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Shell sets new UK profits record Shell sets new UK profits record
(20 minutes later)
The Anglo-Dutch oil firm Royal Dutch Shell has reported record annual profits for a UK company.The Anglo-Dutch oil firm Royal Dutch Shell has reported record annual profits for a UK company.
Its profit measured by current cost of supply was $27.56bn (£13.9bn) for 2007, beating its own 2006 record of £12.9bn.Its profit measured by current cost of supply was $27.56bn (£13.9bn) for 2007, beating its own 2006 record of £12.9bn.
Much of the rise in profits has been attributed to rising oil prices, which currently stand at about $91 a barrel compared with $57 this time last year.Much of the rise in profits has been attributed to rising oil prices, which currently stand at about $91 a barrel compared with $57 this time last year.
But there is concern among analysts that Shell has delayed publishing figures showing its oil reserves.But there is concern among analysts that Shell has delayed publishing figures showing its oil reserves.
The oil reserves figure, which shows whether Shell found enough oil in the ground to replace the amount it was taking out, will not be published until the spring.The oil reserves figure, which shows whether Shell found enough oil in the ground to replace the amount it was taking out, will not be published until the spring.
"The market really has taken this to imply that the figures aren't going to be great," said Nick MacGregor, an oil analyst from Redmayne Bentley."The market really has taken this to imply that the figures aren't going to be great," said Nick MacGregor, an oil analyst from Redmayne Bentley.
"If they were that good Shell would be telling the world about it now.""If they were that good Shell would be telling the world about it now."
'Satisfactory results''Satisfactory results'
Shell reports its profits figures in dollars because oil is priced in the US currency.Shell reports its profits figures in dollars because oil is priced in the US currency.
In dollar terms its earnings are up 9% on the previous year.In dollar terms its earnings are up 9% on the previous year.
Royal Dutch Shell shares
It has set its dividend at $0.36 per share for the last three months of 2007, which is up 11% on the same period of 2006.It has set its dividend at $0.36 per share for the last three months of 2007, which is up 11% on the same period of 2006.
"Overall these are satisfactory results," said Shell's chief executive Jeroen van der Veer."Overall these are satisfactory results," said Shell's chief executive Jeroen van der Veer.
"We made good progress in 2007, launched new projects upstream and downstream, and achieved exploration successes.""We made good progress in 2007, launched new projects upstream and downstream, and achieved exploration successes."
Windfall tax
Some unions have objected to the level of Shell's profits at a time when consumers and businesses are having to cope with the effects of high oil prices.
Unite's joint general secretary Tony Woodley described the level of profits in the oil industry as, "quite frankly obscene".
"Shell shareholders are doing very nicely whilst the rest of us, the stakeholders, are paying the price and struggling."
Mr Woodley is calling for a windfall tax on oil companies similar to the one imposed on privatised utilities when the Labour government came to power.
The oil companies have stressed that little of their profits come from petrol forecourts, with the majority of the price paid at the pump already going straight to the government.
The North Sea tax on energy companies was set at 10% in 2002 and then increased to 20% in 2005.