Second quarter 2021 income attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders was $3.4 billion, which included posttax impairment charges of $1.8 billion and charges of $1.2 billion due to the fair value accounting of commodity derivatives.

Adjusted Earnings for the quarter were $5.5 billion. Cost of supplies adjustment attributable to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders for the second quarter 2021 was negative $0.8 billion.

Cash flow from operating activities for the second quarter 2021 was $12.6 billion, which included negative working capital movements of $1.6 billion. Cash flow from investing activities for the quarter was an outflow of $2.9 billion, mainly driven by capital expenditure and partly offset by proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and businesses.

Compared with the first quarter 2021, current quarter Adjusted Earnings reflected higher realised oil prices, one-off favourable tax impacts, higher marketing margins and lower operating expenses. This was partly offset by lower contributions from trading and optimisation.

At the end of the second quarter 2021, net debt was $65.7 billion, compared with $71.3 billion at the end of the first quarter 2021, mainly driven by free cash flow generation in the quarter. Gearing was 27.7% at the end of the second quarter 2021, compared with 29.9% at the end of the first quarter 2021, mainly driven by net debt reduction and improved earnings.

Dividends declared to Royal Dutch Shell plc shareholders for the quarter amount to $0.24 per share. Share buybacks of $2 billion launched today which is targeted to be completed by the end of 2021.

SECOND QUARTER 2021 PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENTS

Integrated Gas
In June 2021, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities issued an order giving Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind (Atlantic Shores), the 50-50 joint venture between EDF Renewables North America and Shell New Energies US LLC (Shell), the right to provide clean offshore wind energy to power the state of New Jersey. Through a rigorous bid and selection process, Atlantic Shores won the rights to provide 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of renewable offshore energy, which is enough energy to power over 700,000 homes.

In July 2021, Shell Gas & Power Developments BV (Shell) and T-Systems International GmbH (T-Systems), Deutsche Telekom's corporate customers arm, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance digital innovation as both companies accelerate their transitions to net-zero emissions. The MOU builds on an existing technological relationship between Shell and T-Systems. Under the terms of the agreement the two companies will pursue the net-zero goals of both companies, their supply chains and customers; collaborate on innovations and services to accelerate Shell’s digital transformation; and work together to identify opportunities to co-invest and participate in new business models focused on the decarbonisation of society.

In July 2021, Shell Trinidad and Tobago (through BG International, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc) announced that production has started on Block 5C in the East Coast Marine Area (ECMA) in Trinidad and Tobago. This marks a significant milestone in the delivery of gas both domestically and internationally through Atlantic LNG, where Shell's equity in the Atlantic plant ranges from 46% to 57.5% in each of the four trains at the facility.

Upstream
In May 2021, Shell Petroleum N.V. signed an agreement with Malampaya Energy XP Pte Ltd (a subsidiary of Udenna Corporation) for the sale of its 100% shareholding in Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX). SPEX holds a 45% operating interest in Service Contract 38 (SC38), which includes the producing Malampaya gas field. The base consideration for the sale is $380 million, with additional payments of up to $80 million between 2022 to 2024 contingent on asset performance and commodity prices. Subject to partner and regulatory approval, the transaction is targeted to complete by the end of 2021.

In July 2021, Shell Offshore Inc. announced the final investment decision for Whale, a deep-water development in the US Gulf of Mexico that features a 99% replicated hull and an 80% replication of the topsides from the Vito project.

Oil Products
In May 2021, Shell Oil Company reached an agreement for the sale of its interest in Deer Park Refining Limited Partnership, a 50-50 joint venture between Shell Oil Company and P.M.I. Norteamerica, S.A. De C.V. (a subsidiary of Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex). The transaction will transfer Shell’s interest in the partnership, and therefore full ownership of the refinery, to Pemex, subject to regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to complete by the end of 2021. Shell Chemical L.P. will continue to operate its 100% owned Deer Park Chemicals facility located adjacent to the site.

In July 2021, Shell announced the start-up of Europe's largest polymer electrolyte membrane hydrogen electrolyser at its Energy and Chemicals Park Rheinland, producing green hydrogen. The project, backed by a European consortium, will accelerate hydrogen production and contribute to Europe’s goal to achieve climate neutrality. As part of the Refhyne European consortium and with European Commission funding through the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, the fully operational plant is the first to use this technology at such a large scale in a refinery.

In July 2021, Shell Deutschland reached an agreement with Alcmene GmbH (part of the Liwathon Group) for the sale of its non-operated 37.5% shareholding in the Germany PCK Schwedt Refinery. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2021, subject to partner rights and regulatory approval.

The agreements for the sale of interests in Deer Park Refining Limited Partnership, the PCK Schwedt Refinery, Puget Sound Refinery and the Mobile Refinery (Chemicals), as well as completion of the sale of the Fredericia Refinery, reflect ongoing portfolio management activities as part of the Powering Progress strategy.

KeyFacts Energy: Shell Netherlands country profile