• Q4 2023 Adjusted Earnings of $7.3 billion, reflecting robust operational performance and strong LNG trading and optimisation results. CFFO of $12.6 billion for the quarter; total CFFO amounted to $54.2 billion in 2023.
• 2023 full year shareholder distributions of $23 billion, in excess of 40% of CFFO for 2023.
• 4% increase in dividend per share for the fourth quarter and a $3.5 billion share buyback programme, expected to be completed by Q1 2024 results announcement.
• Enhanced the advantaged upstream portfolio with the start-up of Mero-2 in Brazil and the final investment decision on Sparta in the US Gulf of Mexico. By focusing the portfolio and simplifying the organisation, $1 billion of structural cost reductions delivered in 2023.
• Focus on disciplined spending saw 2023 cash capex of $24.4 billion; 2024 cash capex outlook: $22 - 25 billion.
• CFFO of $12.6 billion for Q4 2023 includes a working capital inflow of $3.3 billion due to lower prices. CFFO reflects tax payments of $3.6 billion and the timing impact of payments for emissions certificate and biofuel programmes mainly in Germany. Net debt of $43.5 billion at the end of 2023 is $1.3 billion below 2022.

Shell plc Chief Executive Officer, Wael Sawan
"Shell delivered another quarter of strong performance, concluding a year in which we made good progress across the targets outlined at our Capital Markets Day. As we enter 2024 we are continuing to simplify our organisation with a focus on delivering more value with less emissions.

In 2023, Shell returned $23 billion to shareholders. In line with our progressive dividend policy, Shell is now increasing its dividend by 4%. We are also commencing a $3.5 billion buyback programme for the next three months."

FOURTH QUARTER 2023 PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENTS

Integrated Gas
In October 2023, we completed the previously announced sale of our participating interest of 35% in Indonesia’s Masela production-sharing contract to Indonesia’s PT Pertamina Hulu Energi and PETRONAS Masela Sdn. Bhd. The participating interest includes the Abadi gas project.

In October 2023, we and our partners in the Oman LNG LLC venture signed an amended shareholders’ agreement for Oman LNG LLC (Oman LNG) extending the business beyond 2024. We will remain the largest private shareholder in Oman LNG, with a 30% shareholding.

Upstream
In December 2023, we announced the start of production of the FPSO Sepetiba in the Mero field, offshore Santos Basin in Brazil. We hold a 19.3% stake in the Mero Unitized Field.

In December 2023, we announced the final investment decision for Sparta, a deep-water development in the US Gulf of Mexico. We hold a 51% interest.

In January 2024, we reached an agreement to sell The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) to Renaissance. Completion of the transaction is subject to approvals by the Federal Government of Nigeria and other conditions.

Production

Total oil and gas production, compared with the full year 2022, increased by 2% mainly due to ramp-up of new fields in Oman, Canada, Australia, and Trinidad and Tobago, and lower maintenance in Pearl GTL (Qatar) and Trinidad and Tobago, partly offset by derecognition of Sakhalin-related volumes, and production-sharing contract effects in Egypt and Pearl GTL (Qatar). LNG liquefaction volumes decreased by 5% mainly due to the derecognition of Sakhalin-related volumes.

KeyFacts Energy: Shell UK country profile