals earnings excluding identified items reflected weaker realised base chemicals and intermediates margins as well as higher operating expenses.Cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements reflected lower earnings and higher cost-of-sales adjustment, partly offset by higher dividends received compared with the first quarter 2019.With effect from the first quarter 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 84%, at a similar level as in the first quarter 2019.
First quarter identified items primarily reflected a gain related to the impact of the weakening Brazilian real on financing positions.Compared with the first quarter 2019, Corporate earnings excluding identified items reflected adverse currency exchange rate effects, partly offset by higher tax credits.
OUTLOOK FOR THE SECOND QUARTER 2020As a result of COVID-19, there is significant uncertainty in the expected macroeconomic conditions with an expected negative impact on demand for oil, gas and related products. Furthermore, recent global developments and uncertainty in oil supply have caused further volatility in commodity markets. The second quarter 2020 outlook provides ranges for operational and financial metrics based on current expectations, but these are subject to change in the light of current 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. These measures would likely have negative impacts on Shell’s operational and financial metrics.
Integrated Gas production is expected to be approximately 840 – 890 thousand boe/d. LNG liquefaction volumes are expected to be approximately 7.4 – 8.2 million tonnes. More than 90% of the term contracts for LNG sales are oil price linked with a price lag of typically 3 – 6 months.
Upstream production is expected to be approximately 1,750 – 2,250 thousand boe/d.
Refinery utilisation is expected to be approximately 60% – 70%.Oil Products sales volumes are expected to be approximately 3,000 – 4,000 thousand b/d.
Chemicals manufacturing plant utilisation is expected to be approximately 70% – 80%. Chemicals sales volumes are expected to be approximately 3,500 – 4,100 thousand tonnes.
Corporate segment earnings excluding identified items are expected to be a net expense of approximately $800 – 875 million in the second quarter 2020 and a net expense of approximately $3,200 – 3,500 million for the full year 2020. This excludes the impact of currency exchange rate effects. Shell announced a series of operational and financial initiatives that are expected to result in reduction of underlying operating expenses by $3-4 billion per annum over the next 12 months compared with 2019 levels; reduction of cash capital expenditure to $20 billion or below for 2020 from a planned level of around $25 billion; and material reductions in working capital. In addition, Shell has decided not to continue with the next tranche of the share buyback programme following the completion of the most recent tranche.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. See Note 2 “Segment information”.
2. Includes impairment charges of $749 million (Q4 2019: $2,941 million; Q1 2019: $33 million) mainly due to changes to oil price outlook for 2020. See Note 1.
3. See Note 3 “Earnings per share”.
1. See Note 6 “Derivative financial instruments and debt excluding lease liabilities”.
2. Includes write-downs of $3,726 million to net realisable value at March 31, 2020. See Note 1.
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.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Basis of preparationThese unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements (“Interim Statements”) of Royal Dutch Shell plc (“the Company”) and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Shell”) have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and as adopted by the European Union, and 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 for 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 Interim 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 related to COVID-19 and the macroeconomic environmentImpairmentAs a result of COVID-19 and the significant oil price drop in the first quarter 2020, oil and gas price assumptions applied for impairment testing were reviewed. On that basis, Shell has lowered its short-term price outlook for the remainder of 2020, which was the basis for impairment in the first quarter 2020.Because of COVID-19 and OPEC+ actions there remains significant demand and supply uncertainties and accordingly, the medium and long-term price outlook also remain uncertain. As per normal process outlined in the 2019 Annual Report and Accounts and Form 20-F, these price assumptions are subject to review later this year.For the impairments in the first quarter 2020, see footnote 2 on the Consolidated Statement of Income on page 8.InventoriesAs per accounting policies disclosed in Shell’s 2019 Annual Report and Accounts and Form 20-F, inventories are stated at cost or net realisable value (‘NRV’), whichever is lower.For the write-downs to NRV at March 31, 2020 see footnote 2 on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet on page 9.
2. Segment informationWith effect from 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 first quarter 2020 is a reduction of $16,313 million.1. Includes revenue from sources other than from contracts with customers, which mainly comprises the impact of fair value accounting of commodity derivatives. First quarter 2020 included income of $6,686 million (Q4 2019: $594 million income; Q1 2019: $737 million income). This amount includes both the reversal of prior gains of $317 million related to sales contracts and prior losses of $76 million related to purchase contracts that were previously recognised and where physical settlement has taken place in the first quarter 2020. This disclosure reflects the application of IFRIC agenda decision ‘Physical settlement of contracts to buy or sell a non-financial item (IFRS 9)’.
2. Comparative information for inter-segment revenue for Upstream, Oil Products and Chemicals has been revised to conform with reporting segment changes applicable from 2020. Inter-segment revenue for Integrated Gas for the first quarter 2019 has been revised from $984 million to amend for certain intra-segment transactions previously reported as inter-segment revenue.1. The adjustment attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders is a positive $2,780 million in the first quarter 2020 (Q4 2019: negative $94 million; Q1 2019: negative $708 million)
3. Earnings per share
4. Share capital1. Share capital at March 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 21, 2019, the Board was authorised to allot ordinary shares in Royal Dutch Shell plc, and to grant rights to subscribe for, or to convert, any security into ordinary shares in Royal Dutch Shell plc, up to an aggregate nominal amount of €190 million (representing 2,720 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 21, 2020, and the end of the Annual General Meeting to be held in 2020, unless previously renewed, revoked or varied by Royal Dutch Shell plc in a general meeting.
5. Other reservesThe 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 liabilitiesAs 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 March 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.1. Mainly determined from the prices quoted for these securities.
ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE (NON-GAAP) MEASURESIdentified itemsIdentified items comprise: divestment gains and losses, impairments, fair value accounting of commodity derivatives and certain gas contracts, redundancy and restructuring, the impact of exchange rate movements on certain deferred tax balances, and other items. These items, either individually or collectively, can cause volatility to net income, in some cases driven by external factors, which may hinder the comparative understanding of Shell’s financial results from period to period. The impact of identified items on Shell’s CCS earnings is as follows:The reconciliation from income attributable to RDS plc shareholders to CCS earnings attributable to RDS plc shareholders excluding identified items is shown on page 1.The categories above represent the nature of the items identified irrespective of whether the items relate to Shell subsidiaries or joint ventures and associates. The after-tax impact of identified items of joint ventures and associates is fully reported within “Share of profit of joint ventures and associates” 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 Shell’s management assesses should be excluded to provide additional insight, such as the impact arising from changes in tax legislation and certain provisions for onerous contracts or litigation. B. Basic CCS earnings per shareBasic CCS earnings per share is calculated as CCS earnings attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders (see Note 2), divided by the weighted average number of shares used as the basis for basic earnings per share (see Note 3).C. Cash capital expenditureCash capital expenditure represents cash spent on maintaining and developing assets 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.D. Return on average capital employedReturn 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 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. The after-tax interest expense is calculated using the effective tax rate for the same period.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. The after-tax interest expense is calculated using the effective tax rate for the same period.E. GearingGearing 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.1. Includes lease liabilities of $29,290 million at March 31, 2020 and $30,537 million at December 31, 2019.F. Operating expensesOperating 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 measures Shell’s total operating expenses performance excluding identified items.G. Free cash flowFree 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.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.Free cash flow less divestment proceeds, adding back outflows related to inorganic expenditure.H. Cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movementsWorking 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.I. Divestment proceedsDivestment proceeds represent cash received from divestment activities in the period. Management regularly monitors this measure as a key lever to deliver sustainable cash flow.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTAll 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 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, April 30, 2020. 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.April 30, 2020Contacts:– Linda M. Coulter, Company Secretary
– Investor Relations: International + 31 (0) 70 377 4540; North America +1 832 337 2034
– Media: International +44 (0) 207 934 5550; USA +1 832 337 4355LEI number of Royal Dutch Shell plc: 21380068P1DRHMJ8KU70
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