Royal Dutch Shell plc: 1st Quarter 2019 Unaudited Results

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, May 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --

CCS earnings attributable to shareholders excluding identified items were $5.3 billion, reflecting lower realised chemicals and refining margins, decreased realised oil prices and lower tax credits, partly offset by stronger contributions from trading as well as increased realised LNG and gas prices compared with the first quarter 2018. In addition, there was a negative impact of $43 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16.

Cash flow from operating activities for the first quarter 2019 of $8.6 billion included negative working capital movements of $3.5 billion, leading to cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements of $12.1 billion. Excluding working capital movements and a positive impact of $949 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16, cash flow from operating activities increased to $11.3 billion compared with $10.4 billion in the first quarter 2018, mainly due to a higher cash-generative portfolio of assets.

Total dividends distributed to shareholders in the quarter were $3.9 billion. Today, Shell launches the next tranche of the share buyback programme, with a maximum aggregate consideration of $2.75 billion in the period up to and including July 29, 2019. In aggregate, since the launch of the share buyback programme, 215.7 million A ordinary shares were bought back for cancellation for a consideration of $6.75 billion.

Royal Dutch Shell Chief Executive Officer Ben van Beurden commented: 

"Shell has made a strong start to 2019, with the first quarter financial performance demonstrating the strength of our strategy and the quality of our portfolio of assets. The power of our brand, serving millions of customers every day, continues to be a differentiator. Our integrated value chain enabled our Downstream business to deliver robust results despite challenging market conditions. The consistent financial performance across all our businesses provides confidence in meeting our 2020 outlook."

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

As a result of the implementation of IFRS 16, net debt increased by $16,170 million. First quarter 2019 reported Gearing increased to 26.5% on an IFRS 16 basis, from 21.9% on an IAS17 basis.

FIRST QUARTER 2019 PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENTS

Integrated Gas

During the quarter, Shell acquired sonnen, a provider of smart energy storage systems and innovative energy services for households.

Upstream

During the quarter, Shell and its partners announced first production at the Lula North deep-water development in the Santos Basin (Shell post-unitisation interest 23%) through the P67 floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. This is the seventh FPSO deployed at the Lula field and the third in a series of standardised vessels built for the consortium. It is designed to process up to 150 thousand boe/d.

In April, Shell announced the sale of its 22.5% non-operating interest in the Caesar Tonga asset in the US Gulf of Mexico to Delek CT Investment LLC for $965 million.

In April, Shell announced a discovery from the Blacktip deep-water well (Shell interest 52.4%), located in the US Gulf of Mexico. Evaluation is ongoing and appraisal planning is underway.

Downstream

In April, Shell announced the sale of its 50% interest in the SASREF joint venture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Saudi Aramco for $631 million.

PERFORMANCE BY SEGMENT

First quarter identified items primarily reflected a gain on fair value accounting of commodity derivatives of $234 million.

Compared with the first quarter 2018, Integrated Gas earnings excluding identified items increased due to higher realised LNG and gas prices, increased contributions from LNG portfolio optimisation and lower depreciation, partly offset by the impact of lower production and LNG sales volumes. In addition, there was a positive impact of $60 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16.

Total production was 12% lower compared with the first quarter 2018, mainly due to divestments and the transfer of the Salym asset into the Upstream segment. LNG liquefaction volumes decreased by 2% compared with the first quarter 2018, mainly due to higher maintenance activities and divestments, partly offset by increased feedgas availability.

Cash flow from operating activities of $4,227 million included positive working capital movements of $512 million as well as a positive impact of $275 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16. Excluding working capital movements and the impact of IFRS 16, cash flow from operating activities increased to $3,485 million compared with $2,945 million in the same quarter a year ago, mainly as a result of higher earnings.

First quarter identified items primarily reflected a loss of $45 million on fair value accounting of commodity derivatives and a gain of $33 million on sale of assets.

Compared with the first quarter 2018, Upstream earnings excluding identified items benefited from reduced operating expenses and higher volumes, mainly from the US Gulf of Mexico and shale operations. This more than offset the impact of higher tax charges and lower realised oil prices. In addition, there was a positive impact of $42 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16.

First quarter production increased by 1% compared with the same quarter a year ago, mainly due to higher production from North American assets and the transfer of the Salym asset from the Integrated Gas segment. This was partly offset by the impact of divestments, field decline and lower production in the NAM joint venture.

Cash flow from operating activities of $5,280 million included negative working capital movements of $111 million as well as a positive impact of $189 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16. Excluding working capital movements and the impact of IFRS 16, cash flow from operating activities increased to $5,202 million compared with $4,431 million in the same quarter a year ago, mainly as a result of higher earnings and lower tax payments, partly offset by a cash margining outflow on commodity derivatives related to the divestment in Denmark.

First quarter identified items primarily reflected a loss of $157 million related to the fair value accounting of commodity derivatives and impairment charges of $64 million, mainly related to assets in Singapore.

Compared with the first quarter 2018, Downstream earnings excluding identified items mainly reflected higher contributions from crude oil and oil products trading and supply, partly offset by lower realised refining, intermediates and base chemicals margins. In addition, there was a positive impact of $38 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16.

Cash flow from operating activities included negative working capital movements of $3,602 million as well as a positive impact of $447 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16. Excluding working capital movements and the impact of IFRS 16, cash flow from operating activities decreased to $2,597 million compared with $3,136 million in the same quarter a year ago, mainly as a result of higher cash outflow from commodity derivatives, partly offset by lower cash cost of sales.

Oil Products

• Refining & Trading earnings excluding identified items included a positive impact of $14 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16. Excluding this impact, earnings reflected increased contributions from crude oil and oil products trading and supply, partly offset by lower realised refining margins mainly in the US West Coast and in Asia as well as higher operating expenses, compared with the first quarter 2018.

Refinery availability decreased to 91% compared with 92% in the first quarter 2018.

• Marketing earnings excluding identified items included a positive impact of $17 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16. Excluding this impact, earnings were higher compared with the first quarter 2018, mainly due to increased margins, partly offset by adverse currency exchange rate effects.

Compared with the first quarter 2018, Oil Products sales volumes decreased by 5%, mainly due to lower trading volumes.

Chemicals

• Chemicals earnings reflected lower intermediates and base chemicals margins. There were no material identified items in the quarter.

Chemicals manufacturing plant availability was 95%, remaining at a similar level as in the first quarter 2018.

First quarter identified items mainly reflected a tax credit of $10 million related to the impact of the weakening Brazilian real on a financing position.

Compared with the first quarter 2018, Corporate earnings excluding identified items included a negative impact of $183 million related to the implementation of IFRS 16. Excluding this impact, earnings mainly reflected lower tax credits.

OUTLOOK FOR THE SECOND QUARTER 2019

Compared with the second quarter 2018, Integrated Gas production is expected to be 10 – 50 thousand boe/d lower, mainly as a result of divestments and the transfer of the Salym asset into the Upstream segment, partly offset by new field ramp-ups and lower maintenance activities. LNG liquefaction volumes are expected to be at a similar level as in the second quarter 2018.

Compared with the second quarter 2018, Upstream production is expected to be higher by some 150 – 200 thousand boe/d, mainly due to new field ramp-ups and lower maintenance activities. Production is also expected to be positively impacted by the transfer of the Salym asset, which was previously reported in the Integrated Gas segment, partly offset by field decline and divestments.

Refinery availability is expected to increase in the second quarter 2019 compared with the same period a year ago, mainly as a result of lower maintenance activities.

Oil Products sales volumes are expected to decrease by some 40 – 70 thousand boe/d compared with the same period in 2018, mainly as a result of the divestment in Argentina.

Chemicals manufacturing plant availability is expected to decrease in the second quarter 2019 as a result of higher maintenance activities compared with the second quarter 2018.

Corporate earnings excluding identified items are expected to be a net charge of $650 – 700 million in the second quarter 2019 and a net charge of $2,600 – 2,800 million for the full year 2019, on a post-IFRS 16 basis. This excludes the impact of currency exchange rate effects.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  Basis of preparation 

These 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 Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2018 (pages 167 to 214) as filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, except for the adoption of IFRS 16 Leases on January 1, 2019, and should be read in conjunction with that filing.

Under IFRS 16, all lease contracts, with limited exceptions, are recognised in financial statements by way of right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities. Shell applied the modified retrospective transition method without restating comparative information. Further information in respect of the implementation of IFRS 16 is included in Note 8.

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, 2018 were published in Shell's Annual Report and Form 20-F and a copy was delivered to the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales. 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.

2.  Segment information 

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

With the adoption of IFRS 16, the interest expense on leases, formerly classified as operating leases is reported under the Corporate segment, while depreciation related to the respective right-of-use assets is reported in the segments making use of the assets. This treatment is consistent with the existing treatment for leases formerly classified as finance leases.

3.  Earnings per share

4.  Share capital

At Royal Dutch Shell plc's Annual General Meeting on May 22, 2018, 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 €194 million (representing 2,771 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 22, 2019, and the end of the Annual General Meeting to be held in 2019, unless previously renewed, revoked or varied by Royal Dutch Shell plc in a general meeting.

5.  Other reserves

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, 2018, presented in the Annual Report and Form 20-F for that year, Shell is exposed to the risks of changes in fair value of its financial assets and liabilities. The fair values of the financial assets and liabilities are defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair values at March 31, 2019 are consistent with those used in the year ended December 31, 2018, 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.

7.  Change in presentation of Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

With effect from January 1, 2019, the starting point for the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows is 'Income before taxation' (previously: Income). Furthermore, to improve transparency, "Retirement benefits" and "Decommissioning and other provisions" have been separately disclosed. The "Other" component of cash flow from investing activities has been expanded to distinguish between cash inflows and outflows. Prior period comparatives for these line items have been revised to conform with current year presentation. In addition, a new line item, "Derivative financial instruments", has been introduced to cash flow from financing activities. Overall, the revisions do not have an impact on cash flow from operating activities, cash flow from investing activities or cash flow from financing activities, as previously published.

8.  Adoption of IFRS 16 Leases

IFRS 16 was adopted with effect from January 1, 2019. Under the new standard, all lease contracts, with limited exceptions, are recognised in the financial statements by way of right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities. Shell applied the modified retrospective transition method, and consequently comparative information is not restated. As a practical expedient, no reassessment was performed of contracts that were previously identified as leases and contracts that were not previously identified as containing a lease applying IAS 17 Leases and IFRIC 4 Determining whether an Arrangement contains a Lease. At January 1, 2019, additional lease liabilities were recognised for leases previously classified as operating leases applying IAS 17. These lease liabilities were measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments and discounted using entity-specific incremental borrowing rates at January 1, 2019. In general, a corresponding right-of-use asset was recognised for an amount equal to each lease liability, adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued lease payment relating to the specific lease contract, as recognised on the balance sheet at December 31, 2018. Provisions for onerous lease contracts at December 31, 2018 were adjusted to the respective right-of-use assets recognised at January 1, 2019.

The reconciliation of differences between the operating lease commitments disclosed under the prior standard and the additional lease liabilities recognised on the balance sheet at January 1, 2019 is as follows:

 In March 2019, the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) finalised its decision regarding "Liabilities in relation to a Joint Operator's Interest in a Joint Operation (IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements)", concluding that a joint operator should recognise the liabilities for which it has primary responsibility, which may be different from its share in the joint operation. The impact of this IFRIC agenda decision is under review.

Compared with the previous accounting for operating leases under IAS 17, the application of the new standard has a significant impact on the classification of expenditures and cash flows. It also impacts the timing of expenses recognised in the statement of income.

With effect from 2019, expenses related to leases previously classified as operating leases are presented under Depreciation, depletion and amortisation and Interest expense (in 2018 these were mainly reported in Purchases, Production and manufacturing expenses, and Selling, distribution and administrative expenses).

With effect from 2019, payments related to leases previously classified as operating leases are presented under Cash flow from financing activities (in 2018 these were reported in Cash flow from operating activities and Cash flow from investing activities).

The adoption of the new standard had an accumulated impact of $4 million in equity following the recognition of lease liabilities of $16,037 million and additional right-of-use assets of $15,558 million and reclassifications mainly related to pre-paid leases and onerous contracts previously recognised. The detailed impact on the balance sheet at January 1, 2019, is as follows:

 ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE (NON-GAAP) MEASURES

Impact of IFRS 16 Leases

IFRS 16 Leases primarily impacts the following key measures of Shell's financial performance: Segment earnings; Cash flow from operating activities; Cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements; Free cash flow; Capital investment and Cash capital expenditure; Operating expenses; Gearing; and Return on average capital employed.

As explained in Note 8 "Adoption of IFRS 16 Leases", in accordance with Shell's use of the modified retrospective transition method, comparative information for prior years is not restated, and continues to be presented as reported under IAS 17.

Additional information is provided in this section of the report to provide indicative impacts of Shell's transition from IAS 17 to IFRS 16. In addition to the IFRS 16 reported basis, impacted Alternative Performance Measures are presented on an IAS 17 basis, to enable like-for-like comparisons between 2019 and 2018. For 2019, information on an IAS17 basis represents estimates for the purpose of transition.

A.  Identified items

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

Fair value accounting of commodity derivatives and certain gas contracts: In the ordinary course of business, Shell enters into contracts to supply or purchase oil and gas products, as well as power and environmental products. 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 segment) 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 share

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

C.  Capital investment and Cash capital expenditure

Capital investment is a measure used to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance. It comprises Capital expenditure, Investments in joint ventures and associates and Investments in equity securities, exploration expense excluding well write-offs, leases recognised in the period and other adjustments.

The definition reflects two changes with effect from January 1, 2019, for simplicity reasons. Firstly, "Investments in equity securities" now includes investments under the Corporate segment and is aligned with the line introduced in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows from January 1, 2019. Secondly, the adjustments previously made to bring the Capital investment measure onto an accruals basis no longer apply. Comparative information has been revised.

"Cash capital expenditure" is introduced with effect from January 1, 2019, to monitor investing activities on a cash basis, excluding items such as lease additions which do not necessarily result in cash outflows in the period. The measure comprises the following lines from the Consolidated Statement of Cash flows: Capital expenditure, Investments in joint ventures and associates and Investments in equity securities.

The reconciliation of "Capital expenditure" to "Cash capital expenditure" and "Capital investment" is as follows. Information for 2019 is also presented on an "IAS 17 basis" to enable like-for-like performance comparisons with 2018.

D.  Divestments

Following completion of the $30 billion divestment programme for 2016-18, the Divestments measure was discontinued with effect from January 1, 2019.

E.  Return on average capital employed 

Return on average capital employed (ROACE) measures the efficiency of Shell's utilisation of the capital that it employs. 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. Information for 2019 is also presented on an "IAS 17 basis" to enable like-for-like performance comparisons with 2018.

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.

This definition reflects two changes with effect from January 1, 2019. Firstly, the calculation considers "CCS earnings excluding identified items" instead of "CCS earnings attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders excluding identified items" used under the previous definition. This change ensures consistency with the basis for average capital employed. Secondly, the calculation adds back the after-tax interest expense. This change is made for consistency with peers. Comparative information has been revised.