Shell's profits surpass $43bn after production hits new highs in Brazil and Gulf of Mexico

Shell's profits have hit an unprecedented high of over $43 billion for the year so far, driven by significant increases in production from its key assets in Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico.

In a strong quarterly performance, the company reported earnings of $5.4 billion, a 27% increase on the previous quarter, but still lower than last year's figures. This marks a trend of lower profits compared to 2024 due to falling oil prices globally.

Despite this, Shell claims to have one of the strongest balance sheets in the industry, with Wael Sawan, its CEO, hailing the results as "clear progress across our portfolio" and "excellent performance in our marketing business and deepwater assets".

The majority of Shell's oil and gas output is generated from these two regions, where new projects have delivered significantly more than expected. In Brazil, production has reached a record high, while the Gulf of Mexico has seen a 20-year high for fossil fuel extraction.

However, not all news is positive. The company is facing tax charges related to its UK operations, including a $509 million levy on its energy profits. This windfall tax was introduced after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and remains in place until 2030.

There are also growing concerns over the North Sea, with the British Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, reportedly considering plans to scrap the profits levy sooner than expected. However, the Treasury is seeking assurances that such a move would lead to more jobs and investment.

As global oil prices have fallen from over $100 a barrel last year to around $65 a barrel currently, Shell's buyback program remains on track, with the company poised to purchase an additional $3.5 billion of shares over the next three months.

Despite the optimism, critics are calling out Shell for its "horror show" profits and accusing the company of exploiting communities worldwide. Fossil Free London staged a protest outside Shell's London headquarters this week, highlighting the need for greater accountability from the energy sector.

think shell is trying to spin the results as good while ignoring that profits are lower than last year...also that tax charges in uk r a big con . and yeah, fossil fuel extraction in gulf of mexico r record high but what about environmental impact? they're just gonna exploit more oil & gas till 2030 & then what?

I'm like, totally split on Shell's profits . On one hand, $43 billion is still crazy and it's awesome they're killing it in Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico ️. But at the same time, I think it's wild that they're making so much money while everyone else is struggling with inflation and stuff . And don't even get me started on that tax charge in the UK - like, isn't that a bit unfair? .

On the flip side, I'm all for companies investing their profits into buybacks ... wait, no, actually I think they should just pay out more dividends to shareholders . Ugh, I hate making myself crazy over this! Maybe Shell is doing what it needs to do to stay afloat in an unstable market . Whatever, I guess only time will tell .

man... $43 billion in profits is wild but at what cost? I mean, sure, it's nice that Shell's doing well and all, but have you seen the environmental impact of those oil and gas operations? Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico are already dealing with devastating consequences from extraction. And now they're facing tax charges just because Russia invaded Ukraine? It feels like companies like Shell are just using loopholes to get rich while the planet suffers

and don't even get me started on the buyback program... $3.5 billion to buy more shares? Meanwhile, communities are still reeling from the effects of fossil fuels. I get that it's a capitalist system and all, but can't we strive for something better than just exploiting resources for profit?

I'm still trying to wrap my head around Shell's record-breaking profits... like $43 billion is crazy! But at the same time, it makes me wonder if we're just making money hand over fist because of global oil prices tanking. Are they just benefiting from bad luck or what? And don't get me wrong, I get that they have a strong balance sheet and all, but isn't it weird that the UK is slapping them with tax charges while this happens? It's like the system is rigged in their favor... meanwhile, some folks are protesting outside Shell's HQ because of "horror show" profits. Can we just get some clarity on what's really going on here?

I'm not surprised to see Shell's profits soaring, but it does feel like a contradiction when you consider the growing criticism about the industry's environmental and social impact . The fact that they're facing tax charges and still making record profits feels like a double standard to me . I mean, if global oil prices are plummeting, shouldn't Shell be rethinking its priorities? Instead, it seems like they're focusing on buying back shares and maintaining their balance sheet . It's like they're playing the short-term game while ignoring the long-term consequences of their actions .

so i'm reading about shell's latest profits and im just confused - they're making like $43 billion so far this year but its still lower than last year? it seems like good news on one hand but also bad news because of the global oil prices that are way down from last year. they said their balance sheet is strong but its weird cuz the tax charges from the uk are kinda bringing them down a bit. and i dont get why critics are saying shell is exploiting communities worldwide - isnt it just business?

I'm not buying all this profit talk ... I mean, $43 billion? That's just a bunch of money being made off our suffering planet . And don't even get me started on those "excellent performance" claims . What about the communities affected by their operations? The one in Brazil that's being drained dry? The North Sea where they're pushing out fishermen for profits?

And a $509 million tax charge? That just shows how corrupt the system is . And now Rachel Reeves wants to scrap that levy? So she can give more money to Shell and less to her constituents? No thanks . At least I know what I'm getting paid for, unlike some fossil fuel companies who get bailed out by governments.

Shell's just exploiting us for cash, plain and simple . We need some real change, not just PR spin .

"The biggest risk is not taking any risk... Mark Zuckerberg " - Peter Thiel

I think it's wild how Shell's profits have skyrocketed despite global oil prices plummeting . The fact that they're buying back shares like there's no tomorrow shows just how confident they are in their business model.

But what about the critics who say Shell is exploiting communities worldwide? I mean, it's easy to be outraged when you see huge profits being made from a single project , but it's also important to acknowledge that companies have to make money somehow . And let's not forget the tax charges they're facing – at least they're contributing to their fair share .

Still, can't we just agree on one thing: fossil fuels are a relic of the past? It's time for us to move forward and find alternative energy sources that won't harm our planet .

i feel bad for shell, they're doing so well financially but it's like they're not even addressing the bigger picture . i mean, we're still dealing with climate change and rising sea levels, and companies are just making bank off of fossil fuels . i get that they need to make a profit, but can't they at least try to reduce their impact on the environment? it's like, yeah, you've got $43 billion in profits, but what about the future of our planet?

idk why people still keep talking about shell's profits like, doesn't anyone care about the environment? they're basically making bank off fossil fuels and then act all concerned when some community gets mad at them . newsflash: we're all gonna be the ones suffering from climate change. can't they just start investing in renewable energy already?!

I'm like, super frustrated with these big oil companies making record profits while we're still stuck with climate change Like, what's the point of having $43 billion if you're just gonna keep drilling and polluting? It's so hypocritical that they're talking about "progress" and "accountability" when really they're just profiting off harm. And don't even get me started on the tax charges – it's like they're just trying to game the system Shell should be using their wealth to invest in renewable energy, not fossil fuels. The fact that they're still extracting oil and gas in places with poor communities is a total scandal

I'm not buying into all this hype about Shell's profits . I mean, sure, they're raking it in, but at what cost? The tax charges they're facing are pretty major, and let's be real, it's only a matter of time before these falling oil prices start to take a hit on their bottom line .

And don't even get me started on the buyback program . It sounds like just another way for Shell to artificially inflate their stock price and lining the pockets of their shareholders . I'm not convinced it's going to lead to more jobs or investment, especially when there are concerns about communities being exploited worldwide .

I think people need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture here . We're still relying on fossil fuels as our primary source of energy, and it's unsustainable in the long run . Until we start prioritizing renewable energy and sustainability, I'll be skeptical of companies like Shell making huge profits .

I dunno, man... $43 billion in profits is crazy, but at the same time, it feels like we're just scraping by on lower oil prices . I mean, remember when gas was around $2 a gallon and we could fill up for under 10 bucks? Now it's like, what's the point of making all that cash if everyone's just gonna be driving electric cars anyway? ‍ Like, I get that Shell has some sweet assets in Brazil and the Gulf, but isn't it time to start thinking about the future instead of just trying to squeeze every last penny out of us? And those tax charges... ugh, still got a bad taste in my mouth from all the Exxon Valdez stuff back in the 80s .

You think that's all it's about? The money? Yeah right! They're just trying to hide something. I mean, have you seen the way they're making those huge profits in Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico? It's like they're siphoning off all the good oil for themselves. And what's with this "clear progress across our portfolio" speech from their CEO? Sounds like corporate doublespeak to me.

And don't even get me started on that tax charge in the UK. That sounds like a way to line their pockets while keeping people poor. It's all about control and manipulation. They're using those "profits levies" to keep us quiet, make it seem like they're doing good when really they're just profiteering off our suffering.

I'm telling you, there's more to Shell's story than meets the eye. Mark my words!

I mean, it's crazy to see Shell's profits hit $43 billion already this year ! I know some people are like "woah, that's too much" but I'm looking at it from a different perspective - it means they're getting it right in terms of production and operations. And have you seen the growth in Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico? It's huge ! Of course, there are some challenges like tax charges and concerns over the North Sea, but Shell seems to be handling them well. They've got a strong balance sheet and a solid plan for the future. And let's not forget their buyback program - that's just good business sense . I'm not saying it's perfect, but I think we should give Shell some credit for navigating these choppy waters.

Just saw Shell's numbers and I'm surprised they're still raking it in despite global oil prices taking a hit ! Their Brazil and Gulf of Mexico operations are killing it , but the fact that they have to pay tax on their UK profits is just wild . And can we talk about how Shell's buyback program is happening right under our noses? Like, shouldn't they be investing in cleaner energy instead of buying up more shares? It's like, we get it, you're making a profit, but at what cost to the planet? The protests outside their HQ are giving me LIFE . Maybe it's time for Shell to step up its game and become more sustainable?

Shell's profits are through the roof and everyone's just like "meh" about it? Like, I get it, they're doing their thing, but $43 billion is a pretty big deal. And yeah, it's good that production is up, but don't pretend like you're not profiting from fossil fuels. Meanwhile, tax charges in the UK and concerns over the North Sea are just, like, totally ignored. The company's "strong balance sheet" sounds like corporate speak for "we're going to keep taking all your money".

[image of a cat with a "Shell-shocked" caption]

$43 billion? That's just shell-ebrating...

[Image of a graph showing oil prices falling: 100 -> 65 -> "Who cares?"]

Tax charges are a major hole in Shell's balance sheet

Fossil Free London is making some noise, but will it make a difference?

$43 billion is pretty insane ... I mean, it's great that Shell's doing well, but how sustainable is it? Those profits might be ticking upwards right now, but with oil prices fluctuating like crazy and tax charges piling up, can they really keep this pace going for the long haul? And those buyback plans? Are they just a way to prop up the stock price or actually create more jobs and investment in the industry?

The whole fossil fuel thing is also giving me anxiety ... it's like, we're seeing some pretty vocal protests about Shell's "horror show" profits. Not sure if that's just noise or something more. Either way, I think companies need to be held accountable for their environmental impact – we can't keep living in a world where profits are prioritized over people and the planet