Shell Tightens Belt Amid Pandemic
Shell revealed on the 23rd March that it has embarked on “a series of operational and financial initiatives” which are expected to contribute US$8-9 billion of free cash flow on a pre-tax basis.
The initiatives are expected to result in the reduction of underlying operating costs by US$3-4 billion per annum over the next 12 months, compared with 2019 levels, and the reduction of cash capital expenditure to US$20 billion or below for 2020, from a planned level of around US$25 billion, Shell outlined.
They are also expected to result in “material reductions” in working capital, according to Shell.
Shell’s board stated that it has decided not to continue with the next tranche of the share buyback programme following the completion of the current share buyback tranche. The company said it is still committed to its divestment program of more than US$10 billion of assets in 2019-20 but added that “timing depends on market conditions”.
“As well as protecting our staff and customers in this difficult time, we are also taking immediate steps to ensure the financial strength and resilience of our business,” Shell CEO Ben van Beurden said in a company statement.
“The combination of steeply falling oil demand and rapidly increasing supply may be unique, but Shell has weathered market volatility many times in the past,” he added.
“In these very tough conditions, I am very proud of our staff and contractors across the world for maintaining their focus on safe and reliable operations while also ensuring their own health and welfare and that of their families, communities and our customers,” Mr Beurden continued.
Shell said it will continue to review the “dynamically evolving business environment” and added that it was prepared to take “further strategic decisions” and consider changes to the overall financial framework “as necessary”.
Source: Rigzone