Shell forecasts higher Upstream production but lower LNG production

Shell announces a potential increase in oil and gas production in its Upstream unit for the second quarter of 2024, despite an expected decrease in its Liquefied Natural Gas unit, reflecting a stabilization of its overall production.

Share:

Shell ajuste sa production de pétrole et de GNL

Subscribe for unlimited access to all energy sector news.

Over 150 multisector articles and analyses every week.

Your 1st year at 99 $*

then 199 $/year

*renews at 199$/year, cancel anytime before renewal.

Shell recently published its forecasts for the second quarter of 2024, indicating changes in production volumes for its various units. Upstream production could increase to 1.63-1.83 million barrels per day of oil equivalent (boe/d), compared with 1.70 million boe/d in the second quarter of 2023. By contrast, Shell’s integrated Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) unit is forecasting a decline, with production estimated at between 920,000 and 980,000 boe/d, compared with 985,000 boe/d for the same period last year.

Overall performance and influencing factors

In the first quarter, Shell’s global production remained stable year-on-year at 2.91 million boe/d. This consistency was underpinned by a 2% increase in gas production, while oil production fell slightly by 1%. However, a new connection project, the Rydberg to the Appomattox oil hub in the Gulf of Mexico, began in February and is expected to reach production of 16,000 b/d at its peak.

Impact of maintenance activities

Shell also mentioned the impact of maintenance on its production forecasts for the second quarter, although the company benefited from less maintenance activity at its Prelude floating LNG facility in Australia, previously subject to technical problems.

First-quarter financial and operating results

Shell CFO Sinead Gorman highlighted the good start to 2024, adding that, “we have once again delivered a strong set of operational and financial results in the first quarter. In the Upstream segment, our conventional oil and gas business performed very well, with many key assets offering high controllable availability.”

The Platts Dated Brent North Sea benchmark averaged $83.16 in the first quarter of 2024, up on the previous year.

Downstream segment performance

In the Downstream segment, utilization of Shell’s refineries reached 91% in the first quarter, up from 81% in the fourth quarter of 2023, thanks to a reduction in planned maintenance in North America. Refinery feedstock rose slightly by 1% year-on-year, and the company’s indicative refining margin increased quarter-on-quarter, albeit below the previous year’s level.

Shell’s forecasts for 2024 point to strategic adaptation in the face of a dynamic market environment, with efforts to maximize production while managing operational challenges. This balanced management positions the company to respond effectively to market fluctuations while pursuing its long-term objectives.

Private firm Harvest Midstream has signed a $1 billion acquisition deal with MPLX for gas processing and transport infrastructure across three western US states.
Sempra Infrastructure and EQT Corporation have signed a 20-year liquefied natural gas purchase agreement, consolidating Phase 2 of the Port Arthur LNG project in Texas and strengthening the United States’ position in the global LNG market.
Subsea7 was selected to lead phase 3 of the Sakarya gas field, a strategic contract for Türkiye’s energy supply valued between $750mn and $1.25bn.
Tokyo protests against Chinese installations deemed unilateral in a disputed maritime zone, despite a bilateral agreement stalled since 2010.
Bp has awarded Baker Hughes a long-term service agreement for the Tangguh liquefied natural gas plant, covering spare parts, maintenance and technical support for its turbomachinery equipment.
Chinese group Sinopec has launched a large-scale seismic imaging campaign across 3,000 km² in Mexico using nodal technology from Sercel, owned by Viridien, delivered in August to map areas with complex terrain.
CNOOC Limited has signed two production sharing contracts with SKK Migas to explore the Gaea and Gaea II blocks in West Papua, alongside EnQuest and Agra.
Australian group Macquarie partners with AMIGO LNG for an annual supply of 0.6 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas over fifteen years, with operations expected to start in 2028 from the Guaymas terminal in Mexico.
A consortium led by ONEOK is developing a 450-mile pipeline to transport up to 2.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day from the Permian Basin to the Gulf Coast.
AMIGO LNG has awarded Drydocks World a major EPC contract to build the world’s largest floating LNG liquefaction terminal, aimed at strengthening exports to Asia and Latin America.
Nigeria LNG signs major deals with oil groups to ensure gas supply to its liquefaction infrastructure over two decades.
The European Union and Washington have finalized an agreement setting $750 billion in U.S. gas, oil and nuclear purchases, complemented by $600 billion in European investments in the United States by 2028.
Sempra Infrastructure and ConocoPhillips signed a 20-year LNG sales agreement for 4 Mtpa, confirming their joint commitment to expanding the Port Arthur LNG liquefaction terminal in Texas.
Russian pipeline gas exports to China rose by 21.3% over seven months, contrasting with a 7.6% drop in oil shipments during the same period.
MCF Energy continues operations at the Kinsau-1A drilling site, targeting a promising Jurassic formation first tested by Mobil in 1983.
The group announces an interim dividend of 53 cps, production of 548 Mboe/d, a unit cost of $7.7/boe and major milestones on Scarborough, Trion, Beaumont and Louisiana LNG, while strengthening liquidity and financial discipline.
Norway’s combined oil and gas production exceeded official forecasts by 3.9% in July, according to preliminary data from the regulator.
Gunvor commits to 0.85 million tonnes per year of liquefied natural gas from AMIGO LNG, marking a strategic step forward for Asian and Latin American supply via the Guaymas terminal.
Black Hills Corp. and NorthWestern Energy merge to create a $15.4 billion regulated energy group, operating in eight states with 2.1 million customers and a doubled rate base.
The Pimienta and Eagle Ford formations are identified as pillars of Pemex’s 2025-2035 strategic plan, with potential of more than 250,000 barrels of liquids per day and 500 million cubic feet of gas by 2030.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.

or

Go unlimited with our annual offer: $99 for the 1styear year, then $ 199/year.