This publication contains forward-looking statements concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell plc (the Company). All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “goals”, “intend”, “may”, “objectives”, “outlook”, “plan”, “probably”, “project”, “risks”, “scheduled”, “seek”, “should”, “target”, “will” and similar terms and phrases. Also included as forward-looking statements in this publication is our disclosure of reserves, proved oil and gas reserves, resources, and all future estimates of refining capacity, oil and gas production, capital investment and expenditure, cash from operations, dividends, share buybacks and investments. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this publication, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) proved reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including regulatory measures as a result of climate changes; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; and (m) changes in trading conditions. All forward-looking statements contained in this publication are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional factors that may affect future results are contained in the Company’s 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2011 (available at www.shell.com/investor and www.sec.gov). These factors also should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this publication, April 27, 2012. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this publication.
Please refer to the Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2011, for a description of certain important factors, risks and uncertainties that may affect the businesses of Shell.
This publication has not been subject to audit.
We use certain terms in this publication that US Securities and Exchange Commission’s guidelines strictly prohibit us from including in filings with the SEC. U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 001-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov. You can also obtain these forms from the SEC by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
The companies in which the Company directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this publication “Shell” is sometimes used for convenience where references are made to the Company and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. “Subsidiaries” and “Shell subsidiaries” as used in this publication refer to companies over which the Company, either directly or indirectly, has control through a majority of the voting rights or the right to exercise control or to obtain the majority of the benefits and be exposed to the majority of the risks. The Consolidated Financial Statements consolidate the financial statements of the Parent Company and all subsidiaries. The companies in which Shell has significant influence but not control are referred to as “associates” and companies in which Shell has joint control are referred to as “jointly controlled entities”. Joint ventures are comprised of jointly controlled entities and jointly controlled assets. In this publication, associates and jointly controlled entities are also referred to as “equity-accounted investments”.
The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in a venture, partnership or company, after exclusion of all third-party interests. (For example, Shell interest in Woodside Petroleum Ltd is 23%.)
The term “reserves” in this publication means SEC proved oil and gas reserves.
The term “resources” in this publication includes quantities of oil and gas not yet classified as SEC proved oil and gas reserves. Resources are consistent with the Society of Petroleum Engineers 2P and 2C definitions.
There can be no assurance that dividend payments will match or exceed those set out in this publication in the future, or that they will be made at all.
The Financial Statements contained in this publication have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union. IFRS as defined above includes interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee.
To facilitate a better understanding of underlying business performance, the financial results are also presented on an estimated current cost of supplies (CCS) basis as applied for the Downstream segment earnings. CCS earnings provide useful information concerning the effect of changes in the cost of supplies on Shell’s results of operations and are used to manage the performance of the Downstream segment. But they are not a measure of financial performance under IFRS.
Except as otherwise noted, the figures shown in this publication are stated in US dollars. As used herein all references to “dollars” or “$” are to the US currency.
Internal segment reporting is on a global basis. For the main segments an analysis of certain data is provided in this publication between the USA and the world outside the USA.
Assets and liabilities of non-US dollar subsidiaries are translated to US dollars at year-end rates of exchange, whilst their statements of income and cash flows are translated at quarterly average rates. Translation differences arising on consolidation are taken directly to a currency translation differences account within equity. Upon divestment or liquidation of an entity, cumulative currency translation differences related to that entity are taken to income.
The maps in this publication are intended only to give an impression of the magnitude of Shell’s Upstream activities in certain parts of the world. The maps are not comprehensive and show primarily major projects and assets mentioned in this publication. The maps must not be considered authoritative, particularly in respect of delimitation of national, concession or other boundaries, nor in respect of the representation of pipeline routes and landfalls, field sizes or positions. The maps mainly describe the situation as at December 31, 2011.
This publication contains references to Shell’s website. These references are for the reader’s convenience only. Shell is not incorporating by reference any information posted on www.shell.com.
