Shell anticipates lower gas sales in the first quarter of 2024

Shell anticipates reduced gas margins for the first quarter of 2024, contrasting with the significant results of the previous winter.

Share:

Shell ventes gaz T1 2024

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

In a statement on Friday April 5, Shell said that gas sales and margins, while solid, would be “significantly weaker” in the first quarter of 2024 compared with the exceptional figures for the final quarter of 2023. This change was mainly due to lower winter demand and lower gas prices, which had peaked this winter due to high seasonal demand.

Optimism in chemicals

In contrast to gas, Shell is forecasting a marked improvement in sales and margins for its chemicals business. The Group highlights a significant increase in first-quarter performance in this sector, supported by strategic adjustments and increased demand.

Review of production operations

Forecasts for liquefied natural gas (LNG) production and refining volumes have been revised upwards, indicating a significant increase compared to the end of 2023. This increase is due to the optimization of operations and adaptation to current market conditions.

Market uncertainties and fluctuations

Shell also widened the range of its forecasts for oil and gas extraction, reflecting heightened uncertainty in this sector. Gas prices in Europe have fallen by around 17% since the start of the year, following a historic surge after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Oil prices, although reduced since the early conflict peaks, remain volatile due to tensions in the Middle East.

Russ Mould, analyst at AJ Bell, notes that Shell CEO Wael Sawan is working to improve the group’s valuation relative to its US competitors. It also underlines the importance of Shell’s commitment to carbon neutrality, while ensuring that investments are cost-effective. According to Russ Mould, Shell should anticipate a loss of between $0.1 and $0.5 billion for the first quarter.

The British company begins the initial production phase of Morocco's Tendrara gas field, activating a ten-year contract with Afriquia Gaz amid phased technical investments.
The Energy Information Administration revises its gas price estimates upward for late 2025 and early 2026, in response to strong consumption linked to a December cold snap.
Venture Global denies Shell’s claims of fraud in an LNG cargo arbitration and accuses the oil major of breaching arbitration confidentiality.
The Valera LNG carrier delivered a shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Portovaya, establishing a new energy route between Russia and China outside Western regulatory reach.
South Stream Transport B.V., operator of the offshore section of the TurkStream pipeline, has moved its headquarters from Rotterdam to Budapest to protect itself from further legal seizures amid ongoing sanctions and disputes linked to Ukraine.
US LNG exports are increasingly bypassing the Panama Canal in favour of Europe, seen as a more attractive market than Asia in terms of pricing, liquidity and logistical reliability.
Indian Oil Corporation has issued a tender for a spot LNG cargo to be delivered in January 2026 to Dahej, as Asian demand weakens and Western restrictions on Russian gas intensify.
McDermott has secured a major engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning contract for a strategic subsea gas development offshore Brunei, strengthening its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
The partnership between Fluor and JGC has handed over LNG Canada's second liquefaction unit, completing the first phase of the major gas project on Canada’s west coast.
Northern Oil and Gas and Infinity Natural Resources invest $1.2bn to acquire Utica gas and infrastructure assets in Ohio, strengthening NOG’s gas profile through vertical integration and high growth potential.
China has received its first liquefied natural gas shipment from Russia’s Portovaya facility, despite growing international sanctions targeting Russian energy exports.
Brazil’s natural gas market liberalisation has led to the migration of 13.3 million cubic metres per day, dominated by the ceramics and steel sectors, disrupting the national competitive balance.
Sasol has launched a new gas processing facility in Mozambique to secure fuel supply for the Temane thermal power plant and support the national power grid’s expansion.
With the addition of Nguya FLNG to Tango, Eni secures 3 mtpa of capacity in Congo, locking in non-Russian volumes for Italy and positioning Brazzaville within the ranks of visible African LNG exporters.
Japan’s JERA has signed a liquefied natural gas supply contract with India’s Torrent Power for four cargoes annually from 2027, marking a shift in its LNG portfolio toward South Asia.
The merger of TotalEnergies and Repsol’s UK assets into NEO NEXT+ creates a 250,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day operator, repositioning the majors in response to the UK’s fiscal regime and basin decline.
Climate requirements imposed by the European due diligence directive are complicating trade relations between the European Union and Qatar, jeopardising long-term gas supply as the global LNG market undergoes major shifts.
A report forecasts that improved industrial energy efficiency and residential electrification could significantly reduce Colombia’s need for imported gas by 2030.
Falling rig counts and surging natural gas demand are reshaping the Lower 48 energy landscape, fuelling a rebound in gas-focused mergers and acquisitions.
The Nigerian government has approved a payment of NGN185bn ($128 million) to settle debts owed to gas producers, aiming to secure electricity supply and attract new investments in the energy sector.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.