-
Shell is to return $125bn over five years through dividends and share buybacks
-
That’s more than double the $52bn handed between 2011 and 2015
-
Energy group expects new projects will generate $35billion
By CAMILLA CANOCCHI FOR THISISMONEY.CO.UK
Shares in Royal Dutch Shell fell despite the oil and gas giant revealing plans to return $125billion (£99billion) to shareholders over five years through dividends and share buybacks.
This is more than double the $52million (£41billion) handed to shareholders between 2011 and 2015.
Shell said it expects to pay for that with money from new projects, which it expects will generate $35billion, assuming oil remains priced at $60 per barrel.
It comes as Shell boss Ben van Beurden announced a ‘refreshed’ strategy for the ‘energy transition’.
The group said it expects to increase capital investments by around $30billion a year, focusing on deep water drilling and shale gas in particular.
‘Natural gas and liquefied natural gas are expected to continue to experience strong demand as the world tackles climate change, poor air quality and population growth,’ Shell said.
In spite of the announcement, the oil and gas giant, which is the biggest company on the FTSE 100, saw shares fall 0.5 per cent to £24.60 towards the close.
Shell said it also wants to continue to grow its power business to take advantage of the increase in electricity usage, with the rise of electric cars.
The Anglo-Dutch company has already bought household energy firm First Utility and rebranded it Shell Energy.
Van Beurden said: ‘All this adds up to a forward-looking strategy that ensures Shell is well-placed to continue to deliver a world-class investment case and thrive in the energy transition.’
Boss van Beurden has been leading an ambitious cost-cutting drive since the industry was buffeted by the 2014 oil price crash.
The group has seen profitability rise in recent years on the back of a rebound in the cost of crude.
Graham Spooner, investment research analyst at The Share Centre said: ‘Shell shares were down in early trading following the announcement. However, the CEO talks of an ‘energy transition’ and is confident of the company being well-placed to reward investors.
‘The outlook therefore appears to be promising but investors should be wary that any material fall in oil prices could once again raise questions about the company’s ability to maintain its dividend.’
This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.
Royal Dutch Shell conspired directly with Hitler, financed the Nazi Party, was anti-Semitic and sold out its own Dutch Jewish employees to the Nazis. Shell had a close relationship with the Nazis during and after the reign of Sir Henri Deterding, an ardent Nazi, and the founder and decades long leader of the Royal Dutch Shell Group. His burial ceremony, which had all the trappings of a state funeral, was held at his private estate in Mecklenburg, Germany. The spectacle (photographs below) included a funeral procession led by a horse drawn funeral hearse with senior Nazis officials and senior Royal Dutch Shell directors in attendance, Nazi salutes at the graveside, swastika banners on display and wreaths and personal tributes from Adolf Hitler and Reichsmarschall, Hermann Goring. Deterding was an honored associate and supporter of Hitler and a personal friend of Goring.
Deterding was the guest of Hitler during a four day summit meeting at Berchtesgaden. Sir Henri and Hitler both had ambitions on Russian oil fields. Only an honored personal guest would be rewarded with a private four day meeting at Hitler’s mountain top retreat.
IN JULY 2007, MR BILL CAMPBELL (ABOVE, A RETIRED GROUP AUDITOR OF SHELL INTERNATIONAL SENT AN EMAIL TO EVERY UK MP AND MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS: 
MORE DETAILS:
A head-cut image of Alfred Donovan (now deceased) appears courtesy of The Wall Street Journal.
