LNG giant Shell is expecting “strong” trading and optimization results for its integrated gas business in the first quarter of this year.
However, the results will be “significantly” lower compared to an “exceptional” fourth quarter of 2022, Shell said in its first-quarter update note on Friday.
Shell’s adjusted earnings reached $7.3 billion in the fourth quarter, down 25.5 percent compared to $9.81 billion in the year before, while the company’s integrated gas segment reported adjusted earnings of about $3.96 billion in the fourth quarter.
This compares to $5.96 billion in the same period a year ago and $2.52 billion in the prior quarter.
Shell sold 18.09 million tonnes of LNG in the fourth quarter, a rise of 7.5 percent year-year, while its liquefaction volumes rose 4.1 percent year-on-year to 7.06 million tonnes in the fourth quarter.
The UK-based firm said in the update it expects liquefaction volumes to reach 7.2-7.6 million tonnes in the first quarter of this year.
Shell previously said it expected liquefaction volumes to reach 7-7.6 million tonnes in the first quarter and the outlook reflects Prelude FLNG back in operation after a major turnaround.
Moreover, Shell expects integrated gas production to reach 960–1,000 kboe/d in the first quarter, while upstream production is expected to be at 1,820-1,920 kboe/d.
Shell plans to publish its results on May 2.