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United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004
     
 
Commission file number 1-3788
N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche
Petroleum Maatschappij
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  Commission file number 1-4039
The “Shell” Transport and Trading
Company, Public Limited Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
   
 
The Netherlands
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)
30, Carel van Bylandtlaan, 2596 HR The Hague, The Netherlands
tel. no: (011 31 70) 377 9111
(Address of principal executive offices)
  England
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)
Shell Centre, London SE1 7NA, England
tel. no: (011 44 20) 7934 1234
(Address of principal executive offices)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act

             
Name of Each Exchange Name of Each Exchange
Title of Each Class on Which Registered Title of Each Class on Which Registered
Ordinary shares of the nominal
(par) value of 0.56 Euro
(0.56) each
  New York Stock Exchange*   New York Shares representing
Ordinary shares of the issuer of
an aggregate nominal amount of
£1.50 each and evidenced by
Depositary Receipts
(“New York Shares”)

Ordinary shares of 25p each***
  New York Stock Exchange**
     
*Also admitted to unlisted trading privileges on the following Stock Exchanges: Boston, Cincinnati, Midwest, Pacific and Philadelphia.   **Also admitted to unlisted trading privileges on the following Stock Exchanges: Boston, Cincinnati, Midwest, Pacific and Philadelphia.
***Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing of New York Shares on the New York Stock Exchange.

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act

None

Securities For Which There is a Reporting Obligation Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act

None
     
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report. Outstanding as of December 31, 2004: 2,081,725,000 ordinary shares of 0.56 each.   Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report. Outstanding as of December 31, 2004: 9,624,900,000 Ordinary shares of the nominal amount of 25p each.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ü No

Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrants have elected to follow. Item 17    Item 18 ü

Copies of notices and communications from the Securities and Exchange Commission should be sent to:

CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE LLP

CityPoint, One Ropemaker Street, London EC2Y 9HR, England
Attn: William P. Rogers, Jr.


Table of Contents

Explanatory Note

Reserves Restatements

First Reserves Restatement
As announced on January 9, 2004, March 18, 2004, and April 19, 2004, the Group reviewed its proved reserves inventory (with the assistance of external consultants) during the period from late 2003 to April 2004 (collectively, the First Half Review). Following the First Half Review, 4,474 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe)1 previously booked at December 31, 2002 as proved reserves were recategorised as not proved. The results of the First Half Review were reflected in the restatement of proved reserves and of the standardised measure of discounted future net cash flows as for the periods prior to December 31, 2003 contained in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as originally filed with US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on June 30, 2004 (the First Reserves Restatement).

Second Reserves Restatement

As announced on October 28, 2004, November 26, 2004 and February 3, 2005, the Group performed reviews of its proved reserves inventory (with the assistance of external consultants) during the period from July 2004 to December 2004 (collectively, the Second Half Review). As a result of the Second Half Review, 1,371 million boe previously booked at December 31, 2003 as proved reserves were recategorised as not proved. These changes are reflected in the restatement of proved reserves and the standardised measure of future cash flows contained in this Report (the Second Reserves Restatement). The Second Reserves Restatement was also reflected in Amendment No. 2 to the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on March 7, 2005. The Second Reserves Restatement will also be reflected in the 2004 Annual Report and Accounts.

The Second Half Review reflected the implementation of certain remedial actions, designed to strengthen the controls relating to the reporting of proved reserves, undertaken following the restatement of proved reserves and of the standardised measure of discounted future net cash flows contained in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as originally filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004. See “Controls and Procedures – Remedial Actions Taken in 2004” for an additional discussion of these remedial actions.

Financial Restatements

First Financial Restatement
In view of the inappropriate overstatement of unaudited proved reserves information resulting in the First Reserves Restatement, it was determined to restate the Financial Statements of the Group, and each of the Parent Companies, for the year ended December 31, 2002 and prior periods (the First Financial Restatement) to reflect the impact of the First Reserves Restatement on those Financial Statements (as announced on April 19, 2004). As part of the First Financial Restatement, the financial statements were also restated to correct an inappropriate departure from US GAAP relating to certain exploratory drilling costs, to correct an inappropriate departure from US GAAP (for 2002 only) for certain gas contracts to correct an error in the calculation of earnings per share of the Parent Companies and to reflect a change in accounting principle relating to inventories. The First Financial Restatement was reflected in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as originally filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004.

Second Financial Restatement

In view of the inappropriate overstatement of unaudited proved reserves information resulting in the Second Reserves Restatement, it was determined to restate the Financial Statements of the Group and each of the Parent Companies for the year ended December 31, 2003 and prior periods (the Second Financial Restatement) to reflect the impact of the Second Reserves Restatement on those Financial Statements (as announced on February 3, 2005). This overstatement of unaudited proved reserves information had the effect of understating the depreciation, depletion and amortisation charges related to Exploration & Production in each of the years covered by the Second Financial Restatement. As capitalised costs relating to Exploration & Production were amortised across fewer proved reserves (following the Second Reserves Restatement), depreciation, depletion and amortisation associated with annual production volumes increased proportionally. The Second Financial Restatement reduced previously reported net assets as at December 31, 2003 by $351 million. The Second Financial Restatement is reflected in this Report and also in Amendment No. 2 to the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on March 7, 2005.
 
1 The Group converts natural gas to crude oil equivalent using a factor of 5,800 standard cubic feet per barrel.
 
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The following table sets forth the adjustments made to reported results to eliminate the effect of the inappropriate overstatement of unaudited proved reserves as described above under “Reserves Restatements”:

                                 
Second Financial Restatement effects
Net income $ million

2003 2002 2001 pre 2001

Depreciation, depletion and amortisation
    (289 )     (118 )     (94 )     (112 )
Share of operating profit of associated companies
    (19 )     (6 )     (2 )     (2 )

Income before taxation
    (308 )     (124 )     (96 )     (114 )

Total tax
    126       54       44       54  

Income after taxation
    (182 )     (70 )     (52 )     (60 )
Minority interest
    (1 )     4       3       7  

Net income
    (183 )     (66 )     (49 )     (53 )

Please refer to Note 2 on pages G5 to G8 and “Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)” on pages G49 to G61 of this Report for additional information regarding the Second Reserves Restatement.

 
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Cross reference sheet for Annual Report on Form 20-F

         
Headings* in this Annual Report which relate to:

N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche The “Shell” Transport and Trading
Petroleum Maatschappij Company, Public Limited
 Item number and captions (Royal Dutch Petroleum Company) Company

1   Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
  Not applicable   Not applicable

2   Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
  Not applicable   Not applicable

3   Key Information
  Selected Financial Data – Royal Dutch
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Royal Dutch, Group
Business and Property – Risk factors
  Selected Financial Data – Shell Transport
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Shell Transport, Group
Business and Property – Risk factors

4   Information on the Company
  Introduction
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 
– Group
Business and Property
Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)
  Introduction 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 
– Group
Business and Property
Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)

5   Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Royal Dutch, Group
Business and Property – Business environment, Description of activities, Research
  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Shell Transport, Group
Business and Property – Business environment, Description of activities, Research

6   Directors, Senior Management and Employees
  Royal Dutch – Control of registrant, Management
Financial Statements – Note 15 to Royal Dutch, Group; Royal Dutch – Remuneration Report
Business and Property – Personnel
  Shell Transport – Control of registrant, Management
Financial Statements – Note 13 to Shell Transport,
Group; Shell Transport – Directors’ Remuneration Report
Business and Property – Personnel

7   Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
  Royal Dutch – Control of registrant, Articles of Association – Rights attaching to each class of shares
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Legal Proceedings
  Shell Transport – Control of registrant, Memorandum and Articles of Association – Rights attaching to shares
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Legal Proceedings

8   Financial Information
  Index to Financial Statements and Exhibits
Financial Statements 
– Royal Dutch, Group
Selected Financial Data – Royal Dutch
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Royal Dutch, Group
  Index to Financial Statements and Exhibits
Financial Statements 
– Shell Transport, Group
Selected Financial Data – Shell Transport
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Shell Transport, Group

9   The Offer and Listing
  Royal Dutch – Nature of trading market   Shell Transport – Nature of trading market

10 Additional Information
  Royal Dutch – Articles of Association, Management, Exchange Controls and other Limitations Affecting Security Holders, Taxation
Introduction – Documents on display
  Shell Transport – Memorandum and Articles of Association, Management, Exchange Controls and other Limitations Affecting Security Holders, Taxation
Introduction – Documents on display

11 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Group – Risk management and internal control, Treasury and trading risks
Supplementary information – Derivatives and other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments
  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Group – Risk management and internal control, Treasury and trading risks
Supplementary information – Derivatives and other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments

12 Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
  Not applicable   Not applicable

13 Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
  None   None

14 Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
  None   None

15 Controls and Procedures
  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Controls and Procedures   Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Controls and Procedures

16A Audit Committee Financial Expert
  Royal Dutch – Management   Shell Transport – Management

16B Code of Ethics
  Royal Dutch – Management   Shell Transport – Management

16C Principal Accountants Fees and Services
  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Royal Dutch – Group Audit Committee; – Principal Accountants Fees and Services   Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Shell Transport – Group Audit Committee; Principal Accountants Fees and Services

16D Exemptions from Listing Standards for Audit Committees
  Not applicable   Not applicable

16E Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
  Royal Dutch – Purchases of Equity Securities in Royal Dutch by Royal Dutch and Affiliated Purchasers   Shell Transport – Purchases of Equity Securities in Shell Transport by Shell Transport and Affiliated Purchasers

17 Financial Statements
  Not applicable   Not applicable

18 Financial Statements
  Financial Statements – Royal Dutch, Group   Financial Statements – Shell Transport, Group

19 Exhibits
  Index to Financial Statements and Exhibits   Index to Financial Statements and Exhibits

Names of the registrants and references to the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies appearing in headings have been abbreviated to Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and Group, respectively. Collectively Royal Dutch and Shell Transport are referred to as the Parent Companies.
 
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N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij
(Royal Dutch Petroleum Company),

The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, Public Limited Company

         
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Purchases of Equity Securities in Shell Transport by Shell Transport and Affiliated Purchasers
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 Exhibit 8
 Exhibit 23.1
 Exhibit 23.2
 Exhibit 23.3
 Exhibit 23.4
 Exhibit 23.5
 Exhibit 23.6
 Exhibit 23.7
 Exhibit 99.1
 Exhibit 99.2
 Exhibit 99.3
 Exhibit 99.4
 Exhibit 99.5
 Exhibit 99.6
 
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Introduction

Structure of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group

(STRUCTURE CHART)

Shareholders
Shareholders hold shares in either Royal Dutch Petroleum Company (Royal Dutch) or in The “ Shell ” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c. (Shell Transport). Shares of one or both companies are listed on stock exchanges in four European countries (France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK) and in the USA.

Parent Companies

As Parent Companies, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport do not directly engage in operational activities. They are public companies based in the Netherlands and in the UK respectively. The Parent Companies own the shares in the Group Holding Companies but are not part of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies. They appoint Directors to the Boards of the Group Holding Companies, from which they receive income in the form of dividends. The Parent Companies receive most of their income in this way.

Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies

The numerous companies in which Royal Dutch and Shell Transport own investments are collectively referred to as the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies.

Group Holding Companies

Shell Petroleum N.V. and The Shell Petroleum Company Limited between them hold, directly or indirectly, all Group interests in the Service Companies and the Operating Companies.

Service Companies

The main business of the Service Companies is to provide advice and services to other Shell companies.

Operating Companies

The management of each Operating Company is responsible for the performance and long-term viability of its own operations, but can draw on the experience of the Service Companies and, through them, of other Operating Companies.
 
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Introduction

A The Parent Companies

N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij (Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, hereinafter referred to as “Royal Dutch”) was incorporated as a corporation on June 16, 1890, under the laws of the Netherlands. Royal Dutch is considered resident of the Netherlands for tax purposes. The registered office of Royal Dutch is 30, Carel van Bylandtlaan, 2596 HR The Hague, the Netherlands, telephone number 011 3170 3779111.

The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, Public Limited Company (hereinafter referred to as “Shell Transport”) was incorporated as a public limited company on October 18, 1897, under the laws of England. Shell Transport is considered resident of England for tax purposes. The registered office of Shell Transport is at Shell Centre, London, SE1 7NA, UK, telephone number 011 4420 7934 1234.

Royal Dutch and Shell Transport do not engage in operational activities. They derive the whole of their respective incomes – except for interest income on cash balances or short-term investments – from their respective interests in the companies known collectively as the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies.

On October 28, 2004, the Royal Dutch and Shell Transport Boards announced that they had unanimously agreed to propose to their shareholders a transaction through which each Parent Company will become a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc, which will become a publicly-listed company incorporated in England and Wales and headquartered and tax resident in the Netherlands. Jeroen van der Veer was appointed Group Chief Executive with full executive authority, empowered to drive strategy implementation, operational delivery and cultural change. The Boards believe that the implementation of the transaction will strengthen the Group and deliver significant benefits in the form of clarity (one listed company, one Board, one Chairman and one Chief Executive), efficiency (streamlined decision making) and accountability (clarity in governance, reporting and responsibilities). Please refer to “Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Unification Proposal” for additional information on this transaction.

The agent for service for both Royal Dutch and Shell Transport in the United States is The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, USA, telephone number (302) 658-7581.

B Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies

The numerous companies in which Royal Dutch and Shell Transport own investments are collectively referred to as the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies, or the Group. Royal Dutch and Shell Transport are the Parent Companies of the Group but are not themselves part of it. The Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies has grown out of an alliance made in 1907 between Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, by which the two companies agreed to merge their interests on a 60:40 basis while remaining separate and distinct entities. Arrangements between Royal Dutch and Shell Transport provide, inter alia, that, notwithstanding variations in shareholdings, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport shall share in the aggregate net assets and in the aggregate dividends and interest received from Group companies in the proportion of 60:40. It is further arranged that the burden of all taxes in the nature of or corresponding to an income tax leviable in respect of such dividends and interests shall fall in the same proportion.

The illustration on the previous page shows the relationship between the Parent Companies and the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies.

Group Holding Companies

There are two Group Holding Companies: Shell Petroleum N.V. in the Netherlands and The Shell Petroleum Company Limited in the UK. The Group Holding Companies between them hold all the shares in the Service Companies and, directly or indirectly, all Group interests in the Operating Companies.

Royal Dutch is entitled to have its nominees elected as a majority of, and Shell Transport is entitled to have its nominees elected as the balance of, the members of the Boards of Directors of the two Group Holding Companies. Every member of the Board of Management of Royal Dutch and every Managing Director of Shell Transport is also a member of the Presidium of the Board of Directors of Shell Petroleum N.V. and a Managing Director of The Shell Petroleum Company Limited. As such, they are generally known as “Managing Directors”. They are also appointed by the Boards of Shell Petroleum N.V. and The Shell Petroleum Company Limited to a joint committee known as the Executive Committee, which considers and develops objectives and long-term plans, for the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies.

Service Companies

The main business of the Service Companies is to provide advice and services to other Shell companies.

Operating Companies

Present in more than 140 countries and territories around the world, the companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group are engaged in the business of Exploration & Production, Gas & Power, Oil Products, Chemicals and Other industry segments including Shell Renewables and Hydrogen.
 
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Introduction

Exploration & Production: Searches for, finds and produces crude oil and natural gas. Builds and operates the infrastructure needed to deliver hydrocarbons to market.

Gas & Power: Liquefies and transports natural gas, develops gas markets and infrastructure including gas-fired power plants and engages in the marketing and trading of natural gas and electricity. Converts natural gas to liquids to provide clean fuels.

Oil Products: Markets transportation fuels, lubricants and speciality products. Refines, supplies, trades and ships crude oil and petroleum products.

Chemicals: Produces and sells petrochemicals to industrial customers globally.

Other industry segments comprises technical consultancy services, Shell Renewables and Hydrogen.

The management of each Operating Company is responsible for the performance and long-term viability of its own operations, but it can draw on the experience of the Service Companies and, through them, of other Operating Companies.

The information contained in the list of significant Group companies, including the jurisdiction of incorporation and the Parent Companies’ proportion of ownership, filed as Exhibit 8 to this Annual Report on Form 20-F, is incorporated herein by reference.

C Presentation of information

The information in this Report relating to Royal Dutch has been provided by Royal Dutch and that relating to Shell Transport has been provided by Shell Transport.

The information given in this Report for the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies reflects the operational and financial results of Group companies throughout the world. The financial information given is an aggregation of the accounts of all Group companies (except where otherwise indicated) expressed in US dollars.

This report discloses prior year comparative amounts “as restated” to reflect:

the recategorisation, as not proved, of 1,371 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) previously booked at December 31, 2003 as proved reserves following the Group’s reviews of its proved reserves inventory (with the assistance of external consultants) during the period from July 2004 to December 2004 (the Second Reserves Restatement); and
 
the restatement of the Financial Statements of the Group and each of the Parent Companies for the year ended December 31, 2003 and prior periods reflecting the impact of the Second Reserves Restatement (the Second Financial Restatement).

The Second Reserves Restatement and Second Financial Restatement were also reflected in Amendment No. 2 to the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 7, 2005. Please refer to Note 2 on pages G5 and G8 and “Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)” on pages G49 to G61 of this Report for additional information regarding the Second Reserves Restatement.

The companies in which Royal Dutch and Shell Transport directly or indirectly own investments are separate and distinct entities, but in this Report the collective expressions “Shell” and “Group” are sometimes used for convenience in contexts where reference is made to the companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group in general. Likewise the words “we”, “us” and “our” are sometimes used in some places to refer to companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group in general, and in others to those who work in those companies. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. The expression “Group companies” as used in this Report refers to companies in which Royal Dutch and Shell Transport either directly or indirectly have control, by having either a majority of the voting rights or the right to exercise a controlling influence. The companies in which Group companies have significant influence but not control are referred to as “associated companies”.

The expression “Operating Companies” as used in this Report refers to those Group and associated companies which are engaged in various branches of the businesses of oil, natural gas, chemicals, power generation, renewable energy and hydrogen. The term “Group interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct or indirect equity interest held by the Group Holding Companies in a venture or partnership or company (ie, after exclusion of all third-party interests).

For information on discontinued operations, see “Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 4 to the Financial Statements of the Group on pages G12 to G13.

The figures shown in most of the tables in this Report represent those in respect of Group companies only, without deduction of minority interests. However, where figures are given specifically for oil production (net of royalties in kind), natural gas production available for sale, and both the refinery processing intake and total oil product sales volumes of Equilon and the Motiva joint venture (following the Group’s additional share purchases in 2002, Equilon is no longer a joint venture), the term “Group share” is used for convenience to indicate not only the volumes to which Group companies are entitled (without deduction in respect of minority interests in Group companies) but also the portion of the volumes of associated companies to which Group companies are entitled or which is proportionate to the Group interest in those companies.

 
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Introduction

Except as otherwise specified or as contained in the Financial Statements, all financial information contained in this Report is presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

The discussion and analysis in this Report contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risk factors associated with the oil, gas, chemicals, power generation and renewable resources businesses. It is believed that the expectations reflected in these statements are reasonable, but they may be affected by a variety of variables which could cause actual results or trends to differ materially, including, but not limited to: price fluctuations, actual demand, currency fluctuations, drilling and production results, reserve estimates, loss of market, industry competition, environmental risks, physical risks, risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets and the successful negotiation and consummation of such transactions, the risks of doing business in developing countries, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments, potential litigation and regulatory effects arising from recategorisation of reserves, economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions, political risks, project delay or advancement, approvals and cost estimates.

D Documents on display

Documents concerning Royal Dutch, Shell Transport or the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies referred to in this Report that have been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may be examined and copied at the public reference facility maintained by the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1300, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of these materials by mail. For further information on the operation of the public reference room and the copy charges, please call the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. All of the SEC filings made electronically by Royal Dutch and Shell Transport are available to the public at the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
 
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Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies – Business and Property

A Activities and major interests

The companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group are engaged worldwide in all the principal aspects of the oil and natural gas industry. They also have interests in chemicals and additional interests in power generation and renewable energy (chiefly in wind and solar energy).

Oil and gas, by far the largest of the Group companies’ business activities (which include the Group’s Exploration & Production, Gas & Power and Oil Products segments), accounted for approximately 90% of net proceeds in 2004. In fact, Group and associated companies constitute one of the largest oil and gas enterprises in the world (by a number of measures, including operating cashflow and oil and gas production). They market their oil products in more countries than any other oil company, and have a strong position, not only in the major industrialised countries, but also in the developing ones. The distinctive Shell pecten (a trademark in use since the early part of the twentieth century) and trademarks in which the word Shell appears support this marketing effort throughout the world. Taken together, Group and associated companies also rank among the world’s major chemical companies (by sales); in 2004 chemicals accounted for around 10% of the net proceeds of Group companies. The Group’s interests in power generation and renewable energy are considerably smaller, notwithstanding that the Group’s renewables business is now one of the larger global solar enterprises (by production). The Group’s various activities are conducted in more than 140 countries and territories.

The breakdown of net proceeds of Group companies by industry segment and by geographical region for the years 2002 to 2004 is set out in the following tables:

                         
Net Proceeds by Industry Segment
(including inter-segment sales) $ million

2004 2003 2002
As restateda As restateda

Exploration & Production
                       
Third parties
    20,643       12,224       11,640  
Inter-segment
    19,001       20,244       14,680  

      39,644       32,468       26,320  

Gas & Power
                       
Third parties
    9,604       7,377       4,254  
Inter-segment
    1,210       850       620  

      10,814       8,227       4,874  

Oil Products
                       
Third parties
    207,006       159,075       132,681  
Inter-segment
    11,924       3,416       3,080  

      218,930       162,491       135,761  

Chemicals
                       
Third parties
    26,877       18,843       14,125  
Inter-segment
    2,620       1,974       1,082  

      29,497       20,817       15,207  

Corporate and Other
                       
Third parties
    1,060       843       753  
Inter-segment
    11       29       17  

      1,071       872       770  

      299,956       224,875       182,932  

                         
Net Proceeds by Geographical Area
(excluding inter-segment sales) $ million

2004 2003 2002
As restateda As restateda

Europe
    94,904       70,375       62,575  
Other Eastern Hemisphere
    49,482       37,482       32,406  
USA
    102,877       75,109       54,677  
Other Western Hemisphere
    17,927       15,396       13,795  

      265,190       198,362       163,453  

a See Note 2 to the Group Financial Statements.  

B Business environment

Brent crude prices averaged $38.30 a barrel in 2004 compared with $28.85 in 2003, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) averaged $41.50 a barrel compared to $31.05 a year earlier. Crude prices rose steadily during the first three quarters of 2004 against a backdrop of low US stocks, strong US and Chinese demand, falling spare OPEC crude production capacity against rising geopolitical tensions, slow Iraqi crude export recovery, and supply disruptions from the Gulf of Mexico in September due to damage caused by Hurricane Ivan. Crude prices reached a new record high in mid-October with Brent trading at just over $52 a barrel due to slow production
 
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recovery from the Gulf of Mexico and concerns over possible supply disruptions from Nigeria and Russia and adequacy of heating oil supply ahead of the peak winter season. Crude prices eased in early November on rising global supplies and continuing mild winter in the northern hemisphere. The decline slowed in mid-December due to OPEC’s decision to cut crude output by 1 mb/d from the start of 2005 and renewed concerns over possible heating oil supply shortage, prompted by cold spells in Europe and the US. Brent and WTI crude prices ended the year 2004 at the $40 a barrel and $43 a barrel level respectively. Crude prices in 2005 will be influenced by the pace of Iraqi oil export recovery, OPEC supply policy, the rate of global economic expansion, particularly in the US and China and the severity of northern hemisphere winter.

Crude oil price conditions are evaluated based on careful assessment of short, medium and long-term drivers under different sets of assumptions, yielding a range of prices to be used in evaluation. Historical analysis, trends and statistical volatility are part of this assessment, as well as analysis of global and regional economic conditions, geopolitics, OPEC actions, supply and demand. Sensitivity analyses are used to test the impact of low price drivers (economic weakness, rapid resumption of Iraqi production, greater than expected increase in non-OPEC production) and high price drivers (greater than expected economic growth, slower than expected resumption of Iraqi production). Short-term events (such as relatively warm winters or cool summers and the resulting effects on demand and inventory levels) contribute to volatility.

The drivers of natural gas prices are more regionalised than the relatively global nature of crude oil pricing. Whilst Henry Hub prices are recognised price benchmarks in North America, the Group also produces natural gas in other areas that have significantly different supply, demand and regulatory circumstances.

For the full year 2004, Henry Hub gas prices averaged $5.87 per million British Thermal Units (Btu) compared to $5.63 per million Btu in 2003. Prices were driven by increasing demand in the face of concerns over production declines onshore United States and Western Canada. Henry Hub prices for 2005 are expected to remain high.

Natural gas prices in Continental Europe and Asia are predominantly indexed to oil prices. In 2004, Japan industry wide LNG (cif) prices averaged $5.13 per million Btu versus $4.77 per million Btu in 2003, reflecting higher oil prices. Shell LNG is primarily sold through associate companies, with prices closely related to industry averages. Realised Shell gas prices in Europe averaged $3.68 per thousand standard cubic feet in 2004 versus $3.30 per thousand standard cubic feet in 2003. Prices in both these markets are expected to remain high for 2005, reflecting a firm oil price outlook.

Excess supply conditions that exist in certain parts of the world cannot easily serve to mitigate high-price conditions in the United States or other markets because of lack of infrastructure and difficulties in transporting natural gas. The Group is planning to increase investment in long-term projects in areas of excess supply to install needed infrastructure to produce and liquefy natural gas for transport by tanker and regasification in markets where demand is strong. Consistent with other Group investments, projects of this type are evaluated using multiple oil price conditions, including price conditions of $20 and less a barrel to assess the resilience of investments at low price conditions.

In 2004, industry refining margins averaged $8.05, $11.65, $4.50 and $2.90 a barrel in US Gulf Coast (USGC), US West Coast (USWC), Rotterdam and Singapore, compared to $5.10, $6.30 $2.70 and $1.05 a barrel a year earlier. The strong margins across the world in 2004 were underpinned in the main by exceptional product demand growth particularly in China and, to a lesser extent, the USA.

During the first half of 2004, margins in the USA and Europe also found support from low gasoline stocks in the USA ahead of the peak driving season, extensive turnaround activities and the introduction of tighter US gasoline specifications. In Singapore, margins were bolstered by a major refinery disruption in Taiwan and heavy refinery maintenance in the Far East and Arab Gulf. US margins eased during the first half of the third quarter with rising gasoline stocks as more refineries returned from turnaround to normal operations. They rebounded in the latter half of the quarter with strengthening middle distillate prices as concerns mounted over the adequacy of heating oil supply for the winter season. USGC margins were further strengthened in late September by the impacts of Hurricane Ivan, which brought a significant reduction in product stocks just before the autumn turnaround season. European margins also fell in the first half of the quarter as gasoline netbacks from trans-Atlantic exports to the US declined but recovered in mid-quarter with the start of seasonal turnaround activities. Singapore margins were well supported by strong Chinese gasoline and middle distillate demand throughout the quarter and rose to a seven year high in September on exceptional kerosene and gasoil price strength. US and European margins remained strong during the first half of the fourth quarter with seasonal turnaround activities but declined in the latter half as refineries resumed normal operations. Singapore margins also stood firm in the first half of the quarter against buoyant Chinese demand for gasoline and gasoil, and rising demand for gasoline from Australia with the start of the driving season. However margins declined in the latter half of the quarter amid slowing product import buying interest into China and a much milder-than-normal winter in Japan in the fourth quarter.

Margins in 2005 will be influenced strongly by the pace of economic expansion in the USA and China, the impact of high oil prices on product demand and the severity of northern hemisphere winter. Some upside support to margins in the Atlantic Basin is expected through seasonal refinery turnarounds in the first quarter and tightening gasoline and diesel specifications in the USA and Europe respectively.

 
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Petrochemicals industry conditions were favourable. Petrochemicals demand rebounded in 2004 and has shown little signs of cooling throughout the year despite the crude oil price escalation. This, together with low levels of inventories, led to an increase in operating rates relative to last year. In Europe, cracker profitability improved as strong ethylene pricing and co-products (benzene and propylene) credits supported naphtha cracker margins, while the increase of the euro exchange rate against the US dollar tempered the effect of increasing US dollar feedstock costs. In the US price increases in ethylene and co-products offset the impact of the rise in feedstock and energy prices. Even with high and volatile feedstock costs, strong demand is expected to be sustained through 2005 and the short-term outlook for petrochemicals is positive.

C General development of the business

Group companies’ capital expenditure, exploration expense, new investment in associated companies and other investments was $14.9 billion in 2004, compared with $14.3 billion in 2003.

Group and associated companies’ natural gas production available for sale through the end of 2004 has increased by 9% since 2000. Investment continues in the expansion of existing operations and in major new pipelines. Moreover, additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects and Gas to Liquids plants are being considered in several countries. Gas is the preferred fuel for power generation and demand for both gas and electricity is expected to grow. LNG equity sales of 10.15 million tonnes in 2004 were a record and were up 9% compared with 2003.

In 2004, we strengthened our acreage position by acquiring some 50,000 square kilometers of acreage in seven countries. We drilled 15 “big cat” exploration wells, which are wells in fields where there has been a major discovery, with discoveries in 5 of them, in Egypt, Malaysia and Nigeria. Appraisal results were positive on several material discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico, Asia and Kazakhstan. We brought various new fields on stream, including Salym in Russia, and Holstein in the Gulf of Mexico. We took final investment decisions on Nigeria LNG Limited’s (Group interest 25.6%) Train 6 in Nigeria, on Pohokura in New Zealand, and on the large Kashagan development in Kazakhstan. In Oman, agreements were signed with the government to extend the terms of Petroleum Development Oman’s (Group interest 34%) concession until 2044. Plans were announced to increase bitumen production at the Athabasca Oils Sands Project (Group interest 47%) from the current 155,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) capacity to between 270,000 and 290,000 bopd by 2010. Construction is progressing on our major integrated gas projects in Sakhalin in Russia and on Ormen Lange in Norway. Our 2004 production was at the high end of the expected range at approximately 3.8 mmboed, and we delivered record cash flow.

Group companies continue to pursue a policy of a diversified supply base, and they trade actively in crude oil and its refined products throughout the world. Major acquisitions in 2002 in the USA, the world’s largest market, and in Germany, Europe’s largest market, have strengthened Oil Products’ competitive position and enhanced the quality of the global portfolio. This has reinforced the objective of Oil Products leading the global downstream industry. Furthermore, the Group will continue to address environmental concerns through tighter product specifications. Above all, Group companies will maintain their emphasis on innovative customer offers, portfolio optimisation and structural cost reduction. Both refining and marketing operations have ongoing initiatives to improve their health, safety and environmental performance.

In 2004, the Chemicals portfolio was strengthened with new investments, upgrades of existing facilities and business exits. In North America the joint venture butadiene extraction plant in Texas started production in the first quarter of 2004, the Deer Park OP2 cracker debottleneck was completed and the PTT Poly Canada joint venture started operations. In Europe a third reactor was added to the EO/Glycols unit at Moerdijk increasing capacity. In Asia construction continued on the Nanhai petrochemical complex in China with completion targeted for end of 2005 and the cracker and derivatives project in Singapore progressed to the initial design and engineering phase. Also in 2004, the Group exited the Solvents business in Morocco and the MEK unit at Norco was closed. The catalyst restructuring programme was completed with the sale of the catalyst regeneration business and the closure of CS Metals. Also Shell and BASF announced the review of strategic alternatives regarding their polyolefins joint venture Basell (Group interest 50%). A number of offers from both financial and strategic buyers have been received. The shareholders are continuing to review the potential options.

The Group intends to integrate the Oil Products and Chemicals businesses in order to provide opportunities to achieve cost efficiencies from shared services and common manufacturing sites, and from improved use of hydrocarbon resources on integrated sites.

In 2002, Renewables became one of the largest global solar photovoltaic (pv) players (by production) by acquiring the balance of shares in its solar joint venture with Siemens and E.On, and continued its growth in the wind energy sector with the development of two wind parks in California, Whitewater Hill and Cabazon Pass.

All the business activities described in this section are supported by research. The finding of oil and gas, the enhancement of recovery from existing fields and the engineering of offshore structures, are subjects that receive particular attention, as do the products and processes of oil refining, gas processing and chemicals manufacturing.

 
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D Risk factors

The Group and its businesses are subject to various risks relating to changing competitive, economic, political, legal, social, industry, business and financial conditions. These conditions are described below and discussed in greater detail elsewhere in this Report.

Prices for oil, natural gas, oil products and chemicals may fluctuate.

Oil, natural gas, oil products and chemical prices can vary as a result of changes in supply and demand for products, which may be global or limited to specific regions and influenced by factors such as economic conditions, weather conditions or action taken by major oil exporting countries. Political developments, including war, embargoes and political strife in oil producing regions can affect world oil supply and prices. Fluctuations in oil, natural gas, oil products and chemical prices could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position.

The Group’s operations and earnings are subject to risks related to currency fluctuations and exchange controls.

The Group is present in more than 140 countries and territories throughout the world and is subject to risks from changes in currency values and exchange controls. Changes in currency values and exchange controls could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position.

The Group’s operations and earnings are subject to risks related to the drilling and well production process and the ability to replace oil and gas reserves.

The Group’s future oil and gas production is significantly dependent on the successful implementation of development projects. There are risks in this process in the interpretation of geological and engineering data, project delay, cost overruns and technical, fiscal, regulatory and other conditions. In addition, future oil and gas production will depend on the Group’s ability to access new reserves through exploration, negotiation with countries and other owners of known reserves and acquisitions. Failures in exploration and in identifying, and consummating transactions to access suitable potential reserves could adversely impact the Group’s oil and gas production and reserve replacement, which in turn could have an adverse impact on the Group’s results of operations and financial position in the future.

The Group’s operations and earnings are subject to risks related to the estimation of reserves.

The estimation of oil and gas reserves involves subjective judgments and determinations based on available geological, technical, contractual and economic information. They are not exact determinations. In addition, these judgments may change based on new information from production or drilling activities or changes in economic factors, as well as from developments such as acquisitions and dispositions, new discoveries and extensions of existing fields and the application of improved recovery techniques. Published reserve estimates are also subject to correction for errors in the application of published rules and guidance.

In 2004 and 2005, the Group restated its proved reserves to correct certain errors. See “Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Reserves Restatements and Financial Restatements” and “Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)” for additional information on the restatements. In connection with the restatements, a number of putative shareholder class actions and shareholder derivative suits were filed against, among others, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, and civil and criminal investigations were commenced by authorities in the US, the UK and the Netherlands. See “Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Legal Proceedings” for a discussion of these matters.

The Group’s operations and earnings are subject to economic and financial market conditions.

Group companies are subject to differing economic and financial market conditions in countries and regions throughout the world. There are risks to such markets from political or economic instability, as well as from industry competition. Realisation of one of these risks in a country or region could have an adverse effect on the results of operations and financial position of the Group companies operating in that country or region.

The Group’s operations and earnings are subject to environmental risks.

Group companies are subject to a number of different environmental laws, regulations, environmental expectations, and reporting requirements. Costs are incurred for prevention, control, abatement or elimination of releases into the air and water, as well as in the disposal and handling of wastes at operating facilities. Expenditures of a capital nature include both remedial measures on existing plants and integral features of new plants.

The Group’s operations and earnings are subject to risks related to operational hazards, natural disasters and expropriation of property.

The Group’s assets are subject to risk from operational hazards, natural disasters and expropriation of property. Realisation of these risks could have an adverse effect on the results of operations and financial position of the impacted Group company.
 
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The Group’s operations and earnings are subject to risk of change in legislation and fiscal and regulatory policies.

The Group’s operations are subject to risk of change in legislation, taxation and regulation. For exploration and production activities, these matters include land tenure, entitlement to produced hydrocarbons, production rates, royalties, pricing, environmental protection, social impact, exports, taxes and foreign exchange. Changes in legislation, taxation and regulations could have an adverse effect on the results of operations and financial position of the impacted Group companies.

The Group’s operations and earnings are subject to the risks of doing business in politically sensitive or unstable countries.

The Group’s operations and earnings throughout the world have been, and may in the future be, affected from time to time to varying degrees by other political developments and laws and regulations, such as forced divestiture of assets; restrictions on production, imports and exports; war or other international conflicts; civil unrest and local security concerns that threaten the safe operation of company facilities; price controls; tax increases and other retroactive tax claims; expropriation of property; cancellation of contract rights; and environmental regulations. Both the likelihood of such occurrences and their overall effect upon the Group vary greatly from country to country and are not predictable. Realisation of these risks could have an adverse impact on the results of operations and financial position of the Group companies located in the affected country.

E Description of activities

1 Exploration & Production

(a) General
The Group and its associated companies involved in the exploration for and production of crude oil and natural gas operate under a broad range of laws and regulations that change over time. These cover virtually all aspects of exploration and production activities, including matters such as land tenure, entitlement to produced hydrocarbons, production rates, royalties, pricing, environmental protection, social impact, exports, taxes and foreign exchange. The conditions of the leases, licences and contracts under which oil and gas interests are held vary from country to country. In almost all cases (outside North America), the legal agreements generally are granted by or entered into with a government, government entity or state oil company, and the exploration risk practically always rests with the oil company. In North America, these agreements may also be with private parties who own mineral interests. Of these agreements, the following are most relevant to Group interests:

Licences (or concessions) which entitle the holder to explore for hydrocarbons and exploit any commercial discoveries. Under a licence, the holder bears the risk of exploration, development and production activities and of financing these activities. In principle, the licence holder is entitled to the totality of production minus any royalties in kind. The state or state oil company may sometimes enter as a joint-venture partner sharing the rights and obligations of the licence but usually without sharing the exploration risk. In a few cases the state oil company or agency has an option to purchase a certain share of production. The lease agreement, typical in North America, is generally the same except for treatment of royalties paid in cash (see below).
 
Production sharing contracts (PSC) entered into with a state or state oil company oblige the oil company, as contractor, to provide all the financing and bear the risk of exploration, development and production activities in exchange for a share of the production. Usually this share consists of a fixed or variable part, which is reserved for the recovery of contractor’s cost (cost oil); the remainder is split with the state or state oil company on a fixed or volume/revenue-dependent basis. In some cases the state oil company will participate in the rights and obligations of the contractor and will share in the costs of development and production. Such participation can be across the venture or be on a per-field basis.

Group companies’ exploration and production interests, including acreage holdings and statistics on wells drilled and drilling, are shown on pages 12 to 13.

Details of Group companies’ and the Group share of associated companies’ estimated net proved reserves are summarised in the following table and are set out under the heading “Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)” on pages G49 to G61. Oil and gas reserves cannot be measured exactly since estimation of reserves involves subjective judgment. Estimates remain subject to revision. It should be noted that totals are further influenced by acquisition and divestment activities. Proved reserves are shown net of any quantities of crude oil or natural gas that are expected to be taken by others as royalties in kind but do not exclude quantities related to royalties expected to be paid in cash (except in North America and in other situations in which the royalty quantities are owned by others) or those related to fixed margin contracts. Proved reserves include certain quantities of crude oil or natural gas which will be produced under arrangements which involve Group companies in upstream risks and rewards but do not transfer title of the product to those companies.

As announced on January 9, 2004, March 18, 2004, and April 19, 2004, the Group reviewed its proved reserves inventory (with the assistance of external consultants) during the period from late 2003 to April 2004 (collectively, the First Half Review). Following the First Half Review, 4,474 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe)(1) previously booked at December 31, 2002 as proved reserves were recategorised as not proved (the First Reserves Restatement).

 
(1)  For this purpose the Group has converted natural gas to crude oil equivalent using a factor of 5,800 standard cubic feet per barrel.
 
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In connection with the First Reserves Restatement, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport determined, based largely upon the investigation and report to the Group Audit Committee (GAC), that there were deficiencies and material weaknesses in the internal controls relating to proved reserves bookings and disclosure controls that allowed volumes of oil and gas to be improperly booked and maintained as proved reserves. The inappropriate booking of certain proved reserves had an effect on the financial statements, mainly understating depreciation, depletion and amortisation. To eliminate the effects on the financial statements of the inappropriate reserves bookings, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport elected to restate their financial statements (the First Financial Restatement). For a discussion of the identified deficiencies and material weaknesses relating to the booking of proved reserves and of the remedial action taken to address these deficiencies, see “Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Controls and Procedures – Remedial Actions Taken in 2004”.

As announced on October 28, 2004, November 26, 2004 and February 3, 2005, the Group performed additional reviews of its proved reserves inventory (with the assistance of external consultants) during the period from July 2004 to December 2004 (collectively, the Second Half Review and, together with the First Half Review, the Reserves Reviews). As a result of the Second Half Review, 1,371 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) previously booked at December 31, 2003 as proved reserves were recategorised as not proved. These changes are reflected in the restatement of proved reserves and the standardised measure of future cash flows contained in this Report (the Second Reserves Restatement and together with the First Reserves Restatement, the Reserves Restatements). The Second Reserves Restatement was also reflected in Amendment No. 2 to the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 7, 2005.

The following tabulation of proved reserves reflects the situation after taking into account the effects of these re-categorisations, including restatement of previously reported figures. Further information on these re-categorizations and restatements is provided in “Supplementary information — Oil and Gas (unaudited)” beginning on page G49.

                         
Proved developed and undeveloped reservesa
(at December 31) million barrels

2003 2002
2004 As restated As restated

Crude oil and natural gas liquids
                       
Group companies
    3,761       5,009       5,782  
Group share of associated companies
    1,127       805       858  

                         

thousand million standard cubic feet

Natural gas
                       
Group companies
    37,525       38,370       37,757  
Group share of associated companies
    3,041       3,188       3,308  

a Excludes oil sands.
                         
Capital expenditure and exploration expense by
geographical area(oil and gas exploration and production only) $ million

2004 2003 2002

Europe
    1,792       2,185       7,519  
Africab
    2,053       1,861       1,674  
Asia Pacificc
    447       579       537  
Middle East, Russia, CISd
    3,217       2,155       785  
USA
    1,282       1,652       2,015  
Other Western Hemisphere
    588       686       600  

      9,379       9,118       13,130  

a Capital expenditure is the cost of acquiring property, plant and equipment, and – following the successful efforts method in accounting for exploration costs – includes exploration drilling costs capitalised pending determination of commercial reserves. In the case of material capital projects, the related interest cost is included until these are substantially complete. The amounts shown above exclude capital expenditure relating to the Athabasca Oil Sands Project. In addition, the amount shown above includes acquisitions and the costs of acquiring Enterprise Oil (“Enterprise”) in 2002 of $5.3 billion. This has been included within the amount shown for Europe.
 
Exploration expense is the cost of geological and geophysical surveys and of other exploratory work charged to income as incurred, and exploratory drilling costs which were initially taken up in capital expenditure pending determination of commercial reserves but where the efforts are subsequently determined to be unsuccessful and then charged to income (with a corresponding reduction in capital expenditure). Exploration expense excludes depreciation and release of currency translation differences.
 
b Excludes Egypt.
 
c Excludes Sakhalin.
 
d Middle East and Former Soviet Union/Commonwealth of Independent States, includes Caspian Region, Egypt and Sakhalin.
 
 
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Average production costs of Group companies
by geographical areaa $/barrel of oil equivalent

2003 2002
2004 As reclassifiede As reclassifiede

Europe
    3.82       3.24       2.94  
Africab
    3.23       2.69       2.75  
Asia Pacificc
    2.89       2.05       1.96  
Middle East, Russia, CISd
    4.86       3.83       2.98  
USA
    4.26       2.93       2.67  
Other Western Hemisphere
    6.48       5.04       4.50  

Total Group
    4.04       3.19       2.83  

a Excludes oil sands.
 
b Excludes Egypt.

c Excludes Sakhalin.

d Middle East and Former Soviet Union/Commonwealth of Independent States, includes Caspian Region, Egypt and Sakhalin.

e Reclassified as detailed in footnote a in Note 26(c) to the Group Financial Statements.
                                         
Crude oil and natural gas liquids productiona thousand barrels/day

2004 2003 2002b 2001 2000

Europe
                                       
UK
    275       354       402       311       378  
Norway
    129       143       131       89       87  
Denmark
    142       141       140       130       129  
Italy
    21       19                    
Netherlands
    8       8       9       10       13  
Germany
    5       5       5       6       6  
Others
      c     1       9       1         c

      580       671       696       547       613  

Other Eastern Hemisphere                                        
Africa
                                       
Nigeria
    349       314       215       250       239  
Gabon
    35       35       46       56       69  
Cameroon
    15       16       17       19       21  
Others
                2       3       3  

      399       365       280       328       332  

Middle East
                                       
Omand
    246       269       319       327       326  
Abu Dhabi
    133       126       100       94       96  
Syria
    35       44       49       48       50  
Russia
    32       30       33       23       9  
Egypte
    10       11       11       14       10  
Others
    15       17       13              

      471       497       525       506       491  

Asia Pacific
                                       
Brunei
    98       103       101       97       95  
Australia
    60       73       92       99       111  
Malaysia
    47       51       59       60       56  
China
    20       22       24       23       25  
New Zealand
    15       19       29       30       9  
Thailand
          14       15       16       18  
Others
    3       3       5              

      243       285       325       325       314  

Total Other Eastern Hemisphere     1,113       1,147       1,130       1,159       1,137  

USA
    375       414       442       411       417  

Other Western Hemisphere                                        
Canada
    120       44       43       47       46  
Venezuela
    22       46       46       44       44  
Brazil
    43       11       2       2       2  
Others
    c     c           1       3  

      185       101       91       94       95  

Total
    2,253       2,333       2,359       2,211       2,262  

                                         
million tonnes a year

Metric equivalent
    113       117       118       111       113  

 
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Data reflect continuing and discontinued operations. Production of crude oil and natural gas from discontinued operations, see Note 4 to the Group Financial Statements, was 10 thousand boe/day in 2004 (2003: 36; 2002: 40).

a Of Group companies, plus Group share of associated companies, and including natural gas liquids (Group share of associated companies is assumed to be equivalent to Group interest). Oil sands and royalty purchases are excluded. In those countries where PSCs operate, the figures shown represent the entitlements of the Group companies concerned under those contracts.
 
b The acquisition of Enterprise contributed some 180 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day to 2002 total hydrocarbon production (9 months of production averaged over the full year). Production came mainly from assets in the UK and Norway.
 
c Less than one thousand barrels daily.
 
d Exceptionally, the minority interest is deducted in respect of production volumes given for Petroleum Development Oman.
 
e Egypt was previously included in Africa.
                                         
Natural gas production available for salea million standard cubic feet/day

2004 2003 2002b 2001 2000

Europe
                                       
Netherlands
    1,667       1,527       1,527       1,555       1,431  
UK
    984       1,002       1,148       1,196       1,118  
Germany
    411       437       408       428       450  
Denmark
    383       302       313       309       300  
Norway
    260       287       242       176       199  
Others
    34       32       29       20       17  

      3,739       3,587       3,667       3,684       3,515  

Other Eastern Hemisphere                                        
Africa
                                       
Nigeria
    375       352       244       219       177  

      375       352       244       219       177  

Middle East
                                       
Oman
    471       468       786       553       459  
Egypt
    211       228       232       248       140  
Syria
    9       11       16       18       23  

      691       707       1,034       819       622  

Asia Pacific
                                       
Malaysia
    739       706       664       580       553  
Brunei
    554       549       508       491       450  
Australia
    436       403       373       379       367  
New Zealand
    258       288       461       470       157  
Others
    145       190       119       108       98  

      2,132       2,136       2,125       2,028       1,625  

Total Other Eastern Hemisphere     3,198       3,195       3,403       3,066       2,424  

USA
    1,332       1,527       1,679       1,598       1,644  

Other Western Hemisphere                                        
Canada
    449       466       473       507       478  
Others
    90       74       64       47       35  

      539       540       537       554       513  

Total
    8,808       8,849       9,286       8,902       8,096  

Data reflect continuing and discontinued operations. Production of crude oil and natural gas from discontinued operations, see Note 4 to the Group Financial Statements, was 10 thousand boe/day in 2004 (2003: 36; 2002: 40).

a By country of origin from gas produced by Group and associated companies (Group share). In those countries where PSCs operate, the figures shown represent the entitlements of the Group companies concerned under those contracts.

b The acquisition of Enterprise contributed some 180 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day to 2002 total hydrocarbon production (9 months of production averaged over the full year). Production came mainly from assets in the UK and Norway.
 
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Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies – Business and Property
                                         
Natural gas production available for salea million standard cubic metres/day

2004 2003 2002b 2001 2000

Europe
                                       
Netherlands
    47       43       43       44       40  
UK
    28       28       32       34       32  
Germany
    12       12       12       12       13  
Denmark
    11       9       9       9       8  
Norway
    7       8       7       5       6  
Others
    1       2       1         c       c

      106       102       104       104       99  

Other Eastern Hemisphere                                        
Africa
                                       
Nigeria
    11       10       7       6       5  

      11       10       7       6       5  

Middle East
                                       
Oman
    13       13       22       16       13  
Egypt
    6       6       7       7       4  
Syria
      c       c       c     1       1  

      19       19       29       24       18  

Asia Pacific
                                       
Malaysia
    21       20       19       16       16  
Brunei
    16       16       14       14       13  
Australia
    12       11       11       11       10  
New Zealand
    7       8       13       13       4  
Others
    4       6       3       3       3  

      60       61       60       57       46  

Total Other Eastern Hemisphere     90       90       96       87       69  

USA
    38       43       48       45       46  

Other Western Hemisphere                                        
Canada
    13       13       13       15       14  
Others
    2       2       2       1       1  

      15       15       15       16       15  

Total
    249       250       263       252       229  

Data reflect continuing and discontinued operations. Production of crude oil and natural gas from discontinued operations, see Note 4 to the Group Financial Statements, was 10 thousand boe/day in 2004 (2003: 36; 2002: 40).

a By country of origin from gas produced by Group and associated companies (Group share). In those countries where PSCs operate, the figures shown represent the entitlements of the Group companies concerned under those contracts.

b The acquisition of Enterprise contributed some 180 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day to 2002 total hydrocarbon production (9 months of production averaged over the full year). Production came mainly from assets in the UK and Norway.

c Less than one million cubic metres daily.
 
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Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies – Business and Property
                                                 
Location of activitiesa,b (at December 31, 2004)

Exploration Production Shell Operatorc



Onshore Offshore Onshore Offshore Onshore Offshore

Europe
                                               
Austria
    l               l               l          
Denmark
            l               l                  
Germany
    l               l       l                  
Ireland
            l                               l  
Italy
                    l               l          
Netherlands
    l       l       l       l       l       l  
Norway
            l               l               l  
UK
            l               l               l  

Africa
                                               
Angola
            l                                  
Cameroon
            l               l               l  
Gabon
    l       l       l               l       l  
Morocco
            l                               l  
Nigeria
    l       l       l       l       l       l  

Asia Pacific
                                               
Australia
    l       l       l       l                  
Brunei
    l       l       l       l       l       l  
China
            l               l       l       l  
Malaysia
            l               l               l  
New Zealand
            l       l       l       l       l  
Pakistan
            l       l                       l  
Philippines
            l               l               l  

Middle East, Russia, CIS
                                               
UAE (Abu Dhabi)
    l               l                          
Azerbaijan
            l                                  
Egypt
    l       l       l               l       l  
Iran
                            l               l  
Kazakhstan
            l       l               l          
Qatar
                                            l  
Oman
    l               l               l          
Russia
    l               l       l       l       l  
Saudi Arabia
    l                               l          
Syria
                    l               l          

USA
                                               
USA
    l       l       l       l       l       l  

Other Western Hemisphere                                                
Argentina
                    l                          
Canada
    l       l       l       l       l          
Brazil
            l               l               l  
Venezuela
                            l               l  

a Including associated companies.
 
b Where an associated company has properties outside its base country, those properties are not shown in this table.
 
c In several countries where “Shell Operator” is indicated, a Group interest company is operator of some but not all exploration and/or production ventures.
 
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Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies – Business and Property
                                                                 
Oil and gas acreagea,b,c,d (at December 31) thousand acres thousand acres

2003
2004 Undeveloped
Developed Undeveloped Developed As restated




Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net

Europe
    8,449       3,200       14,024       4,904       10,172       3,204       15,977       5,307  
Africae
    6,597       2,058       15,584       8,398       6,956       2,193       18,595       10,253  
Asia Pacificf
    7,094       3,283       106,326       29,388       3,793       1,638       113,978       33,357  
Middle East, Russia, CISg
    34,753       11,152       63,469       29,882       34,729       11,062       65,106       30,079  
USA
    961       531       3,998       2,864       1,512       694       4,040       2,802  
Other Western Hemisphere
    855       529       27,236       20,421       853       529       28,094       19,835  

      58,709       20,753       230,637       95,857       58,015       19,320       245,790       101,633  

                                                                 
Number of productive wellsa,b (at December 31)

2003
2004 Gas
Oil Gas Oil As restated




Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net

Europe
    1,786       478       1,445       491       1,799       468       1,432       485  
Africae
    1,215       396       36       12       1,380       414       43       14  
Asia Pacificf
    1,191       551       237       90       1,313       726       247       99  
Middle East, Russia, CISg
    3,795       1,198       40       38       3,673       1,145       203       129  
USA
    16,131       8,163       719       520       15,891       7,998       697       486  
Other Western Hemisphere
    117       112       329       270       116       111       322       265  

      24,235       10,898       2,806       1,421       24,172       10,862       2,944       1,478  

                                                                                 
Number of net productive wells and dry holes drilleda

2003 2002 2001 2000
2004 As restated As restated As restated As restated





Productive Dry Productive Dry Productive Dry Productive Dry Productive Dry

Exploration
                                                                               
Europe
    6       2       6       3       9       4       6       4       7       3  
Africae
    3       1       5             6       4       7       1       4       1  
Asia Pacificf
    5       5       5       7       3       3       8       12       5       6  
Middle East, Russia, CISg
    7       2       7       4       5       4       6       4       8       4  
USA
    2       3       10             10       4       2       4       9       4  
Other Western Hemisphere
    1       2       2       5       2       2       3       3       1       2  

      24       15       35       19       35       21       32       28       34       20  

Development
                                                                               
Europe
    27             19       1       47             38             15        
Africae
    11             20       1       39             14             12        
Asia Pacificf
    22       1       41       2       42       1       56       2       40       3  
Middle East, Russia, CISg
    150       6       149       4       83       12       90       8       98       6  
USA
    504       1       465             559       1       549       2       492       3  
Other Western Hemisphere
    10       1       8             31             25             11       1  

      724       9       702       8       801       14       772       12       668       13  

a Including associated companies.
 
b The term “gross” relates to the total activity in which Group and associated companies have an interest, and the term “net” relates to the sum of the fractional interests owned by Group companies plus the Group share of associated companies’ fractional interests.
 
c One thousand acres equals approximately four square kilometres.
 
d Excludes oil sands.
 
e Excludes Egypt.
 
f Excludes Sakhalin.
 
g Middle East and Former Soviet Union/Commonwealth of Independent States. Includes Caspian region, Egypt and Sakhalin.
 
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Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies – Business and Property
                                                                                                 
thousand acres thousand acres thousand acres

2002 2001 2000
As restated As restated As restated
Developed Undeveloped Developed Undeveloped Developed Undeveloped






Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net

      10,417       3,259       19,752       6,930       9,570       3,031       12,616       4,581       9,399       2,973       13,951       4,920  
      6,289       1,886       25,394       15,516       6,489       1,984       20,804       11,658       6,491       1,973       18,963       11,261  
      3,963       1,864       118,471       40,446       3,762       1,816       115,294       41,691       3,766       1,599       85,219       37,893  
      35,448       11,435       18,544       12,771       34,509       11,021       22,921       15,379       34,504       10,962       25,546       18,648  
      1,557       754       4,670       3,183       1,599       702       3,931       2,609       1,967       934       4,280       2,743  
      832       509       33,338       22,840       767       492       35,709       22,001       1,197       824       49,219       27,368  

      58,506       19,707       220,169       101,686       56,696       19,046       211,275       97,919       57,324       19,265       197,178       102,833  

                                                                                                 

2002 2001 2000
As restated As restated As restated
Oil Gas Oil Gas Oil Gas






Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net

      2,002       533       1,454       458       1,618       429       1,299       427       1,640       442       1,349       438  
      1,399       446       42       13       1,614       550       45       15       1,663       565       47       16  
      1,317       726       205       95       1,242       588       199       91       1,162       542       199       77  
      3,456       1,085       179       115       3,210       1,031       131       91       3,085       990       86       66  
      15,686       8,294       945       686       16,717       8,511       956       658       17,870       8,870       1,044       627  
      112       110       314       259       86       86       298       251       338       193       274       230  

      23,972       11,194       3,139       1,626       24,487       11,195       2,928       1,533       25,758       11,602       2,999       1,454  

                                                 
Number of wells drillinga,b (at December 31, 2004)

Exploration Development Total



Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net

Europe
    6       2       10       4       16       6  
Africac
    1             4       1       5       1  
Asia Pacificd
    2       1       5       2       7       3  
Middle East, Russia, CISe
    2       1       35       11       37       12  
USA
    8       5       16       9       24       14  
Other Western Hemisphere
    8       5       12       11       20       16  

      27       14       82       38       109       52  

a Including associated companies.
 
b See Note b on page 12.
 
c Excludes Egypt.
 
d Excludes Sakhalin.
 
e Middle East and Former Soviet Union/Commonwealth of Independent States. Includes Caspian region, Egypt and Sakhalin.
 
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Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies – Business and Property

(b) Major oil and gas interests

Major oil and gas interests as well as recent developments in countries where Group or associated companies have exploration and production interests are summarised, by country, in the following pages. Certain aspects of the legislation, regulations or agreements affecting the activities of the significant companies are also included.

Europe

Denmark A Group company has a 46% non-operator interest in a producing concession until 2012. The interest will be reduced to 36.8% thereafter, when the state will take a 20% interest in the concession. The licence was extended until 2042 in late 2003. Further, it holds interests in two (non-operated) exploration licences. Three other licences were relinquished in 2004.

Germany A Group company holds a 50% interest in the Brigitta & Elwerath Betriebsfuehrungsgesellschaft (BEB) joint venture (50:50). Exploration and production licences are awarded under the terms of Germany’s Federal Mining Law. Most licences are awarded to more than one company and are governed by joint ventures. Operatorship is normally awarded to the party holding the highest equity share. BEB is involved in some 30 joint ventures with varying interests and is the main operator in Germany. Further German interests include the 43% Group share in the outside-operated Deutsche Offshore Konsortium. Royalties are determined by the individual German states on a yearly basis and are different for the production of natural gas and oil. Royalty incentives are given for the development of tight gas reservoirs. Activities include production activities, gas storage, the operation of two large sour gas treatment plants, numerous compression stations and some 3,000 km of pipelines.

Ireland Shell E&P Ireland Ltd. (Group interest 100%) is the operator for the Corrib Gas Project (Shell equity 45%), currently under development, and has further exploration interests in four licences offshore Ireland, of which three are operated and one is non-operated. In October 2004, planning permission was granted for a proposed gas terminal at Bellanboy Bridge, County Mayo to bring Corrib gas ashore.

Italy Shell Italia E&P S.p.A. (Group interest 100%) was part of the Group’s 2002 acquisition of Enterprise Oil. The main assets are onshore in southern Italy and include various interests in producing assets (Monte Alpi, Monte Enoc and Cerro Falcone which are operated by Eni on behalf of the JV partners), development projects (including Tempa Rossa, managed by Total) and nearby exploration prospects.

Netherlands The Group share of natural gas and crude oil in the Netherlands is produced by Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij B.V. (NAM), (Group interest 50%) in a 50:50 joint venture. An important part of NAM’s gas production is from its very large onshore Groningen gas field in which the Dutch state has a 40% financial interest (through the wholly state-owned company EBN). NAM’s production of oil and gas is covered by production licences. Government participation in development and production varies between 0% and 50%, depending mainly on the legislation applicable when the licences were granted and whether the participation covered gas or oil. Production is preceded by an exploration licence, the duration of which, since 1997, varies with the work programme that has to be submitted with the application for a licence. In practice, this means a period of about three to ten years, which can be shortened by the authorities when the exploration effort falls short of the licence or permit programme. Upon making a commercial discovery, a production licence is granted. Production licences with respect to onshore fields, that were originally granted as onshore concessions under former legislation, are not currently limited in time but the duration of the licences with respect to offshore fields and licences granted under the new Mining Act (both relating to offshore and onshore) vary with the estimated production period – normally a period of 15 to 45 years.

Norway As part of the Group’s acquisition of Enterprise in 2002, various assets owned by Enterprise Oil Norway AS (EONAS) were acquired. EONAS was brought under the ownership of A/S Norske Shell (Group interest 100%) in March 2003. A/S Norske Shell holds an interest in a number of production licences, seven of which encompass producing oil and gas fields. A/S Norske Shell also holds an interest in several potential development assets, including Ormen Lange and Skarv. The development decision for the major Ormen Lange gas development discovered in 1997 was taken by the joint venture in 2003, involving an onshore plant/terminal and pipelines for transportation to the markets in the UK and continental Europe. Of the exploration licences acquired through Enterprise, the majority have been divested, farmed out or relinquished. During 2004, Shell divested its interest in the producing Murchinson Field (Norwegian sector). Shell International Pipelines Inc. (Group interest 100%) holds interests in gas transportation and processing systems, pipelines and terminals. The licence period for these assets expires in the period from 2010 to 2020.

United Kingdom Shell UK Limited (Group interest 100%) is one of the largest integrated oil and gas exploration and production companies operating in the UK (by production volumes). Shell operates most of its interests in the UK Continental Shelf on behalf of a 50:50 joint venture. Most of Shell UK’s production comes from the North Sea. Natural gas comes from associated gas in mixed oil and gas fields in the northern sector of the North Sea and gas fields in the southern sector of the North Sea. Crude oil comes from the central and northern fields, which include Brent, Nelson and Shearwater. Shell UK also has interests as a non-operator partner principally in the Atlantic margin, West of Shetlands (Schiehallion/Loyal) fields. Licences issued before August 20, 1976 were valid for an initial period of six years. Following successful exploration, these were extended for a further 40 years in respect of half the original licence area. Licences issued between August 20, 1976 and June 13, 1980 were valid for an initial period of four years followed by a second

 
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period of three years. In cases of successful exploration, these licences were extended for a further 30 years after relinquishment of two-thirds of the acreage. From June 14, 1980, licences were granted for an initial period of six years (nine years for deepwater), and in successful cases extended for a further 30 years (40 years for deepwater) in respect of no more than half the licence area. Licences issued since July 1988 carry an additional requirement that if, after 12 years of the 30-year period, no field development has been approved, the licence must be surrendered. No royalty is payable on production from fields for which development approval was granted after April 1982; royalties for other fields was abolished with effect from January 2003. With effect from April 2002, a new oil tax on companies operating in the British North Sea was enacted, raising the marginal corporate tax rate from 30% to 40%. Production under older licences is also subject to Petroleum Revenue Tax. The overall effective tax rate changes annually, falling over time as the relative share of production from older licences declines. As part of the acquisition of Enterprise in 2002, various assets owned by Enterprise Oil UK Limited were acquired. During 2003 and 2004 a number of non-core assets were divested, including interests in the producing fields Kittiwake, Mallard, Montrose, Arbroath, Magnus, East Foinaven, Alba, Orion, Indefatigable, Scott and Telford.

Africa

Angola Shell Development Angola B.V. (SDAN) sold its non-operated interest of 50% in Block 18 in December 2004 to Sonangol. Shell Deepwater Development A/S has a non-operating interest of 15% in Block 34.

Cameroon Pecten Cameroon Company (PCC) (Group interest 80%) has a 40% working interest in a PCC operated property (Mokoko-Abana), 24.5% interest in a non-operated property (Rio del Rey) and a 25% interest in exploration licences with the state oil company (SNH) and another partner.

Gabon Shell Gabon (Group interest 75%) has interests in eight onshore concessions/ exploitation permits, five of which (Rabi/Kounga, Gamba/ Ivinga, Toucan, Totou and Bende) are operated by the company. The Rabi/Kounga concession was transferred to a PSC with effect from January 1, 2003; it expires in 2022 and includes an option for a five-year extension. The Gamba/ Ivinga concession expires in 2042. The Toucan concession expires in 2023 while the Totou/ Bende concession expires in 2020. The other three concessions (Avocette, Coucal and Atora) expire between 2010 and 2018. Production in Gabon is dominated by the Rabi field, which is operated by Shell Gabon, which holds a 42.5% equity interest in the field. Shell Gabon’s portfolio also includes three exploration permits, one around the Gamba/ Ivinga concession and two near the Rabi, Toucan and Avocette fields (Awoun and Ozigo). The Kenguerie Marin permit offshore Libreville held by Shell Gabon was relinquished in 2003. Two Group companies, Shell Offshore North Gabon B.V. (SONG) and Shell Offshore Gabon B.V. (SOSG), hold three permits in ultra-deepwater areas in the north and south. In 2003 SOSG relinquished four offshore licences (Panga, Douka, Astrid and Anton).

Morocco Two Group companies, Shell Exploration et Production du Maroc GmbH (SEPM), and Shell Deepwater Exploration Morocco GmbH (SDEM) have interests in two exploration licences offshore Morocco. SEPM is operator of and has a 60% paying interest in five deepwater “Rimella” blocks A-E. Partners are Repsol YPF (26.7%) and Wintershall (13.3%) during 2004. The exploration licence is for an initial period of five years (effective January 2001). SDEM is operator and has a 51.46% equity interest (68.62% paying interest) in Cap Draa offshore concession. Other partners are Wintershall AG (15.69%) and Energy Africa Morocco Ltd (15.69%).

Nigeria The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd. (SPDC) (Group interest 100%) is the operator of a joint venture (Group interest 30%) with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and two other companies. The venture’s onshore oil and gas mining leases expire in 2019 and offshore leases expire in 2008. In late 2004, the government of Nigeria revoked some SPDC licences. Discussions on this continue into 2005. SPDC expects to retain the majority of the value in the licences. The licences in question are undeveloped and contain no proved reserves.

Shell Nigeria Exploration & Production Company (SNEPCO) (Group interest 100%) operates under a PSC (30-year term) with a 55% working interest in deepwater block OPL-212 and OPL-219. SNEPCO also has a 49.81% interest in deepwater blocks OML-125 and OPL-211 (Agip operated), and a 43.75% interest in deepwater block OPL-209 (ExxonMobil operated).

Shell Nigeria Offshore Prospecting Limited (SNP) (Group interest 100%) has a 35% working interest in block OPL250 (PSC, ChevronTexaco operated).

Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited (SNUD) (Group interest 100%) has a 100% interest in block OPL245 (PSC).

Shell Nigeria Exploration Properties Alpha Ltd. (SNEPA) (Group interest 100%) operates under a 100% working interest in deepwater block OPL322 (40% Shell equity, 50% PSC with NNPC, 10% PSC with indigenous operator Dajo Oil).

Somalia Shell Somalia B.V. holds a 50% working interest and operatorship of Blocks M3-M7, where operations are currently suspended due to force majeure conditions.

Asia Pacific

Australia Shell Development Australia (SDA) (Group interest 100%) has interests in a number of offshore production and exploration licences in the Carnarvon basin (namely the North-West Shelf (NWS) and Greater Gorgon fields), Browse basin and Timor Sea area. The interests are either held directly and/or indirectly through a shareholding (34%) in Woodside Petroleum Ltd. (Woodside), which is the
 
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operator on behalf of six joint-venture participants of the NWS gas/condensate and oil fields. Gas and condensate are produced from the North Rankin and Goodwyn facilities to an onshore treatment and LNG facility on the Burrup peninsula. Woodside is also the operator of the producing Laminaria and Corallina fields situated in the Timor Sea. In 2005, SDA announced its divestment of non-operated stakes in the Laminaria and Corallina fields. Together with Woodside, Shell also has interests in significant liquid-rich gas fields in the Timor Sea (notably Greater Sunrise) as well as the Browse basin. SDA is also a non-operating participant in the Gorgon Joint Venture in the Carnarvon basin (operator Chevron Texaco Australia Pty Ltd), with interests ranging from 12.5% to 28.57% in gas fields in the Greater Gorgon area, situated West of Barrow Island.

Bangladesh In June 2004, a Group company divested a 37.5% interest in the Sangu field development area. Another Group company divested a 45% interest in exploration Block 5, a 22.5% interest in Block 7, and a 45% interest in Block 10.

Brunei A Group company is a 50% shareholder in Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sendirian Berhad (the other 50% shareholder being the Brunei government). The company, which has long-term oil and gas concession rights both onshore and offshore Brunei, sells most of its natural gas production to Brunei LNG Sendirian Berhad (Group interest 25%). A Group company has a 35% share in the non-operated Block B Joint Venture (BBJV) concession where gas is produced from the Maharaja Lela Field.

China Group companies hold a 30% interest in the offshore South China Sea Xijiang producing field. Shell holds 100% of the contractor’s interest in the Changbei Petroleum Contract with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), to assess the development potential of the Changbei gas field in the Ordos Basin of western onshore China.

Malaysia Group companies have 19 PSCs with the state oil company Petronas. In many of these contracts Petronas Carigali Sendirian Berhad (PCSB), a 100% Petronas subsidiary, is the sole joint venture partner. Shell is the operator, with a 50% working interest, of eight non-associated producing gas fields and the operator, with a 37.5% working interest, of a further two non-associated producing gas fields. The majority of the gas is supplied to Malaysian LNG Sendirian Berhad (Group interest 15% in MLNG Dua & Tiga plants) for deliveries of liquefied natural gas to customers mainly in Taiwan, Japan and Korea. Regarding oil production and exploration, Shell has a 40% equity stake in the non-operated Baram Delta PSC and exploration interests in the deepwater SK-E block and inboard blocks SK-307, SK-308 and SK-312. Shell operates five producing fields in Sabah waters of which Kinabalu (80% equity share) is the largest. Group companies also have PSCs for exploration and production in Blocks SB-301, SB-303, SB-G and SB-J offshore Sabah. A Group company operates an exploration licence offshore Peninsular Malaysia (PM-303), where Shell also holds a 50% interest in Blocks PM-301 and PM-302, which are operated by a Joint Operating Company with PCSB.

New Zealand Group companies have a 83.75% interest in the production licence for the offshore Maui gas field. In addition, Group companies have a 50% interest in the onshore Kapuni gas field and a 48% interest in the undeveloped Pohokura gas field. The gas produced is sold domestically, mainly under long-term contracts. Group companies also have interests in other exploration licence areas in the Taranaki Basin. All of these interests are operated by Shell Todd Oil Services Ltd, a service company (Group interest 50%).

Pakistan A Group company (Group interest 100%) holds a 28% non-operated interest in the Bhit and Badhra Development and Production Leases. These leases were excised from the Kirthar Exploration Licence which was relinquished in 2003. Another Group company (Group interest 100%) holds 47.5% of an operated deepwater licence offshore of Pakistan that was acquired in April 1998. The Group originally held a 95% interest in this licence, which was reduced following a farm-out of 50% of the Group interest in 2003.

Philippines Group companies hold a 45% interest in the deepwater PSC for block SC-38. The SC-38 interest includes an exploration area and a production licence, the latter relating to the Malampaya and San Martin fields. Current production is gas and condensate from the Malampaya field via a platform located offshore north west of the island of Palawan. Condensate is exported via tankers at the platform and gas is transported via 504 km pipeline to an onshore gas plant in Batangas, on the main island of Luzon. Gas is sold to three combined-cycle gas turbine power plants. In addition to SC-38, Shell currently holds a 50% interest in the deepwater exploration acreage of GSEC-99 north east of Palawan Island.

Thailand In January 2004, a Group company was sold, which held a 75% interest in the onshore S1 concession, containing the producing Sirikit oil field, and a 100% interest in the non-producing offshore Block B6/27.

Middle East, Russia, CIS (including Sakhalin, Egypt and Caspian region)

Abu Dhabi Crude oil and natural gas liquids are produced by the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations in which a Group company’s concessionary share is 9.5% (licence expiry in 2014), arising from a 23.75% Group interest in the Abu Dhabi Petroleum Company, which in turn holds a 40% interest in the concession granted by the Abu Dhabi government. A Group company has a 15% interest in Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Limited, which extracts propane and butane, as well as heavier liquid hydrocarbons, for export sales from wet associated natural gas produced by Abu Dhabi Petroleum Company.

Azerbaijan A Group company holds a 25% interest in the non-operated Inam licence, offshore of Azerbaijan.

Egypt Shell Egypt (Group interest 100%) participates as operator in five exploration concessions (the West Sitra concession was acquired and the Rosetta concession was divested in 2004) and in four development leases (the Rashid lease was divested in 2004). All concessions and leases are granted on the basis of PSCs. Included in Shell Egypt’s portfolio is an 84% interest in the North-eastern Mediterranean

 
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deepwater concession. Shell Egypt has a 50% interest in Badr Petroleum Company (Bapetco), a joint venture company with the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (the Egyptian national oil company). Bapetco executes the operations for those producing fields where Shell has formal operatorship.

Iran A Group company (Group interest 100%) has a 70% interest in an agreement with the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) to develop the Soroosh and Nowrooz fields in the northern Gulf. This Group company is currently operating the development with a view to handing over operatorship to NIOC once full production has been reached.

Kazakhstan A Group company currently holds a 16.67% interest in the North Caspian PSC in respect of some 6,000 sq. kms offshore in the Kazakhstan sector of the Caspian Sea. Development of the giant Kashagan field (declared commercial in 2002) is ongoing. Oil and gas discoveries have also been made at Kalamkas, Aktote, Karain, and Kashagan SW and all are being further appraised. Shell holds a 50% interest in Arman Joint Venture, a small onshore producing company.

Oman A Group company has a 34% interest in Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), which is the operator of an oil concession expiring in 2044, (after an extension during 2004) or at such a later date as the government and the 40% concession-owning company Private Oil Holdings Oman Ltd. (in which a Group company has an 85% shareholding) may agree.

Gas Investment and Services Company Ltd. (GISCO) (Group interest 85%) holds a gas operating agreement which appoints PDO as the operator for any gas discovered in central Oman until 2024, with provisions for extension upon agreement with the government. The first major central Oman gas project involves the supply of gas to customers in the Sur area of north-east Oman, the largest of which is Oman LNG (Group interest 30%). The GISCO funded investment in the Central Oman Gas project is repaid at December 31, 2004 by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman. The management of the Operating Agreement is therefore the sole activity and source of income of Gisco after December 31, 2004.

Qatar In July 2004, Shell signed a Development Production Sharing Agreement with the Qatar government to build a world-scale Gas to Liquids plant, with Shell as the 100% investor. Condensate-rich gas will be supplied from two platforms in the giant North Field located some 50 km offshore. The project start up is planned for 2009.

In February 2005, the Group and Qatar Petroleum signed a Heads of Agreement for the development of a large-scale LNG project (Qatargas 4, Group interest 30%). The project comprises the integrated development of upstream gas production facilities to produce 1.4 billion cubic feet per day of gas and substantial quantities of associated liquids from Qatar’s North field, a single LNG train yielding approximately 7.8 million tonnes per annum of LNG for a period of 25 years and shipping of the LNG to the intended markets in North America and Europe. LNG deliveries are expected to commence around 2010-2012.

Russia Shell Sakhalin Holdings, B.V. (Group interest 100%) holds a 55% interest in Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd. (SEIC). SEIC continues seasonal oil production from the Molikpaq facility on the Piltun-Astokhskoye field, offshore Sakhalin Island. Full development of the Piltun Satokhskoye oil field and Lunskoye gas field, including an LNG plant in the south of Sakhalin Island, continued during 2004. Salym Petroleum Development (Group interest 50%) continued to develop the Salym fields in Western Siberia during 2004. Shell holds a 5.425% interest in the Caspian Pipeline Company which manages a pipeline running from Western Kazakhstan to the Black Sea.

Saudi Arabia Shell is conducting an exploration programme in the Rub Al-Khali area in the south of the Kingdom. Shell will lead the project and has a 40% interest, with Total and Saudi Aramco holding 30% each.

Syria A registered branch of Syria Shell Petroleum Development B.V. (Group interest 100%) holds undivided participating interests ranging from 62.5% to 66.67% in three Production Sharing Contracts that expire between 2008 and 2014 (Deir Ez Zor, Fourth Annex and Ash Sham, which were each amended in 2004 to include deep and lateral formations). In addition, Group companies are parties to a gas utilisation agreement for the collection, processing and sharing of natural gas from designated fields for use in Syrian power generation and other industrial plants.

USA

Shell Exploration & Production Company (SEPCo) (Group interest 100%) produces crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids principally in the Gulf of Mexico, California, Texas and Wyoming. The majority of SEPCo’s oil and gas production interests are acquired under leases granted by the owner of the minerals underlying relevant acreage (including many leases for federal onshore and offshore tracts). Such leases are currently running on an initial fixed term that is automatically extended by the establishment of production for so long as production continues, subject to compliance with the terms of the lease (including, in the case of federal leases, extensive regulations imposed by federal law). As part of the Group’s acquisition of Enterprise Oil, SEPCo acquired interests in the Boomvang development, which started production in 2002, and in the Tahiti discovery. SEPCo also acquired additional interests in the Pinedale field in the Rocky Mountain region under two separate transactions.

Affiliates of SEPCo hold a 51.8% interest in a USA-based exploration and production limited liability company, Aera Energy LLC, holding exploration and production assets in California. This venture is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

 
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Other Western Hemisphere

Argentina Shell Compania Argentina de Petroleo (CAPSA) (Group interest 100%) holds a 22.5% interest in the Acambuco concession.

Brazil Shell Brasil Ltda (Group interest 100%) has interests in 16 deepwater exploration blocks – five operated (BS-4, BC-10, BM-ES-10, BM-S-31, and SM-170) and 11 non-operated (BC-2, BM-FZA-1, BM-S-8, BM-C-14, BM-C-25, BM-S-17, BM-S-19, SM-320, SM-322, CM-103, CM-151 and ES-M-525). Shell is in the process of withdrawing from three of these non-operated blocks (BC-2, BMC-14 and BMS-17) and formalisation is pending regulatory filings and approval in Brazil. Group interest in these blocks ranges from 15% to 100%. Shell Brasil also operates and has an 80% interest in the Bijupirá & Salema operations, offshore of Rio de Janeiro. Production from the fields commenced in August 2003. The Group retains an interest in the producing offshore Merluza gas field through Pecten Victoria Inc (Group interest 100%). The field is operated by Petrobras.

Canada Shell Canada Ltd (Group interest 78%) is a significant producer of natural gas, natural gas liquids, bitumen, synthetic crude and sulphur. The majority of its gas production comes from the Foothills region of Alberta (Shell Canada’s approximate interest is 85%) and the Sable gas fields offshore of Nova Scotia (Shell Canada’s interest is 31% in the Sable offshore fields and 34% in the onshore gas plant). Exploration rights in Canada are generally granted for terms ranging from one to nine years. Subject to certain conditions, exploration rights can be converted to production leases, which may be extended as long as there is commercial production pursuant to the lease.

Shell Canada produces heavy oil through thermal recovery in the Peace River area (Shell Canada’s interest is 100%) and recently completed a new oil sands mining project in the Athabasca oil sands area of Northern Alberta. Shell Canada holds a 60% interest in the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (AOSP) under a joint venture agreement to develop and produce synthetic crude from Shell’s Athabasca oil sands leases. The AOSP is comprised of the following:

the Muskeg River mine, which has a capacity of 155,000 barrels of bitumen per day and is located 75km north of Fort McMurray, Alberta. The mine uses trucks and shovels to excavate the oil sands, as well as advanced extraction technologies to separate the bitumen from the sand.
 
the Scotford upgrader, which is adjacent to Shell Canada’s existing Scotford refinery north of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. The Scotford upgrader processes bitumen from the Muskeg River mine into a range of synthetic crude oils and is operated by Shell Canada.

The production of bitumen and synthetic crude is considered under the SEC’s regulations to be mining activity rather than oil and gas activity.

Venezuela Shell Venezuela S.A. (Group interest 100%) holds an Operating Service Agreement (expiring in 2013) with a state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), to develop and produce the Urdaneta West Field in Lake Maracaibo.

2 Gas & Power

Our Gas & Power business liquefies and transports natural gas, and develops gas markets and infrastructure, including gas-fired power plants. It also markets and trades natural gas and electricity and converts natural gas to liquids to provide clean fuels. The majority of activities, in particular liquefied natural gas (LNG), are carried out by associated companies.
                     
Processing Liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants
Location, Group interest in plants(a) and capacity(b)
(at December 31, 2004)

100%
Group capacity
interest million tonnes
% per annum

Nigeria
  Bonny     26       9.6  
Oman
  Qalhat     30       6.6  
Brunei
  Lumut     25       7.2  
Australia
  Karratha     22       11.7  
Malaysia (Dua and Tiga)
  Bintulu     15       14.6  

(a) Percentage rounded to nearest whole percentage point where appropriate.  
 
(b) As reported by the joint ventures.  
 
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Liquefied natural gas sales volumes (Shell equity share) (million
tonnes)

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Malaysia
    1.9       1.5       2.3       2.3       2.3  
Australia
    2.0       1.8       1.7       1.7       1.7  
Brunei
    1.8       1.8       1.7       1.7       1.7  
Oman
    2.1       2.1       1.9       1.7       0.7  
Nigeria
    2.4       2.1       1.5       1.5       1.1  

Total
    10.1 5     9.3       9.1       8.9       7.5  

Europe

Belgium In 2004, the Group divested its 16.7% interest in both Distrigaz S.A., a Belgian gas marketing and trading company, and Fluxys S.A., into which Distrigaz’s pipeline and transportation interests were transferred in 2001.

Denmark A/S Dansk Shell (Group interest 100%) continued to develop its natural gas marketing business in 2004.

Germany BEB Erdgas und Erdöl GmbH, a joint venture with ExxonMobil in which a Group company holds a 50% economic interest, is a major producer of gas in Germany, and also one of the country’s gas transmission companies. The natural gas marketing activities of this company have been split and are operated by separate independent Shell and ExxonMobil organisations effectively from April 2004. A wholly-owned Group company, Shell Energy Deutschland GmbH, was established for this purpose in 2004. Group companies have indirect (through BEB Erdgas und Erdöl GmbH) minority shareholdings in gas transmission and distribution companies. In 2004, the Group completed the sale of its indirect interests in Verbundnetz Gas AG (5.3%) and Avacon AG (1.4% through BEB Erdgas und Erdöl GmbH).

Greece The Group holds a 24% interest in Attiki Gas Supply Company S.A., a local gas distribution company currently with some 10,000 customers (mainly residential, but also some commercial and small industrial). Other shareholders are Cinergy Global Power Inc. (25%) and Attiki Gas Distribution Company S.A. (held 100% by Public Gas Corporation of Greece S.A.) (51%). Attiki Gas Supply Company S.A. holds a distribution licence to develop the distribution system infrastructure and to distribute gas to small industrial, commercial and residential customers in the Attiki area.

Italy Shell Italia SpA (Group interest 100%) launched a natural gas marketing business in 2004.

Netherlands N.V Nederlandse Gasunie (Group interest 25%), a large marketer of Dutch gas by most key measures, including volume. In November 2004, the Group announced a Heads of Agreement for the restructuring of the ownership in Nederlandse Gasunie, under which the Group’s interest in Gasunie’s gas transportation business will be transferred to the Dutch State. Upon completion of this transaction (pending government approval), expected mid-2005, the Dutch state will make a total net payment of 2.78 billion (Group share 50%).

Shell Energy Europe B.V., a wholly-owned Group company, continued to develop gas and power activities throughout Europe and to provide advice and assistance to the Group’s gas and power businesses in Europe. In 2004, the company started selling gas to a number of European wholesale customers.

Spain Shell España, S.A. (Group interest 100%) continued to develop its natural gas marketing business selling in the wholesale as well as in the industrial and commercial market.

United Kingdom Shell Gas Direct Ltd (Group interest 100%), a gas marketing company, generally maintained its market share during 2004 selling in the industrial and commercial market.

Other European Countries Wholly-owned Group companies in other European countries continue to seek opportunities to develop the gas and power business.

Other Eastern Hemisphere

Australia A Group company directly and indirectly has a 22.4% interest in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) export phase and a 25.5% interest in the domestic gas phase of a joint venture formed to develop the gas fields of the North-West Shelf (NWS). Sale and purchase agreements with eight Japanese utilities, which commenced in 1989, call for the supply of LNG at a rate of some 7.3 million tonnes a year, equivalent to some 27 million cubic metres of gas a day (100%). A fourth LNG train with a capacity of 4.2 million tonnes a year started up in September 2004 and will supply both existing and new customers. A ninth LNG vessel (Group interest 22.4%) was added to the fleet in April 2004. In 2002, the NWS joint venture partners were awarded the supply contract for the first LNG terminal in China, to be located in the Guangdong province in south-east China. The contract was finalised in December 2004, with average volume of 3.5 million tonnes per annum and first deliveries planned for 2006.

The Group has a 28.6% interest in the Gorgon joint venture that is considering development of an LNG and domestic gas project on Barrow Island off Western Australia. A wholly owned Group company is also involved in a number of licences in the Timor Sea between the Northern Territory and Timor Leste with opportunities for both domestic gas and LNG export.

 
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Brunei Gas is liquefied and sold to customers in Japan and Korea by Brunei LNG Sendirian Berhad (Group interest 25%). In March 1993 the company’s main contract, to supply LNG to three power and gas utilities in Tokyo and Osaka, was extended for a further 20 years at an increased sales quantity of some 5.5 million tonnes a year. In 2004, the total sales quantity was some 7 million tonnes, to both Japan and Korea. The LNG continues to be delivered in a fleet of seven LNG vessels owned by Brunei Shell Tankers Sendirian Berhad (Group interest 25%), as well as a larger vessel owned by Brunei Gas Carriers Sendirian Berhad (Group interest 10%) which was brought into service in June 2002.

China In a 50:50 joint venture with China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec), Shell is developing its first Coal gasification plant in Dongting, China. Construction completion is expected by early 2006.

The Group is in the process of finalising joint venture arrangements with the Hangzhou Gas Group and Hong Kong China Gas for supply of gas to industrial and commercial customers in Hangzhou, China.

India The Group holds a 100% interest in three companies – Shell Hazira Gas Private Ltd., Hazira Port Private Ltd. and Hazira LNG Private Ltd., all of which are located in the State of Gujarat. Hazira Port Private Ltd. and Hazira LNG Private Ltd. are constructing a port and LNG terminal at Hazira in Gujarat. The initial maximum capacity of this terminal is 2.5 mtpa and may be expanded in the future. The terminal is being commissioned and will be ready for operations in the first half of 2005. Shell Hazira Gas Private Ltd., will use these facilities to import LNG and to market and supply regasified LNG to customers in Gujarat and North West India. A 26% interest in all the three companies has been sold to Total Gaz Electricite Holdings France, subject to defined conditions precedent.

Iran A Project Framework Agreement for the Persian LNG project (Group interest 25%) was signed during the year which takes the project into the next stage of design.

Japan In a joint venture with Tokyo Gas, the Group is engaged in marketing and sales of natural gas to industrial and commercial customers in the greater Tokyo area of Japan.

Malaysia Exports of LNG from Sarawak by Malaysia LNG Sendirian Berhad (MLNG Satu) began in January 1983 to two Japanese customers. The Group’s 15% shareholding in MLNG Satu reverted to Petronas in 2003 under a sale arrangement contained in the original joint venture agreement. Group companies continue to supply gas to MLNG Satu.

Three liquefaction trains (Group interest 15%) came onstream at the end of 1995 (MLNG Dua), with customers in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Group companies operate fields supplying gas to MLNG Dua. Construction of a third expansion to the Bintulu facilities, the 7.4 million tonnes per year two-train MLNG Tiga Project (Group interest 15%), was essentially completed and operations commenced in 2003.

Adjacent to the LNG facilities is a Gas to Liquids plant, operated by Shell MDS (Malaysia) Sendirian Berhad (Group interest 71.8%). This plant has the capacity to convert approximately three million cubic metres per day of natural gas into some 12,500 barrels per day of high-quality middle distillates and other products using Shell-developed technology. First commercial production from the plant began during 1993 using feedstock from offshore gas fields. The plant was de-bottle-necked during 2003, including the introduction of a new generation proprietary catalyst, resulting in an increased design capacity of 14,700 barrels per day. A full range of liquid and wax products is being sold into specialty markets in Asia Pacific, the USA and Europe.

Nigeria A LNG plant owned by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) (Group interest 25.6%) started up in October 1999. The plant currently produces some 9.6 million tonnes of LNG per year from three LNG trains for export under long-term contracts to customers in Europe. In the first quarter of 2002, the shareholders of NLNG committed to the “NLNG Plus” project, a further two-train expansion (Trains 4&5), to supply US and European markets. These trains are expected to commence operation in 2005. In addition, a decision was taken during 2004 to proceed with the construction of a sixth LNG train at the site. These projects will increase NLNG’s production capacity to approximately 22 million tonnes a year of LNG and 5 million tonnes per year of natural gas liquids. NLNG currently has operational control of 12 LNG vessels and this will rise to a total of 24 vessels by 2008. In 2004, a Shell Company (together with other venture partners) committed to proceed with the West Africa Gas Pipeline Project (Group interest 18.8%). This project is planned to supply gas from Nigeria to the neighbouring states of Ghana, Benin and Togo and is scheduled to become operational in 2007.

Within Nigeria, Shell is operating a gas sales and distribution company, Shell Nigeria Gas (Group interest 100%), to supply gas to a number of industrial and commercial customers in the south of the country.

Oman The LNG plant owned by Oman LNG L.L.C. (Group interest 30%) commenced operations in April 2000. The annual capacity of the plant is some 6.6 million tonnes per annum. The majority of the LNG is sold to Korea and Japan on long-term contracts with remaining volumes sold to customers on short-term sales agreements. During 2004, Oman LNG secured a 36.8% equity interest in the Qalhat LNG S.A.O.C. project. The Qalhat LNG project will have a single LNG train with a capacity of 3.3 mtpa. Construction is expected to be completed around end 2005 and first cargo expected in early 2006.

 
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Qatar In July 2004, Qatar Shell GTL (Group interest 100%) signed a Development and Production Sharing Agreement with the State of Qatar for the construction of a 140,000 barrels per day Gas to Liquids plant in Ras Laffan, Qatar. Two appraisal wells were successfully tested in 2004. The final investment decision is expected in 2006, with first sales by the end of the decade.

In February 2005, the Group and Qatar Petroleum signed a Heads of Agreement for the development of a large-scale LNG project (Qatargas 4, Group interest 30%). The project comprises the integrated development of upstream gas production facilities to produce 1.4bcf/d of gas and substantial quantities of associated liquids from Qatar’s North field, a single LNG train yielding approximately 7.8 million tonnes per annum of LNG for a period of 25 years and shipping of the LNG to the intended markets in North America and Europe. LNG deliveries are expected to commence around 2010-2012.

Russia Shell Sakhalin Holding, B.V. (Group interest 100%) holds a 55% interest in Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd. (SEIC). SEIC continues seasonal oil production from the Molikpaq facility on the Piltun-Astokhskoye field, offshore Sakhalin Island. Full development of the Piltun Satokhskoye oil field and Lunskoye gas field continued during 2004. The final investment decision for this phase of the development, including a two-train LNG plant with 9.6 million tonnes per year capacity, was announced on May 15, 2003. The first LNG cargo is scheduled to be delivered in late 2007; target markets for the LNG include Asia Pacific and the west coast of North America.

USA and Canada

During 2004, the Gas & Power business portfolio included: transportation of natural gas through offshore pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico; power equity investments; investments in Enterprise Product Partners L.P.; holding of capacity rights in US LNG import terminals; natural gas and power marketing, trading and storage; long-term gas transportation contracts; and energy management services.

Shell US Gas & Power (Group interest 100%) implemented extensive restructuring during 2004 including the sale of a number of offshore gas pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico, a partial sell down of the equity position in Enterprise Product Partners L.P., and the sale of its equity position in Tenaska Gateway Partners Ltd. power plant in Texas. The divestments are part of the Group’s ongoing programme of portfolio rationalisation.

The focus of the business on LNG in the USA has increased, including existing LNG import capacity rights at the Cove Point and Elba Island terminals as well as the continued evaluation of various options to expand its LNG import capabilities. In February 2005, Shell received a Record of Decision from the US Maritime Administration approving the issuance of a licence for the Gulf Landing LNG terminal in the Gulf of Mexico.

Other Western Hemisphere

Bolivia In 1997, a Group company acquired a 25% interest in Transredes Transporte De Hidrocarburos S.A. (Transredes), an oil and gas pipeline company in Bolivia with over 3,500 miles in total pipeline network. In 1999, gas exports to Brazil commenced through a pipeline owned by Gas Transboliviano S.A. (Bol), and interconnected to Transredes, and itself a Transredes subsidiary in which the Group has both direct and indirect interests totalling 29.75%.

Brazil In 1997, Group companies acquired a minority interest in Companhia de Gas de Sao Paulo (Comgas), a Brazilian natural gas distribution company in the state of São Paulo. In 1999, a joint venture was formed with BG International that successfully bid for the final and controlling block of Comgas (current total Group interest is 18.2%).

In 1997, Group companies acquired a minority interest in Transportadora Brasileira Bolivia Brasil S.A. (Br), interconnected to Gas Transboliviano S.A.. (Bol), constituting the Brazilian side of the Bolivia-Brazil pipeline with around 1,400 miles in total pipeline network covering five Brazilian states (current total Group interest is 7%).

In 1998, an interest between 22% and 50% across four companies was acquired in an integrated pipeline and power station project in Cuiaba, western Brazil; the pipeline also crosses through eastern Bolivia. In 2000, Group companies, jointly with Prisma Energy (formerly Enron), acquired the Transredes interests in the Cuiaba pipeline and power plant. In 2003, Group interest across all four companies constituting the Cuiaba project became 50%. The Cuiaba gas-fired power plant (480MW) became commercially operational in 2002.

Mexico In 2003, Shell won a competitive tender to deliver gas through an LNG receiving terminal at Altamira, now under construction, to CFE (state power company). Group interest in the terminal is 50% after a 25% equity interest was sold to Total S.A in 2004, and a further 25% equity interest was sold to Mitsui which was completed in January 2005. Group interest in the marketing company which holds the capacity rights in the terminal is 75% with the remaining 25% held by Total. The terminal is located in the port of Altamira, Tamaulipas, on Mexico’s Gulf coast. The facility is expected to start operations in late 2006 supplying up to 5 billion cubic metres per annum of natural gas for 15 years from the new LNG re-gasification terminal under the tender contract, ramping up from an initial 3 billion cubic metres per annum.

 
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Shell secured 50% capacity rights in the LNG receiving terminal on the West Coast of Mexico at Baja California to be built and owned by Sempra Energy. Initial capacity of the terminal will be 7.5mtpa (100%), which is expected to start up in 2008. Initial supplies will come from the Sakhalin LNG Project in Russia, according to agreements reached during 2004.

Venezuela In 2002, a Group company signed Framing and Preliminary Development Agreements covering a 30% interest in the Mariscal Sucre LNG (MSLNG) scheme. While these agreements expired in May 2004, Petroleos de Venezuela S.A.(PDVSA), Mitsubishi and Shell, sponsors of MSLNG, remain in discussions on progressing development of the offshore Norte de Paria fields for LNG export and supply of gas to the Venezuelan market.

LNG Supply and Shipping

Two operations, Shell Western LNG (SWLNG) and Shell Eastern LNG (SELNG) aim to secure supplies for downstream markets that Shell is developing. SWLNG sources LNG in the West and supplies Shell’s outlets in the Atlantic Basin (currently Spain and the USA), while SELNG sources LNG in the East, and may supply Shell’s terminal in India and other potential outlets in the Pacific region including China and Mexico. These operations will primarily use ships, currently a fleet totalling seven, which have been acquired or chartered by Shell Tankers Singapore Limited, Shell Tankers (UK) Ltd, Shell Bermuda (Overseas) Ltd and SWLNG.

InterGen

InterGen, an associated company (Group interest 68%) is an international operator and developer of power plants. InterGen brought two new facilities in the Netherlands and the UK into operation in 2004, totalling 1.7 Gigawatt (GW). During the year InterGen diluted its interests in Turkey, Australia and the Bajio plant in Mexico. In 2004, InterGen also sold its interest in Mountainview (USA), Sidi Krir (Egypt) and Wildflower (USA) assets. Overall the total generating capacity in operation at year-end 2004 was 9.3 GW compared with 10.5 GW at the beginning of 2004 (InterGen net equity interest). At the end of December 2004, the company had interests in 17 power stations. The potential sale of all or a large majority of InterGen and its corporate capability is being investigated. It is not clear at this stage whether or not the process will eventually lead to a sale.

3 Oil Products

(a) Overview

Oil Products encompasses all the activities which transform crude oil into Shell products for customers. As at the end of 2004, the Group has an interest in more than 50 refineries worldwide and markets fuels for the automotive, aviation and marine sectors, along with heating oils, industrial and consumer lubricants, speciality products such as bitumen and liquefied petroleum gas (propane and/or butane-LPG) and technical services.

The Oil Products business operates the world’s largest single branded retail network with over 46,000 service stations. Convenience retailing offers a wide range of products and services to customers worldwide. In addition, the Oil Products business serves industrial and commercial customers; from small family-run businesses through to multinational companies. Lubricants, fuels and other speciality products are supplied to industrial sectors as diverse as mining, automotive manufacturing, food processing and steel-making. Underpinning Shell’s marketing strength is the Shell brand. The Shell brand is one of the most recognised and reputable in the world. The Shell Global Brand tracker is run annually, measuring in a structured and objective way the health of the Shell brand across the world, and enables Shell companies to assess their competitive strength and brand appeal. The latest study confirmed Shell’s global lead in terms of Brand preference — it is the most preferred brand in more markets than any of our competitors. The reach of the brand, with a Shell presence in over 140 countries and territories provides the opportunity to combine the operational and cost benefits of global operations with a strong brand affiliation.

The range of innovative products and services offered to customers has been further expanded, drawing upon extensive research and development. Differentiated fuels are currently offered in over 40 countries. We continue to develop and introduce products such as low-sulphur fuels, lead replacement fuel and LPG with improved environmental performance. Shell has been actively pursuing GTL (Gas to Liquids) technology for many years. With the world’s first commercial GTL plant of its type (low temperature Fischer-Tropsch) operating in Malaysia, the company has competitive advantages in the development and manufacture of GTL products. GTL Fuel is an important building block of Shell’s transportation fuels strategy, providing a route towards sustainable mobility.

USA

Oil Product activities in the USA are carried out through various Shell Oil Company subsidiaries. In early 2002, Shell Oil Company acquired the 44% Texaco Inc. interest in Equilon Enterprises LLC, which is now doing business as Shell Oil Products US. At the same time Shell Oil Company and Saudi Refining Inc. acquired Texaco’s interest in Motiva Enterprises LLC, making each company a 50% owner of that business. Shell Oil Company also holds a 50% interest in the Deer Park Refining Limited Partnership, which is a joint venture between Shell Oil Company and a subsidiary of Mexico’s national oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (“Pemex”). Together, Shell Oil Products US and Motiva hold a significant position in the US refined products industry, with a market-leading 13% share of US gasoline sales. At the end of 2004, the two companies, together with Deer Park Refining Limited Partnership, operated eight refineries with a combined capacity of approximately 1.5 million barrels per day (Shell share 1.0 million barrels per day).
 
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Shell Oil Products US and Motiva both market petroleum and other products directly and through independent wholesalers and retailers and have the exclusive rights to use the “Shell” brand on refined oil product sales in those areas of the USA where each company is authorised to conduct its respective business. In addition, Shell Oil Products US and Motiva had the exclusive rights to use the “Texaco” brand on refined oil product sales in their respective areas through to June 2004, and have the non-exclusive rights through to June 2006.

Starting in 2002, Shell Oil Products US and Motiva planned to reduce the number of service stations in the overall network by around 30%, to some 15,000 sites. Through the fourth quarter of 2004, some 79% of the site rationalisation programme was complete. Furthermore, a programme is underway to re-brand Texaco branded sites to the Shell brand, which was largely completed by the end of 2004. Through the fourth quarter of 2004, over 6,100 sites had been rebranded from the Texaco to the Shell brand. At year end 2004, about 100 sites remained to be rebranded.

The purchase of Pennzoil-Quaker State Company (PQS) was completed in October 2002. This acquisition made the Group a leader (by market share) in both passenger car motor oil and diesel engine oil in the USA and aligns with the Group’s strategy to become a leader in the global lubricants market.

During 2004, the Group completed a number of transactions to sell its non-strategic assets. These transactions included the sale of the company’s mid-continent refined products pipeline system to Magellan Midstream Partners L.P. and the sale of the company’s midwest refined products pipeline system to Buckeye Partners L.P. The Group received proceeds from the two transactions totalling just over $1 billion.

In May 2004, Motiva completed the sale of its Delaware refinery to the Premcor Refining Group Inc. During 2004, Shell announced that it would keep its Bakersfield, California refinery (previously announced for closure) operating through to March 31, 2005, subject to regulatory approval. During 2004, the company conducted an extensive sale process to market the refinery to potential buyers. In January 2005, Shell Oil Products US announced it had reached an agreement to sell the refinery to a newly formed subsidiary of Flying J Inc. subject to regulatory approvals and certain closing conditions. The sale was completed on March 15, 2005.

Canada

Shell Canada (Group interest 78%) owns refineries in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, with a total refinery capacity of 0.3 million barrels per day and has a network of over 1,700 service stations. Construction of ultra-low-sulphur-diesel projects at the Alberta and Quebec refineries are on track for completion in early 2006. Under a joint venture agreement, Shell Canada holds a 60% interest in the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (AOSP) in Northern Alberta. This includes the Muskeg River Mine and the Scotford Upgrader. In 2004, the AOSP successfully achieved its first full year of integrated operations. Most of the synthetic crude feedstock from the Scotford Upgrader is processed at the adjoining Alberta (Scotford) refinery.

Europe

The Group has a presence in 33 European countries. It has a majority interest in eleven refineries with a total capacity of 1.7 million barrels per day and lesser interests in another seven refineries with a capacity of 1.0 million barrels per day (Group share 0.3 million barrels per day). There are a total of some 10,600 service stations. In the fourth quarter of 2004, the sale of the retail and commercial assets in Portugal and of the assets onshore in Spain were completed. In quarter one of 2005, the sale of offshore assets in Spain was completed. The sale in Spain includes a Trademark Licence Agreement time-limit whereby the buyer will continue to use the Shell brand. Shell will continue to operate in Spain through its LPG, lubricants, aviation and marine businesses. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2004, the Group and the MOL Group signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement for the sale of the shares in Shell Romania SRL, excluding Shell Gas Romania S.A. The divestment includes a network of 59 retail service stations geographically spread across Romania and the Aviation, Lubricants, Commercial and Marine businesses. The sale is subject to regulatory approval and completion is expected to take place in early 2005.

Middle East and Asia Pacific

The Group has a presence in 35 countries in the Middle East and Asia Pacific. At the end of 2004 the Group had a majority interest in five refineries with total capacity of approximately 0.9 million barrels per day and lesser interests in another seven refineries with total capacity of 0.9 million barrels per day (in which the Group’s share amounts to 0.3 million barrels per day). There are a total of some 10,400 service stations in retail markets. In the second quarter of 2004, the Group and China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) signed a joint venture contract to develop a network of some 500 retail service stations in Jiangsu Province in China. The joint venture, which involves an initial investment of about $200 million, expects to have the network operational within three years of the establishment of the joint venture company. The joint venture started operating its first service stations in January 2005. In the third quarter of 2004, the Group, a 50% shareholder of Showa Shell, transferred a portion (37,540,000 shares or 9.96% of the total shares issued) of its shares held to Saudi Arabian Oil Company. The transfer was effected by the Group selling Shell Japan Holdings B.V., a shareholder in the company, to Aramco Overseas Company B.V.. Saudi Aramco has also agreed in principle to acquire an additional 18,840,000 shares in Showa Shell from the Group subject to satisfaction of certain commercial conditions. The Group completed the sale of 72 million ordinary shares in Shell Refining Company (FOM) Berhad (SRC) in Malaysia. The sale accounted for 24% of SRC stock.
 
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The sale of the Group’s 64% equity share in the Rayong Refinery in Thailand was completed in the fourth quarter of 2004, reducing the Group’s consolidated debt by some $1.3 billion.

Africa

The Group has a presence in 36 African countries. As at the end of 2004 the Group has a 50% interest in the Durban refinery in South Africa with a refinery capacity of some 0.2 million barrels per day and lesser interests in another five refineries with a total capacity at the end of 2004 of 0.2 million barrels per day. There are a total of some 2,500 service stations in retail markets. The fuels market in Africa largely remains heavily regulated by national governments, however several new entrants into the market have led to intensified competition. In the first quarter of 2005 the Group signed a Share Purchase Agreement relating to the divestments of its Oil Products businesses in Guinea-Bissau. The sale is subject to regulatory approval and completion is expected to take place in the second quarter of 2005.

South and Central America

The Group has a presence in 35 countries in South and Central America. At the end of 2004, the Group held a 100% interest in the Buenos Aires refinery in Argentina with a capacity of 0.1 million barrels per day and lesser interests in another three refineries with a total combined capacity of 0.1 million barrels per day. There are a total of approximately 4,600 retail service stations and close to 5,000 commercial customers. In the first quarter of 2004, the Group announced plans to restructure operations in Venezuela and transferred its retail business to local entrepreneurs during 2004. In the third quarter of 2004, the Group announced the sale of its retail and commercial businesses in Peru. The Group and Sol Group, a petroleum affiliate of the Interamericana Trading Corp, announced in the fourth quarter of 2004 that they had signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement and a Trademark License Agreement relating to the divestment of the Group’s Oil Products businesses (excluding the aviation business) in the Eastern part of the Caribbean. The agreements relate to the Group’s retail, commercial, local marine and LPG businesses. The sale was completed in February 2005.

Global Businesses

The Group manages its Aviation, Marine Products, LPG, and Lubricants businesses, which are part of the Oil Products segment, on a global basis. This global approach has allowed the Group to better meet the needs of its global customers, share best practice and common processes and drive for lower cost structures and supply chain optimisation.

Shell Aviation is a world leader in the marketing of aviation fuels and lubricants and in the operation of airport fuelling. Every day at over 1,100 airports in 90 countries, Shell Aviation fuels some 20,000 aircraft and supplies over 21 million gallons (80 million litres) of fuel. In 2004, Shell Aviation was voted the world’s best ‘Jet Fuel Marketer’ in the Armbrust Survey. Shell has won the coveted Armbrust Aviation award five times in the last eight years.

Shell Marine Products is a global sales and marketing business, supplying marine fuels, lubricants and related services to the marine industry. The business supplies around 20 different types of marine fuel to power diesel engines, steam and gas turbine vessels, together with around 100 different types of marine lubricants blended to provide optimum protection in the toughest environments. The business serves more than 15,000 customer vessels ranging from large ocean-going tankers to small fishing boats.

Shell Gas LPG markets LPG to around 30 million customers in over 50 countries and territories, supplying LPG for domestic purposes (heating, cooking, etc), commercial (restaurants), agriculture and industry. In some markets, LPG is becoming increasingly popular as an automotive fuel. Typically, LPG is distributed in cylinders and small/ large bulk tanks.

As a result of an unsolicited approach from an interested buyer, the Group has decided to explore its strategic options with regard to its downstream global LPG distribution and marketing business. The review is ongoing and progress will depend on the conclusions of the review. Meanwhile work that was already underway to structure LPG into a stand-alone global operation will be accelerated.

The Group announced in the fourth quarter of 2004 the signing of a Sale and Purchase Agreement with Repsol YPF relating to the divestment of Shell Gas (LPG) business in Portugal. The divestment of the Shell Gas (LPG) Portugal’s subsidiaries and shareholdings, includes the assets of two LPG filling plants, more than two million cylinders, supply, distribution and customer contracts covering mainland Portugal and the islands of Madeira and Azores. The sale is subject to regulatory approval and completion is expected in the first half of 2005. The Group also announced in the fourth quarter of 2004 the sale of its LPG interest in Cote d’Ivoire. It is expected that this transaction will also be completed in the first half of 2005.

Shell Lubricants is a global leader in finished lubricants. Shell lubricants companies operate in over 120 countries worldwide, manufacturing and marketing some of the most recognised (by market share) lubricants brands including Shell Helix, Pennzoil, Shell Rotella, Shell Rimula and Quaker State. Shell’s high quality lubricants are used across the transport sector in passenger cars, trucks, coaches, airplanes and ships. They also deliver superior lubrication solutions to the manufacturing, food processing, mining and agriculture industries. In addition, through the Jiffy Lube fast lube network Shell Lubricants provide car maintenance and service to some 30 million customers in the USA and are growing this business in developing markets such as China.

 
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Shell Global Solutions provides business and operational consultancy, technical services and research and development expertise to the energy industry worldwide. Shell Global Solutions has an extensive network of offices around the world, with primary commercial centres now operating in the USA, Europe and Asia Pacific.

In 2004 Global Solutions supported the Group’s business activities in downstream manufacturing, downstream marketing, Gas & Power, and production, and successfully serviced refining, chemicals, gas, power, metals, and motor-sport customers in Europe, the USA, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.

 
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Refininga

                                         
Cost of crude oil processed or consumed $ per barrel

(including upstream margin on crude supplied by Group and associated
exploration and production companies)
2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

      37.22       26.75       24.35       23.56       27.50  

                                         
Operable crude oil distillation capacityb thousand barrels/calendar dayc

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Europe
    1,835       1,808       1,809       1,400       1,395  
Other Eastern Hemisphere
    1,050       1,072       1,108       1,155       1,099  
USA
    1,032       1,073       1,075       689       222  
Other Western Hemisphere
    350       361       395       398       372  

      4,267       4,314       4,387       3,642       3,088  

                                         
Crude oil processedd thousand barrels/stream day

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Europe
    1,687       1,712       1,701       1,309       1,337  
Other Eastern Hemisphere
    942       916       870       933       899  
USA
    950       974       996       624       196  
Other Western Hemisphere
    364       347       314       361       355  

      3,943       3,949       3,881       3,227       2,787  

Group share of associated companies
    451       515       473       480       1,117  

                                         
Crude oil distillation unit intake as percentage
of operable capacitye %

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Europe
    94       96       94       95       97  
Other Eastern Hemisphere
    91       89       84       90       85  
USA
    91       89       91       91       88  
Other Western Hemisphere
    93       90       86       91       98  

Worldwide
    92       92       90       92       92  

                                         
Refinery processing intakea thousand barrels/stream day

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Crude oil
    3,946       3,949       3,881       3,227       2,787  
Feedstocks
    216       218       203       173       136  

      4,162       4,167       4,084       3,400       2,923  

Europe
    1,770       1,776       1,761       1,358       1,394  
Other Eastern Hemisphere
    962       956       941       1,018       971  
USA
    1,055       1,079       1,064       663       198  
Other Western Hemisphere
    375       356       318       361       360  

      4,162       4,167       4,084       3,400       2,923  

                                         
million tonnes a year

Metric equivalent
    204       204       201       166       147  

a Data reflect continuing and discontinued operations. Refinery processing intake relating to discontinued operations,
(see Note 4 to the Group Financial Statements) was 267 thousand barrels/stream day in 2004 (2003: 269; 2002: 283).
 
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Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies – Business and Property
                                         
Refinery processing outturng thousand barrels/stream day

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Gasolines
    1,542       1,575       1,537       1,242       957  
Kerosines
    424       418       400       369       320  
Gas/Diesel oils
    1,297       1,312       1,287       1,068       974  
Fuel oil
    414       378       355       339       316  
Other products
    557       550       546       417       350  

      4,234       4,233       4,125       3,435       2,917  

         
Group share of Equilon and Motiva volumes
(not included above) thousand barrels/stream day

2000

Refinery processing intake
    656  

a For 2000 Equilon (now Shell Oil Products US) and Motiva were reported as Associated companies. The Group share of refinery processing intake of Equilon and Motiva was reported separately. The basis of reporting from 2002 has been changed to reflect only those activities relating to the Oil Products business; previously the volumes of the Mobile refinery in Alabama, a refinery owned by Chemicals, was included within the US volumes. The 2001 figures have been restated on a similar basis. Furthermore, from 2002 the US reported volumes include 100% of Shell Oil Products US and 50% of Motiva; the 2001 figures have been restated in accordance with the ownership interests prevailing at that time.
 
b Group average operating capacity for the year and excluding mothballed capacity.
 
c One barrel daily is equivalent to approximately 50 tonnes a year, depending on the specific gravity of the crude oil.
 
d Including natural gas liquids; includes processing for others and excludes processing by others.
 
e Including crude oil and feedstocks processed in crude oil distillation units, and based on calendar-day capacities.
 
f Including crude oil and natural gas liquids plus feedstocks processed in crude oil distillation units and in secondary conversion units.
 
g Excluding “own use” and products acquired for blending purposes.
 
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Oil salesa,b,c,d

                                         
Product volumese thousand barrels/day

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Europe
                                       
Gasolines
    576       616       647       531       510  
Kerosines
    220       194       190       164       178  
Gas/Diesel oils
    934       936       950       776       718  
Fuel oil
    179       184       177       174       192  
Other products
    203       207       209       207       212  

      2,112       2,137       2,173       1,852       1,810  

Other Eastern Hemisphere
                                       
Gasolines
    337       315       332       328       334  
Kerosines
    168       166       142       132       124  
Gas/Diesel oils
    511       489       476       460       452  
Fuel oil
    168       180       188       200       203  
Other products
    136       138       149       138       138  

      1,320       1,288       1,287       1,258       1,251  

USA
                                       
Gasolines
    1,372       1,343       1,239       737       189  
Kerosines
    258       212       221       138       31  
Gas/Diesel oils
    430       430       401       266       82  
Fuel oil
    209       189       105       65       17  
Other products
    247       218       173       111       114  

      2,516       2,392       2,139       1,317       433  

Other Western Hemisphere
                                       
Gasolines
    293       296       317       315       306  
Kerosines
    73       72       74       80       81  
Gas/Diesel oils
    249       243       246       252       275  
Fuel oil
    85       86       92       100       107  
Other products
    44       52       49       54       128  

      744       749       778       801       897  

Export sales
                                       
Gasolines
    182       193       251       202       455  
Kerosines
    114       154       155       154       128  
Gas/Diesel oils
    274       213       222       194       204  
Fuel oil
    208       181       196       168       204  
Other products
    130       138       198       197       192  

      908       879       1,022       915       1,183  

Total product sales
                                       
Gasolines
    2,760       2,763       2,786       2,113       1,794  
Kerosines
    833       798       782       668       542  
Gas/Diesel oils
    2,398       2,311       2,295       1,948       1,731  
Fuel oil
    849       820       758       707       723  
Other products
    760       753       778       707       784  

      7,600       7,445       7,399       6,143       5,574  

                                         
Sales by product as percentage of total product sales %

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Gasolines
    36.3       37.1       37.7       34.4       32.2  
Kerosines
    10.9       10.7       10.6       10.9       9.7  
Gas/Diesel oils
    31.6       31.1       31.0       31.7       31.0  
Fuel oil
    11.2       11.0       10.2       11.5       13.0  
Other products
    10.0       10.1       10.5       11.5       14.1  

      100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0  

a Data reflect continuing and discontinued operations. Oil product sales related to discontinued operations (see Note 4 to the Group Financial Statements) were 221 thousand barrels/day in 2004 (2003: 234; 2002: 262).
 
b For 2000 the sales volumes include the Group share of Equilon (now Shell Oil Products US) and Motiva volumes.

c From 2001 the basis of reporting reflect only those activities which relate to the Oil Products business; previously some volumes handled by other businesses were included. Reported volumes from 2001 in the USA include Shell Oil Products US and Motiva sales to third parties and are in accordance with the ownership interests prevailing at the time.

d Sales figures exclude deliveries to other companies under reciprocal purchase and sale arrangements which are in the nature of exchanges. Sales of condensate and natural gas liquids are included.

e By country of destination, except where the ultimate destination is not known at the time of sale, in which case the sales are shown as export sales.
 
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Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies – Business and Property
                                         
Total oil sales volumesa,b thousand barrels/day

Oil products by geographical area
2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Europe
                                       
Germany
    772       785       789       454       421  
UK and Republic of Ireland
    311       313       317       319       263  
France
    275       283       299       306       294  
Netherlands
    191       180       191       204       213  
Others
    563       576       577       569       619  

      2,112       2,137       2,173       1,852       1,810  

Other Eastern Hemisphere
                                       
Australia
    215       190       194       203       207  
Others
    1,105       1,098       1,093       1,055       1,044  

      1,320       1,288       1,287       1,258       1,251  

USA
    2,516       2,392       2,139       1,317       433  

Other Western Hemisphere
                                       
Canada
    287       276       263       267       346  
Brazil
    170       168       191       203       216  
Others
    287       305       324       331       335  

      744       749       778       801       897  

Export sales
    908       879       1,022       915       1,183  

Total oil products
    7,600       7,445       7,399       6,143       5,574  
Crude oil
    5,160       4,769       5,025       4,461       3,279  

Total oil sales
    12,760       12,214       12,424       10,604       8,853  

                                         
million tonnes a year

Metric equivalent
    627       611       621       530       444  

                 
Group share of Equilon and Motiva volumesa
(not included above) thousand barrels/day

2000

Total oil products sales
            1,508  

a By country of destination, except where the ultimate destination is not known at the time of sale, in which case the sales are shown as export sales.
 
b Data reflect continuing and discontinued operations. Oil product sales related to discontinued operations (see Note 4 to the Group Financial Statements) were 221 thousand barrels/day in 2004 (2003: 234; 2002: 262).
                                         
Net product proceeds $ million

by product 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Gasolines
    55,594       44,830       38,861       30,455       27,046  
Kerosines
    16,308       10,826       9,170       8,710       7,877  
Gas/ Diesel oils
    48,304       35,344       28,077       25,735       25,211  
Fuel oil
    9,688       8,424       6,591       5,900       6,752  
Other products
    15,279       13,834       11,420       9,845       10,470  

Total oil products
    145,173       113,258       94,119       80,645       77,356  

by geographical area
                                       

Europe
    44,010       35,618       30,228       25,077       26,189  
Other Eastern Hemisphere
    25,725       19,957       16,801       17,371       18,278  
USA
    46,500       34,533       26,200       17,199       5,068  
Other Western Hemisphere
    15,116       12,751       10,836       12,118       14,226  
Export sales
    13,822       10,399       10,054       8,880       13,595  

Total oil products
    145,173       113,258       94,119       80,645       77,356  

 
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Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies – Business and Property
                                         
Average net product proceeds $ per barrel

by product 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Gasolines
    55.03       44.46       38.22       39.50       41.20  
Kerosines
    53.52       37.18       32.12       35.70       39.69  
Gas/Diesel oils
    55.04       41.90       33.52       36.19       39.79  
Fuel oil
    31.17       28.14       23.82       22.85       25.52  
Other products
    54.95       50.30       40.21       38.14       36.51  

Total oil products
    52.19       41.68       34.85       35.96       37.92  

by geographical area
                                       

Europe
    56.93       45.67       38.11       37.09       39.52  
Other Eastern Hemisphere
    53.30       42.45       35.77       37.83       39.93  
USA
    50.48       39.56       33.55       35.78       31.98  
Other Western Hemisphere
    55.51       46.64       38.18       41.47       43.34  
Export sales
    41.57       32.41       26.95       26.59       31.40  

Total oil products
    52.19       41.68       34.85       35.96       37.92  

(b) Trading

Shell Trading trades about 14 million barrels of crude oil equivalent per day, comprising crude oil, refined products, natural gas, electrical power and chemicals. Companies within the Shell Trading network (Houston, Barbados, Rotterdam, London, Dubai and Singapore) are each distinct separate entities responsible for running their own businesses.

In 2004, Shell Trading opened the Shell Trading Russia B.V. branch office, so as to be better positioned to participate in the increasing opportunities for local trade and the international export of crude oil and oil products in the Commonwealth of Independent States.

(c) Shipping

During 2004, one new LNG carrier with a capacity of 135,323 cubic metres was acquired and three Large Range (45,000 to 160,000 deadweight tonnes (dwt)) product tanker newbuildings were contracted on demise hire for delivery in 2005 /2006. Three new very large crude carriers over 160,000 dwt (VLCCs) were taken on demise hire and one extended under a new arrangement and five demise hire VLCCs were redelivered. One Large Range crude tanker was converted from time-charter to demise hire. Three Large Range product tankers and one General Purpose (10,000 to 25,000 dwt) shuttle tanker were sold to third parties for further trading.
                                                                                 
Oil tankersa (at December 31) number of ships million deadweight tonnes

Owned/demise-hired 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

VLCCs (very large crude carriers over 160,000 dwt)
    5       7       7       7       8       1.5       2.1       2.1       2.1       2.3  
Large range (45,000 to 160,000 dwt)
    11       13       16       16       16       0.7       0.9       1.3       1.3       1.3  
Medium range (25,000 to 45,000 dwt)
    5       5       5       6       5       0.2       0.2       0.2       0.2       0.1  
General purpose (10,000 to 25,000 dwt)/Specialist)
    2       3       2       2       1       0.1       0.1       0.1       0.1       0.1  

      23       28       30       31       30       2.5       3.3       3.7       3.7       3.8  

Time-charteredb
                                                                               
VLCCs (very large crude carriers over 160,000 dwt)
    1       1       1                   0.3       0.3       0.3              
Large range (45,000 to 160,000 dwt)
    19       15       18       17       9       1.7       1.3       1.5       1.5       0.7  
Medium range (25,000 to 45,000 dwt)
    8       13       15       7       8       0.3       0.5       0.6       0.3       0.3  
General purpose (10,000 to 25,000 dwt)/Specialist)
    12       10       6       7       1       0.2       0.2       0.1       0.1       0.1  

      40       39       40       31       18       2.5       2.3       2.5       1.9       1.1  

Total oil tankers
    63       67       70       62       48       5.0       5.6       6.2       5.6       4.9  

Owned/demise-hired under construction or on order (oil)
    3                               0.3                          

                                                                                 
Gas carriersa (at December 31) number of ships thousand cubic metres

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Owned/demise-hired (LNG)e
    6       5       4       2             797       662       522       253        
Time-chartered (LNG)e
    1                         2       145                         253  
Owned/demise-hired (LPG)
    1       1       1       1       1       60       59       59       59       59  
Time-chartered (LPG)
    2       2       3       2       2       136       136       145       113       155  

Total gas carriers
    10       8       8       5       5       1,138       857       726       425       467  

Owned/demise-hired under construction or on order (LNG)
          1       2       4                   135       277       556        

a Oil tankers, ocean going articulated tug barges and gas carriers of 10 kdwt and above which are owned/chartered by Shell companies where the Shell equity shareholding is at least 50%.
b Time-chartered oil tankers include Consecutive Voyage Charters.
c Contracts of affreightment are not included.
d Owned/demise hired newbuilding contracts not in service but due for delivery post December 31, 2004.
e LNG carriers reported in Gas & Power sector.
 
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4 Chemicals

Our chemicals companies produce and sell petrochemicals to industrial customers globally. The products are widely used in plastics, coatings and detergents, which in turn are used in products such as fibres and textiles, thermal and electrical insulation, medical equipment and sterile supplies, computers, lighter and more efficient vehicles, paints, and biodegradable detergents.

Group companies currently produce a number of base chemicals and petrochemicals. They are major suppliers of base chemicals such as lower olefins and aromatics, and first-line derivatives such as styrene monomer, propylene oxide, solvents, detergent intermediates, and ethylene oxide.

The Chemicals portfolio also includes CRI/Criterion, Inc. (CRIC), which changed its name from CRI International Inc. with effect from January 1, 2005 (Group interest 100%), and several ventures including Basell NV, Infineum, Saudi Petrochemical Company (SADAF), and CNOOC and Shell Petrochemicals Company Ltd. (CSPCL) (each, described below). In 2004, CRIC sold its global catalyst regeneration business and ceased operations of its spent catalyst reclamation business. CRIC remains a major catalyst manufacturer in the global refinery and petrochemical markets (by market share).

Basell, a 50:50 joint venture between Group companies and BASF, produces and markets polypropylene, polyethylene, advanced polyolefin materials and polyolefin catalysts, and also develops and licenses technology for polyolefin processes. Including its own joint ventures, Basell has manufacturing operations in 20 countries and its products are sold in more than 120 countries. In 2004, Basell sold its 50% share in the Compagnie Industrielle des Polyethylenes de Normandie (CIPEN) linear low density polyethylene plant in Notre-Dame-de-Gravenchon, France.

Shell and BASF announced a review of strategic alternatives regarding Basell in July 2004 and the investment is currently held for sale. A number of offers from both financial and strategic buyers have been received. The shareholders are continuing to review the potential options for exit. Options being considered include the sale of the companies’ stakes or an equity transaction.

Infineum, a 50:50 joint venture between Group companies and ExxonMobil with manufacturing locations in 8 countries, formulates, manufactures and markets high-quality fuel, lubricants, and specialty additives and components. SADAF, a 50:50 joint venture between Group companies and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) produces base and intermediate chemicals for global markets. CSPCL, a 50:50 joint venture between Group companies and CNOOC Petrochemicals Investment Ltd., will produce a range of petrochemicals, intended primarily for the Chinese markets. Construction of the $4.3 billion Nanhai petrochemicals complex in southern China is targeted for commissioning towards the end of 2005. In February 2005, Shell Chemicals Limited and Qatar Petroleum signed a Letter of Intent for the development of a world-scale ethane based cracker and derivatives complex in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar.

At December 31, 2004, Group companies had major interests in chemical manufacturing plants, as described below and on the following pages.

Sales

                                         
Net proceeds by main product categorya $ million

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Base chemicals
    11,536       7,447       4,895       4,495       5,017  
First-line derivatives
    9,211       7,189       5,869       5,502       5,667  
Other
    742       550       726       619       4,521  

      21,489       15,186       11,490       10,616       15,205  

                                         
Net proceeds by geographical areaa $ million

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Europe
    7,873       5,617       3,994       3,734       5,506  
Other Eastern Hemisphere
    4,530       3,092       2,324       1,642       1,912  
USA
    6,159       4,369       3,548       3,419       5,531  
Other Western Hemisphere
    616       486       379       283       522  

Total chemical products net proceeds
    19,178       13,564       10,245       9,078       13,471  
Non-chemical products
    2,311       1,622       1,245       1,538       1,734  

Total net proceeds
    21,489       15,186       11,490       10,616       15,205  

                                         
Sales volumes by main product categoryb thousand tonnes

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Base chemicals
    14,184       13,165       10,031       8,760       7,909  
First-line derivatives
    9,499       9,779       9,595       8,849       8,219  
Other
    477       164       1,767       1,269       4,160  

      24,160       23,108       21,393       18,878       20,288  

 
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Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies – Business and Property
                                         
Ethylene capacity – Group and associated companiesc

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Nominal capacity (thousand tonnes/year)
    6,701       6,203       6,023       5,586       5,215  
Utilisation (%)
    87       90       92       87       94  

a Excluding proceeds from associate companies and chemical feedstock trading.
 
b Excluding volumes sold by associate companies, chemical feedstock trading and by-products.
 
c Data includes Group share of capacity entitlement (offtake rights) that may be different from nominal Group equity interest.

Europe

Belgium CRI Catalyst Co Belgium N.V. (Group interest 100%) manufactures catalysts at its Ghent, Belgium facility.

Luxembourg Catalyst Recovery Europe S.A. (Group interest 100%) was divested in 2004 as part of CRIC’s decision to exit its global catalyst regeneration business.

France At Berre l’Etang, Shell Pétrochimie Méditerranée S.A.S. (SPM) (Group interest 100%), owns and operates a refinery as well as petrochemicals units, manufacturing oil products, aromatics, butadiene, solvents, and diisobutylene. SPM also operates additives units on behalf of Infineum, polypropylene and polyethylene units on behalf of Basell, an ethylene/ propylene cracker on behalf of Société du Craqueur de l’Aubette S.N.C. (a 50:50 joint venture between SPM and Basell), and several polymer units on behalf of third party companies. Basell also manufactures low-density polyethylene at Fos sur Mer.

Germany Shell Deutschland Oil GmbH (SDO) (Group interest 100%) operates manufacturing plants in Harburg (hydrocarbon solvents), Godorf (benzene, toluene), Wesseling (ethylene, propylene, benzene, toluene, xylenes, methanol), and Heide (ethylene, propylene, benzene, toluene, xylenes, hydrocarbon solvents and chemical solvents). By virtue of the Group’s share interest (32.25%) in the relevant manufacturing company, Shell Chemicals Europe B.V. (SCE) is entitled to a proportion of the production of propylene and methyl tertiary butyl ether from plants in Karlsruhe. Due to the Group’s share interest (37.5%) in a company in Schwedt, SCE receives propylene, benzene, toluene, and xylenes. Kataleuna GmbH Catalysts, a CRIC company, manufactures catalyst at its Leuna, Germany plant. Basell manufactures ethylene, propylene, and polyolefins at its Wesseling site.

Netherlands Shell Nederland Chemie B.V. (SNC) (Group interest 100%) manufactures solvents, methyl tertiary butyl ether, brake fluids, glycol ethers units and urethanes (polyols) at the Pernis facility. SNC operates at Pernis, a polypropylene plant owned by Basell and several derivatives on behalf of third party companies.

SNC manufactures lower olefins, benzene, ethyl benzene, ethylene oxide, and styrene monomer/ propylene oxide (SM/PO) at the Moerdijk facility and operates a SM/PO plant owned by Ellba CV, a 50:50 joint venture between Group companies and BASF. Using the Group’s “SMPO process”, Ellba simultaneously produces styrene monomer, primarily used in the production of polystyrene, and propylene oxide, a chemical building block in a series of products from industrial foams to surfactants, solvents, additives and lubricants.

Shell Chemicals Europe B.V. (SCE), is responsible for all chemicals sales, supply chain management, and the procurement of feedstocks and process chemicals for chemical products across Western Europe other than in respect of chemicals joint ventures in which Group companies have an interest.

United Kingdom Shell U.K. Oil Products Ltd. (as an agent for Shell U.K. Ltd.) operates the plants of Shell Chemicals U.K. Ltd. (SCUK) (Group interest 100%) at Stanlow, which produce propylene, benzene, toluene, and higher olefins and derivatives. In Carrington, Basell manufactures polypropylene and low-density polyethylene, and operates SCUK’s plants to produce derivatives from ethylene oxide and propylene oxide and a third party’s unit. SCUK also owns NEODOL ethoxylates assets operated by ICI Chemicals & Polymers Ltd. at Wilton. SCE has indirect rights to an ethylene oxide supply from Dow’s Wilton facility. At Fife in Scotland, ExxonMobil owns and operates an ethylene plant in which, under a processing rights agreement, SCUK is entitled to 50% of the output.

Other Eastern Hemisphere

Australia Basell produces polypropylene at plants in Clyde and Geelong, and operates a propylene splitting unit at Clyde.

China CNOOC and Shell Petrochemicals Company Ltd. (CSPCL) is a 50:50 joint venture between Group companies and CNOOC Petrochemicals Investment Ltd. (CPIL). CPIL shareholders include China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) (90%) and the Guangdong Investment & Development Company (10%). CSPCL will produce a range of petrochemicals, including ethylene, propylene, styrene monomer, propylene oxide, mono-ethylene glycol, polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and butadiene. This complex is targeted for commissioning towards the end of 2005 and is expected to produce 2.3 million tonnes per annum of petrochemical products. CNOOC and Shell Petrochemicals Marketing Company Ltd. (CSPMCL), also a 50:50 joint venture between Group companies and CPIL, coordinate pre-marketing services until CSPCL begins operations.

Saudi Arabia The Saudi Petrochemical Company (SADAF), a 50:50 joint venture between Group companies and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), owns and operates a one million tonnes per year ethylene cracker and downstream plants capable of producing 3.6 million tonnes per year of crude industrial ethanol, ethylene dichloride, caustic soda, styrene, and methyl tertiary butyl ether. The

 
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marketing arms of both partners handle local and international marketing of SADAF products. The Group’s marketing effort is co-coordinated by Shell Trading (M.E.) Private Ltd. (Group interest 100%) located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Singapore Group companies own a 50% and 30% equity interest in two Sumitomo-managed joint ventures, Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore (Private) Ltd. (PCS) and The Polyolefin Company (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (TPC), respectively. PCS owns and operates two ethylene crackers with a total capacity of one million tonnes a year of ethylene and 500,000 tonnes a year of propylene. Ethylene Glycols (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (Group interest 70%) owns and operates an ethylene oxide/ glycols plant. Seraya Chemicals (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (SCSL) (Group interest 100%) owns and operates a SM/PO plant, and operates a SM/PO plant owned by Ellba Eastern Pte Ltd., a 50:50 joint venture between the Group and BASF.

USA

Shell Chemical LP (SCLP) has manufacturing facilities located at Mobile, Alabama; Martinez, California; St. Rose, Geismar and Norco, Louisiana; and Deer Park, Texas. Manufactured chemical products include lower olefins, aromatics, phenol, solvents, ethylene oxide/ glycols, higher olefins and their derivatives, propanediol, styrene monomer, propylene oxide, additives, and catalysts. These chemical products are used in many consumer and industrial products and processes and are sold primarily to industrial markets in the United States.

Basell manufactures advanced polyolefins at Bayport, Texas; Jackson, Tennessee; and Lake Charles, Louisiana. Infineum has manufacturing facilities at Argo, Illinois; Baytown, Texas; Bayway, New Jersey and Belpre, Ohio. CRIC catalyst manufacturing locations are at Martinez, Pittsburgh, and Azusa, in California; Michigan City, Indiana and Willow Island, West Virginia.

Sabina Petrochemicals LLC, a joint venture owned by SCLP (62%), BASF Corporation (23%) and ATOFINA Petrochemicals, Inc. (15%) started production in the first quarter of 2004 at its 410,000 tonnes per year butadiene extraction facility in Port Arthur, Texas.

Other Western Hemisphere

Canada Shell Chemicals Canada Ltd. (SCCL) (Group interest 100%) produces styrene, isopropyl alcohol, and ethylene glycol. Manufacturing locations are at Sarnia, Ontario and near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. SCCL sells its products to Shell Chemicals Americas Inc. (SCAI) (Group interest 100%). SCAI was incorporated in 2004 and commenced operations in January 2005. SCAI is the marketing company for (i) all Canadian domestic sales of chemical products, (ii) all exports of Canadian made chemical products, and (iii) exports of US made chemical products where a Shell entity arranges transportation.

PTT Poly Canada, L.P., a 50:50 joint venture (limited partnership pursuant to the Civil Code of Quebec, Canada) between SCCL and Investissements Petrochimie (2080) Inc., a subsidiary of the Société Générale de Financement du Québec, has built a world-scale polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) plant near Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The 95,000 tonnes per year plant started production in late 2004. The joint venture markets PTT under the trademark CORTERRA™ Polymers, with its main use in carpet and textile fibres.

Basell operates the isopropyl alcohol plant at Sarnia on behalf of Shell Chemicals Canada Ltd. Basell also owns and operates polypropylene units at Varennes, Quebec, and at Sarnia.

Criterion Catalysts & Technologies Canada Inc, a CRI/Criterion company, manufactures catalyst at its Medicine Hat, Alberta plant.

Puerto Rico Shell Chemical Yabucoa Inc. (SCYI) (Group interest 100%) owns and operates a 77,000-barrel per day refinery producing feedstock for the Deer Park, Texas and Norco, Louisiana chemical plants. The facility also produces gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and residual fuels, primarily for use in Puerto Rico.

5 Renewables and Hydrogen

Group companies also seek opportunities in other businesses aimed at enhancing longer-term prospects for growth and profitability. Shell Renewables is developing the Group’s options in renewable energy, focusing on two principle areas – solar and wind energy. The business manufactures and markets solar energy systems, and develops and operates wind parks.

Shell Solar moved into the top five global players (by production) with the acquisition of Siemens Solar in April 2002, and remained a leading player in 2004. The company manufactures solar photovoltaic products in Europe, the USA and Asia. Sales operations based in over 75 countries around the world provide customers with solar solutions to their energy requirements working through a network of distributors, dealers and Shell owned outlets. The main customer segments for the Shell Solar business are grid-connected residential, commercial and large installations, off-grid and rural.

Shell WindEnergy is focusing on developing and operating wind farms and selling green electricity, building on its strengths in project management, financing and engineering design. Business development activity is concentrated in Europe and North America. In 2004 the company entered into two joint ventures (with Goldman Sachs and Entergy) operating windparks in the US, and further progressed its offshore portfolio in Europe. Shell WindEnergy’s total capacity now amount to 740MW, making it one of the World’s 10 largest suppliers of wind energy.

 
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Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies – Business and Property

Shell Hydrogen is developing projects with the aim of introducing hydrogen as a commercial product into relevant transportation and stationary markets. The main milestone for 2004 was the opening of the first hydrogen dispenser at a Shell retail site in Washington DC. This is the first integrated hydrogen/ gasoline retail station in the US. Additionally the first IPO of a Shell Hydrogen venture took place as Quest Air Inc. was listed on the Toronto and the London AIM stock exchanges. Another Shell Hydrogen venture, HERA Hydrogen Storage Systems Inc., closed a second round of financing. HydrogenSource LCC, a developer of fuel cell processing systems, was dissolved due to a shift in market demands for these products.

6 Research

Group research and development (R&D) programmes are carried out through a worldwide network of laboratories, with major efforts concentrated in the Netherlands, UK and USA. Other laboratories are located in Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Singapore. Group companies’ R&D expenses (including depreciation) for the years 2000 to 2004 are set out below:
                                         
Research and development expenditure $ million

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Total (including depreciation)
    553       584       472       387       389  

Exploration & Production

Shell’s Exploration & Production R&D is responsible for the research, development and application of integrated technology solutions for Group operating businesses and assets around the world. The division’s primary business objectives are to select, develop and implement technologies that enable the Group operating businesses and assets to successfully discover and produce greater levels of hydrocarbons to achieve continual improvement of cost-efficiency to increase operational safety and to reduce environmental impact.

Shell’s Exploration & Production R&D has two laboratory locations in Rijswijk, the Netherlands and Houston, Texas, USA. In-house capabilities are used in the research, development and application of proprietary exploration and production technologies in conjunction with service industry and/or academic capabilities where applicable.

Primary technology focus areas are: enhanced sub-surface imaging, complex reservoir performance modelling, improving recovery efficiency, recovery of unconventional hydrocarbons, enhanced well construction, reducing the unit technical cost of onshore and offshore processing facilities, enabling the development of ultra-deepwater fields and upgrading produced hydrocarbons.

Gas & Power

The focus of R&D is on technical and cost leadership in existing businesses and the creation of viable business opportunities. A key focus is on maintaining Shell’s competitive position in liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology, particularly LNG processing, safety, transport and storage. The Group is further developing its strong position in Gas to Liquids (GTL) conversion through R&D programmes aimed at improving catalysts and process technology to further reduce capital costs and improve process efficiency, leading to lower CO2 emissions. GTL product development is also an important focus of work. R&D efforts are focused on maintaining a leading edge with regard to sustainable development across the Gas & Power technology portfolio.

Oil Products

R&D programmes continue to emphasise the improvement of key products and their applications and the further advancement of process technologies including related technical services that provide Group companies with a competitive advantage. For the fuels business, top tier differentiated fuels have been launched in more than 40 countries. Further effort was focused on the cost effective formulation of new products and cost reduction in current formulations. Product stewardship considerations, particularly those related to health and the environment, continue to be given high priority in all areas.

Key drivers in process research have been the need to achieve best-in-class performance in terms of reliability and availability, supply chain optimisation, cost reduction and further reduction in energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Catalyst development has contributed to increased margin generation. Environmentally focused programmes provide solutions ranging from soil remediation techniques to explosion hazard assessments.

A strategic programme aimed at developing break-through options in sustainable energy and sustainable mobility is pursued, covering new routes from biomass to bio-fuels and a new approach to CO2 sequestration by mineralisation. The further development of the coal gasification, catalytic partial oxidation and gas to liquids technology continues to be an area of focus across the business.

Chemicals

R&D and other technical services continue to improve key products and technologies that provide Shell Chemicals with sustainable leadership positions in selected products. Improvements in manufacturing processes – achieved by means of increased feedstock flexibility, product yield, energy efficiency or plant throughput – are leading to lower production costs at existing facilities. Process intensification and manufacturing integration is resulting in lower unit investment costs. Market positions are being enhanced through the introduction of new product concepts, close technical links with important industrial customers, and the full integration of R&D into the business.
 
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Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies – Business and Property

F Personnel

                                         
Employees by segmenta (average numbers) thousands

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Exploration & Production
     17       17       17       14       13  
Gas & Power
      2       2       2       2       2  
Oil Products
     78       82       75       58       58  
Chemicals
      8       9       9       9       14  
Corporate and Other
      9       9       8       7       8  

      114       119       111       90       95  

                                           
Employees by geographical areaa (average numbers) thousands

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Europe
                                       
 
Netherlands
     10       11       11       10       10  
 
UK
      8       8       9       10       10  
 
Others
     26       27       26       18       21  

       44       46       46       38       41  
Other Eastern Hemisphere
     30       28       27       24       24  
USA
     26       30       23       12       14  
Other Western Hemisphere
     14       15       15       16       16  

      114       119       111       90       95  

                                         
Employees by segmenta (at year-end) thousands

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Exploration & Production
     17       17       17       15       13  
Gas & Power
      2       2       2       2       2  
Oil Products
     76       82       80       58       58  
Chemicals
      8       9       9       9       10  
Corporate and Other
      9       9       8       7       7  

      112       119       116       91       90  

                                         
Employee emoluments $ million

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Remuneration
    8,125       7,477       6,096       4,651       4,560  
Social law taxes
     695       660       518       395       390  
Pensions and similar obligations
     526       538       (201 )     (580 )     (577 )

      9,346       8,675       6,413       4,466       4,373  

a Excludes employees of associated companies such as those in Brunei, Germany, Oman and USA. Includes 50% of the employees of Shell Expro in the UK and of NAM in the Netherlands and 30% of Shell Petroleum Development Nigeria.

Staff are represented by collective labour agreements, unions and staff councils in many countries where the Group has operations. Labour relations are generally constructive and supportive of the activities in the Group.

 
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Selected Financial Data

                                           
Royal Dutch (Netherlands GAAP) per 0.56 ordinary sharea

2003 2002 2001 2000
2004 As restated As restated As restated As restated

Net assets – 
    19.63       18.29       18.49       20.35       19.63  
Total assets – 
    19.63       18.30       18.49       20.36       19.64  
Basic earnings – b
    4.31       3.15       2.96       3.30       3.91  
 
from continuing operations
    3.94       3.14       2.90       3.29       4.06  
 
from discontinued operations
    0.37       0.01       0.06       0.01       (0.15 )
Diluted earnings – b
    4.30       3.15       2.96       3.30       3.91  
 
from continuing operations
    3.93       3.14       2.90       3.29       4.06  
 
from discontinued operations
    0.37       0.01       0.06       0.01       (0.15 )
Dividends declared – 
    1.79 c     1.76       1.72       1.66       1.59  
Dividends – equivalent payment in US dollars
    2.23 c     2.06       1.80       1.50       1.40  

a Following the redenomination from guilders into euros in May 2002, the authorised share capital of Royal Dutch as set forth in its Articles of Association consists of 3,198,800,000 ordinary shares, par value 0.56 each, and 1,500 priority shares, par value 448 each. The number of ordinary shares and priority shares issued and paid up at the end of 2000 was 2,144,296,352 ordinary shares and 1,500 priority shares, at the end of 2001 was 2,126,647,800 ordinary shares and 1,500 priority shares, at the end of 2002 was 2,099,285,000 ordinary shares and 1,500 priority shares, and at the end of 2003 were 2,083,500,000 ordinary shares and 1,500 priority shares, and at the end of 2004 was 2,081,725,000 ordinary shares and 1,500 priority shares. The issued and paid-up share capital at the end of 2000 was 1,216,979,748b, at the end of 2001 was 1,206,969,043, at the end of 2002 was 1,176,271,600, at the end of 2003 was 1,167,432,000 and at the end of 2004 was 1,166,438,000.

b The basic earnings per share amounts shown are related to profit after taxation and after deducting the 4% cumulative preference dividend on priority shares. The 2004 calculation uses a weighted-average number of 2,023,212,126 shares of 2003: 2,036,687,755, (2002: 2,057,657,737; (2001: 2,095,731,261; 2000: 2,128,592,305). The basic earnings per share number has been restated to exclude shares held by Group companies for stock options and other incentive compensation plans (see Note 23 to the Group Financial Statements). For the purpose of the calculation, shares repurchased under the buyback programme are deemed to have been cancelled on purchase date.

  The diluted earnings per share are based on the same profit figures. For this calculation, weighted-average number of shares is increased by 2,283,163 for 2004 (2003: 674,120; 2002: 442,580; 2001: 1,124,897; 2000: 1,394,975). These numbers relate to stock options schemes as mentioned above.

c Includes interim dividend of 0.75 ($0.90) made payable in September 2004 and a second interim dividend of 1.04 ($1.33) made payable in March 2005. This together will constitute the total dividend for 2004, subject to finalization by the General meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 28, 2005.

                                         
Shell Transport (UK GAAP) per 25p Ordinary sharea

2003 2002 2001 2000
2004 As restated As restated As restated As restated

Net assets – pence
    187.1       173.1       161.2       169.3       164.9  
Total assets – pence
    198.2       183.1       170.7       178.5       173.9  

Adjusted basic earnings – continuing operations (pro forma) – pence
    37.9       30.7       26.0       29.2       36.8  
Adjusted basic earnings – discontinued operations (pro forma) – pence
    3.6       0.1       0.5       0.1       (1.4 )

Adjusted basic earnings (pro forma) – penceb
    41.5       30.8       26.5       29.3       35.4  

Adjusted diluted earnings – continuing operations (pro forma) – pence
    37.9       30.7       26.0       29.2       36.7  
Adjusted diluted earnings – discontinued operations (pro forma) – pence
    3.6       0.1       0.5       0.1       (1.4 )

Adjusted diluted earnings (pro forma) – pence b
    41.5       30.8       26.5       29.3       35.3  

Dividends declared – pence
    16.95 c     15.75       15.25       14.80       14.60  

a The authorised share capital of Shell Transport as set forth in its Memorandum of Association consists of £2,500,000,000 divided into 9,948,000,000 Ordinary shares of 25 pence each and 3,000,000 First Preference shares of £1 each and 10,000,000 Second Preference shares of £1 each.
 
b Adjusted earnings includes Shell Transport’s share of earnings retained by companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group. A reconciliation between this Adjusted earnings per share measure and Shell Transport’s earnings per share is provided on page S2. The basic earnings per share amounts shown are calculated after deducting 5.5% and 7% cumulative dividend on First and Second Preference shares respectively. The calculation uses a weighted-average number of shares of 9,480,407,909 (2003: 9,528,797,724; 2002: 9,608,614,760; 2001: 9,758,574,437; 2000: 9,882,388,055). The basic earnings per share calculation has been restated to exclude shares held by Group companies for
 
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Selected Financial Data

share options and other incentive compensation plans (see Note 23 to the Group Financial Statements). The same earnings figure is used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation. For the diluted earnings per share calculation the weighted-average number of shares is increased by 4,772,177 for 2004 (2003: 2,722,083; 2002: 4,661,292; 2001: 12,602,362; 2000: 17,170,048). These numbers relate to share option schemes as mentioned above.
 
c Includes an interim dividend of 6.25p paid on September 15, 2004, and a second interim dividend of 10.7p paid on March 15, 2005.

  The number of issued and paid up Ordinary shares, First Preference shares and Second Preference shares of Shell Transport at the end of 2000-2004 inclusive was:
                                 
Shell Transport Number of issued shares

2004 2002-2003 2001 2000

Ordinary share
    9,624,900,000       9,667,500,000       9,748,625,000       9,943,509,726  
First Preference
    2,000,000       2,000,000       2,000,000       2,000,000  
Second Preference
    10,000,000       10,000,000       10,000,000       10,000,000  

The amount of issued and paid up share capital of Shell Transport at the end of 2000-2004 inclusive was:

                                 
Issued and paid up capital (£)

2004 2002-2003 2001 2000

      2,418,225,000       2,428,875,000       2,449,156,250       2,497,877,432  

                                         
Shell Transport per New York Sharea

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Dividends and tax credits – equivalent payment in US dollars     1.89       1.62       1.44       1.29       1.24  

a One New York Share or American Depositary Receipt (ADR) = six 25p Ordinary shares.

Under the provisions of the UK/USA Double Taxation Conventions, US resident holders of American Depositary Receipts (New York Shares) receive a tax credit (currently 10/90 of the net dividend) concurrently with their dividend – less a deduction for UK withholding tax at 15% or the value of the tax credit, whichever is the lower. US portfolio shareholders are subject to tax on the gross dividend (net dividend plus tax credit) with credit for the UK withholding tax. Effective for dividends paid after March 31, 2003, under the new UK/USA Convention, there is no longer any deemed credit for UK withholding tax and the amount subject to taxation in the US is the actual amount of dividend paid.

The payment of future dividends on shares of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport will depend upon the Group’s earnings, financial condition (including its cash needs), future earnings prospects and other factors. Following the completion of the transaction described below under “Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Overview – Unification Proposal”, Royal Dutch Shell plc, consistent with Royal Dutch’s and Shell Transport’s historical dividend policy, has announced it will seek to increase dividends at least in line with inflation over time. Additional information on dividends is given under Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Overview – Financial Framework (page 47), Royal Dutch Petroleum Company – Articles of Association (page 83) and The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, Public Limited Company – Memorandum and Articles of Association (page 95).

 
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Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Royal Dutch Petroleum Company (Netherlands GAAP)

Translated into euros, Royal Dutch’s share in the net income of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies for the years 2004, 2003 and 2002 respectively amounts to 8,712 million, 6,411 million (as restated) and 6,076 million (as restated). The dividends distributed from Group companies to Royal Dutch for the years 2004, 2003 and 2002 were respectively 3,842 million, 2,868 million and 3,317 million. When interest income has been added and administrative expenses deducted, after-tax net income for the year 2004 amounted to 8,713 million compared with 6,418 million for 2003 and 6,091 million for 2002.

Royal Dutch’s 60% interest in the Group net assets, expressed in US dollars, has been translated into a euro amount at the year-end rate ($1 = 0.7333 at December 31, 2004). The amount thus obtained, which appears in the Balance Sheet on page R3, should be regarded as a reflection of the US dollar value of Royal Dutch’s interest in the Group’s assets and liabilities. Consequently, changes in the US dollar/euro rate lead to translation effects in the Royal Dutch Financial Statements. The movements in the value of the US dollar, between $1 = 0.7928 at December 31, 2003 and $1 = 0.7333 at December 31, 2004, led to a negative translation effect of 2,998 million, compared with a negative translation effect of 6,445 million in 2003. These effects are dealt with separately from the “Translation effect arising from movements in US dollar/euro rate”, as shown in Note 6 on pages R6 to R7. The translation effects are dealt with in the Balance Sheet items “Investments in companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group” and “Investment reserves”.

As further described in Note 3 to the Royal Dutch’s Financial Statements, the Group Financial Statements and the Financial Statements of each of the Parent Companies have been restated for prior periods included in this report.

The Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies is an integral part of the Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for Royal Dutch Petroleum Company.

Share buyback and cancellation of shares

The General Meeting of Shareholders held on June 28, 2004 adopted a proposal to reduce Royal Dutch’s issued share capital by 994,000 by cancellation of 1,775,000 ordinary shares which Royal Dutch had acquired between the General Meeting of April 23, 2003 and the General Meeting held on June 28, 2004, under the share buyback programme that took effect in February 2001. This cancellation was effected on November 10, 2004.

The General Meeting of Shareholders renewed the authorisation of the Board of Management, with effect from July 1, 2004, and for a period of 18 months, for the acquisition by Royal Dutch, with due observance of statutory provisions and for its own account, of shares in its capital up to a maximum of 10% of the issued capital. Such shares can be acquired on the stock exchange or otherwise at a price between an amount equal to the par value of the shares and an amount equal to 110% of the opening price quoted for shares of Royal Dutch at Euronext Amsterdam on the day of the acquisition or, in the absence of such a price, the last previous price quoted there.

In 2004, Royal Dutch purchased 9,100,000 ordinary shares on the market under its share buyback programme at an average price of 41.31 and at a total cost, including expenses, of 375.9 million. These purchases represented 0.44% of Royal Dutch’s share capital as at December 31, 2003. As of March 29, 2005, a further 4,880,000 shares had been repurchased at an average price of 46.94 at a total cost of 229 million.

It will be proposed to the General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 28, 2005 to cancel the shares acquired by Royal Dutch in the period between the General Meetings in 2004 and 2005.

Since the beginning of the programme until March 29, 2005 a total number of 74,776,352 ordinary shares has been acquired by Royal Dutch, of which, as of March 29, 2005 62,571,352 shares have been cancelled.

Share Options

Based on REMCO’s review of long-term incentives, the Boards have decided that no further grants will be made under these plans. Eligible employees were granted stock options over shares of Royal Dutch or Shell Transport under these plans. Stock option grants will be discontinued in favour of conditional share awards under the Deferred Bonus Plan and the Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), in both cases with vesting subject to the Group’s performance relative to its peers. Amendments to the current Deferred Bonus Plan and to the LTIP are proposed and both plans will be put to shareholders at the 2005 Annual General Meeting.

Interim Dividend

On July 29, 2004, the Supervisory Board and Board of Management of Royal Dutch announced that they had decided to pay an interim dividend in respect of the financial year 2004 of 0.75 per ordinary share, to be payable as from September 15, 2004. On February 3,
 
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Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

2005, the Supervisory Board and Board of Management of Royal Dutch announced a second interim dividend in respect of the financial year 2004 of 1.04 per ordinary share to be payable as from March 15, 2005.

International Financial Reporting Standards

Under a 2002 EU Regulation, publicly-listed companies in the European Union will be required to prepare consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) from 2005. The 2005 Financial Statements of the Group or, subject to completion of the transaction described in Note 1 to the Group Financial Statements, of its successor, will be prepared under IFRS and will include comparative data for 2004, together with reconciliations to opening balances as at January 1, 2004 and to 2004 data previously published in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (US GAAP).

With effect from January 1, 2005, Royal Dutch will also prepare its consolidated Financial Statements under International Financial Reporting Standards.

Unification Proposal

On October 28, 2004, the Royal Dutch and Shell Transport Boards announced that they had unanimously agreed to propose to their shareholders a transaction through which each Parent Company will become a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc, which will become a publicly-listed company incorporated in England and Wales and headquartered and tax resident in the Netherlands. Please refer to “Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Unification Proposal” for additional information on this transaction.
 
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Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, Public Limited Company

Shell Transport’s earnings for the year 2004 amounted to £3,939.3 million (£2,939.1 million in 2003 (as restated); £2,544.7 million in 2002 (as restated)). The amount available for distribution (inclusive of distributions from companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group) was £1,735.5 million in 2004 (£1,362.4 million in 2003 (as restated); £1,404.0 million in 2002 (as restated)).

Shell Transport’s net assets at December 31, 2004 were £17,664.5 million, in comparison with £16,481.5 million (restated) at the end of 2003. Of these two amounts, £17,452.6 million and £16,200.6 million (restated) respectively represented Shell Transport’s share in the net assets of companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group.

As further described in Note 3 and Note 14 to the Shell Transport Financial Statements, the Group Financial Statements and the Financial Statements of each of the Parent Companies have been restated for all comparative periods included in this Report.

Share buyback

During 2004, Shell Transport purchased 42,600,000 Ordinary shares on the market under its share buyback programme at an average price of 400.15p and at a total cost, including expenses, of £171.3 million. These purchases represented 0.44% of Shell Transport’s ordinary share capital as at December 31, 2003. As of March 29, 2005, a further 21,550,000 Ordinary shares had been repurchased at an average price of 487.56p at a total cost of £106 million. Shares purchased are cancelled and do not rank for dividends.

Share Options

As part of Remuneration and Succession Review Committee’s (REMCO) review of long-term incentives, it was decided in March 2005 that no further grants be made under these plans. Eligible employees were granted stock options over shares of Royal Dutch or Shell Transport under these plans. Stock option grants will be discontinued in favour of conditional share awards under the Deferred Bonus Plan and the Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), in both cases with vesting subject to the Group’s performance relative to its peers. Amendments to the current Deferred Bonus Plan and to the LTIP will be proposed and both plans will be put to shareholders at the 2005 General Meeting.

Interim Dividend

On July 29, 2004 the Board of Shell Transport announced an interim dividend in respect of the financial year 2004 of 6.25p per Ordinary share, payable from September 15, 2004 to those members whose names were on the Register on August 13, 2004 and to holders of Bearer Warrants surrendering Coupon No. 214. On February 3, 2005 the Board of Shell Transport announced a second interim dividend in respect of the financial year 2004 of 10.7p per Ordinary share, payable from March 15, 2005 to those members whose names were on the Register on February 11, 2005 and to those holders of Bearer Warrants surrendering coupon No. 215.

International Financial Reporting Standards

Under a 2002 EU Regulation, publicly-listed companies in the European Union will be required to prepare consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) from 2005. The 2005 Financial Statements of the Group or, subject to completion of the transaction described in Note 1 to the Group Financial Statements, of its successor, will be prepared under IFRS and will include comparative data for 2004, together with reconciliations to opening balances as at January 1, 2004 and to 2004 data previously published in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (US GAAP).

With effect from January 1, 2005, Shell Transport intends to prepare its Financial Statements under International Financial Reporting Standards.

Unification Proposal

On October 28, 2004, the Royal Dutch and Shell Transport Boards announced that they had unanimously agreed to propose to their shareholders a transaction through which each Parent Company will become a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc, which will become a publicly-listed company incorporated in England and Wales and headquartered and tax resident in the Netherlands. Please refer to “Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Unification Proposal” for additional information on this transaction.
 
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Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies

                                         
Summarised Financial Data (US GAAP)

Income data $ million

2003 2002 2001 2000
2004 As restateda As restateda As restateda As restateda

Sales proceeds
                                       
Oil and gas
    308,660       243,566       202,861       149,005       161,219  
Chemicals
    27,780       19,459       14,659       13,767       15,658  
Other
    1,082       864       767       589       481  

Gross proceeds
    337,522       263,889       218,287       163,361       177,358  
Sales taxes, excise duties and similar levies
    72,332       65,527       54,834       40,908       41,122  

Net proceeds
    265,190       198,362       163,453       122,453       136,236  

Earnings by industry segment
                                       
Exploration & Production
    8,957       8,590       6,641       7,882       9,902  
Gas & Power
    2,069       2,271       747       1,199       92  
Oil Products
    6,281       2,821       2,485       1,919       3,371  
Chemicals
    930       (209 )     565       127       1,031  
Other industry segments
    (141 )     (267 )     (110 )     (287 )     (12 )

Total operating segments
    18,096       13,206       10,328       10,840       14,384  
Corporate
    (847 )     (820 )     (684 )     (216 )     (706 )
Minority interests
    (626 )     (353 )     (175 )     (360 )     (357 )

Income from continuing operations
    16,623       12,033       9,469       10,264       13,321  
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax b
    1,560       25       187       37       (508 )
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of tax
          255                    

Net income
    18,183       12,313       9,656       10,301       12,813  


                                         
Assets and liabilities data (at December 31) $ million

Total fixed and other long-term assets
    130,963       125,946       111,476       80,729       76,836  
Net current assets/(liabilities)
    1,184       (10,813 )     (13,546 )     (2,750 )     3,778  
Total debt
    14,422       20,127       19,691       5,820       7,427  
Parent Companies’ interest in Group net assets
    84,576       72,497       60,276       56,142       57,616  
Minority interests
    5,309       3,415       3,568       3,466       2,897  

Capital employedc
    104,307       96,039       83,535       65,428       67,940  


                                         
Cash flow data $ million

Cash flow provided by operating activities
    25,587       21,719       16,283       16,905       18,278  
Capital expenditure (including acquisitions)
    12,734       12,252       21,027       9,598       6,128  
Cash flow used in investing activities
    5,643       8,252       20,633       9,080       1,490  
Dividends paid
    8,754       6,548       7,189       9,627       5,501  
Cash flow used in financing activities
    12,792       12,586       53       11,562       9,125  
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    6,507       396       (5,114 )     (4,761 )     7,388  


Other statistics
                                       

Total debt ratioc
    13.8%       21.0%       23.6%       8.9%       10.9%  

a  See Note 2 to the Group Financial Statements.
 
b  Income from discontinued operations comprises:
                                         

$ million

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Earnings by industry segment
                                       
Exploration & Production
    358       78       85       29       (31 )
Gas & Power
    86       19       27       27       21  
Oil Products
    1,256       39       142       51       (689 )
Chemicals
                             
Other industry segments
                             
Corporate
    (52 )     (98 )     (67 )     (104 )     (119 )
Minority interests
    (88 )     (13 )           34       310  

      1,560       25       187       37       (508 )

c The debt ratio is defined as short-term plus long-term debt as a percentage of capital employed. Capital employed is Group net assets before deduction of minority interests plus short-term and long-term debt. Management of the Group believes that the debt ratio calculated on this basis (rather than the ratio of total debt to shareholders equity) is useful to investors because it takes account of all amounts of capital employed in the business. Management uses this measure to assess the level of debt relative to the capital invested in the business. The derivation of capital employed from Group net assets is shown in the table above.
 
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Capital investment $ million

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Capital expenditurea
                                       
 
Exploration & Production
    8,387       8,129       13,064       6,847       3,720  
 
Gas & Power
    1,357       1,021       471       313       288  
 
Oil Products
    2,404       2,367       7,653       1,462       1,258  
 
Chemicals
    366       470       680       685       726  
 
Other
    220       265       494       291       136  

      12,734       12,252       22,362       9,598       6,128  
Exploration expenses (excluding depreciation and release of currency translation differences)     1,123       1,059       997       885       834  
New equity investments in associated companies
    681       758       684       704       605  
New loans to associated companies
    377       225       605       370       556  
Other investments
                      224       414  

Total capital investment*
    14,915       14,294       24,648       11,781       8,537  

*comprisingb
                                       
 
Exploration & Production
    9,868       9,337       14,151       8,191       4,979  
 
Gas & Power
    1,633       1,511       953       963       835  
 
Oil Products
    2,466       2,405       7,968       1,527       1,571  
 
Chemicals
    705       599       998       760       978  
 
Other
    243       442       578       340       174  

      14,915       14,294       24,648       11,781       8,537  

a Includes the acquisitions in 2002 of Enterprise Oil, Pennzoil-Quaker State, the outstanding shares in DEA and in Equilon. The payment of $1.3 billion relating to DEA was made in 2003.
 
b In 2004 new loans to associated companies were allocated to the relevant business segment. Prior years have been reclassified accordingly.
                                                                                                                         
Quarterly income data $ million

2003 2002
2004 As restateda As restateda
Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Year Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Year Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Year

Gross proceeds     95,628       87,941       79,045       74,908       337,522       67,313       64,879       63,594       68,103       263,889       59,280       58,099       53,999       46,909       218,287  
less: Sales taxes, excise duties and similar levies     19,204       18,011       17,423       17,694       72,332       17,699       16,244       16,395       15,189       65,527       15,377       14,151       12,896       12,410       54,834  

Net proceeds     76,424       69,930       61,622       57,214       265,190       49,614       48,635       47,199       52,914       198,362       43,903       43,948       41,103       34,499       163,453  
Cost of sales     65,634       57,689       51,094       47,261       221,678       41,392       40,897       39,683       43,175       165,147       36,120       36,593       34,573       28,372       135,658  

Gross profit     10,790       12,241       10,528       9,953       43,512       8,222       7,738       7,516       9,739       33,215       7,783       7,355       6,530       6,127       27,795  

Operating profit     6,650       10,113       7,493       7,677       31,933       4,151       4,800       4,676       7,696       21,323       4,214       5,117       4,220       4,308       17,859  

Income from continuing operations     3,098       5,281       3,898       4,346       16,623       1,946       2,385       2,535       5,167       12,033       2,242       2,555       2,272       2,400       9,469  
Income from discontinued operations     1,173       76       49       262       1,560       (119 )     34       38       72       25       33       51       52       51       187  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax                                                     255       255                                

Net income     4,271       5,357       3,947       4,608       18,183       1,827       2,419       2,573       5,494       12,313       2,275       2,606       2,324       2,451       9,656  

a See Note 2 to the Group Financial Statements.
 
 
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US dollar exchange ratesa 1 = $

Averageb High Low Period end

Year:
                                   
 
1999
        1.0588                          
 
2000
        0.9209                          
 
2001
        0.8909                          
 
2002
        0.9495                          
 
2003
        1.1411                          
 
2004
        1.2478                          
Month:
                                   
2004
  February             1.2848       1.2426          
    March             1.2431       1.2088          
    April             1.2358       1.1802          
    May             1.2274       1.1801          
    June             1.2320       1.2006          
    July             1.2437       1.2032          
    August             1.2368       1.2025          
    September             1.2417       1.2052          
    October             1.2783       1.2271          
    November             1.3288       1.2703          
    December             1.3625       1.3224          
2005
  January             1.3476       1.2954          
    February             1.3274       1.2773          

As at March 29, 2005             1.2913  

                                       
£1 = $

Averageb High Low Period end

Year:
                                   
 
1999
        1.6146                          
 
2000
        1.5138                          
 
2001
        1.4382                          
 
2002
        1.5084                          
 
2003
        1.6450                          
 
2004
        1.8356                          
Month:
                                   
2004
  February             1.9045       1.8182          
    March             1.8680       1.7943          
    April             1.8564       1.7674          
    May             1.8369       1.7544          
    June             1.8387       1.8090          
    July             1.8734       1.8160          
    August             1.8459       1.7921          
    September             1.8105       1.7733          
    October             1.8404       1.7790          
    November             1.9073       1.8323          
    December             1.9482       1.9125          
2005
  January             1.9058       1.8647          
    February             1.9249       1.8570          

As at March 29, 2005             1.8752  

a Exchange rates are based upon the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers in foreign currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
 
b Calculated by using the average of the exchange rates on the last business day of each month during the year.
 
c The euro-to-US dollar exchange rates prior to the fixing of the euro conversion rate in January 1999 are derived from guilders-per-US dollar exchange rates and the fixed guilders-per-euro conversion rate of 2.20371.
 
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Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

The Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies consists of the upstream businesses of Exploration & Production and Gas & Power and the downstream businesses of Oil Products and Chemicals. We also have interests in other industry segments such as Renewables and Hydrogen.

Over time, and across the commodity price cycle, the Group has achieved higher earnings, cash-flow and returns on investment in the Exploration & Production business compared with the other businesses, and sees significant growth potential in demand for natural gas. The downstream businesses continue to offer attractive returns and growth potential in certain business lines and geographies, and provide useful balance in the portfolio to reduce exposure to commodity price movements. The Group’s core competencies include the application of technology, financial and project management skills to large oil and gas projects; the ability to develop and manage a diverse and international business portfolio; and the development of customer focused businesses built around the strength of the Shell brand.

Strategy

The Group’s strategy is clear: more upstream, profitable downstream. The Group intends to focus on areas with high growth potential and where it can capture value from a higher oil and gas price environment. The strategy is expected to be achieved through the following actions:

Reshaping our portfolio

The Group is strengthening its portfolio through an active programme of divestments and selective focused acquisitions. The Group has increased its capital expenditure to $15 billion per year for the medium term, and in the period from 2004 to 2006 will be selling non-strategic or under- performing assets with proceeds targeted at $13 to $15 billion. Most of this increased expenditure will be in the upstream, where the Group expects higher returns. The Group is growing its upstream business in areas of resource opportunity such as Russia, the Middle East and West Africa, and its downstream business in markets such as Asia Pacific where the Group sees significant potential for growth. The Group also intends to generate new income streams from technologies such as oil sands production and gas to liquids conversion, by providing oil and gas processing services and from energy sources such as wind, hydrogen and solar power.

Raising our operational performance

The Group strategy is underpinned by a focus on achieving the highest standards of performance and operational excellence across all of its business activities. A measure of operational performance for each business has been built into employee compensation systems, encouraging everyone in the organisation to make this a priority. Project delivery and execution has also become increasingly important as we take on larger and more complex projects. The Group is channelling more resources into this area and providing additional staff training. To deliver the Group strategy the Group must complete projects on time, on specification and on budget. Operational performance also means delivering competitive returns and strong cash generation.

Creating the culture and organisation to deliver

Through simplifying our structure and standardising processes across businesses and around the world, the Group is creating a more dynamic, responsive organisation. The three principles of leadership, accountability and teamwork form the basis of a culture change that is being embedded throughout the Group by the Executive Committee and other senior leaders. The appointment of a single Group Chief Executive to lead this process is expected to be an enabler for driving these changes.

Market overview

World economy

Global economic output grew by 5% in 2004, the fastest rate of growth for two decades. This increase reflected strong growth in the USA, as well as increased activity in Europe and China. The Group is expecting growth to slow during 2005, reflecting more moderate expansion in the USA and European economies. China’s economy is expected to avoid the risk of overheating and see growth moderating to about 8.0% in 2005.

While the outlook for 2005 is positive, there are some risks that could affect the rate of global economic growth. These risks include the decline in the US dollar, a rise in protectionism, geopolitical uncertainties and financial turbulence in emerging markets such as China.

Oil and natural gas prices

Oil prices strengthened considerably in 2004 driven by significant growth in global demand, particularly from China and the USA; low US stocks of oil and natural gas; a decline in spare OPEC crude production capacity; geopolitical tensions and disruptions in supply caused by hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico.
 
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Oil demand growth in 2005 is expected to be lower than in 2004 but still above the average level for the past decade. Crude prices in 2005 will be influenced by the rate of global economic growth, particularly in the USA and China. Other factors affecting prices will include the pace of Iraqi oil export recovery, OPEC supply policy and the severity of the northern hemisphere winter. Disruption to supply as a result of political and security issues would lead to price volatility and upward pressure on prices.

Henry Hub natural gas prices in the USA increased from $5.62 per million British thermal unit (Btu) in 2003 to $5.87 per million Btu in 2004. In 2005 Henry Hub prices are expected to reflect supply and demand in the USA where the development of domestic supply, demand levels from weather conditions and the rate of economic growth will be important. Prices in other markets are expected to remain largely linked to oil prices.

General industry factors

Demand for oil and natural gas is likely to continue to increase in both the short and medium term, with particularly strong growth in emerging economies such as China and India. The International Energy Agency estimates that global energy demand could grow by almost 60% by 2030 and, within that overall total, oil demand could increase by up to 45% and natural gas demand could double. Meeting that increasing energy demand will require significant levels of new investment across all parts of the industry.

The refining and marketing environment is characterised by intensifying competition from industry consolidation and new entrants and changing and increasingly complex patterns of supply and demand. A fundamental shift in the pattern of demand is taking place as traditional markets in Western Europe and the USA see demand growth slowing while markets in Asia Pacific are experiencing significant growth. In 2004, a shortage of capacity relative to growing demand led to strong refining margins.

The business environment for chemicals has become more positive but remains cyclical. The central driver of growth in the business remains the overall pace of global economic activity.

Industry Segments

Exploration & Production
Oil prices, production volumes and cost levels are the most significant factors affecting earnings in Exploration & Production. In 2004, oil prices averaged around $10 per barrel higher than in 2003. For the Group, production in 2004 was broadly unchanged compared to 2003, excluding the impact of divestments, price effects and hurricanes in the USA. The decline in production from mature areas was more than offset by new volumes in 2004.

In 2004, the Group took the final investment decision on several significant Exploration & Production projects. These included the Kashagan development in Kazakhstan and the Pohokura gas project in New Zealand. In Oman agreements were signed with the government to extend the terms of Petroleum Development Oman’s (PDO) concession until 2044. Plans were announced to increase bitumen production at the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (Group interest 47%) from the current 155,000 barrels a day capacity to between 270,000 and 290,000 barrels a day by 2010.

Volatility in oil prices is one of the key risks in the Exploration & Production business. We believe that the oil pricing structure has shifted to a higher price environment driven by global demand growth and the increased cost of the investment needed to supply that demand. Cost increases are another key risk to the business. These risks are managed through a focus on improving asset integrity and reliability, further work to maximise the value from the creation of a global business organisation and improved project management.

Gas & Power

In Gas & Power, the overall aim is to access and monetise new natural gas resources. This is achieved through participation in all parts of the value chain of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) business, where Shell associated projects have a share of about one-third of global LNG production. The Group also has interests in the distribution, marketing and trading of natural gas, power generation, gas to liquids production and coal gasification. Demand in each of the three main gas markets (North America, Europe and Asia Pacific) continues to grow and prices increased in 2004. Natural gas prices and LNG sales are the key results drivers in Gas & Power. Natural gas prices tend to be linked to oil prices, although this relationship varies over time.

Earnings in 2004 reflected the increase in natural gas prices and LNG sales volumes. The Group continues to invest in LNG projects and expects to increase its LNG capacity by an average of 14% per year in the period from 2003 through 2008.

One of the principal challenges and risks in the Gas & Power business is to ensure the development of assets in each part of the LNG value chain are aligned with market growth. This risk is being managed by the development of a portfolio of supply, shipping and LNG import facilities in the key markets. Other challenges, on which there is a clear focus in the business, include ensuring that capital projects are delivered on schedule and within budget and that new business development opportunities are secured in an increasingly competitive environment.

 
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Oil Products

The key drivers of the Oil Products business are end user demand for oil products, the global refining supply/demand balance, competitive positioning in key markets and operational performance at manufacturing facilities. The strength of the Shell brand, the quality of the assets and the level of operational cost are essential elements in securing competitive returns.

In 2004, there were stronger refining conditions globally and increases in refining and marketing margins. The increases in margins across the world reflected exceptional product demand growth particularly in China and, to a lesser extent, the USA.

The key challenges in Oil Products are volatility in refining margins and maintaining a competitive cost structure.

We expect that the creation of one downstream organisation, integrating the Oil Products and Chemicals businesses, will help to optimise refining and chemicals facilities, standardise our processes and improve services to customers. Work will continue to sell or improve underperforming assets. This will be underpinned by a focus on improving operational performance and delivering cost reductions. This will position us for future growth in selected markets where we see the greatest opportunities. In particular, we intend to focus on the Asia Pacific markets where we believe there is significant potential for growth. By the end of the decade the downstream business expects to have a greater percentage of its capital employed in Asia Pacific, compared to year end 2004.

Chemicals

In Chemicals, industry conditions improved as a result of growth in demand, which together with low levels of inventories led to increased operating rates in 2004. Product prices increased throughout the petrochemicals chain, driven by higher feedstock and energy costs. The levels and volatility of feedstock costs, which are linked to crude oil and natural gas prices are key drivers of the Chemicals business, as is the balance between demand, which is impacted by the pace of economic growth, and supply, which is impacted by industry capacity and operating rates.

In response to these challenges, the Group has maintained its focus on reducing costs, asset restructuring and closing under-performing assets and is shifting the portfolio to growth areas in Asia Pacific and the Middle East. This is underpinned by the overall chemicals strategy of producing bulk chemicals and first line derivatives to supply large industrial customers through simplified, standardised global business processes.

The Group intends to integrate the Oil Products and Chemicals businesses in order to provide opportunities to achieve cost efficiencies from shared services and common manufacturing sites, and from improved use of hydrocarbon resources on integrated sites.

Financial framework

The Group manages its business to deliver strong cash flows to fund investment and growth based on cautious assumptions relating to crude oil prices. Our strong cash position in 2004, with operational cash flow of $26 billion, gives the Group the financial flexibility both to fund capital investment and to return cash to shareholders.

Following the completion of the transaction described below under “-Unification Proposal”, Royal Dutch Shell plc, consistent with Royal Dutch’s and Shell Transport’s historical dividend policy, has announced it will seek to increase dividends at least in line with inflation over time. The base for the 2005 financial year will be the dividend paid by Royal Dutch in respect of the financial year ending December 31, 2004. With the adoption of quarterly dividends in 2005, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport will pay dividends in respect of the first quarter of 2005. Royal Dutch Shell plc will take these dividends into account when determining the dividends which will be declared for the remainder of the year. In 2004 the dividends paid out to shareholders exceeded $7.1 billion. As a result of the transition to the payment of quarterly dividends, the Group expects to return at least $10 billion cash to shareholders from dividends during 2005, subject to exchange rates. Given the strong cash and debt position from 2004, the share buyback program was relaunched on February 3, 2005, with the return of surplus cash to shareholders for the year 2005 expected to be in the range of $3 to $5 billion, assuming high oil prices.

Capital investment of some $15 billion (excluding contribution of the Group’s minority partners in Sakhalin) on average is required each year to grow the capital base in light of expected dividend payments, taking into account an expected $13 to $15 billion of divestments over the period 2004 to 2006. After dividends and capital investment, the priority for using cash generated is to maintain a prudent balance sheet. Both the medium and long-term focus will remain on improving the underlying operational performance in order to continue to deliver consistently strong cash flows.

Over the past 20 years the Brent crude oil price has averaged around $20 a barrel and over the past five years the price averaged approximately $27 a barrel. We expect that crude oil prices in 2005 will be influenced by developments in the key oil producing countries, the pace of Iraqi crude export recovery, and by the rate of the global economic recovery, particularly in the USA and China. Natural gas prices in the USA are expected to remain well above pre-2000 levels, due to higher demand resulting from a more general recovery of the global economy, while prices in other major markets are expected to retain an oil-price linkage.

The Group uses a range of prices for crude oil to test opportunities on the downside and look at the upside of potential projects. The Group plans for the medium term at $25 a barrel, screens for resilience to price downside at $20 a barrel, and tests for response to price

 
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upside at a range of higher prices. This method is applied to understand the composition of projects in the portfolio and how these respond over a broad range of prices or margins. The crude oil price outlook for 2005 will likely be impacted by developments in the Middle East and Venezuela.

Crude oil reference price conditions are determined after careful assessment of short, medium and long-term drivers of oil and gas prices under different sets of assumptions, yielding a range of prices to be used in evaluation. With regard to 2004, crude oil prices were higher than the conservative expectations of our reference price conditions. Historical analysis, trends and statistical volatility are part of this assessment, as well as analysis of global and regional economic conditions, geopolitics, OPEC actions, supply and demand. Sensitivity analyses are used to test the impact of low price drivers (economic weakness, rapid resumption of Iraqi production, greater than expected increase in non-OPEC production) and high price drivers (greater than expected economic growth, slower than expected resumption of Iraqi production). Short-term events (such as relatively warm winters or cool summers and the resulting effects on demand and inventory levels) contribute to volatility.

As described in Note 3 to the Group Financial Statements under the heading “Accounting Policies – Revenue Recognition” on page G9, the Group reports certain buy/sell contracts for feedstock, principally crude oil, and finished products mainly in the Oil Products segment on a gross basis in the Statement of Income. These contracts are entered into with the same counterparty either concurrently or in contemplation of one another. However, they are separately invoiced and settled and there is no legal right of offset. If these contracts were required to be reported net, it is estimated that net proceeds and cost of sales for 2004 would be reduced by approximately $25 billion (this reduction of around 10% would be indicative of the impact for 2003 and 2002) with no impact on net income.

Unification Proposal

On October 28, 2004, the Royal Dutch and Shell Transport Boards announced that they had unanimously agreed to propose to their shareholders a transaction (the “Transaction”) through which each Parent Company will become a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc, which will become a publicly-listed company incorporated in England and Wales and headquartered and tax resident in the Netherlands (“Royal Dutch Shell”). Jeroen van der Veer was appointed Group Chief Executive with full executive authority, empowered to drive strategy implementation, operational delivery and cultural change. The Boards believe that the implementation of the transaction will strengthen the Group and deliver significant benefits in the form of clarity (one listed company, one Board, one Chairman and one Chief Executive), efficiency (streamlined decision making) and accountability (clarity in governance, reporting and responsibilities). Reflecting the existing 60:40 ownership by Royal Dutch and Shell Transport of the Group, it is proposed that Royal Dutch shareholders will be offered 60% of the ordinary share capital in Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Transport shareholders will receive 40% of the ordinary share capital in Royal Dutch Shell. To implement the proposal, it is intended that (i) Royal Dutch Shell will make an offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Royal Dutch in exchange for Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares or American depositary shares (“ADSs”) representing Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares and (ii) Royal Dutch Shell will become the parent company of Shell Transport pursuant to a United Kingdom reorganisational procedure referred to as a “scheme of arrangement” under section 425 of the UK Companies Act 1985, as amended. As a result of the scheme of arrangement, holders of Shell Transport Ordinary shares (and holders of Shell Transport bearer warrants) will receive Royal Dutch Shell Class B ordinary shares and holders of Shell Transport ADSs will receive ADSs representing Royal Dutch Shell Class B ordinary shares. The Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will have identical voting rights and will vote together as a single class on all matters, including the election of directors, unless a matter affects the rights of one class as a separate class. Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will have identical rights upon a liquidation of Royal Dutch Shell, and dividends declared on each will be equivalent in amount. However, for tax purposes, holders of Class A ordinary shares will receive Dutch source dividends, while holders of Class B ordinary shares will receive dividends that are UK source to the extent that these dividends are paid through a dividend access mechanism to be established. Implementation of the Transaction will be the subject of appropriate consultation with relevant employee representative bodies as required as well as the satisfaction of certain other conditions. It is currently expected that the Transaction will be completed in July 2005.

On October 28, 2004, the Group also announced changes to the senior management structure which took immediate effect. Jeroen van der Veer was appointed Group Chief Executive. The Committee of Managing Directors was abolished and the Executive Committee was formed. Members of the Executive Committee are Peter Voser, Chief Financial Officer; Malcolm Brinded, Executive Director of Exploration & Production; Linda Cook, Executive Director of Gas & Power; and Rob Routs, Executive Director of Oil Products and Chemicals who all report to the Group Chief Executive, who chairs the Executive Committee.

Reserves Restatements and Financial Restatements

On January 9, 2004, the Group announced the removal from proved reserves of approximately 3.9 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) of oil and gas that were originally reported as of December 31, 2002. As a result of further field level reviews concluded in April 2004 with the assistance of external petroleum consultants of over 90% of the Group’s proved reserves volumes, the Group determined to increase the total volume of reserves to be removed from the proved category to 4.47 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) and to restate the unaudited oil and gas reserves disclosures contained in the supplementary information accompanying the Financial Statements (the First Reserves Restatement) to give effect to the removal of these volumes as of the earliest date on which they did not represent “proved
 
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reserves” within the applicable rules of the SEC (which in many cases is the date on which the volumes were initially booked as proved reserves). 12% of the volumes de-booked had been in the proved developed reserves category and 88% had been categorised as proved undeveloped reserves. The First Reserves Restatement was reflected in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as originally filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on June 30, 2004.

On February 3, 2005, as a result of reservoir level reviews conducted during July 2004 through December 2004 of substantially all of the Group’s proved reserves volumes reported as at December 31, 2003, (collectively, the Second Half Review), the Group announced that it would remove from proved reserves an additional approximately 1.37 billion boe of oil and gas that were reported as at December 31, 2003 (1.15 billion boe previously reported at December 31, 2002) and further restate the unaudited oil and gas reserves disclosures contained in the supplementary information accompanying the Financial Statements (the Second Reserves Restatement, and together with the First Reserves Restatement, the Reserves Restatements) to give effect to the removal of these volumes as of the earliest date on which they did not represent “proved reserves” within the applicable rules of the SEC (which in many cases is the date on which the volumes were initially booked as proved reserves). 43% of the volumes de-booked had been categorised as proved developed reserves and 57% had been categorised as proved undeveloped reserves. The Second Reserves Restatement is reflected in Amendment No. 2 to the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on March 7, 2005.

Please refer to “Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)” on pages G49 to G61 for additional information regarding the First Reserves Restatement and the Second Reserves Restatement.

In view of the inappropriate overstatement of unaudited proved reserves information resulting in the First Reserves Restatement, it was determined to restate the Financial Statements of the Group, and each of the Parent Companies, for the year ended December 31, 2002 and prior periods (the First Financial Restatement) to reflect the impact of the First Reserves Restatement on those Financial Statements (as announced on April 19, 2004). As part of the First Financial Restatement, the Financial Statements were also restated to correct an inappropriate departure from US GAAP relating to certain exploratory drilling costs, to correct an inappropriate departure from US GAAP (for 2002 only) for certain gas contracts, to correct an error in the calculation of earnings per share of the Parent Companies and to reflect a change in accounting principle relating to inventories. The First Financial Restatement also included a separate presentation of the Group Financial Statements under US GAAP and Netherlands GAAP, and a reconciliation of the differences between the presentations. This discussion and analysis is based on the US GAAP Group Financial Statements. The First Financial Restatement was reflected in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as originally filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004.

In view of the inappropriate overstatement of unaudited proved reserves information resulting in the Second Reserves Restatement, it was determined to restate the Financial Statements of the Group and each of the Parent Companies for the year ended December 31, 2003 and prior periods (the Second Financial Restatement and together with the First Financial Restatement, the Financial Restatements) to reflect the impact of the Second Reserves Restatement on those Financial Statements (as announced on February 3, 2005). The Second Financial Restatement is reflected in this Report and also in Amendment No. 2 to the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on March 7, 2005.

Investigation and report to the Group Audit Committee; management changes

Following the January 9, 2004 announcement of the reserves recategorisation, the Group Audit Committee (GAC) appointed Davis Polk & Wardwell to lead an independent review of the facts and circumstances surrounding the reserves recategorisation, and to report its findings and any proposed remedial actions to the GAC for its consideration. That report, dated March 31, 2004, was presented to the GAC and subsequently to the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch and non-executive Directors of Shell Transport. The report was accepted in full by the GAC on April 15, 2004 and by the members of the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch and the non-executive Directors of Shell Transport on April 16, 2004.

Following an interim report to the GAC dated March 1, 2004, which was presented to the Parent Company Boards on March 2, 2004, Sir Philip Watts, Chairman of the Committee of Managing Directors and Walter van de Vijver, Chief Executive of Exploration & Production, submitted their resignations on March 3, 2004 from all director and officer positions within the Group and the Parent Companies. Following acceptance of the final report to the GAC by the members of the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch and the non-executive Directors of Shell Transport, Judith Boynton stepped aside as Group Chief Financial Officer and as Group Managing Director and Managing Director of Shell Transport on April 18, 2004. She remained with the Group in an advisory capacity reporting to the Chief Executive Jeroen van der Veer. Ms Boynton left the Group, by mutual agreement, effective December 31, 2004.

Jeroen van der Veer, President and Managing Director of Royal Dutch, succeeded Sir Philip Watts as Chairman of the Group’s Committee of Managing Directors; Lord Oxburgh was appointed non-executive Chairman of Shell Transport and Chairman of Conference; and Malcolm Brinded was appointed Chief Executive of Exploration & Production, a Managing Director of Shell Transport and Vice-Chairman of the Committee of Managing Directors. Malcolm Brinded resigned from his position as a Managing Director of Royal Dutch. On June 23, 2004 Peter Voser was appointed Group Chief Financial Officer and a Director of Shell Transport with effect from October 4, 2004. Linda Cook was appointed a Managing Director of Royal Dutch on August 1, 2004.

 
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Summary of Group Results

                         
Earnings (US GAAP) $ million

2003 2002
2004 As restateda As restateda

Income from continuing operations
    16,623       12,033       9,469  
Income from discontinued operations
    1,560       25       187  
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
          255        

Net income
    18,183       12,313       9,656  

Change from previous year
    +48%       +28%       -6%  

a See Note 2 to the Group Financial Statements.

2004 compared to 2003

The Group’s net income in 2004 was $18.2 billion, an increase of 48% from 2003. These earnings reflect higher realised oil and gas prices in Exploration & Production and higher LNG volumes and prices in Gas & Power, as well as increases in refining margins and trading profits in Oil Products and higher volumes and margins in Chemicals.

Exploration & Production earnings were $9,315 million, 4% higher than in 2003. Production in 2004 was broadly unchanged compared to 2003, excluding the impact of divestments, price effects and hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. The decline in production in mature areas was largely offset by the start of production in new fields. Hydrocarbon prices were higher in 2004 compared with 2003 with Brent crude prices averaging $38.30 a barrel compared with $28.85 in 2003 and West Texas Intermediate prices averaging $41.50 a barrel in 2004 compared with $31.05 in 2003. Prices reflected the effect of strong US and Chinese demand, geopolitical uncertainty, in a number of producer countries, disruptions to production as a result of the hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico; and lower OPEC spare production capacity. The benefits of higher oil and gas prices were offset by lower hydrocarbon production, higher costs and depreciation, and an increase in the overall effective tax rate.

Earnings in Gas & Power were $2,155 million, 6% lower than in 2003. Earnings in 2003 included gains of $1,120 million mainly related to divestments (Ruhrgas), whereas divestment gains in 2004 were $772 million. Earnings in 2004 reflected a 9% increase in LNG volumes and an 8% increase in LNG prices.

Oil Products earnings increased by 164% compared with 2003 to $7,537 million, benefiting significantly from higher refining margins, and increased trading earnings. These results included divestment gains of $1,038 million and net charges of $403 million.

Earnings in Chemicals were $930 million, including a $565 million write-down in the carrying amount of Basell (Chemicals). This impairment followed the announcement in 2004 of a review of strategic alternatives regarding this joint venture. In 2003 a loss of $209 million for Chemicals included $478 million in asset restructuring and impairment charges. The improvement in earnings from 2003 was due to volume growth and higher margins.

The results discussed above include income from discontinued operations of $1,560 million in 2004, including gains on the disposal of such operations which are described in Note 4 to the Group Financial Statements.

Capital investment1 in 2004 was $14.9 billion compared with $14.3 billion in 2003. Gross proceeds from divestments were $7.6 billion and cashflow from operating activities was $25.6 billion, an increase of 18% from 2003. At the end of 2004, the debt total ratio2 was 13.8% compared with 21.0% in 2003. Cash and cash equivalents were $8.5 billion compared with $2.0 billion in 2003.

It is expected that at least $10 billion, subject to exchange rates, will be returned to shareholders in dividends in 2005. The share buyback programme was relaunched on February 3, 2005.

In view of the inappropriate overstatement of unaudited proved reserves information, it was decided to restate the Financial Statements of the Group, and each of the Parent Companies, for prior periods (the Financial Restatements) to reflect the impact of the Reserves Restatements on those Financial Statements (as announced on April 19, 2004 and February 3, 2005). See Explanatory Note on page ii.

See pages 75 and 76 regarding “Investigation and report to the Group Audit Committee; management changes” for additional detail regarding the Group Audit Committee’s investigation arising out of the Reserves Restatements.

All Group financial information contained in this section is presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The restatements described above are reflected in prior period information where applicable.

 
1 Capital investment is capital expenditure, exploration expense and investments in associated companies.
 
2 The total debt ratio is defined as short-term plus long-term debt as a percentage of capital employed. Capital employed is Group net assets before deduction of minority interests, plus short-term and long-term debt.
 
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2003 compared to 2002

The Group’s net income for 2003 was $12,313 million, 28% higher than in 2002. These earnings reflected higher realised prices in Exploration & Production and higher earnings in Gas & Power. A stronger business environment in Oil Products and the delivery of operational performance improvements in all businesses also had a positive impact on the results.

Exploration & Production earnings were 33% higher than 2002 at $8,923 million. Total hydrocarbon production3 fell by 1% to 3.9 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) per day. Oil and oil sands production increased by 1% while gas production fell by 5%. Hydrocarbon prices were generally higher in 2003 compared with 2002 (Brent crude prices averaged $28.85 a barrel compared with $25.05 in 2002) as a result of the conflict in Iraq, OPEC behaviour, lower inventories worldwide and cold weather in Europe and North America. The Group’s total proved reserves at the end of 2003 were 12,979 billion barrels of oil equivalent. (More detailed information on reserves is available on pages 53 and 54.)

Earnings in Gas & Power were at a record level at $2,289 million, benefiting from the sale of the Group’s shareholding in Ruhrgas, higher prices and record LNG volumes.

An improved business environment and higher refining and marketing margins in all regions helped Oil Products earnings to increase by 9% to $2,860 million.

Business conditions remained difficult in Chemicals which showed a loss of $209 million. These results reflected asset impairment and restructuring charges totaling $478 million.

Total capital investment1 was $14.3 billion, compared with $14.2 billion (excluding major acquisitions) in 2002. Proceeds from asset disposals in 2003 were $4.5 billion; this generated $2.0 billion of after-tax income, all of which was offset by net charges for impairment, restructuring and various other items including tax credits, resulting in a net charge of $104 million. At the end of the year the debt ratio2 was 21.0%. Cash and cash equivalents amounted to $2.0 billion.

Exploration & Production

                         
Earnings (US GAAP) $ million

2003 2002
2004 As restateda As restateda

Net proceeds (including inter-segment sales)
    39,644       32,468       26,320  
Purchases (including change in inventories)
    (2,658 )     (1,535 )     (1,050 )
Exploration
    (1,823 )     (1,475 )     (1,052 )
Depreciation
    (7,457 )     (7,316 )     (5,556 )
Operating expenses
    (9,320 )     (7,174 )     (6,686 )

Operating profit of Group companies
    18,386       14,968       11,976  
Group share of operating profit of associated companies
    2,438       1,857       1,316  

Operating profit
    20,824       16,825       13,292  
Other income/(expense)
    166       72       73  
Taxation
    (12,033 )     (8,307 )     (6,724 )

Income from continuing operations
    8,957       8,590       6,641  
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    358       78       85  
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
          255        

Segment earnings
    9,315       8,923       6,726  

a  See Note 2 to the Group Financial Statements.  

2004 compared to 2003

Earnings
Segment earnings in 2004 were $9,315 million, 4% higher than in 2003. The benefits of higher oil and gas prices were partly offset by lower hydrocarbon production, higher costs and depreciation, and an increase in the overall effective tax rate.

Earnings included divestment gains of $740 million, of which $330 million relates to divestment gains from discontinued operations and relates to divestments of operations in Angola, Bangladesh, Egypt and Thailand. The balance of the $740 million relates to divestment gains in countries where there is continued investment in operations and which do not qualify as discontinued operations under US GAAP.

 
3 Includes oil sands.
 
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Compared with 2003, costs and depreciation were higher mainly as a result of exchange rates movements and higher activity in our growth areas. The increase in the effective tax rate was mainly driven by the impact of higher hydrocarbon prices, an increase in the tax burden in Denmark and lower tax credits than in 2003.

Write-offs of exploration properties, rights and concessions in 2004 of some $300 million due to unsuccessful drilling were in line with similar write-offs in 2003. Earnings in 2003 included a credit of $255 million resulting from a change in accounting for asset retirement obligations.

Prices

Oil prices increased significantly in 2004 with Brent crude prices averaging $38.30 a barrel in 2004 compared with $28.85 in 2003, while West Texas Intermediate averaged $41.50 a barrel compared with $31.05 in 2003. These increases reflected strong US and Chinese demand; geopolitical uncertainty in a number of producer countries; falling spare OPEC crude production capacity and the effect on oil stocks of the hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Group’s overall realised oil prices were $35.61 a barrel up from $27.50 in 2003. In the USA realised oil prices averaged $36.15 a barrel compared with $27.24 a year earlier and outside the USA, realised prices averaged $35.53 compared with $27.54 in 2003. Realised oil prices differ from published crude oil prices because the quality, and therefore price, of actual crude oil produced differs from the quoted blends. In general, the Group produces crude oil of a lower quality than the quoted blends. The Group’s overall realised gas prices averaged $3.59 per thousand standard cubic foot compared with $3.30 in 2003.

Production

Total underlying hydrocarbon production (including oil sands) was 3% lower in 2004 than in 2003, at 3,772 thousand boe per day.5 Production was affected by divestments of 76,000 boe per day, the impact of higher prices on our entitlements from production sharing contracts (PSCs), and hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. Excluding these effects, production was unchanged from 2003.

Oil production was 5% lower in 2004 than in 2003, mainly due to field declines in the USA, Norway and Oman, as well as lower production from fields in the UK. Production was also affected by lower entitlements from PSC operations as a result of higher oil prices.

Natural gas production was approximately the same as in 2003. Additional production from new fields, as well as high demand towards the end of the year, were offset by field declines in the USA and the UK, the effect of divestments, Gulf of Mexico hurricanes and lower entitlements from PSCs.

Various new fields started production during the year, including Jintan and Serai in Sarawak, Malaysia and Goldeneye, Scoter and Howe in the UK. In the Gulf of Mexico, production began at the Holstein, Llano and Glider fields. Oil production from the West Salym field in Russia also began, a year earlier than planned.

A number of fields increased production over the year. These included the Bijupirá-Salema field in Brazil, the Na Kika and Habanero fields in the USA, the EA field in Nigeria and the Athabasca Oil Sands Project in Canada. These increases, along with production from new fields, added 221 thousand boe per day of production.

Capital investment and portfolio actions

Capital investment in 2004 of $8.8 billion (excluding the contribution of our minority partners in Sakhalin) in 2004 was similar to 2003 and included exploration expense of $1.1 billion.

The final investment decision was taken for the Kashagan project in Kazakhstan (Group interest 16.7%) which is expected to start production in 2008. The development of the Pohokura gas field in New Zealand (Group interest 48%) was agreed and the field is expected to produce its first gas in 2006. Planning permission was granted for the terminal that will receive gas from the offshore Corrib development in Ireland (Group interest 45%).

In Oman agreements were signed with the government to extend the terms of Petroleum Development Oman’s (PDO) concession for 40 years, until 2044. PDO (Group interest 34%) produces from 100 fields in the concession area. A Heads of Agreement was signed with the Libyan National Oil Company to establish a long-term strategic partnership that could open up opportunities to develop Libya’s gas and LNG business.

Plans were announced to increase bitumen production at the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (Group interest 47%) from 155,000 barrels a day capacity now to between 270,000 and 290,000 barrels a day by 2010. This will involve work to expand the Muskeg River mine and to add a third hydro-conversion unit to the Scotford Upgrader. The cost of these projects is expected to be about $4 billion and, subject to regulatory approval, work is expected to start in 2006.

 
5 For this purpose, the Group has converted natural gas to crude oil equivalent using a factor of 5,800 standard cubic feet per barrel.
 
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In 2004, good progress was made on the Sakhalin project in eastern Russia. The main concrete construction work of the base substructure for the Lunskoye offshore gas production platform was completed. This massive project remains on schedule for late 2007 but there are significant cost pressures in what is one of the largest single foreign investment projects in Russia.

Divestments included the sale of upstream assets in Angola, Thailand, Bangladesh, Egypt and the UK. In addition, an agreement was reached to sell the Schooner and Ketch fields in the UK.

Exploration

During 2004, we participated in 31 successful exploration wells. These included discoveries in Nigeria, Malaysia, Oman, the USA, the UK, the Netherlands, Brunei, Gabon, Egypt, Russia and Canada. All discoveries will now be appraised in order to establish the precise extent of the reserves they contain. Overall volumes found were less than in recent years, although the success rate continued to be good.

The Group made significant additions to its overall acreage positions with new exploration licences in the UK, Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico and Norway and additional oil sands acreage was acquired in Canada.

Reserves

As described under “Reserves Restatements and Financial Restatements” on page 48, this report, including the discussion below, gives effect to a restatement of proved oil and gas reserves. See “Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)” on pages G49 to G61.

During 2004, a total of 212 million boe was added to proved developed and undeveloped reserves by Group companies (a reduction of 151 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids and an increase of 2,108 thousand million standard cubic feet of natural gas), including 417 million boe from organic activities (which includes all activities other than purchases and sales of minerals in place). The net addition to proved developed and undeveloped reserves (calculated before production) consisted of reductions of 218 million boe from revisions and 205 million boe from acquisitions and divestments and additions of 15 million boe from improved recovery and 620 million boe from extensions and discoveries. There was a net addition of 414 million boe to proved developed reserves and a net reduction of 202 million boe to proved undeveloped reserves. During the same period, the Group share of proved developed and undeveloped reserve additions by associated companies was 39 million boe (20 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids and 108 thousand million standard cubic feet of natural gas). The Group share of net additions to proved developed and undeveloped reserves by associated companies consisted of a reduction of 10 million boe from acquisitions and divestments and additions of 2 million boe from revisions, 46 million boe from improved recovery and 1 million boe from extensions and discoveries. There was a net addition of 33 million boe to proved developed reserves and a net reduction of 6 million boe to proved undeveloped reserves. The most significant 2004 additions arose from new sales agreements covering gas volumes to be produced from the Sakhalin development in Russia, a concession extension in Oman and taking the final investment decision for the Kashagan field in Kazakhstan. The high level of year-end prices adversely affected proved reserve entitlements that are determined on the basis of production sharing arrangements, and the ability to book proved reserves associated with a heavy oil project in Canada (Peace River). The gas volumes booked for the Sakhalin project following new sales agreements will be produced after the start of gas production from the Lunskoye field in Sakhalin, currently expected in 2007. The oil volumes booked in the Kashagan field will be produced following field start-up in 2008. The volumes booked following the concession extension are expected to be produced after 2012. The rest of the reserves additions during 2004 are expected to be produced over time as development activities continue and/or production facilities are expanded or upgraded. The most significant movement from proved undeveloped to proved developed reserves is the result of installing compression facilities in the Groningen field, the Netherlands.

At December 31, 2004, after taking account of Group companies’ 2004 net additions to proved developed and undeveloped reserves of 212 million boe and production of 1,222 million boe, total proved reserves for Group companies of 10,231 million boe was 12% lower than at December 31, 2003. At the same date, after taking into account the Group’s share of associated companies’ net additions of 39 million boe and production of 126 million boe, the Group’s share of total proved developed and undeveloped reserves of associated companies of 1,652 million boe was 22% higher than December 31, 2003.

For the three years ended December 31, 2004, Group companies had net additions to proved reserves of 1,838 million boe and total production of 3,812 million boe, which resulted in a 19% decline in total proved reserves from December 31, 2001 to December 31, 2004. For the same period, the Group’s share of net additions to proved reserves by associated companies was 475 million boe and the Group’s share of production by these companies was 390 million boe, which resulted in a 40% increase in the Group’s share of proved reserves of associated companies. These changes in proved reserves include the effect of transferring a company in the Middle East from Group to associated company status as at December 31, 2004.

As at December 31, 2004, the Group’s proved developed and undeveloped reserves (excluding proved reserves of associated companies) were equivalent to 8.4 years of production (based on 2004 production).

The rate at which the Group (and associated companies) are developing proved reserves over a particular period may not necessarily be indicative of the rate at which hydrocarbon resources are being discovered for a number of reasons, including the technical nature of the definition of proved reserves and the differing time periods needed to develop proved reserves in different regions and under differing

 
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geologic, economic and regulatory conditions. However, the current level of reserves replacement by the Group and associated companies is clearly a concern and reflects the exploration strategy in the late 1990s and the Group’s relatively low investment in the post 1998 period. Exploration has since been refocused and investment levels have increased. The Group considers it vital to improve reserves replacement in the coming years.

Outlook and strategy

Oil prices averaged about $10 a barrel higher in 2004 than in 2003. The high prices reflected high growth in global oil demand, most significantly from China and the USA. Upward pressure on prices also came from geopolitical tensions in the world, and the disruption to production caused by hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico during the autumn and subsequent decline in the level of oil stocks in the USA.

We believe that crude prices in 2005 will be influenced by the pace of Iraqi oil export recovery, OPEC supply policy, the rate of global economic expansion, particularly in the USA and China, and the severity of the northern hemisphere winter.

Natural gas prices in the USA will be affected by weather conditions and the rate of economic growth. Prices in other markets are expected to remain linked to oil prices.

We believe that growing global energy demand and the increased upstream investment required to meet that demand means that oil prices have shifted to a higher level for the medium term.

Crude oil price conditions are evaluated based on careful assessment of short, medium and long-term drivers of oil and gas prices under different sets of assumptions, yielding a range of prices to be used in evaluation. Historical analysis, trends and statistical volatility are part of this assessment, as well as analysis of global and regional economic conditions, geopolitics, OPEC actions, supply and demand. Sensitivity analyses are used to test the impact of low price drivers (economic weakness, rapid resumption of Iraqi production, greater than expected increase in non-OPEC production) and high price drivers (greater than expected economic growth, slower than expected resumption of Iraqi production). Short-term events (such as relatively warm winters or cool summers and the resulting effects on demand and inventory levels) contribute to volatility.

The Group strategy is focused on improving our basic underlying strengths in operational performance and project delivery, and replenishing our portfolio. The Group will work towards this by adding new acreage, pursuing an aggressive exploration programme, investing in organic growth, opening up new positions and making selective focused acquisitions.

The strategy seeks to position the Group in four strategic areas: existing oil; new material oil; integrated gas and unconventional oil. To deliver this strategy, capital investment in Exploration & Production will be increased to some $10 billion a year (excluding investment by our minority partners in Sakhalin).

The Group will seek to sustain long-term production from existing assets where the Group has significant positions and can benefit from higher prices (such as in the USA and the UK). Investments in new material oil projects such as Kashagan in Kazakhstan and offshore Nigeria also form a key part of the Group’s strategy.

The Group believes that natural gas demand will continue to grow at a faster rate than oil demand, therefore the Group will look for more integrated gas positions to take advantage of this growth, extending its leadership position in LNG, including equity capacity, and securing emerging opportunities in Gas to Liquids production. The Group’s major presence across the value chain from exploration to the production and supply of natural gas enables the Group to maximise the value from projects such as Sakhalin. The Group intends to build on its existing strength in unconventional oil technology and the success of the Athabasca Oil Sands Project, and look for more of these opportunities.

The Group will continue to focus on reducing costs through improving management of the supply chain, and standardising processes globally. Ensuring improved and consistent project delivery is a key priority. The Group will be providing additional resources in Exploration & Production through redeployment and external recruitment.

The Group’s production forecast for 2005 to 2006 remains in the range of 3.5 to 3.8 million boe a day. After that the Group expects production to grow and reach between 3.8 and 4.0 million boe a day by 2009. The Group’s longer term production aspiration is some 4.5 to 5.0 million boe a day by 2014.

Divestments will be made in areas where the Group sees little growth potential or strategic fit. The Group expects to deliver around $5 billion of upstream divestments and swaps between 2004 and 2006. Following the successful divestments of 2004, more emphasis will be given to swaps. Focused acquisitions will be considered, especially those which provide price and exploration upside, which fit the strategic themes the Group targets and where the Group can see clear scope for long term value growth.

 
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2003 compared to 2002

Earnings
Segment earnings for 2003 were $8,923 million, 33% higher than in 2002. This reflected higher hydrocarbon prices and divestment gains of $420 million, mainly in the USA. These were partially offset by a 1% decrease in hydrocarbon production6, asset impairments, exploration property write-offs and higher costs. Earnings included $78 million of net income from operations discontinued in 2004.

Hydrocarbon prices were generally higher in 2003 compared with 2002, as a result of the conflict in Iraq, OPEC behaviour, lower inventories worldwide and cold weather in Europe and North America. In 2003, the Group’s realised oil prices for the world outside the USA averaged $27.54 a barrel compared with $23.68 in 2002, while US realised oil prices averaged $27.24 a barrel compared with $22.72 in 2002. US realised gas prices averaged $5.61 per thousand standard cubic feet in 2003 compared with $3.31 in 2002. Outside the USA, realised gas prices averaged $2.71 per thousand standard cubic feet in 2003, representing a 26% increase from the 2002 price of $2.15 per thousand standard cubic feet. Overall, levels of realised crude oil and gas prices in 2003 increased segment earnings (after taxes) by approximately $3.5 billion compared to 2002.

Partially offsetting the favourable impact of hydrocarbon prices on earnings was a decline of 1% in hydrocarbon production to 3.9 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d)7.

Oil production, (excluding oil sands production) decreased by 1% to 2.3 million boe/d, mainly as a result of field declines in the USA and North Sea, operational performance problems in the UK, various divestments, lower entitlements in PSC countries relating to higher oil prices and the shutdown of operations in Nigeria’s northern swamps. The shutdown in Nigeria was during disturbances between rival groups which lasted most of the year and operations were able to resume in late 2003. Operational performance problems in the UK were at the Shearwater platform and the Brent Field. Shearwater was shut down between March and June as a result of a well failure. Production ceased from the whole of the Brent Field in September following an accident on Brent Bravo. The Brent Delta restart was a few days after. Brent Bravo recommenced production on November 11 followed by Brent Alpha two days later. Brent Charlie remained shut for further repair and maintenance work into the first part of 2004. The decrease in oil production was partly offset by production from several new fields, mainly in Nigeria (EA), Brazil (Bijupirá-Salema), the UK and the USA; higher OPEC quotas (Nigeria and Abu Dhabi); and an additional quarter of production from ex-Enterprise Oil assets.

Natural gas production decreased by 5% to 1.5 million boe/d as a result of field declines in the USA, various divestments and lower entitlements due to the effect of higher gas prices in PSC countries. In addition there was a reduction in economic entitlement to gas production from certain properties in the Middle East. These were partly offset by higher production for LNG, higher demand due to colder weather in northwest Europe and new fields in Pakistan and the USA.

During 2003, production of synthetic crude oil commenced from the Athabasca Oil Sands Project, which added 46,000 boe/d to overall hydrocarbon production, with 78,000 boe/d in the fourth quarter.

The cost of production start-up in new growth areas, mainly the oil sands in Canada, and restructuring costs related to the implementation of a new global business operating model adopted at the end of the year, led to higher operating expenses in 2003. Costs were also negatively impacted by the decline of the US dollar against the euro, sterling and other currencies.

Results in 2003 reflected asset impairments of $508 million, mainly in the UK and South America (primarily as a result of lower production outlooks for these areas) and the write-off of various exploration properties of some $300 million, primarily in Ireland and Brazil. In both of these countries, new information from 2003 exploratory work confirmed lower than expected volume projections.

Capital investment and portfolio actions

Capital investment of $9.3 billion was $4.8 billion lower than in 2002. Investment in 2002 was higher mainly due to the acquisition of Enterprise Oil, amounting to $5.3 billion. Excluding that acquisition, capital investment in 2003 was 5% higher than in 2002.

The largest proportion of investment in 2003 was made in maintaining and developing the heartlands. These are areas where we already have a strong presence and where we saw ongoing opportunities for growth. They include North America, northwest Europe, Nigeria, Oman, Malaysia, Brunei and Australia. Developments included the new EA field in Nigeria, which came on stream in 2003, and two major agreements in the North Sea to bring Norwegian gas to the UK.

2003 also saw the development of a number of significant projects which are expected to deliver long-term value to the Group. The Athabasca Oil Sands Project achieved fully-integrated operations in 2003, which marked a key step in developing unconventional resources. The project continued to increase production throughout the year and when operating at full capacity, is expected to add some 4% to our global oil production. Agreement was reached to create the first world-scale Gas to Liquids plant in Qatar, establishing a presence in a new market. The Group’s leading position in LNG was maintained through a range of investments in Nigeria, Oman, Malaysia and Australia, as well as a commitment to the Sakhalin II project in the far east of Russia. Investment in deepwater projects

 
6 Includes oil sands.
 
7 For this purpose, the Group has converted natural gas to crude oil equivalent using a factor of 5,800 standard cubic feet per barrel.
 
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continued, with key projects in the Na Kika field in the Gulf of Mexico, Bonga in Nigeria and Bijupirá-Salema in Brazil. An additional commitment was made in Russia with the $1 billion project (Group interest 50%) to develop the Salym field in western Siberia.

Licence extensions were secured in Denmark, Brunei and Malaysia during the year, confirming our long-term commitment to these areas. In Saudi Arabia we signed an agreement to lead a group of companies to explore for natural gas in the South Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter). The exploration work programme will start in the short term, and if successful, will be followed by investments that take into account the size of the commercial discovery.

We continued to achieve exploration and appraisal successes in the Gulf of Mexico, although the overall track record there continues to be mixed. Further significant new discoveries were made in Nigeria, Malaysia and Angola. A final investment decision was taken for the Kashagan project in Kazakhstan in the first quarter of 2004.

During 2003 we sold mature Exploration & Production assets in the USA (Michigan and the Gulf of Mexico shallow water). In the UK, a number of assets from the former Enterprise Oil portfolio were sold. In 2003, the total production impact of these divestments was about 21,000 boe/d on an annual basis. Overall proceeds (after-tax) of total divestments amounted to some $1 billion. During the first quarter of 2004 the divestments of the upstream assets in Thailand and various UK upstream assets were completed. In April 2004, an agreement was reached for the sale of the Group’s 50% interest in offshore Block 18 in Angola. Divestments of non-strategic assets are expected to continue as a means of improving returns on the portfolio.

Reserves

During 2003, a total of 610 million boe was added to proved developed and undeveloped reserves by Group companies (a reduction of 10 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids and an addition of 3,595 thousand million standard cubic feet of natural gas), including 761 million boe from organic activities (which includes all activities other than purchases and sales of minerals in place). During the same period, the Group share of proved developed and undeveloped reserve additions by associated companies was 58 million boe (35 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids and 128 thousand million standard cubic feet of natural gas). The most significant 2003 additions arose from new sales agreements covering gas volumes to be produced from the Sakhalin development in Russia, the taking of the final investment decision for additional LNG trains in SPDC, Nigeria, the taking of the final investment decision for the Bonga field in Nigeria and the Ormen Lange Field in Norway and a concession extension in Denmark. The gas volumes booked for the Sakhalin project following new sales agreements will be produced following the start of gas production from the Lunskoye field in Sakhalin, currently expected in 2007. The gas volumes booked for additional LNG in SPDC, Nigeria will be produced following the start of the LNG facilities, currently expected in 2005-2007. The oil volumes booked in the Bonga field will be produced following field start-up in 2005 and in the Ormen Lange field will be produced following field start-up in 2008. The volumes booked following the concession extension are expected to be produced after 2012. The rest of the reserves additions during 2003 are expected to be produced over time as development activities continue and/ or production facilities are expanded or upgraded. The most significant movements from proved undeveloped to proved developed reserves are the result of installing compression facilities in the Groningen field, the Netherlands and the start-up of production from the EA project in Nigeria.

During 2003, net additions to proved developed and undeveloped reserves by Group companies (calculated before production) totalled 610 million boe (a reduction of 10 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids and an addition of 3,595 thousand million standard cubic feet of natural gas). The net addition consisted of reductions of 548 million boe from revisions and 151 million boe from acquisitions and divestments and additions of 132 million boe from improved recovery, 1,177 million boe from extensions and discoveries. There was a net addition of 863 million boe to proved developed reserves and a net reduction of 253 million boe to proved undeveloped reserves.

During the same period, the Group’s share of net additions to proved reserves by associated companies was 58 million boe (35 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids and 128 thousand million standard cubic feet of natural gas). The net addition consisted of a reduction of 117 million boe from acquisitions and divestments and additions of 63 million boe from revisions, 15 million boe from improved recovery and 97 million boe from extensions and discoveries. There was a net addition of 144 million boe to proved developed reserves and a net reduction of 86 million boe to proved undeveloped reserves.

At December 31, 2003, after taking account of Group companies’ 2003 net additions to proved developed and undeveloped reserves of 610 million boe and production of 1,277 million boe, total proved reserves for Group companies of 11,625 million boe was 5% lower than at December 31, 2002. At the same date, after taking into account the Group’s share of associated companies’ net additions of 58 million boe and production of 131 million boe, the Group’s share of total proved developed and undeveloped reserves of associated companies of 1,355 million boe was 5% lower than December 31, 2002.

For the three years ended December 31, 2003, Group companies had net additions to proved reserves of 3,000 million boe and total production of 3,817 million boe, which resulted in a 7% decline in total proved reserves from December 31, 2000 to December 31, 2003. For the same period, the Group’s share of net additions to proved reserves by associated companies was 328 million boe and the Group’s shares of production by these companies was 404 million boe, which resulted in a 5% decline in the Group’s share of proved reserves of associated companies.

 
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As at December 31, 2003, the Group’s proved developed and undeveloped reserves (excluding proved reserves of associated companies) were equivalent to 9.1 years of production.

During 2002, a total of 1,016 million boe was added to proved developed and undeveloped reserves by Group companies (950 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids and 384 thousand million standard cubic feet of natural gas), including 450 million boe from organic activities (which includes all activities other than purchases and sales of minerals in place). During the same period, the Group share of proved developed and undeveloped reserve additions by associated companies was 379 million boe (287 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids and 534 thousand million standard cubic feet of natural gas). The most significant 2002 organic addition arose from taking the final investment decision for Plutonia, Angola. This field was subsequently divested in 2004. In addition, reserves additions were made in the UK, Norway, Italy, Brazil and Russia as a result of the purchase of Enterprise Oil in the UK. The Russian assets were subsequently divested in 2003. Production of the ex-Enterprise Oil assets in Brazil commenced during 2003. The rest of the reserves additions during 2002 are expected to be produced over time as development activities continue and/ or production facilities are expanded or upgraded.

During 2002, net additions to proved developed and undeveloped reserves by Group companies (calculated before production) totalled 1,016 million boe (an addition of 950 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids and 384 thousand million standard cubic feet of natural gas). The net addition consisted of reductions of 8 million boe from revisions and additions of 147 million boe from improved recovery, 311 million boe from extensions and discoveries and 566 million boe from acquisitions and divestments. There was a net addition of 1,194 million boe to proved developed reserves and a net reduction of 178 million boe to proved undeveloped reserves.

During the same period, the Group’s share of net additions to proved reserves by associated companies was 379 million boe (287 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids and 534 thousand million standard cubic feet of natural gas). The net addition consisted of 197 million boe from revisions, 5 million boe from improved recovery, 57 million boe from extensions and discoveries and 120 million boe from acquisitions and divestments. There was a net addition of 185 million boe to proved developed reserves and a net addition of 194 million boe to proved undeveloped reserves.

At December 31, 2002, after taking account of Group companies’ 2002 net additions to proved developed and undeveloped reserves of 1016 million boe and production of 1,312 million boe, total proved reserves for Group companies of 12,292 million boe was 2% lower than at December 31, 2001. At the same date, after taking into account the Group’s share of associated companies’ net additions of 379 million boe and production of 133 million boe, the Group’s share of total proved developed and undeveloped reserves of associated companies of 1,428 million boe was 21% higher than December 31, 2001.

For the three years ended December 31, 2002, Group companies had net additions to proved reserves of 3035 million boe and total production of 3,733 million boe, which resulted in a 5% decline in total proved reserves from December 31, 1999 to December 31, 2002. For the same period, the Group’s share of net additions to proved reserves by associated companies was 174 million boe and the Group’s shares of production by these companies was 418 million boe, which resulted in a 15% decline in the Group’s share of proved reserves of associated companies.

As at December 31, 2002, the Group’s proved developed and undeveloped reserves (excluding proved reserves of associated companies) were equivalent to 9.4 years of production.

Gas & Power

                         
Earnings (US GAAP) $ million

2003 2002
2004 As reclassifieda As reclassifieda

Net proceeds (including inter-segment sales)
    10,814       8,227       4,874  
Purchases (including change in inventories)
    (8,700 )     (6,460 )     (3,754 )
Depreciation
    (263 )     (116 )     (116 )
Operating expenses
    (1,520 )     (1,141 )     (915 )

Operating profit of Group companies
    331       510       89  
Group share of operating profit of associated companies
    1,384       871       729  

Operating profit
    1,715       1,381       818  
Other income/(expense)
    783       1,343       124  
Taxation
    (429 )     (454 )     (195 )

Income from continuing operations
    2,069       2,270       747  
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    86       19       27  

Segment earnings
    2,155       2,289       774  

a See Note 2 to the Group Financial Statements.  
 
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2004 compared to 2003

Earnings
Segment earnings in 2004 were $2,155 million, 6% lower than in 2003. Earnings in 2003 included gains of $1,120 million mainly related to divestments (Ruhrgas) whereas divestment gains in 2004 were $772 million. Earnings in 2004 reflected a 9% increase in LNG volumes resulting from strong Asia Pacific demand, Malaysia Tiga volume ramp-up, North West Shelf Train 4 start-up, the impact of full year operations of Nigeria LNG Train 3, and an 8% increase in LNG prices. Gas to Liquids (GTL) income was also higher as a result of increased asset utilisation and margins from our Bintulu plant in Malaysia. Marketing and trading income was lower. Depreciation and operating expenses were higher, due to increased volumes and also due to the capitalisation of tolling arrangements on September 30, 2003. Compared to 2003, taxation charges were lower, mainly as a result of a higher proportion of earnings being subject to lower tax rates.

Total sales volume (Group share) for the year increased by 9% to a record 10.15 million tonnes. This increase reflected the start of production from the fourth train in the North West Shelf Venture in Australia (Group interest 22%), increased production from the Malaysia Tiga project (Group interest 15%) and the effect of a full year’s production from the third train of Nigeria LNG (Group interest 26%).

Capital investment and portfolio actions

Capital investment in 2004 including loans to associated companies was $1,633 million, up 8% from $1,511 million in 2003.

The final investment decision was taken on Nigeria LNG Train 6 (Group interest 26%) which is expected to start production in 2007 with a capacity of 4mtpa of LNG and 1mtpa of natural gas liquids. This will give Nigeria LNG a total capacity of 22mtpa of LNG and 5mtpa of natural gas liquids.

In Australia, train 4 of the North West Shelf Venture started production, giving the venture a capacity of 12mtpa of LNG and 5mtpa of natural gas liquids.

Progress was made in LNG marketing during 2004. New long-term contracts were signed for the Australian North West Shelf Venture to supply 0.6mtpa of LNG to the Chubu Electric Company of Japan and 0.5mtpa to the Kansai Electric Power Company from 2009. An agreement was also reached to supply 3.5mtpa for 25 years to China’s first LNG terminal in Guangdong. The Malaysia Tiga LNG project signed an agreement to supply 2.8mtpa to Kogas in Korea between 2005 and 2008.

Sakhalin Energy (Group interest 55%) finalised a number of agreements to supply LNG from the Sakhalin II project. A total of 5mtpa has now been sold under long-term contracts, including contracts to supply Japanese customers: Toho Gas (up to 0.3mtpa for 20 years); Tokyo Electric (1.5mtpa over 22 years); and Kyushu Electric Power Company (0.5mtpa over 20 years). In a pioneering agreement Shell Eastern Trading Ltd agreed to buy 37 million tonnes of LNG from Sakhalin over a 20 year period to supply a new import terminal in Baja California, Mexico. This will be the first time that Russian natural gas will be sold into the North American market.

Shell signed an agreement for 50% of the capacity of a new LNG import terminal in Baja California, Mexico. The terminal is designed to have a capacity of 7.5mtpa and is expected to be operational from 2008. The capacity will be used to supply LNG from Sakhalin and other Shell projects to the Mexican and US natural gas markets. Shell also leads a joint venture (Group interest 50%) that is building a 3.3mtpa LNG import terminal on Mexico’s east coast at Altamira (Group capacity 75%).

Another Shell joint venture announced plans to develop a 7.5mtpa offshore LNG import terminal in the Long Island Sound in the USA (Group capacity 100%). If regulatory approval is given, the terminal, called Broadwater Energy, could start operation in 2010. Permits for the Gulf Landing offshore LNG import terminal in the Gulf of Mexico were received in early 2005 and the Hazira terminal in India is on target to receive its first cargo in 2005.

Shell also acquired an 11% indirect interest in the Qalhat LNG project in Oman with a total capacity of 3.3mtpa. First deliveries are expected in 2006.

An integrated development and production sharing agreement was signed between Shell and Qatar Petroleum to develop the Pearl GTL plant at Ras Laffan in Qatar, for which a final investment decision is expected to be taken in 2006. When fully operational, the plant will have the capacity to produce 140,000 barrels per day of GTL products including transport fuels. The fuels can be used in conventional diesel engines and produce very low emissions and therefore have the potential to reduce pollution in major cities. A number of GTL Fuel trials were carried out in London, California and Shanghai.

We sold a number of our assets in 2004 with a net divestment gain of $772 million, including interests in Distrigas SA and Fluxys SA in Belgium, Verbundnetz Gas and Avalon AG in Germany and, in the USA, Tenaska Gateway Partners Ltd, part of our holding in Enterprise Products Partners L.P., and the majority of our gas transmission business in the Gulf of Mexico. InterGen (Group interest 68%) reduced its interests in a number of power plants across the world. In November 2004, we announced a Heads of Agreement for restructuring the ownership in Nederlandse Gasunie, under which the Group’s interest in Gasunie’s gas transportation business will be transferred to the Dutch state. On completion of this transaction, expected in mid-2005 pending government approval, the Dutch state will make a total net payment of 2.78 billion (Group share 50%).

 
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Outlook and strategy

Demand for natural gas is expected to grow at a faster rate than that for oil in the medium term. There is likely to be particularly strong growth in global LNG demand which we expect to more than double over the next decade. The Group expects growth will be seen both in the traditional European and Asian markets as well as from new markets in the USA, China and India. The overall natural gas business environment is likely to continue to become increasingly competitive. Continued focus on major project management and maintaining operational efficiency will be important in order to deliver low cost and reliable supplies to our customers.

Gas & Power’s strategy is to maintain its leadership position in the industry by accessing and creating value from new natural gas resources. Over the past five years Shell associate projects have delivered eight new LNG trains overall. The Group has delivered an average of 13% growth per annum in the LNG volumes sold from 1999 to 2004.

The Group intends to invest selectively in power generation assets that help it deliver value from Shell gas positions. The Group expects that its investment in Gas to Liquids (GTL) will open up new markets for natural gas and the planned Pearl GTL project in Qatar has the potential to deliver considerable value.

The Group’s investment decisions will be made in an integrated way that allows the Group to optimise its presence throughout the gas value chain. Examples of this approach include the Nigeria LNG plant expansions, partially enabled as a result of the Group’s success in gaining access to the key North American LNG market. The Sakhalin project similarly benefits from the Group’s ability to secure customers both in the traditional Asian markets and in North America through our Baja California terminal capacity.

The Group intends to increase capital investment in Gas & Power over the coming years. The Group expects its equity share of LNG capacity to increase by an average of 14% per year from 2003 through 2008. This increase is expected to come from projects already under construction including in Oman, Nigeria and Sakhalin. The Group also believes there will be significant potential for further growth from additional expansions and new facilities beyond this period.

2003 compared to 2002

Earnings
Segment earnings for 2003 were $2,289 million compared with $774 million in 2002. The 2003 earnings included a gain of $1,036 million from the divestment of the Group’s minority shareholding in Ruhrgas in Germany and related tax credits of $114 million. The increase in earnings reflected an 11% rise in LNG prices, as a result of the time-lagged effect of higher crude prices, and the delivery of record Group share LNG sales of 9.3 million tonnes. The increase in volumes of 3% versus 2002 was mainly a result of strong market demand and the build up of the third production train (liquefaction plant) in Nigeria LNG (Group interest 26%), offset by exit from the Malaysia LNG Satu company (Group interest 15%).

Marketing and trading results in North America improved due to a stronger trading performance than in 2002. Additionally, gains from a number of other asset sales and an accounting adjustment (to reverse mark to market accounting due to bringing tolling agreements on to the balance sheet) were partially offset by impairments of $315 million. These impairments related to the carrying amount of InterGen (an associated company, Group interest 68%) due to poor power market conditions, mainly in the US merchant power segment, and to the Cuiaba power assets in South America (Group interest 50%) in light of a reappraisal of the commercial outlook. Net proceeds and purchases were higher in 2003 compared with 2002 due to higher trading volumes and gas prices.

Capital investment and portfolio actions

Capital investment in 2003 was $1,511 million. This included $968 million on LNG projects in Russia, India, Australia, Mexico and the construction of LNG ships. Other main investments of $458 million were in US offshore pipelines and in InterGen associated with the completion of new power plants.

The agreement to develop the Sakhalin II project in Russia, and the commercial agreement for the Gas to Liquids (GTL) project in Qatar, were the key developments in the Gas & Power business during 2003.

A range of other developments during the year supported the continued growth in our LNG business. In North America, where industry-wide indigenous gas supplies are struggling to meet demand, there was a growing market for imported LNG. Access was gained to the East Coast gas market as a result of the reopening of the Cove Point LNG import terminal in Maryland, USA, where we have one-third of the capacity. In addition we won a tender to deliver gas through a receiving terminal at Altamira for the power market in Mexico; the Group interest in this project was reduced to 75% in the first quarter of 2004. The Group also announced a joint project (50% output contracted) which plans to construct an LNG receiving terminal at Baja California, Mexico to supply Mexico and the USA. The Group aims to supply this terminal with LNG from associate projects in Asia Pacific, including the Sakhalin II project and Gorgon (Group interest 29%) in Western Australia. The Group also announced plans to build a new offshore LNG import terminal in the Gulf of Mexico, which will have the capacity to deliver one billion cubic feet of natural gas per day into the US pipeline network.

The Group further strengthened its leadership position in LNG with growth in equity capacity, through expanding associate LNG facilities in Nigeria (Group interest 26%) and Malaysia (Group interest 15%). LNG sales contracts were signed by Malaysian LNG Tiga (Group interest 15%) to supply up to two million tonnes per year to Korea, and by Nigeria LNG to supply 3.6 million tonnes per year

 
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to the USA and Europe from trains 4 and 5. In support of growing LNG supply and trading activities, the Group took delivery of a further new LNG vessel, bringing the total number to five at the end of 2003 with a sixth vessel delivered in the first quarter of 2004. Following the end of the original 20-year joint venture agreement, Shell exited the Malaysia LNG Satu company. Shell continues to hold a 15% stake in each of Malaysia LNG Dua and Malaysia LNG Tiga. In Oman, Shell committed to participation in the new Qalhat LNG train under construction at the Oman LNG plant.

InterGen (an associated company, Group interest 68%) completed six further power plants in Australia, Mexico, Turkey and the USA and also announced dilution of its interests in projects in Australia, Turkey and the USA. Overall the total generating capacity at the end of 2003 was 10.5GW (InterGen net equity interest).

In Europe, restructuring of Group operations continued with the establishment of Shell Energy Europe, which is designed to grow the Group’s pan-European transport, marketing and trading gas business. The Group also sold its indirect interests in Ruhrgas, its direct interest in Thyssengas and interests in other gas transport companies in Germany.

Oil Products

                         
Earnings (US GAAP) $ millions

2003 2002
2004 As reclassifieda As reclassifieda

Net proceeds (including inter-segment sales)
    218,930       162,491       135,761  
Purchases (including change in inventories)
    (192,802 )     (142,432 )     (118,446 )

Gross margin
    26,128       20,059       17,315  
Depreciation
    (3,056 )     (2,717 )     (2,262 )
Operating expenses
    (15,920 )     (14,167 )     (12,044 )

Operating profit of Group companies
    7,152       3,175       3,009  
Group share of operating profit of associated companies
    1,749       910       554  

Operating profit
    8,901       4,085       3,563  
Other income/(expense)
    71       (62 )     (57 )
Taxation
    (2,691 )     (1,202 )     (1,021 )

Income from continuing operations
    6,281       2,821       2,485  
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    1,256       39       142  

Segment earnings
    7,537       2,860       2,627  

a See Note 2 to the Group Financial Statements.  

2004 compared to 2003

Earnings
Segment earnings were $7,537 million, an increase of 164% over 2003. Earnings from continuing operations were $6,281 million compared to $2,821 million in 2003 and reflected higher refining margins and increased trading earnings. Earnings from continuing operations included net gains of $157 million from portfolio actions and $403 million of charges related to the impairment of a number of refining and retail assets as well as various tax, legal, severance and environmental costs.

Earnings from discontinued operations in 2004 were $1,256 million. This included net gains of $881 million relating to divestments in Latin America, Europe, and the USA, in line with the Group’s strategy of increasing profitability through greater focus on core assets.

Gross margin (calculated as net proceeds minus purchases) increased by $6,069 million, primarily driven by strong refining margins in all regions. Marketing margins increased outside of the USA while within the USA margins declined. Higher refining margins were a result of exceptional demand for oil products in the USA and China, lower oil stocks in the USA and lower refinery availability in the Atlantic basin. The disruption caused to supplies by hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico also affected prices during the autumn.

Operating expenses were $1,753 million higher in 2004, an increase of 12.4% over 2003. Approximately 90% of the increase in operating expenses was related to businesses outside the USA. Higher operating expenses were offset by strong margins. Operating expenses as a percentage of gross margin, decreased from 71% in 2003, to 61% in 2004. The weakening US dollar contributed 59% of the increase in operating expenses since a large percentage of Oil Products operating expense is incurred outside the USA. The remainder of the increase in operating expenses reflects higher costs associated with refinery maintenance activity, portfolio restructuring, pension funding and provisions for environmental and legal settlements. Increased divestment gains largely offset these higher operating cost.

There was increased income from associated companies of $839 million due to higher refining margins in all regions for the reasons described above.

 
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Depreciation in 2004 increased by $339 million compared to 2003 primarily due to higher impairment provisions on certain refining and marketing assets. The impairment of the refining assets mainly reflects expected weak local market conditions and prices for the refineries product slates. The marketing assets are held for sale and were written down to expected net realisable value.

Potential risks to future earnings centre around the level of refining and marketing margins. Earnings will also be impacted by the level of refinery availability.

Capital investment and portfolio actions

Capital investment in 2004 was $2.5 billion compared with $2.4 billion in 2003. The main areas of investment were in manufacturing and retail and included spending on refinery maintenance and projects and investment to maintain and upgrade retail networks.

An agreement was reached with Sinopec to build a network of 500 service stations in Jiangsu province in China. The joint venture will provide an initial investment of about $200 million and expects the network to be operational within three years. Other developments in the Asian markets included the award of a licence to conduct downstream fuels business activities in Indonesia and the construction of Shell’s first retail station in India.

The rebranding of the retail network in USA and Europe continued. In the USA, more than 12,000 sites have either been rebranded from Texaco to Shell or upgraded to the new Shell image and style. Shell is the leading brand of gasoline in the USA, having a greater market share and higher volume of sales than any other brand.

Work continued to extend our presence in the premium fuels market including the launch of V-Power in the USA, which is now the best selling premium gasoline in the USA. A V-Power diesel blend, with a Gas to Liquids component, was successfully launched in Germany and the Netherlands.

In line with the Group’s strategy of restructuring its portfolio and focussing on selected markets, several divestments were made. The sale of the retail and commercial assets in Portugal and of the assets onshore in Spain were completed. In the first quarter of 2005 the Group completed the sale of the offshore assets in Spain. The Group will continue to operate in Spain through its LPG, Lubricants, Aviation and Marine business. A portion of the Group’s ownership of Showa Shell in Japan was sold, reducing the Group’s interest from 50% to approximately 40%. The sale of the Group’s interest in the Rayong refinery in Thailand was completed. The Delaware City refinery and the Great Plains and Midwest product pipelines in the USA were sold. The Group announced that it was considering options for the LPG business including the possibility of a sale.

Outlook and strategy

The Group expects refining margins in 2005 to be influenced strongly by the pace of global economic expansion, particularly in China and the USA, the impact of high oil prices on product demand and the degree of severity of the northern hemisphere winter. Marketing margins will continue to be influenced by oil price volatility and exchange rates and will be subject to intense competition.

A key element in the strategy is the creation of one downstream organisation that integrates the Oil Products and Chemicals businesses. The Group believes this will help to optimise our refining and chemicals facilities, standardise its processes and improve services to customers. At the same time, work will continue over the next two years to sell or improve underperforming assets. This will be underpinned by a focus on improving operational performance and delivering cost reductions.

The Group intends to continue to improve its delivery to customers through more streamlined business processes for ordering, pricing and payment. The Group will also look to build on the success of differentiated fuels. These fuels have been an important driver of value in the business, with differentiated fuels, such as V-Power, now available in more than 40 markets around the world.

The Group believes the downstream integration will provide a platform for future growth in selected markets where we see the greatest opportunities. In particular, the Group intends to focus on Asian markets where there is significant potential for growth. By the end of the decade the Group expects to significantly increase its capital employed in Asia.

2003 compared to 2002

Earnings
Segment earnings for 2003 were $2,860 million compared with $2,627 million in 2002, an increase of 9%. Earnings from continuing operations were $2,821 million compared to $2,485 million in 2002 and reflected an improvement in the business environment over 2002 with net sales proceeds increasing by $26,730 million.

Gross margin (calculated as net proceeds minus purchases) increased by $2,744 million, driven primarily by increasing refining and marketing margins in all regions. Higher refining margins resulted from a number of exceptional and non-sustainable events with global impact. These included disruptions to supply from Venezuela, an extended Japanese nuclear power generator shutdown and widespread refinery disruptions in the USA resulting from the August power blackout. This contrasted with an environment in 2002 when industry refining margins were at 10-year lows. Marketing margins in 2003 benefited early in the year from the decline in crude prices following

 
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the conflict in Iraq and throughout the year from the weakening of the US dollar. Oil products’ specification changes in the USA may impact overall supply and demand balances, resulting in an uncertain margin outlook for 2004.

Increased operating expenses of $2,123 million negatively impacted 2003 earnings. Approximately 75% of this increase was related to businesses outside the USA. This represents an increase in operating expenses as a percentage of gross margin from 70% in 2002, to 71% in 2003. The weakening US dollar contributed almost 50% of this increase, as a large percentage of Oil Products’ operating expenses is incurred outside the USA. The remainder of the increase reflects higher costs associated with refinery maintenance activity, portfolio restructuring, pension funding and provisions for environmental and legal settlements.

There was increased income from associated companies of $356 million predominantly in the USA from the Group’s share of Motiva Enterprises. A 75% increase in US Gulf Coast refining margins and a 2 percentage point improvement in refining utilisation in the USA contributed to the increase in earnings.

Depreciation in 2003 increased over 2002 by $455 million, due primarily to portfolio actions taken during the year. Charges were higher partly due to the decision taken to close the Bakersfield refinery in the USA as a result of declining local crude supply ($213 million). Additionally, depreciation charges increased due to the full-year consolidation of Pennzoil-Quaker State (acquired in the fourth quarter, 2002).

Capital investment and portfolio actions

Capital investment in 2003 was $2,405 million compared with $7,968 million in 2002. Investment levels in 2002 included $5.1 billion relating to the acquisitions of Pennzoil-Quaker State Company (PQS), the Texaco downstream assets in the USA and DEA in Germany. Excluding these acquisitions, investment fell by some $400 million from 2002 to 2003. This reflected completion of the Scotford Refinery modifications in Canada in 2002, lower investment levels in Europe (as a result of reduced information technology and commercial spend) and lower transportation spend in the USA. This was slightly offset by increased investment at the Geelong refinery in Australia to meet fuel sulphur specifications.

In 2003 further progress was made on integrating assets from the 2002 PQS acquisition with savings delivered through the closure of seven lube-oil-blend plants and two base oil plants, and the reduction in personnel of over 900 by the end of 2003. Similar progress was made in connection with the Texaco downstream assets in the USA. At the end of 2003, over 4,200 sites had been rebranded from Texaco to Shell and personnel levels were reduced by over 2,000 as business structures have been simplified. In Germany, assets from the 2002 acquisition of DEA were fully integrated into the Group’s business in this key market, with over 600 retail sites rebranded to Shell by the end of 2003.

Also in 2003, and providing further support to the strength of our marketing businesses, the Group announced an expansion of our relationship with Sainsbury’s in the UK to provide joint fuel and convenience retailing at 100 Shell sites. In Australia, the Group reached an agreement with retailer Coles Myer to operate Shell retail sites across the country providing improved service and choice for customers. Under the Group’s differentiated fuels strategy, premium fuels continued to be launched in key markets, including V-Power in Germany.

The Group continued to actively manage our portfolio resulting in the sale of a range of assets, including several non-strategic onshore crude pipelines in the USA and the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) business in Brazil. In 2003, the Group completed the sale of our interest in the Excel Paralubes base oil plant and sold a number of retail sites in Germany in order to meet the regulatory requirements for the DEA acquisition. Shell Gas Italia announced the planned sale of its non-automotive LPG interests to Liquigas. The Group also announced its intention to sell AB Svenska Shell in Sweden. In 2004, the Group determined not to pursue sale of AB Svenska Shell.

Chemicals

                         
Earnings (US GAAP) $ million

2004 2003 2002

Net proceeds (including inter-segment sales)
    29,497       20,817       15,207  
Purchases (including change in inventories)
    (24,363 )     (16,952 )     (12,035 )
Depreciation
    (544 )     (678 )     (401 )
Other cost of sales
    (2,452 )     (2,234 )     (1,518 )
Operating expenses
    (893 )     (1,065 )     (815 )

Operating profit of Group companies
    1,245       (112 )     438  
Group share of operating profit of associated companies
    94       (165 )     213  

Operating profit
    1,339       (277 )     651  
Other income/(expense)
    (15 )     (43 )     (13 )
Taxation
    (394 )     111       (73 )

Segment earnings
    930       (209 )     565  

 
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2004 compared to 2003

Earnings
Segment earnings in 2004 showed a profit of $930 million after a charge of $565 million for impairment in the Basell investment (recorded within Group share of operating profit of associated companies). This compares with a loss of $209 million in 2003, when earnings were affected by charges of $478 million for asset restructuring and impairment and a net charge of $71 million relating to environmental and litigation provisions and a loss on the sale of a minority interest in a divested business, which was partly offset by various tax credits.

The improvement in earnings this year was attributable to improved industry conditions leading to higher operating rates and more favourable margins. Sales volumes of chemical products increased by 5% reflecting higher demand and additional capacity. Asset utilisation was 3% higher on average, reflecting higher operating rates in the second and third quarter of 2004, although in both the first and the fourth quarter cracker availability in Europe and in the USA was reduced by both planned and unplanned downtime. The improvement in operating rates was driven primarily by the recovery in the petrochemicals industry which led to strong demand growth. The more favourable margins (defined as proceeds less cost of feedstock, energy and distribution per tonne of product sold) were mainly due to a 35% increase in unit proceeds from higher price realisations, which outweighed the increased cost of chemical feed stocks.

The impairment of Basell followed the announcement in 2004 of a review of strategic alternatives regarding this joint venture, and the reduction of the carrying amount of the Group’s investment in Basell at December 31, 2004 to its currently expected net realisable value.

Capital investment and portfolio actions

Capital investment, including new loans to associated companies, was $705 million in 2004 compared with $599 million in 2003.

The Group continued to finance the ongoing construction at the Nanhai petrochemicals plant in southern China (Group interest 50%). The project is on schedule to be commissioned towards the end of 2005. The Group also announced the next phase in the development of its chemicals facilities in Singapore involving detailed design and engineering work. Subject to the final investment decision, the project will include modifications and additions to the existing Bukom refinery and a new world-scale ethylene cracker.

In North America, production started at two joint venture manufacturing facilities. PTT PolyCanada started production of Corterra, a product used in the manufacture of textiles and carpets. The production of butadiene, used in the manufacture of rubber and plastics products, started at the Sabina Petrochemicals plant in the USA. The cracker expansion at Deer Park in Texas, which added 550,000 tonnes of ethylene capacity to the existing plant, became operational at the end of the first quarter of 2004. In the Netherlands, a new ethylene oxide reactor began operations and the ethylene glycol plant was expanded, increasing production by over 20%.

Shell and BASF announced the review of strategic options for the Basell joint venture. Options being considered include the sale of the companies’ stakes or an equity market transaction. The global catalyst regeneration business was divested and operations at CS Metals ceased.

Outlook and strategy

2004 saw a recovery in the petrochemicals industry, with generally strong demand growth improving capacity utilisation and margins despite high crude and US gas prices. In the short term, capacity to supply increased demand is expected to remain low until new capacity becomes available. The principal medium term risks facing the business are the levels and volatility of feedstock costs and the balance between demand, affected by the pace of economic growth, and supply, affected by industry capacity and operating rates.

Asia and in particular China continues to be one of the strongest drivers of petrochemical demand growth. Over the next two years, the petrochemicals industry in China will see production commence at three large new petrochemicals plants, including Shell’s Nanhai project. In the Middle East, the petrochemicals industry has a number of new investments that are being developed and that are expected to start production towards the end of the decade.

We will continue to focus on our cracker and first-line derivatives portfolio and delivering bulk petrochemicals to large industrial customers. The integration of the Oil Products and Chemicals businesses is expected to provide further opportunities to achieve cost efficiencies from shared services and common manufacturing sites, and from improved use of hydrocarbon resources on integrated sites. In the short term, our strategic priorities will be the successful completion and start-up of the Nanhai petrochemicals complex, and the strengthening of our asset base in North America and Europe. In the medium term, we continue to develop further growth options to shift our portfolio towards growth markets.

2003 compared to 2002

Earnings
Segment earnings showed a loss of $209 million compared with a profit of $565 million in 2002. These results include charges for asset impairments and restructuring in Polyolefins (Basell $286 million), recorded within Group share of operating profit of associated companies, and in Catalysts ($128 million) and other asset impairment charges ($64 million). There was also a net charge of $71 million
 
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relating to environmental and litigation provisions and a loss on the sale of a minority interest in a divested business, which was partly offset by various tax credits.

The impairments reflect changes in the assessment of future returns relative to the value of our assets. The impairment of our equity investment in the Basell joint venture reflected a reassessment of the outlook for the business. The factors contributing to this reassessment were the continued vulnerability of the business to weak economic conditions and anticipated changes in the industry and competitive landscape. In Catalysts, the Group streamlined the business portfolio to focus on high-performance catalysts and took an asset impairment in CS Metals, as anticipated benefits from a prototype technology did not meet performance expectations.

Earnings for 2002 included $62 million of charges for asset rationalisation, mainly related to plant closures. Earnings benefited from a tax credit of $102 million associated with the reassessment of the Group’s ability to utilise prior year tax losses upon the formation of Shell Chemicals Europe B.V.

Setting aside the effects of the factors described above, earnings in 2003 were $185 million lower. Sales volumes, including traded products, increased by 19% from a year ago benefiting from capacity additions and volumes from new units. However, there was a decline in overall Chemicals unit margins (defined as proceeds less cost of feedstock energy and distribution per tonne of product sold). This was due to high and volatile feedstock and energy costs and surplus capacity, particularly in the USA. Fixed costs were higher, reflecting planned increases in capacity and higher than normal asset maintenance activity, project expenses, increased costs for benefits including pensions, as well as the adverse impact of the weaker US dollar.

Capital investment and portfolio actions

Capital investment including loans to associated companies in 2003 was $599 million compared with $998 million in 2002. In 2003 the Group further strengthened its portfolio through new investments, upgrading existing facilities and the restructuring and closure of a number of assets.

Investment was primarily in ongoing projects, including those related to regulatory compliance, maintenance and upgrading of existing facilities. There was also investment to finance the ongoing construction of the Nanhai petrochemicals complex in China. Initial milestones were met with the completion of project financing and the start of construction of the Nanhai plant. The new polymer polyols plant at Pernis in the Netherlands marked the latest step in a long-term strategy to strengthen the Group’s position as a supplier to manufacturers of polyurethane foams. In the Gulf Coast region of the USA, the Group completed a project to improve the quality of heavy olefin feed.

The Group invested to upgrade and improve existing plants to ensure their ongoing efficiency and competitiveness. The Group made significant progress in improving and expanding cracker capacity in Texas, which became operational at the end of the first quarter of 2004. Improvements include upgrading existing equipment with new control systems and nitrogen oxide reduction technology. The Group also began work to upgrade the Aubette steam cracker at the Berre complex in the south of France to improve integration with the adjacent refinery and reduce sulphur dioxide emissions.

The Group continued to actively manage our portfolio with ongoing reviews of plant viability and the closure or mothballing of under-performing assets. Operations ceased at the Bayer-Shell Isocyanates joint venture. The charges associated with closures and the asset restructurings and impairments described above adversely impacted our current year earnings but the overall effect on returns over time is expected to be positive.

Other industry segments and corporate

                                                 
Earnings (US GAAP) $ millions

2003 2002
2004 As reclassifieda As reclassifieda

Other Other Other
industry industry industry
segments Corporate segments Corporate segments Corporate

Income from continuing operations
    (141 )     (847 )     (267 )     (819 )     (110 )     (684 )
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
          (52 )           (98 )           (67 )

Segment earnings
    (141 )     (899 )     (267 )     (917 )     (110 )     (751 )

a See Note 2 to the Group Financial Statements
 
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2004 compared to 2003

Earnings
Other industry segments consist of the combined results of Renewables, Hydrogen and Shell’s consumer business. Segment earnings for 2004 showed a loss of $141 million compared with a loss of $267 million in 2003, which included the effect of a Shell Solar goodwill impairment of $127 million. The consumer business was integrated into the Oil Products business during 2004.

Corporate is a non-operating segment consisting primarily of interest expense on Group debt and certain other non-allocated costs of the Group. Corporate net costs were $899 million compared with $917 million in 2003.

Renewables

Good progress was made in sales of solar products where volumes increased by 50% to 73 megawatts driven mainly by a strong German market. Shell Solar continued to develop technological improvements to increase the efficiency of solar panels. These included the launch of a new range of solar products, Shell PowerMax, which offers improved efficiency for off-grid applications. While Shell maintains its view on the long-term potential of solar energy as one of the more promising technologies in the field of renewable energy, the industry faced persistent production overcapacity, strong competition and uncertain market circumstances.

Shell Solar was also the system supplier and prime construction contractor for the world’s largest grid-connected Solar PV power plant, comprising of 33,500 modules, with an output of 5 megawatts. The power generated from this solar park is sufficient to meet the electricity demand of about 1,800 households.

The Wind business in the USA saw the Colorado Green and Brazos wind parks coming into full production. The White Deer wind park was put into a joint venture with Entergy, and shareholdings in the Whitewater Hill, Cabazon Pass and Rock Rover assets were sold, as had been previously planned. Wind production was affected by lower than expected wind speeds and lower availability mainly due to transmission upgrading at Whitewater Hill and Cabazon Pass.

Shell Hydrogen continued to work with governments and vehicle manufacturers to develop projects to support the viability of hydrogen as a transport fuel. These included the opening of an integrated hydrogen station in Washington DC and the launch of the hydrogen “lighthouse project” concept. These are large-scale demonstration projects to create mini-networks of hydrogen fuelling stations in specific cities or regions, the first of which will be developed in New York jointly with General Motors.

2003 compared to 2002

Other industry segments in 2003 showed a loss of $267 million compared with a $110 million loss in 2002. These results included the effect of a Shell Solar goodwill impairment of $127 million, taken following an extensive review to assess the value of the business. While Shell maintains its view on the long-term potential of solar energy as one of the more promising technologies in the field of renewable energy, in 2003 the industry faced persistent production overcapacity, strong competition and uncertain market circumstances. The remaining losses were realised across all business lines in the segment and reflected the current year operating results of developing future business opportunities.

The sale of the main forestry operations was completed in 2003.

In Corporate, the loss of $917 million in 2003 compares with a loss of $751 million in 2002. This increase was due to higher net difference in exchange effects on financing arrangements and increased interest charges due to higher average debt, partly offset by net tax credits.

Liquidity and capital resources

2004 compared to 2003

Statement of cash flows
Cash flow provided by operating activities reached a record level of $25.6 billion in 2004 compared with $21.7 billion in 2003. Net income increased to $18.2 billion in 2004 from $12.3 billion in 2003, reflecting higher realised prices in Exploration & Production and higher refining margins in Oil Products. Additionally, $7.6 billion of cash flows were realised in 2004 through sales of assets (2003: $4.5 billion). Cash flow in 2004 has mainly been deployed for capital expenditure ($12.7 billion), debt repayment ($4.8 billion) and dividends paid to Parent Companies ($8.5 billion). In 2004, dividends to the Parent Companies included amounts required to fund share buybacks. Royal Dutch and Shell Transport paid dividends to their shareholders totaling $7.6 billion (2003: $6.4 billion; 2002: $5.5 billion) as well as executing $0.8 billion of share buybacks (excluding the purchase of shares by Group companies to cover stock option obligations).
 
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Outlook

In general, the most significant factors affecting year-to-year comparisons of cash flow provided by operating activities are changes in realised prices for crude oil and natural gas, crude oil and natural gas production levels and refining and marketing margins. These factors are also the most significant affecting net income. Acquisitions and divestments can affect the comparability of cash flows in the year of the transaction. On a longer term basis, the ability to replace proved reserves that are produced affects cash provided by operating activities, as well as net income.

Because the contribution of Exploration & Production to earnings is larger than the Group’s other businesses, changes affecting Exploration & Production, particularly changes in realised crude oil and natural gas prices and production levels, have a significant impact on the overall Group results. While Exploration & Production benefits from higher realised crude oil and natural gas prices, the extent of such benefit (and the extent of a detriment from a decline in these prices) is dependent on the extent to which the prices of individual types of crude oil follow the Brent benchmark, the dynamics of production sharing contracts, the existence of agreements with governments or national oil companies that have limited sensitivity to crude oil price, tax impacts, the extent to which changes in crude oil price flow through into operating costs and the impacts of natural gas prices. Therefore, changes in benchmark prices for crude oil and natural gas only provide a broad indicator of changes in the earnings experienced in any particular period by Exploration & Production.

In Oil Products, our second largest business, changes in any one of a range of factors derived from either within or beyond the industry can influence margins in the short or long term. The precise impact of any such change at a given point in time is dependent upon other prevailing conditions and the elasticity of the oil markets. For example, a sudden decrease in crude oil and/or natural gas prices would in the very short term lead to an increase in combined refining and marketing margins until responding downward price corrections materialise in the international oil products markets. The converse arises for sudden crude or natural gas price increases. The duration and impact of these dynamics is in turn a function of a number of factors determining the market response, including whether a change in crude price affects all crude types or only a specific grade, regional and global crude oil and refined products stocks, and the collective speed of response of the industry refiners and product marketers to adjust their operations. It should be noted that commonly agreed benchmarks for refinery and marketing margins do not exist in the way that Brent crude oil prices and Henry Hub natural gas prices in the USA serve as benchmarks in the Exploration & Production business.

In the longer term, reserve replacement will affect the ability of the Group to continue to maintain or increase production levels in Exploration & Production, which in turn will affect the Group’s cash flow provided by operating activities and net income. The field decline rate for Exploration & Production’s existing business is approximately 6 to 8% per year. The Group will need to take measures to maintain or increase production levels and cash flows in future periods, which measures may include developing new fields, continuing to develop and apply new technologies and recovery processes to existing fields, and making selective focused acquisitions. The Group’s goal is to offset declines from production and increase reserve replacements. However, volume increases are subject to a variety of risks and other factors, including the uncertainties of exploration, project execution, operational interruptions, reservoir performance and regulatory changes. The Group currently expects overall production to decrease in 2005 and then to increase beginning in 2006 as additional production from new projects begins to come on stream.

The Group has a diverse portfolio of development projects and exploration opportunities, which helps mitigate the overall political and technical risks of Exploration & Production and the associated cash flow provided by operating activities. As a result of its financial strength and debt capacity, the risk associated with delay or failure of any single project would not have a significant impact on the Group’s liquidity or ability to generate sufficient cash flows for operations and fixed commitments.

It is the Group’s intention to continue to divest and, where appropriate, make selective focused acquisitions as part of active portfolio management. However, the Group does not generally expect that the purchase and sale of assets in the normal course of business will have a significant adverse effect on cash flow provided by operating activities. The number of divestments will depend on market opportunities and are recorded as assets held for sale where appropriate.

The Group manages its portfolio of businesses to balance cash flow provided by operating activities against uses of cash over time based on conservative assumptions relating to crude oil prices relative to average historic crude oil prices. From 1984 through 2004, the Brent crude oil price has averaged around $20 a barrel, from 1994 through 2004 it averaged approximately $23 a barrel and from 1999 through 2004 the price averaged approximately $27 a barrel.

Financial condition and liquidity

Cash and cash equivalents amounted to $8.5 billion at the end of 2004 (2003: $2.0 billion). Total short and long-term debt fell $5.7 billion between 2003 and 2004, reflecting net repayment of $4.4 billion together with the deconsolidation of $1.3 billion of debt relating to the disposal of the Group’s interest in the Rayong Refining Company.
 
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Total debt at the end of 2004 amounted to $14.4 billion and the Group’s total debt ratio1 decreased from 21.0% in 2003 to 13.8% in 2004. The current level of the debt ratio falls below the medium-term gearing objective of the Group, which establishes a target gearing2 of between 20% and 25% (inclusive of certain off-balance sheet obligations of a financing nature). The total debt outstanding (excluding capital leases) at December 31, 2004 will mature as follows: 42% in 2005, 17% in 2006, 18% in 2007, 1% in 2008 and 22% in 2009 and beyond.

The Group currently satisfies its funding requirements from the substantial cash generated within its business and through external debt. The Group’s external debt is principally financed through two commercial paper programmes, which are issued on a short-term basis (generally for up to six months), and a euro medium term note programme, each guaranteed jointly and severally by The Shell Petroleum Company Limited and Shell Petroleum N.V.. Each of the two commercial paper programmes and the medium term note programme are for up to $10 billion in value. Other than described below, these programmes do not have committed support from a bank as the Group considers the costs involved in securing such support are unnecessary given the Group’s current credit rating.

The debt programmes consist of:

  (a) a Global Commercial Paper Programme, exempt from registration under section 3(a)(3) of the US Securities Act 1933, that assigns the use of the proceeds from the programme to the funding of ‘current transactions’ of the issuer, with maturities not exceeding 364 days;
 
  (b) a section 4(2) Commercial Paper Programme which can be used to finance non-current transactions. The maximum maturity of commercial paper issued under the programme has been limited to 397 days; and
 
  (c) a euro medium term note programme.

The Group expects to be able to continue to utilise these facilities in circumstances where it is not in possession of undisclosed price sensitive information which would impact the prospective purchasers of the relevant debt security. The Group will also evaluate other debt issuance options.

The Group currently maintains $2.5 billion of committed bank facilities, as well as internally-available liquidity (some $1 billion), to provide back-up coverage for commercial paper maturing within 30 days. Aside from this facility and certain borrowing in local subsidiaries, the Group does not have committed bank facilities as this is not considered to be a cost effective form of financing for the company given its size, credit rating and cash generative nature.

The maturity profile of the Group’s outstanding commercial paper is actively managed to ensure that the amount of commercial paper maturing within 30 days remains consistent with the level of supporting liquidity. The committed facilities, which are with a number of international banks, are renewed on an annual basis. The Group expects to be able to renew these facilities on commercially acceptable terms. The Group expects that commercial paper borrowings in 2005 could range up to $5.0 billion.

While the Group is subject to restrictions, such as foreign withholding taxes, on the ability of subsidiaries to transfer funds to their parent companies in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances, such restrictions are not expected to have a material impact on the ability of the Group to meet its cash obligations.

The Group is of the opinion that it has sufficient working capital for its present requirements, that is at least the next 12 months from the date of this report.

Credit ratings

On February 4, 2005, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) downgraded to “AA” from “AA+” its long-term ratings on the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies (through a downgrade of the Group Holding Companies, Shell Petroleum N.V. and The Shell Petroleum Co. Ltd and their subsidiary Shell Oil Company). Moody’s Investors Services (Moody’s) continues to rate the long-term debt of Shell Finance (Netherlands) B.V. and Shell Finance (U.K.) PLC, the guaranteed subsidiaries of the Group Holding Companies, as “Aa1”. The credit ratings given to the commercial paper programmes of the guaranteed subsidiaries have been confirmed by S&P and Moody’s at their original levels of “A-1+” and “Prime-1”, respectively.

Capital investment and dividends

Group companies’ capital expenditure, exploration expense, new investments in associated companies and other investments increased by $0.6 billion to $14.9 billion in 2004.
 
1 The total debt ratio is defined as short-term plus long-term debt as a percentage of capital employed. Capital employed is Group net assets before deduction of minority interests, plus short-term and long-term debt.
 
2 Gearing is defined as the ratio of debt to capital employed (or debt/ (debt & equity))
 
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Exploration & Production expenditures of $9.9 billion (2003: $9.3 billion) accounted for more than half the total capital investment. Gas & Power accounted for $1.6 billion (2003: $1.5 billion). Oil Products investment amounted to $2.5 billion (2003: $2.4 billion). Chemicals investment was $0.7 billion (2003: $0.6 billion). Investment in other segments was $0.2 billion (2003: $0.4 billion).

Capital investment of some $15 billion (excluding contribution of the Group’s minority partners in Sakhalin) on average is required each year to grow the capital base in light of expected dividend payments, taking into account an expected $13 to $15 billion of divestments over the period 2004 to 2006. After dividends and capital investment, the priority for using cash generated is to maintain a prudent balance sheet. Both the medium and long-term focus will remain on improving the underlying operational performance in order to continue to deliver consistently strong cash flows.

Capital investment (excluding the contribution of the Group’s minority partners in Sakhalin) in 2005 is estimated to be $15 billion, with Exploration & Production continuing to account for the majority of this amount. The Parent Companies have announced the relaunch of their share buyback programmes, with a return of surplus cash to shareholders in 2005 in the range of $3 to $5 billion, assuming continued high oil prices. It is expected that the Group companies’ investment programme will be financed largely from internally generated funds.

The aim of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies is to provide per share increase in dividends at least in line with inflation of the currencies of the Parent Companies’ base countries over a period of years. Upon completion of the transaction described under “— Unification Proposal”, Royal Dutch Shell will declare its dividend in euro. In setting the level of the dividend, consistent with Royal Dutch and Shell Transport’s historical dividend policy, the Royal Dutch Shell Board will seek to increase dividends at least in line with inflation over time.

Guarantees and other off-balance sheet obligations

Guarantees at December 31, 2004 were $2.9 billion (2003: $3.4 billion). At December 31, 2004, $1.7 billion were guarantees of debt of associated companies, $0.5 billion were guarantees for customs duties and other tax liabilities and $0.7 billion were other guarantees. Guarantees of debt of associated companies mainly related to Nanhai ($0.8 billion) and Intergen (0.4 billion).

Guarantees at December 31, 2003 were $3.4 billion (2002: $4.1 billion). At December 31, 2003, $1.8 billion were guarantees of debt of associated companies, $0.7 billion were guarantees for customs duties and other tax liabilities and $0.9 billion were other guarantees. Guarantees of debt of associated companies mainly related to InterGen ($1.2 billion) and Nanhai ($0.4 billion).

Contractual obligations

The table below summarises Group companies’ principal contractual obligations at December 31, 2004, by expected settlement period. The amounts presented have not been offset by any committed third party revenues in relation to these obligations.
                                         
$ billion

Within 1 year 2/3 years 4/5 years After 5 years
Total (2005) (2006/2007) (2008/2009) (beyond 2009)

Long-term debta
    9.2       1.2       4.4       0.7       2.9  
Capital leasesb
    1.2       0.1       0.1       0.1       0.9  
Operating leasesc
    9.9       1.7       2.2       1.5       4.5  
Purchase obligationsd
    203.6       75.0       37.7       26.6       64.3  
Other long-term contractual liabilitiese
    0.9       0.2       0.4       0.1       0.2  

Total
    224.8       78.2       44.8       29.0       72.8  

a The total figure is comprised of $8.0 billion of long-term debt (debentures and other loans, and amounts due to banks and other credit instruments), plus $1.2 billion of long-term debt due within one year. The total figure excludes $0.7 billion of long-term capitalised lease obligations. See Note 16 to the Group Financial Statements.
 
b Includes executory costs and interest. See Note 17 to the Group Financial Statements.
 
c See Note 17 to the Group Financial Statements.
 
d Includes any agreement to purchase goods and services that is enforceable, legally binding and specifies all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the purchase. The amounts include $5.5 billion of purchase obligations associated with financing arrangements, which are disclosed in Note 17 to the Group Financial Statements. Raw materials and finished products account for 91% of total purchase obligations.
 
e Includes all obligations included in “Long-term liabilities – Other” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities of the Group that are contractually fixed as to timing and amount. In addition to these amounts, the Group has certain obligations that are not contractually fixed as to timing and amount, including contributions to defined benefit pension plans estimated to be $1.4 billion in 2005 (see Note 21 to the Group Financial Statements) and obligations associated with asset retirements (see Note 24 to the Group Financial Statements).

The table above excludes interest expense related to long-term debt estimated to be $0.4 billion in 2005, $0.7 billion in 2006/2007 and $0.6 billion in 2008/2009 (assuming interest rates with respect to variable interest rate long-term debt remain constant and there is no change in aggregate principal amount of long-term debt other than repayment at scheduled maturity as reflected in the table).

 
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2003 compared to 2002

Statement of cash flows
Cash flow provided by operating activities reached a record level of $21.7 billion in 2003 compared with $16.3 billion in 2002. Net income increased to $12.3 billion in 2003 from $9.7 billion in 2002, reflecting higher realised prices in Exploration & Production. Additionally, $4.5 billion of cash flows were realised in 2003 through sales of assets (2002: $1.6 billion). Cash flow in 2003 was mainly deployed for capital expenditures ($12.3 billion), debt repayment ($4.7 billion) and dividends paid to Parent Companies ($6.2 billion). In preference to paying additional dividends to the Parent Companies to fund share buybacks, the Group strengthened its balance sheet by repaying debt and buying out certain minority interests. Royal Dutch and Shell Transport paid dividends to their shareholders totalling $6.4 billion (2002: $5.5 billion; 2001: $5.1 billion).

Within cash flow used in investing activities ($8.3 billion), capital expenditure, acquisitions and new investments in associated companies decreased from $22.3 billion to $13.2 billion. The purchases in 2002 of Enterprise Oil, Pennzoil-Quaker State and Equilon increased the 2002 figure by $8.9 billion. The lower total cash used in investing activities also reflected an increase of $2.9 billion in proceeds from sales of assets, including the Group’s interest in Ruhrgas, to $4.5 billion.

Other Matters

Risk management and internal control
The Group’s approach to internal control is based on the underlying principle of line management’s accountability for risk and control management. The Group’s risk and internal control policy explicitly states that the Group has a risk-based approach to internal control and that management in the Group is responsible for implementing, operating and monitoring the system of internal control, which is designed to provide reasonable but not absolute assurance of achieving business objectives.

The Group’s approach to internal control includes a number of general and specific risk management processes and policies. Within the essential framework provided by the Statement of General Business Principles, primary control mechanisms include strong functional leadership, adequate resourcing by competent staff, and self-appraisal processes in combination with strict accountability for results. These mechanisms are underpinned by established Group policies, standards and guidance material that relate to particular types of risk, structured investment decision processes, timely and effective reporting systems and active performance monitoring.

Examples of specific risk management mechanisms include:

regular review of significant risks by the Executive Committee and the Group Audit Committee;
 
a common health, safety and environment (HSE) policy, a common requirement for HSE management systems, and external certification of the environmental component of such systems for major installations;
 
a financial control handbook that establishes standards for the application of internal financial controls;
 
arrangements for the management of property, liability and treasury risks; and
 
a business control incident reporting process that enables monitoring and appropriate follow-up actions for incidents arising as a result of control breakdowns. Lessons learned from these incidents are used to improve the Group’s overall control framework.

In the context of reserves, examples of specific risk management mechanisms include:

oversight of the process for approving the booking of proved reserves by the Global Exploration & Production Reserves Committee (the Reserves Committee);
 
Group guidelines for booking proved reserves that conform fully with applicable SEC rules and guidance and clarify criteria for booking and de-booking proved reserves (and the distinctions between regulatory requirements and the Group’s internal reserves classifications);
 
training of reserves guidelines users;
 
responsibility on the local Chief Reservoir Engineer for ensuring that reserves bookings and de-bookings are compliant with SEC rules and that any booking and debooking decisions are only made with appropriate, auditable documentation and after completion of the appropriate challenge processes;
 
business and financial responsibility on the local Regional Technical Director and Regional Finance Manager, respectively, for the decisions of their Chief Reservoir Engineer;
 
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responsibility for booking and de-booking decisions with the Chief Financial Officer of Exploration & Production and the Director of Technology of Exploration & Production, working together with the Group Reserves Co-ordinator and the other members of the Reserves Committee;
 
approval by the Group’s Executive Committee of the reserves bookings and de-bookings taken by Exploration & Production; and
 
final review by the Group Audit Committee.

A formalised self-appraisal and assurance letter process is in place. Annually, the management of every business unit provides assurance as to the adequacy of governance arrangements, risk and internal control management, HSE management, financial controls and reporting, treasury management, brand management and information management. Country Chairs also provide assurance regarding compliance with the Statement of General Business Principles and other important topics. As part of this process business integrity concerns or instances of bribery or illegal payments are to be reported. Assurance letter results including any material qualifications are reviewed by the Group Audit Committee and support representations made to the external auditors.

In addition to these structured self-appraisals, the assurance framework relies on objective appraisals by internal audit. The results of internal audit’s risk-based reviews of Group operations provide the Group Audit Committee with an independent view regarding the effectiveness of risk and control management systems.

These established review, reporting and assurance processes enable the Conference (a meeting of the Executive and Non-Executive Directors) to regularly consider the overall effectiveness of the system of internal control and to perform a full annual review of the system’s effectiveness.

Taken together, these processes and practices provide confirmation to the Group Holding Companies that relevant policies are adopted and procedures implemented with respect to risk and control management.

As discussed below under “Controls and Procedures” the Parent Companies determined, based largely on the investigation and report to the Group Audit Committee, that there were deficiencies and material weaknesses in the internal controls relating to proved reserve bookings and disclosure controls that allowed volumes of oil and gas to be improperly booked and maintained as proved reserves, which also had an effect on the Financial Statements.

Property and liability risks

The Group’s Operating Companies insure against most major property and liability risks with the Group’s captive insurance companies. These companies reinsure part of their major catastrophe risks with a variety of international insurers. The effect of these arrangements is that uninsured losses for any one incident are unlikely to exceed $400 million.

Treasury and trading risks

As further discussed in Note 29 to the Group Financial Statements on pages G36 and G37, Group companies, in the normal course of their business, use financial instruments of various kinds for the purposes of managing exposure to currency, commodity price and interest rate movements.

The Group has Treasury Guidelines applicable to all Group companies and each Group company is required to adopt a treasury policy consistent with these guidelines. These policies cover financing structure, foreign exchange and interest rate risk management, insurance, counterparty risk management and derivative instruments, as well as the treasury control framework. Wherever possible, treasury operations are operated through specialist Group regional organisations without removing from each Group company the responsibility to formulate and implement appropriate treasury policies.

Each Group company measures its foreign currency exposures against the underlying currency of its business (its functional currency), reports foreign exchange gains and losses against its functional currency and has hedging and treasury policies in place which are designed to manage foreign exchange exposure so defined. The functional currency for most upstream companies and for other companies with significant international business is the US dollar, but other companies usually have their local currency as their functional currency.

The financing of most Operating Companies is structured on a floating-rate basis and, except in special cases, further interest rate risk management is discouraged.

Apart from forward foreign exchange contracts to meet known commitments, the use of derivative financial instruments by most Group companies is not permitted by their treasury policy.

Specific Group companies have a mandate to operate as traders in crude oil, natural gas, oil products and other energy related products, using commodity swaps, options and futures as a means of managing price and timing risks arising from this trading. In effecting these transactions, the companies concerned operate within procedures and policies designed to ensure that risks, including those relating to the default of counterparties, are minimised. The Group measures exposure to the market when trading. Exposure to substantial trading losses is considered limited with the Group’s approach to risk.

 
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Other than in exceptional cases, the use of external derivative instruments is generally confined to specialist oil and gas trading and central treasury organisations which have appropriate skills, experience, supervision and control and reporting systems.

Supplementary information on derivatives and other financial instruments and derivative commodity instruments is given on pages G62 to G74 of this report.

Pension funds

It is expected that the actuarial valuations of the Group’s four main pension funds in aggregate at the end of 2004 will show an increased surplus of assets over liabilities compared with the end of 2003, mainly resulting from the investment performance during 2004. These actuarial valuations, rather than the Group accounting policy FAS 87 measure (Note 21 to the Group Financial Statements on pages G23 to G26), are the basis on which the funds’ trustees manage the funds and define the required contributions from the member companies.

Environmental and decommissioning costs

Group companies are present in over 140 countries and territories throughout the world and are subject to a number of different environmental laws, regulations and reporting requirements. It is the responsibility of each Group company to implement a health, safety and environmental management system that is suited to its particular circumstances.

The costs of prevention, control, abatement or elimination of releases into the air and water, as well as the disposal and handling of waste at operating facilities, are considered to be an ordinary part of business. As such, these amounts are included within operating expenses. An estimate of the order of magnitude of amounts incurred in 2004 for Group companies, based on allocations and managerial judgment, is $1.4 billion (2003: $1.3 billion).

Expenditures of a capital nature to limit or monitor hazardous substances or releases, include both remedial measures on existing plants and integral features of new plants. Whilst some environmental expenditures are discrete and readily identifiable, others must be reasonably estimated or allocated based on technical and financial judgments which develop over time. Consistent with this, estimated environmental capital expenditures made by companies with major capital programmes during 2004 were $0.7 billion (2003: $0.7 billion). Those Group companies are expected to incur environmental capital costs of at least $0.5 billion during 2005 and 2006.

It is not possible to predict with certainty the magnitude of the effect of required investments in existing facilities on Group companies’ future earnings, since this will depend amongst other things on the ability to recover the higher costs from consumers and through fiscal incentives offered by governments.

Nevertheless, it is anticipated that over time there will be no material impact on the total of Group companies’ earnings. These risks are comparable to those faced by other companies in similar businesses.

At the end of 2004, the total liabilities being carried for environmental clean-up were $907 million (2003: $972 million). In 2004, there were payments of $244 million and increases in provisions of $161 million. The Group introduced US accounting standard FAS 143 (Asset Retirement Obligations) with effect from January 1, 2003 (see Note 24 to the Group Financial Statements on page G29). The fair value of the obligations being carried for expenditures on decommissioning and site restoration, including oil and gas platforms, at December 31, 2004 amounted to $5,894 million (2003: $4,044 million).

Employees

There has been an overall decrease in the number of employees in the Group during 2004. This is mainly as a result of divestments within Oil Products. The main divestments were in Peru, Thailand, Spain, Portugal and the USA.

Research and development costs

The Group’s research and development (R&D) programmes are designed to enable the Group to reduce costs and improve operations. Total R&D expenses for 2004 were $553 million, (2003: $584 million).

Foreign exchange volatility

Foreign exchange exposures are managed within the Group on an entity by entity basis. The Group recognises and expects that Group profitability and the Group’s assets and liabilities will vary on consolidation as a result of foreign exchange movements.

International Financial Reporting Standards

Under a 2002 European Union (EU) Regulation, publicly-listed companies in the EU will be required to prepare consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) from 2005. The Group’s IFRS implementation project is on target to meet the EU requirement.

With effect from the first quarter of 2005, the Group will release its quarterly (unaudited) results under IFRS, including comparative data for 2004, together with reconciliations to opening January 1, 2004 and to 2004 data previously published in accordance with

 
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accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (US GAAP). The 2005 Financial Statements of the Group or, subject to completion of the transaction described under the heading “— Unification Proposal” on page 48, of its successor, will be prepared under IFRS, with appropriate reconciliations to US GAAP.

The total impact on net assets at transition on January 1, 2004 is expected to be a reduction of $4.7 billion, mainly resulting from the recognition of unrecognised gains and losses on post-retirement benefits at the date of transition of $4.9 billion. This will have no impact on the actuarial position or funding of the pension funds, which continue to be well funded.

There have been various amendments during 2004 to International Accounting Standards 32 and 39 relating to the accounting for financial instruments. In order to complete its review of the potential impact the Group is applying the option to continue with its existing policy (under which derivatives defined under US GAAP, other than those meeting the normal purchases and sales exception, are already recognised on the balance sheet at fair value) for 2004 and to implement any changes to accounting policy arising from these standards with effect from January 1, 2005.

The adoption of IFRS will have no impact on the financial framework, the Group’s strategy or the Group’s cash. However net income will differ resulting from the IFRS requirements to expense stock options, to capitalise major inspection costs, to provide for additional impairments and to reverse previous impairments where applicable and (mainly as a consequence of the transition adjustment) there will be an impact on pension costs. However, as stated above there will be no impact on the actuarial position of funding of the pension funds, which continue to be well funded.

Cautionary statement

The Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections of this report contain forward-looking statements, that are subject to risk factors associated with the oil, gas, power, chemicals and renewables business. It is believed that the expectations reflected in these statements are reasonable, but may be affected by a variety of variables which could cause actual results, trends or reserves replacement to differ materially, including, but not limited to: price fluctuations, actual demand, currency fluctuations, drilling and production results, reserve estimates, loss of market, industry competition, environmental risks, physical risks, risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets and the successful negotiation and consummation of transactions, the risk of doing business in developing countries, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including potential litigation and regulatory effects arising from recategorisation of reserves, economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions, political risks, project delay or advancement, approvals and cost estimates.

Critical Accounting Estimates

In order to prepare the Group Financial Statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the Netherlands and the United States, management of the Group has to make estimates and judgments. The matters described below are considered to be the most critical in understanding the judgments that are involved in preparing the Group Financial Statements and the uncertainties that could impact the amounts reported on the results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Accounting policies are described in Note 3 and Note 31 to the Group Financial Statements.

Estimation of oil and gas reserves

Oil and gas reserves are key elements in the Group’s investment decision-making process. They are also an important element in testing for impairment. Changes in proved oil and gas reserves will also affect the standardised measure of discounted cash flows presented in “Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)” (see pages G49 to G61) and changes in proved oil and gas reserves, particularly proved developed reserves, will affect unit-of-production depreciation charges to income.

Proved oil and gas reserves are the estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions, ie, prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made. Proved developed reserves are reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods. Estimates of oil and gas reserves are inherently imprecise, require the application of judgment and are subject to future revision. Accordingly, financial and accounting measures (such as the standardised measure of discounted cash flows, depreciation, depletion and amortisation charges, and decommissioning provisions) that are based on proved reserves are also subject to change.

Proved reserves are estimated by reference to available reservoir and well information, including production and pressure trends for producing reservoirs and, in some cases, subject to definitional limits, to similar data from other producing reservoirs. Proved reserves estimates are attributed to future development projects only where there is a significant commitment to project funding and execution and for which applicable governmental and regulatory approvals have been secured or are reasonably certain to be secured. Furthermore, estimates of proved reserves only include volumes for which access to market is assured with reasonable certainty. All proved reserve

 
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estimates are subject to revision, either upward or downward, based on new information, such as from development drilling and production activities or from changes in economic factors, including product prices, contract terms or development plans. In general, changes in the technical maturity of hydrocarbon reserves resulting from new information becoming available from development and production activities have tended to be the most significant cause of annual revisions.

In general, estimates of reserves for undeveloped or partially developed fields are subject to greater uncertainty over their future life than estimates of reserves for fields that are substantially developed and depleted. As a field goes into production, the amount of proved reserves will be subject to future revision once additional information becomes available through, for example, the drilling of additional wells or the observation of long-term reservoir performance under producing conditions. As those fields are further developed, new information may lead to revisions.

As announced on January 9, 2004, March 18, 2004, April 19, 2004, October 28, 2004, November 26, 2004 and February 3, 2005 the Group reviewed its proved reserves (with the assistance of external consultants) during the period from late 2003 to December 2004. These reviews lead to the First Reserves Restatement, which was reflected in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004, and to the Second Reserves Restatement which was reflected in Amendment No. 2 to the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on March 7, 2005. As at December 31, 2003, after giving effect to the First Reserves Restatement and the Second Reserves Restatement, the proportion of the Group’s total proved reserves that was categorised as proved developed reserves was 57%, the remaining 43% being proved undeveloped reserves.

As noted above, changes in the estimated amounts of proved reserves can have a significant impact on the standardised measure of discounted cash flows presented under “Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)” beginning on page G60. The First Reserves Restatement and the Second Reserves Restatement resulted in a 17% reduction in the standardised measure as at the end of 2002. Apart from the effects of the Reserves Restatements, however, revisions to proved reserves have had a relatively modest impact on standardised measure compared to changes in prices and costs, sales and transfers and income tax. A summary of changes to the standardised measure is given on page G60.

Changes to the Group’s estimates of proved reserves, particularly proved developed reserves, also affect the amount of depreciation, depletion and amortisation recorded in the Group’s financial statements for fixed assets related to hydrocarbon production activities. These changes most often result from production and revisions. However, the Reserves Restatements also affected proved developed reserves. A reduction in proved developed reserves will increase depreciation, depletion and amortisation charges (assuming constant production) and reduce net income.

Exploration costs

Capitalised exploration drilling costs more than 12 months old are expensed under Group accounting policy unless (i) they are in an area requiring major capital expenditure before production can begin and (ii) they have found commercially producible quantities of reserves and (iii) they are subject to further exploration or appraisal activity in that either drilling of additional exploratory wells is under way or firmly planned for the near future. In making decisions about whether to continue to capitalise exploration drilling costs for a period longer than 12 months, it is necessary to make judgments about the satisfaction of each of these conditions. If there is a change in one of these judgments in a subsequent period, then the related capitalised exploration drilling costs would be expensed in that period, resulting in a charge to net income. As at December 31, 2004, the Group has $789 million of capitalised exploration drilling costs. Write-offs of previously capitalised exploration drilling costs in 2004 amounted to $432 million pre-tax.

A proposed amendment to FASB Statement no.19 “Financial Accounting and Reporting by Oil and Gas Producing Companies” has been issued. If enacted this would result in the continued inclusion, on a prospective basis, of the cost of certain exploratory wells in tangible fixed assets beyond 12 months which do not meet the current requirements given above if both sufficient reserves have been found to justify completion as a producing well, and sufficient progress is being made towards assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project. (See Note 3 to the Group Financial Statements). This would result in lower write-offs if proved reserves are ultimately determined, with a consequential increase in depreciation, depletion and amortisation of future periods.

Recoverability of assets

For oil and gas properties with no proved reserves, the capitalisation of exploration costs and the basis for carrying those costs on the balance sheet are explained in Note 3 to the Group Financial Statements. For properties with proved reserves, the carrying amounts of major fixed assets are reviewed for possible impairment annually, while all assets are reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts for those assets may not be recoverable. If assets are determined to be impaired, (i.e. the estimated undiscounted cash flows related to such assets are less than the carrying amounts of such assets) the carrying amounts of those assets are written down to fair value, usually determined as the amount of estimated discounted future cash flows. For this purpose, assets are grouped based on separately identifiable and largely independent cash flows. Impairments can also occur when decisions are taken to dispose of assets.
 
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Estimates of future cash flows are based on management estimates of future commodity prices, market supply and demand, product margins and, in the case of oil and gas properties, the expected future production volumes. Other factors that can lead to changes in estimates include restructuring plans and variations in regulatory environments. Expected future production volumes, which include both proved reserves as well as volumes that are expected to constitute proved reserves in the future, are used for testing asset recoverability because the Group believes this to be the most appropriate indicator of expected future cash flows, used as a measure of fair value. Estimates of future cash flows are risk weighted and consistent with those used in Group companies’ business plans. A discount rate based on the Group’s risk free rate is used in impairment testing, adapted where required to specific local circumstances. Changes in the discount rate can result from inflation rates, individual country risks and currency risks. The Group reviews the discount rate to be applied on an annual basis but the risk free rate has been stable in recent years.

Asset impairments have the potential to significantly impact net income. For example, in recent years there have been significant charges in 2003 ($1,376 million pre-tax) and the changes in estimates that most precipitated those impairments were in relation to future production outlooks and economic conditions, and portfolio actions (particularly in Oil Products due to the announced closure of the Bakersfield refinery). This resulted in certain asset-specific impairments in Exploration & Production (totalling $698 million), Oil Products, Chemicals and other industry segments. There were also significant write-downs in the carrying amounts of certain associated companies in 2003 as a result of a reassessment of future business conditions. These comprised Basell in Chemicals ($286 million after tax) and InterGen ($200 million) and Cuiaba ($115 million) in Gas & Power.

As described above, the Group has a portfolio of assets across a number of business lines and geographic regions. The factors that influence estimated future cash flows from assets also vary depending on the nature of the business activity in which those assets are used and geographical market conditions impacting the businesses in which assets are used. This wide business and geographic spread is such that it is not practicable to determine the likelihood or magnitude of impairments under different sets of assumptions. The assumption on future oil prices tends to be stable because the Group does not consider short-term increases or decreases in prices as being indicative of long term levels. At the end of 2004 the estimated oil and gas prices used for asset recoverability testing were lower than prices prevailing in the market at that time.

Provisions and liabilities

Provisions are recognised for the future decommissioning and restoration of oil and gas production facilities and pipelines at the end of their economic lives. The estimated cost is provided over the life of the proved developed reserves on a unit-of production basis. Changes in the estimates of costs to be incurred, proved developed reserves or in the rate of production will therefore impact net income, over the remaining economic life of oil and gas assets.

Other provisions and liabilities are recognised in the period when it becomes probable that there will be a future outflow of funds resulting from past operations or events which can be reasonably estimated. The timing of recognition requires the application of judgment to existing facts and circumstances, which can be subject to change.

Estimates of the amounts of provisions and liabilities recognised are based on current legal and constructive requirements, technology and price levels. Because actual outflows can differ from estimates due to changes in laws, regulations, public expectations, technology, prices and conditions, and can take place many years in the future, the carrying amounts of provisions and liabilities are regularly reviewed and adjusted to take account of such changes.

In relation to decommissioning and restoration costs, the estimated interest rate used in discounting the cash flows is reviewed at least annually. The interest rate used to determine the balance sheet obligation at December 31, 2004, was 6%.

As further described in Note 28 to the Group Financial Statements, the Group is subject to claims and actions. The facts and circumstances relating to particular cases are evaluated in determining whether it is “probable” that there will be a future outflow of funds and, once established, whether a provision relating to a specific litigation is sufficient. Accordingly, significant management judgment relating to contingent liabilities is required since the outcome of litigation is difficult to predict. Despite this uncertainty, actual payments related to litigation during the three years ended December 31, 2004 have not been material to the Group’s financial condition or results of operations.

Notwithstanding the possibility of outcomes outside expected ranges, in recent years the Group’s experience has been that estimates used in determining the appropriate levels of provisions have been materially adequate in anticipating actual outcomes.

A change in estimate of a recognised provision or liability would result in a charge or credit to net income in the period in which the change occurs (with the exception of decommissioning and restoration costs as described above).

Employee retirement plans

Retirement plans are provided for permanent employees of all major Group companies and generally provide defined benefits based on employees’ years of service and average final remuneration. The plans are typically structured as separate legal entities managed by trustees.
 
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The amounts reported for the Group’s employee retirement plans are disclosed in Note 21 to the Group Financial Statements, and are calculated in line with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87 (FAS 87). These calculations require assumptions to be made of future outcomes, the principal ones being in respect of increases in remuneration and pension benefit levels, the expected long-term return on plan assets and the discount rate used to convert future cash flows to current values. The assumptions used vary for the different plans as they are determined in consultation with independent actuaries in the light of local conditions. The assumptions are reviewed annually. Expected rates of return on plan assets are calculated based on a projection of real long-term bond yields and an equity risk premium which are combined with local inflation assumptions and applied to the actual asset mix of each plan. The amount of the expected return on plan assets is calculated using the expected rate of return for the year and the market-related value at the beginning of the year. Discount rates used to calculate year-end liabilities are based on prevailing AA long-term corporate bond rates at year end. Weighted average values for the assumptions used are contained in Note 21 to the Group Financial Statements. The main change in 2004 was a 0.5% reduction in the discount rate used to calculate year-end liabilities reflecting lower long-term interest rates.

Pension cost under FAS 87 primarily represents the increase in actuarial present value of the obligation for benefits earned on employee service during the year and the interest on the obligation in respect of employee service in previous years, net of the expected return on plan assets. The FAS 87 calculations are sensitive to changes in the underlying assumptions. A change of one percentage point in the expected rate of return on plan assets would result in a change in pension cost charged to income of approximately $500 million (pre-tax) per annum. FAS 87 generally reduces income volatility because unexpected changes in the amounts of plan assets and liabilities (actuarial gains and losses) are amortised over the average remaining employee work life.

The trustees manage the pension funds and set the required contributions from Group companies based on independent actuarial valuation rather than the FAS 87 measures.

Controls And Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Report, the management of each of the Parent Companies (with the participation in the case of Royal Dutch of its President and Managing Director and the Group Chief Financial Officer and, in the case of Shell Transport its Managing Director and the Group Chief Financial Officer) conducted an evaluation pursuant to Rule 13a-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures of the Parent Companies and the Group. Based on this evaluation, the President and Managing Director of Royal Dutch, the Managing Director of Shell Transport and the Group Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, such disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by each of the Parent Companies in reports they file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarised and reported, within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC.

In making the evaluation, the Companies have considered matters relating to the Reserves Restatements, including action taken during 2004 to identify deficiencies and enhance the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures. The Executive Committee noted the implementation of a number of structural enhancements designed to address improvement needs identified by a special report to the Group Audit Committee. Further steps will be taken through the course of 2005 to embed, sustain and build upon the enhancements made to date.

Except as described below, there has not been any change in the internal controls over financial reporting of the Group or either Parent Company that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to affect, such internal controls over financial reporting.

Investigation and Report to the Group Audit Committee; Management Changes

Following the January 9, 2004 announcement of the reserves recategorisation, the Group Audit Committee (GAC) appointed Davis Polk & Wardwell to lead an independent review of the facts and circumstances surrounding the recategorisation, and to report its findings and any proposed remedial actions to the GAC for its consideration. That report, dated March 31, 2004, was presented to the GAC and subsequently to the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch and non-executive directors of Shell Transport. The report was accepted in full by the GAC on April 15, 2004 and by the members of the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch and the non-executive directors of Shell Transport (the Parent Company Boards) on April 16, 2004.

Following an interim report to the GAC dated March 1, 2004, which was presented to the Parent Company Boards on March 2, 2004, Sir Philip Watts, Chairman of the Committee of Managing Directors and Walter Van de Vijver, Chief Executive of Exploration & Production, submitted their resignations on March 3, 2004 from all director and officer positions within the Group and the Parent Companies. Following acceptance of the final report to the GAC by the members of the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch and the non-executive Directors of Shell Transport, Judith Boynton stepped aside as Group Chief Financial Officer and as Group Managing Director

 
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and Managing Director of Shell Transport on April 18, 2004. She remained with the Group in an advisory capacity reporting to the Chief Executive Jeroen van der Veer. Ms Boynton left the Group, by mutual agreement, effective December 31, 2004.

Jeroen van der Veer, President and Managing Director of Royal Dutch, succeeded Sir Philip Watts as Chairman of the Group’s Committee of Managing Directors; Lord Oxburgh was appointed non-executive Chairman of Shell Transport and Chairman of Conference; and Malcolm Brinded was appointed Chief Executive of Exploration & Production, a Director of Shell Transport and Vice Chairman of the Committee of Managing Directors. Mr. Brinded resigned from his position as a Managing Director of Royal Dutch. On June 23, 2004, Peter Voser was appointed Group Chief Financial Officer and a Director of Shell Transport with effect from October 4, 2004. Linda Cook was appointed a Managing Director of Royal Dutch on August 1, 2004.

Deficiencies relating to reserves reporting

As described in greater detail elsewhere in this Report, this Report gives effect to the Reserves Restatements and the Financial Restatements. In connection with the First Reserves Restatement, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport determined, based largely upon the investigation for the comparative periods and a report to the GAC, that there were deficiencies and material weaknesses in the internal controls relating to proved reserves bookings and disclosure controls that allowed volumes of oil and gas to be improperly booked and maintained as proved reserves. The inappropriate booking of certain proved reserves had an effect on the financial statements, mainly understating depreciation, depletion and amortisation. To eliminate the effects on the financial statements of the inappropriate reserves bookings, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport elected to make the First Financial Restatement. The identified deficiencies and material weaknesses relating to the booking of proved reserves consist of the following:

the Group’s guidelines for booking proved reserves were inadequate in several respects, including (i) containing inconsistencies with the SEC’s rules and published guidance relating to proved reserves and (ii) failing to clearly and sufficiently impart these requirements and guidance to users of the guidelines;
 
there was a lack of appropriate resources and a confusion of roles and responsibilities with respect to the Group Reserves Co-ordinator and the Group Reserves Auditor;
 
the Group’s Committee of Managing Directors and the Parent Company Boards were not provided with appropriate information to inform disclosure judgments;
 
there were weaknesses in the finance function whereby the Chief Financial Officers of the businesses did not have direct reporting responsibility to the Group Chief Financial Officer;
 
there were unclear lines of responsibility for booking proved reserves;
 
there was a lack of understanding at various levels of the Group of the meaning and importance of disclosure obligations under the SEC’s rules and published guidance relating to proved reserves; and
 
there was a control environment that did not emphasise the paramount importance of the compliance element of proved reserves decisions.

Remedial Actions Taken in 2004

To address the weaknesses in the controls relating to reserves bookings identified above, the Parent Companies and the Group implemented a number of remedial actions. During March 2004 through April 2004, the Group conducted an extensive special review of the global reserves portfolio with the assistance of external reserve consultants, Ryder Scott Company. During July 2004 through December 2004, asset teams in each operating unit, using the revised guidelines and assisted in certain cases by external consultants, undertook a reservoir-by-reservoir review of substantially all of the Group’s proved reserves volumes reported as at December 31, 2003, as part of the Group’s annual reserves determination process. In addition, teams from internal audit, assisted by separate external consultants, conducted on-site reviews as part of an audit process that covered approximately 90% of such originally reported proved reserves. These reviews led to the Second Reserves Restatement. See “Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)” on pages G49 to G61. The Parent Companies and the Group also effected the management changes described above under “Investigation and Report to Group Audit Committee; management changes”. In addition, as discussed in the report to the GAC, the following remedial actions were taken or are in progress:

Global Reserves Committee. The Group established the Global Exploration & Production Reserves Committee (the “Reserves Committee”) in order to improve consistency of standards and their application across the Group’s operations globally and strengthen the oversight of the process for approving the booking of proved reserves.
 
Group Reserves Guidelines. The Group’s guidelines for booking proved reserves have been revised with the assistance of independent petroleum engineers and counsel to ensure that these guidelines conform fully with applicable SEC rules and guidance, clarify the criteria for booking and de-booking of proved reserves (and the distinctions between regulatory requirements and the Group’s internal reserves classifications) and improve their utility for all users. It is expected that future revisions of the guidelines will occur
 
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only as necessary and as early as possible in the year to allow engineers to understand the implications well in advance of the submission of reserves volumes at year-end.

Training Reserves Guidelines Users. In 2004, the Group began, and in early 2005 completed training approximately 3,000 employees in the use of the revised Group Reserves Guidelines.
 
Overhaul of the office of Group Reserves Co-ordinator. Given the technical and compliance elements of reserves determinations, the Group Reserves Co-ordinator will no longer report to business planning or strategy executives in Exploration & Production but to the Director of Technology. More staff have been and will be employed to resource the vital function of the Group Reserves Co-ordinator who will also regularly use independent petroleum engineers as deemed necessary, including for the systematic training of engineers in the field. The Group Reserves Co-ordinator is responsible for the revision and ongoing maintenance and application of the Group’s Guidelines, and as such is responsible for identifying and resolving difficult areas of interpretation with the Reserves Committee and the Group Reserves Auditor as well as for identifying training needs and facilitating training sessions from both a technical and regulatory perspective. The Group Reserves Co-ordinator also has an obligation to liaise with internal legal staff on disclosure judgments on the basis of technical compliance and/or materiality.
 
Overhaul of the office of Group Reserves Auditor. The Group Reserve Auditor function has been assigned additional employees so that the audit cycle of the Group’s reserves can be made more frequent and each audit can be made more rigorous. The Group Reserves Auditor and his or her staff now report to the Group Chief Internal Auditor to increase the independence of the Group Reserves Auditor function. The Group Reserves Auditor also regularly uses independent external petroleum engineers to complement and develop in-house expertise.
 
Clarification of roles and responsibilities of the Group Reserves Auditor and the Group Reserves Co-ordinator. The roles of the Group Reserves Auditor and Group Reserves Co-ordinator have been redefined to make clear that they must retain a respectful separation and independence so as to allow the Group Reserves Auditor to challenge the Group Reserves Co-ordinator and Exploration & Production reserve booking decisions more effectively as parts of the Group internal audit function.
 
Removal of reserves from scorecards. Scorecards are used internally to gauge the performance of the Group’s businesses against identified goals for purposes of management evaluation and for calculating management bonuses. Reserves bookings have been removed from performance scorecards of individuals associated with the reserves assurance process, including senior executives.
 
Improved visibility and accounting of reserves issues by senior management and Directors. The Group’s Executive Committee (prior to October 2004, the Group’s Committee of Managing Directors) collectively approve the reserve bookings and de-bookings taken by Exploration & Production. Following this approval, a review of the overall outcome is considered by the Group Audit Committee.
 
Enhanced accountability of Business CFOs to the Group CFO. The Chief Financial Officers of the businesses now report directly to the Group Chief Financial Officer. This reorganisation is designed to improve the ability of the Group Chief Financial Officer to have effective oversight of financial issues relating to the business units. It also enables the Group Chief Financial Officer, in turn, to inform colleagues and directors of important disclosure issues, as required.
 
Strengthening of line responsibilities for reserve reporting. The line authorities and accountabilities for reserve reporting have been reinforced as follows:

  to clarify that the local Chief Reservoir Engineer is responsible for ensuring that reserves bookings and de-bookings are compliant with SEC rules and requiring that any booking and de-booking decisions are only made with appropriate, auditable documentation and after completion of the appropriate challenge processes;
 
  to place business and financial responsibility on the Regional Technical Director and Regional Finance Manager, respectively, for the decisions of their Chief Reservoir Engineer;
 
  to clarify that responsibility for booking and debooking decisions rests with the Chief Financial Officer of Exploration & Production and the Director of Technology of Exploration & Production, working together with the Group Reserves Co-ordinator and the other members of the Reserves Committee;
 
  to provide for the approval of these decisions by the Group’s Executive Committee; and
 
  finally, to provide for final review by the Group Audit Committee.

Enhancement of the Legal Function. To improve the ability of the senior management to benefit from appropriate legal advice, provision has been made for the Group Legal Director to have the ability to attend meetings of the Group’s Executive Committee, the Conference and the Parent Company Boards. Similarly, the General Counsel of the various businesses, who attend the executive committee meetings of those businesses, have been expressly given the task of identifying disclosure issues for consideration at a higher level. All lawyers at the Group level and the Parent Companies, including the Corporate Secretaries of the Parent Companies, now report to the Group Legal Director, except to the extent inappropriate under applicable legal and fiduciary requirements or governance codes when they report directly to the Parent Company Boards. The legal function has been given responsibility for
 
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actively identifying training needs in areas of disclosure, reporting obligations and corporate governance and devising training programs to address those needs.

Enhancement of the Disclosure Committee. The role of the Group’s existing Disclosure Committee has been enhanced and the Committee is now chaired by the Group Legal Director. The Disclosure Committee has also been given regular access to the Group’s Executive Committee to assess the adequacy of disclosures and ensure the awareness and approval of the Group’s Executive Committee of those disclosures. In carrying out its responsibility to ensure accuracy, completeness and consistency with other disclosures, the Disclosure Committee will be asked to provide a second level of control over the substantive content of disclosures.
 
Reduction of Job Rotation. The Group examines the tenure of individuals in key functions. While it is important for numerous reasons to expose people to different experiences within the Group, it is accepted that the period of rotation of certain positions should be extended and, upon rotation, complete and detailed handover notes should form the basis for a formal transfer.
 
Document Retention Policy. A consistent policy has been prepared to be put into place. Following implementation, this policy will be disseminated throughout the Group.
 
Promoting Communication and Compliance. Group-wide communications have taken place, and will continue, in which the Group’s senior management emphasises to all employees that integrity and compliance concerns must be raised with the internal audit or legal functions, and must be investigated thoroughly and openly, regardless of who is involved. This policy will be communicated forcefully and frequently. Moreover, a working group of senior executives has been formed to evaluate ways to enhance the effectiveness of the Group’s compliance efforts and to promote consistent communication of compliance requirements throughout the Group. A Group Compliance Officer was appointed in January 2005.

Principal Accountants Fees and Services

The following table sets forth the fees paid to KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Group’s registered independent public accountants for each of the years for which audited financial statements appear in this Report, by the Group (including its consolidated subsidiaries):
                         
Group $ million

2002
2004 2003 As restated

Audit fees
    42       32       27  
Audit-related feesa
    13       11       17  
Tax feesb
    9       7       6  
All other feesc
    6       6       12  

a Fees for audit-related services such as employee benefit plan audits, due diligence assistance, assurance of non-financial data, operational audits, training services and special investigations.
 
b Fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services.

c Primarily non-audit IT system review services.

The following table sets forth the fees paid by Royal Dutch to KPMG Accountants N.V., Royal Dutch’s registered independent public accountants for each of the years for which audited financial statements appear in this Report:

                         
Royal Dutch thousand

2004 2003 2002

Audit fees
    190       245       140  
Audit-related fees
                 
Tax fees
                 
All other fees
                 

 
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The following table sets forth the fees paid by Shell Transport to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Shell Transport’s registered independent public accountants for each of the years for which audited financial statements appear in this Report:

                         
Shell Transport £ thousand

2004 2003 2002

Audit fees
    155       129       31  
Audit-related feesd
    16       32       23  
Tax fees
                 
All other fees
                 

d Fees for all other non-audit services relate to advice in respect of the financial reporting and disclosure impact of developments in accounting policies and business activities of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group on the financial statements of Shell Transport, including proposed developments in International Financial Reporting Standards.

The Group Audit Committee approved 54% of the aggregate fees set forth in the tables above in the rows entitled “Audit-related fees,” 84% of the aggregate fees set forth in the tables above in the rows entitled “Tax fees” and 100% of the aggregate fees set forth in the tables above in the rows entitled “All other fees”. The Group Audit Committee approves services to be provided by the external auditors KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers in accordance with the procedures described under the headings “Royal Dutch – Management – Group Audit Committee” and “Shell Transport – Management – Group Audit Committee” on pages 89 and 101.

Legal Proceedings

Shell Oil Company (including subsidiaries and affiliates, referred to collectively as SOC), along with numerous other defendants, has been sued by public and quasi-public water purveyors, as well as governmental entities, alleging responsibility for groundwater contamination caused by releases of gasoline containing oxygenate additives. Most of these suits assert various theories of liability, including product liability, and seek to recover actual damages, including clean-up costs. Some assert claims for punitive damages. As of December 31, 2004, there were approximately 66 pending suits by such plaintiffs that asserted claims against SOC and many other defendants (including major energy and refining companies). A significant majority of these cases have been consolidated in a multi-district litigation in the Southern District of New York for pretrial proceedings. The judge in this multi-district litigation may make rulings on dispositive motions as well as rulings on legal issues that will be binding with regard to the case in respect of which such ruling is made and may be followed in other cases that are part of the multi-district litigation and other cases that have not been consolidated. Although as of December 31, 2004, the complaints in 46 of these cases did not specify an amount of monetary damages sought, the plaintiffs in 19 of these lawsuits did include in their complaints as of that date quantified damage claims (which are alleged against more than 60 defendants and not SOC individually), including approximately $1 billion of compensatory damages in aggregate and approximately $3 billion of punitive damages in aggregate. The damages claimed solely represent amounts set forth by plaintiffs in lawsuits. Management of the Group considers these amounts to be highly speculative and not an appropriate basis on which to determine a reasonable estimate of the amount of the loss that may ultimately be incurred, for the reasons described below.

The reasons for this determination can be summarised as follows:

While the majority of the cases have been consolidated for pre-trial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, there are many cases pending in other jurisdictions throughout the U.S. Most of the cases are at a preliminary stage. In many matters, little discovery has been taken and the courts have yet to rule upon motions on substantive legal issues. Consequently, management of the Group does not have sufficient information to assess the facts underlying the plaintiffs’ claims; the nature and extent of damages claimed, if any; the reasonableness of any specific claim for money damages; the allocation of potential responsibility among defendants; or the law that may be applicable. Additionally, given the pendency of cases in varying jurisdictions, there may be inconsistencies in the determinations made in these matters.
 
There are significant unresolved legal questions relating to claims asserted in this litigation. For example, it has not been established whether the use of oxygenates mandated by the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act can give rise to a products liability based claim. While some trial courts have held that it cannot, other courts have left the question open or declined to dismiss claims brought on a products liability theory. Other examples of unresolved legal questions relate to the applicability of federal preemption, whether a plaintiff may recover damages for alleged levels of contamination significantly below state environmental standards, and whether a plaintiff may recover for an alleged threat to groundwater before detection of contamination.
 
There are also significant unresolved legal questions relating to whether punitive damages are available for products liability claims or, if available, the manner in which they might be determined. For example, some courts have held that for certain types of product liability claims, punitive damages are not available. It is not known whether that rule of law would be applied in some or all of the pending oxygenate additive cases. Where specific claims for damages have been made, punitive damages represent in most cases a majority of the total amounts claimed.
 
There are significant issues relating to the allocation of any liability among the defendants. Virtually all of the oxygenate additives cases involve multiple defendants including most of the major participants in the retail gasoline marketing business in the regions
 
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involved in the pending cases. The basis on which any potential liability may be apportioned among the defendants in any particular pending case cannot yet be determined.

For these reasons, management of the Group is not currently able to estimate a range of reasonably possible losses or minimum loss for this litigation; however, management of the Group does not currently believe that the outcome of the oxygenate-related litigation pending as of December 31, 2004 will have a material impact on the Group’s financial condition, although such resolutions could have a significant effect on periodic results for the period in which they are recognised.

A $490 million judgment in favour of 466 plaintiffs in a consolidated matter that had once been nine individual cases was rendered in 2002 by a Nicaraguan court jointly against SOC and three other named defendants (not affiliated with SOC), based upon Nicaraguan Special Law 364 for claimed personal injuries resulting from alleged exposure to dibromochloropropane (DBCP) – a pesticide manufactured by SOC prior to 1978. This special law imposes strict liability (in a predetermined amount) on international manufacturers of DBCP. The statute also provides that unless a deposit (calculated as described below) of an amount denominated in Nicaraguan cordobas is made into the Nicaraguan courts, the claims would be submitted to the US courts. In SOC’s case the deposit would have been between $19 million and $20 million (based on an exchange rate between 15 and 16 cordobas per US dollar). SOC chose not to make this deposit. The Nicaraguan courts did not, however, give effect to the provision of Special Law 364 that requires submission of the matter to the US courts. Instead, the Nicaraguan court entered judgment against SOC and the other defendants. Further, SOC was not afforded the opportunity to present any defences in the Nicaraguan court, including that it was not subject to Nicaraguan jurisdiction because it had neither shipped nor sold DBCP to parties in Nicaragua. At this time, SOC has not completed the steps necessary to perfect an appeal in Nicaragua and, as described below, the Nicaraguan claimants have sought to enforce the Nicaraguan judgment against SOC in the U.S. and in Venezuela. SOC does not have any assets in Nicaragua. In 2003, an attempt by the plaintiffs to enforce the Nicaraguan judgment described above in the United States against Shell Chemical Company and purported affiliates of the other named defendants was rejected by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, which decision is on appeal before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Enforcement of the Nicaraguan judgment was rejected because of improper service and attempted enforcement against non-existent entities or entities that were not named in the Nicaraguan judgment. Thereafter, SOC filed a declaratory judgment action seeking ultimate adjudication of the non-enforceability of this Nicaraguan judgment in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. This district court denied motions filed by the Nicaraguan claimants to dismiss SOC claims that Nicaragua does not have impartial tribunals, the proceedings violated due process, the relationship between SOC and Nicaragua made the exercise of personal jurisdiction unreasonable, and Special Law 364 is repugnant to U.S. public policy because it violates due process. A finding in favour of SOC on any of these grounds will result in a refusal to recognize and enforce the judgment in the United States. Several requests for Exequatur were filed in 2004 with the Tribunal Suprema de Justicia (the Venezuelan Supreme Court) to enforce Nicaraguan judgments. The petitions imply that judgments can be satisfied with assets of Shell Venezuela, S.A., which was neither a party to the Nicaraguan judgment nor a subsidiary of SOC, against whom the Exequatur was filed. The petitions are pending before the Tribunal Suprema de Justicia but have not been accepted. As of December 31, 2004, five additional Nicaraguan judgments had been entered in the collective amount of approximately $226.5 million in favour of 240 plaintiffs jointly against Shell Chemical Company and three other named defendants (not affiliated with Shell Chemical Company) under facts and circumstances almost identical to those relating to the judgment described above. Additional judgments are anticipated (including a suit seeking more than $3 billion). It is the opinion of management of the Group that the above judgments are unenforceable in a U.S. court, as a matter of law, for the reasons set out in SOC’s declaratory judgment action described above. No financial provisions have been established for these judgments or related claims.

Since 1984, SOC has been named with others as a defendant in numerous product liability cases, including class actions, involving the failure of residential plumbing systems and municipal water distribution systems constructed with polybutylene plastic pipe. SOC fabricated the resin for this pipe while the co-defendants fabricated the raw materials for the pipe fittings. As a result of two class action settlements in 1995, SOC and the co-defendants agreed on a mechanism to fund until 2009 the settlement of most of the residential plumbing claims in the United States. Financial provisions have been taken by SOC for its settlement funding needs anticipated at this time. Additionally, claims that are not part of these class action settlements or that challenge these settlements continue to be filed primarily involving alleged problems with polybutylene pipe used in municipal water distribution systems. It is the opinion of management of the Group that exposure from this other polybutylene litigation pending as of December 31, 2004, is not material. Management of the Group cannot currently predict when or how all polybutylene matters will be finally resolved.

In connection with the recategorisation of certain hydrocarbon reserves that occurred in 2004, a number of putative shareholder class actions were filed against Royal Dutch, Shell Transport, Managing Directors of Royal Dutch during the class period, Managing Directors of Shell Transport during the class period, and the external auditors for Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and the Group. These actions were consolidated in the United States District Court in New Jersey and a consolidated complaint was filed in September 2004. The parties are awaiting a decision with respect to defendants’ motions to dismiss asserting lack of jurisdiction with respect to the claims of non-United States shareholders who purchased on non-United States securities exchanges and failure to state a claim. Merits discovery has not begun. The case is at an early stage and subject to substantial uncertainties concerning the outcome of the material factual and legal issues relating to the litigation, including the pending motions to dismiss on lack of jurisdiction and failure to state a claim. In addition, potential damages, if any, in a fully litigated securities class action would depend on the losses caused by the alleged wrongful

 
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conduct that would be demonstrated by individual class members in their purchases and sales of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport shares during the relevant class period. Accordingly, based on the current status of the litigation, management of the Group is unable to estimate a range of possible losses or any minimum loss. Management of the Group will review this determination as the litigation progresses.

Also in connection with the hydrocarbon reserves recategorisation, putative shareholder class actions were filed on behalf of participants in various Shell Oil Company qualified plans alleging that Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and various current and former officers and directors breached various fiduciary duties to employee participants imposed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). These suits were consolidated in the United States District Court in New Jersey and a consolidated class action complaint was filed in July 2004. Defendants’ motions to dismiss have been fully briefed. Some document discovery has taken place. The case is at an early stage and subject to substantial uncertainties concerning the outcome of the material factual and legal issues relating to the litigation, including the pending motion to dismiss and the legal uncertainties with respect to the methodology for calculating damage, if any, should defendants become subject to an adverse judgment. The Group is in settlement discussions with counsel for plaintiffs, which it hopes will lead to a successful resolution of the case without the need for further litigation. No financial provisions have been taken with respect to the ERISA litigation.

The reserves recategorisation also led to the filing of shareholder derivative actions in June 2004. The four suits pending in New York state court, New York federal court and New Jersey federal court demand Group management and structural changes and seek unspecified damages from current and former members of the Boards of Directors of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport. The suits are in preliminary stages and no responses are yet due from defendants. Because any money “damages” in the derivative actions would be paid to Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, management of the Group does not believe that the resolution of these suits will have a material adverse effect on the Group’s financial condition or operating results.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) issued formal orders of private investigation in relation to the reserves recategorisation which Royal Dutch and Shell Transport resolved by reaching agreements with the SEC and the FSA. In connection with the agreement with the SEC, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport consented, without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings or conclusions, to an administrative order finding that Royal Dutch and Shell Transport violated, and requiring Royal Dutch and Shell Transport to cease and desist from future violations of, the antifraud, reporting, recordkeeping and internal control provisions of the US Federal securities laws and related SEC rules, agreed to pay a $120 million civil penalty and undertook to spend an additional $5 million developing a comprehensive internal compliance program. In connection with the agreement with the FSA, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport agreed, without admitting or denying the FSA’s findings or conclusions, to the entry of a Final Notice by the FSA finding that Royal Dutch and Shell Transport breached market abuse provisions of the UK’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the Listing Rules made under it and agreed to pay a penalty of £17 million. The penalties from the SEC and FSA and the additional amount to develop a comprehensive internal compliance program have been paid by Group companies and fully included in the Income Statement of the Group.

The United States Department of Justice has commenced a criminal investigation, and Euronext Amsterdam, the Dutch Authority Financial Markets and the California Department of Corporations are investigating the issues related to the reserves recategorisation. Management of the Group cannot currently predict the manner and timing of the resolution of these pending matters and is currently unable to estimate the range of reasonably possible losses from such matters.

Group companies are subject to a number of other loss contingencies arising out of litigation and claims brought by governmental and private parties, which are handled in the ordinary course of business.

The operations and earnings of Group companies continue, from time to time, to be affected to varying degrees by political, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments, including those relating to the protection of the environment and indigenous people, in the countries in which they operate. The industries in which Group companies are engaged are also subject to physical risks of various types. The nature and frequency of these developments and events, not all of which are covered by insurance, as well as their effect on future operations and earnings, are unpredictable.

Under existing provisions, the Group will bear the costs of legal proceedings against certain officers, members and former members of the Boards of the Parent and Holding Companies, except if the member concerned is ruled to be seriously at fault by a court of law or a judgment is given against the member or officer. Over the year 2004, the Group advanced a total of $12,048,441 (certain amounts have been converted at the average £/$ exchange rate for 2004) for litigation costs for former Board members under these provisions.

 
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Control of Registrant

Royal Dutch is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation or by any government. The Capital Group International Inc. held 115,437,760 shares (representing 5.5%) of Royal Dutch’s issued ordinary share capital at December 31, 2004, as indicated in its Schedule 13G filed with the SEC, dated February 14, 2005. As of March 29, 2005, the Directors and officers of Royal Dutch owned in aggregate (including shares under option) less than 1% of the ordinary share capital of Royal Dutch. See “Management – Share Ownership” on page 89.

On October 28, 2004, the Royal Dutch and Shell Transport Boards announced that they had unanimously agreed to propose to their shareholders a transaction through which each Parent Company will become a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc, which will become a publicly-listed company incorporated in England and Wales and headquartered and tax resident in the Netherlands. Please refer to “Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Unification Proposal” for additional information on this transaction.

Ordinary shares and priority shares

The General Meeting of Shareholders held on May 16, 2002, adopted a resolution to redenominate the nominal (par) value of the priority and ordinary shares from guilders into euro. The new nominal (par) value of the priority shares is 448 each and of the ordinary shares 0.56 each. The rights of the holders of the ordinary shares have not been impaired. Of Royal Dutch’s outstanding ordinary shares, with a nominal (par) value of 0.56 each, approximately 74% is in bearer form; the remainder is registered.

Royal Dutch has 1,500 issued priority shares. As announced on June 17, 2004, a proposal to abolish the priority shares has been put forward to the General Meeting of Shareholders 2005. It is intended that the proposal will be effected through a buyback of the priority shares at their nominal value. As at March 29, 2005, each member of the Supervisory Board and of the Board of Management is the holder of six priority shares. The Royal Dutch Priority Shares Foundation holds the other priority shares. The Board of the Foundation consists of all members of the Supervisory Board and the Board of Management of the Company. Priority shares represent certain special rights, which include:

determining of the number of members of the Supervisory Board and the number of Managing Directors, provided that the Supervisory Board should consist of at least five members and the Board of Management of at least two members;
 
drawing-up of a binding nomination consisting of two persons for filling vacancies on the Supervisory Board and the Board of Management;
 
granting of consent required for amendment of the Articles of Association or for dissolution of Royal Dutch; and
 
granting of consent required for the assignment of priority shares.

Apart from the priority shares, which can be considered an anti-takeover measure, Royal Dutch does not have any measures which exclusively or almost exclusively exist for the purpose of preventing a takeover. Furthermore, the Company does not have any measures which specifically prevent a bidder, if it has acquired 75% of the shares in the capital of the Company, appointing or dismissing members of the Board of Management and subsequently amending the Articles of Association of the Company. In the event of a hostile takeover attempt, the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board are authorised to exercise all powers attributed to them in the interest of Royal Dutch and its shareholders.

The above-mentioned rights are exercised by the meeting of holders of priority shares. At this meeting one vote may be cast for each priority share, but no one may cast more than six votes in all.

Nature of Trading Market

The principal trading markets for the ordinary shares of Royal Dutch are the stock exchanges in Amsterdam and New York. Royal Dutch ordinary shares are also listed on stock exchanges in Austria, France, Germany, and the UK. On October 28, 2004, Royal Dutch announced its intention to delist from Euronext Brussels, Euronext Paris, Luxembourg Stock Exchange, Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Berlin-Bremen Stock Exchange, Munich Stock Exchange, Dusseldorf Stock Exchange, Hamburg Stock Exchange and SWX Swiss Exchange. The Royal Dutch Shares have been delisted from the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, Euronext Brussels and the SWX Swiss Exchange. For the other exchanges where delisting is intended, work is in process.

Royal Dutch ordinary shares are issuable in bearer or registered form.

 
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Royal Dutch shares of New York Registry may be transferred on the books of Royal Dutch and exchanged for bearer shares, for shares of Hague Registry or for shares of New York Registry of other denominations at JPMorgan Chase Bank (c/o JPMorgan Service Center, PO Box 43013, Providence, RI 02940-3013) as Transfer Agent and Registrar. The Transfer Agent maintains “drop facilities” at the offices of Securities Transfer and Reporting Services (STARS), 100 William Street, Galleria, New York, NY 10038, where stock certificates and related instruments may be received and redelivered. Besides being listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange, Royal Dutch shares of New York Registry are also admitted to unlisted trading privileges on the following stock exchanges: Boston, Cincinnati, Midwest, Pacific and Philadelphia.

Royal Dutch ordinary shares other than those of New York Registry are predominantly in bearer form.

At March 29, 2005, there were outstanding 516,033,488 shares of New York Registry representing approximately 24.8% of the ordinary share capital of Royal Dutch, held by approximately 16,939 holders of record.

The following tables set forth the high and low prices for Royal Dutch 0.56 par value ordinary shares on Euronext Amsterdam and for Royal Dutch shares of New York Registry on the New York Stock Exchange for the periods specified:

                                 
Period

Euronext New York
Amsterdam Stock Exchange

High Low High Low
$ $

2000
    75.90       51.51       65.69       50.44  
2001
    73.48       43.72       64.15       39.75  
2002
    63.20       39.21       57.30       38.60  
2003
    44.58       33.35       52.70       36.69  
2004
    44.03       36.59       57.79       45.79  

                                 
Period

Euronext New York
Amsterdam Stock Exchange

High Low High Low
$ $

2003
                               
1st Quarter
    44.58       33.35       46.88       36.69  
2nd Quarter
    42.15       36.56       49.81       40.56  
3rd Quarter
    42.09       37.45       46.79       42.84  
4th Quarter
    41.85       37.01       52.70       43.95  

2004
                               
1st Quarter
    42.43       36.59       54.00       45.79  
2nd Quarter
    43.94       38.02       53.24       47.48  
3rd Quarter
    43.63       39.96       53.82       48.94  
4th Quarter
    44.03       41.17       57.79       51.63  

                                 
Period

Euronext New York
Amsterdam Stock Exchange

High Low High Low
$ $

2004
                               
September
    43.63       41.21       53.82       50.47  
October
    44.03       41.17       55.06       51.63  
November
    43.67       42.10       57.79       53.50  
December
    43.50       41.79       57.74       55.32  

2005
                               
January
    44.70       41.84       58.73       55.37  
February
    48.29       44.66       63.77       57.95  
March (through March 29)
    49.33       45.90       65.11       59.10  

Articles of Association

The following are brief summaries of certain provisions of the Articles of Association of Royal Dutch and of Dutch law. Such descriptions do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to Royal Dutch’s Articles of Association, Book 2 of the Netherlands Civil Code and other Dutch laws. A copy of Royal Dutch’s Articles of Association translated from the authentic Dutch text into English has been filed as an exhibit to this Report.

General

Royal Dutch was founded in the Netherlands on June 16, 1890 and is registered with the Commercial Register in The Hague, the Netherlands under number 27002690. The object of Royal Dutch, as described in Article 2 of its Articles of Association, is the
 
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foundation of, participation in and management and financing of limited liability and other companies or undertakings which are engaged in one or more branches of the oil, natural gas, chemical industry, in mining, power generation and distribution, renewables or in one or more other industries. Royal Dutch is further entitled in general to do all that is necessary for the attainment of its object or that is connected therewith in the widest sense.

Managing Directors and members of the Supervisory Board

Royal Dutch is managed by a Board of Management under the supervision of a Supervisory Board.

(a) A Managing Director or member of the Supervisory Board shall not vote in respect of a proposal, arrangement or contract in which he is materially interested.
 
(b) A Managing Director shall not vote in respect of any matter regarding compensation to himself or to any of the other Managing Directors. Each of the Managing Directors receives a remuneration, which shall be fixed by the Supervisory Board. The maximum aggregate remuneration of the members of the Supervisory Board is fixed by the General Meeting of Shareholders for division by the Supervisory Board among its members.
 
(c) The Managing Directors are empowered to exercise all powers of Royal Dutch to borrow money subject to the authorisation of the Supervisory Board being required for contracting loans that will mature in more than one year. The aforementioned authorisation of the Supervisory Board is embedded in the Company’s Articles of Association which may only be varied by the Company’s General Meeting of Shareholders.
 
(d) The Managing Directors and members of the Supervisory Board are not required to hold shares of Royal Dutch in order to be qualified.

Rights attaching to each class of shares

(a) Dividend rights
Under Dutch law, dividend distributions are limited to the amount by which, prior to such distributions, net assets exceed the aggregate of paid-up share capital and undistributable reserves.

Annual accounts consisting of a balance sheet, profit and loss account and notes to these documents, prepared by the Board of Management and reflecting the reservation of such amounts as the Board of Management, with the approval of the Supervisory Board, determines, are to be submitted each year by the Supervisory Board to a General Meeting of Shareholders for adoption.

Out of the profit which is available for distribution, there shall first be distributed on each priority share an amount equal to 4% of its par value. The balance of profit available for distribution then remaining is distributed to the holders of ordinary shares, unless the General Meeting of Shareholders resolves that the whole or part of such profit be carried forward to the following year. Shares acquired and held by Royal Dutch in its own capital are not included in the profit distribution calculation and no distributions are made thereon.

The Board of Management, with the approval of the Supervisory Board, may pay interim dividends on the ordinary shares and priority shares. On the recommendation of the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board, the General Meeting of Shareholders may resolve that a dividend or interim dividend on shares shall be payable in shares of Royal Dutch.

The right to claim payment of a dividend becomes forfeited upon the expiration of six years from the date on which the dividend was first made obtainable, at which time it reverts to Royal Dutch.

(b) Voting rights

Pursuant to Royal Dutch’s Articles of Association, for each ordinary share with a nominal (par) value of 0.56, one vote may be cast at a General Meeting of Shareholders. For each priority share with a nominal (par) value of 448 eight hundred votes may be cast. Major shareholders have no differing voting rights.

(c) Rights to share in the company’s profits

Reference is made to (a) above regarding dividend rights.

(d) Liquidation rights

In the event of a dissolution and liquidation of Royal Dutch, the holders of priority shares are entitled to receive the nominal amount thereof, plus accrued dividends thereon. The balance of the net proceeds of liquidation is to be divided among the holders of ordinary shares in proportion to their nominal amount.

(e) Redemption provisions

Neither the ordinary shares nor the priority shares are subject to any redemption provisions.
 
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(f) Sinking fund provisions

Neither the ordinary shares nor the priority shares are subject to any sinking fund provisions under Royal Dutch’s Articles of Association or as a matter of Dutch law.

(g) Liability to further capital calls

Since all of Royal Dutch’s issued and outstanding ordinary shares and priority shares have been fully paid in, the Company has no further capital calls.

(h) Discriminating provisions

There are no provisions under Royal Dutch’s Articles of Association or under Dutch law discriminating against a shareholder because of his ownership of a particular number of ordinary shares.

(i) Pre-emptive rights

When new ordinary shares are issued, the existing holders of ordinary shares shall have a pre-emptive right in proportion to their holdings, unless the payment is to be other than in cash or the shares are issued to employees of Royal Dutch or a legal entity with which Royal Dutch is associated in a group. With the approval of the Supervisory Board, the Board of Management may resolve to suspend the pre-emptive right if the Board of Management has been designated by the General Meeting of Shareholders as competent to do so. Such designation can only take place for a period in each case of not longer than five years.

The resolutions of the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board referred to above may only be passed by unanimous vote of all the Managing Directors and all of the members of the Supervisory Board present or represented at the meeting.

Holders of priority shares have no preferential right in the event of an issue of new shares.

Changing the rights of holders of shares

The rights of holders of ordinary and priority shares can be changed by amendment of the Articles of Association of Royal Dutch. Only the General Meeting of Shareholders can pass resolutions to that effect. Resolutions providing for the amendment of the Articles of Association, or for the dissolution of Royal Dutch, may only be adopted by the General Meeting of Shareholders with the prior consent, or, in the case of the former, subject to the subsequent approval, of a meeting of the holders of priority shares. A resolution providing for the dissolution of Royal Dutch may only be passed by a majority of at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a General Meeting of Shareholders at which at least three-fourths of the issued capital of Royal Dutch is represented. If such proportion of the issued capital is not so represented, such resolution may be adopted at a second general meeting to be held within eight weeks after the first meeting, at which meeting only an absolute majority of the votes cast, irrespective of the part of the issued capital which is represented thereat, shall be required to adopt the resolutions.

General Meetings of Shareholders

General Meetings of Shareholders are to be held in Amsterdam, The Hague or Rotterdam. Notice of the meeting is to be given by advertisement at least three weeks in advance in at least one daily newspaper published in The Hague and two national daily newspapers published in the Netherlands. This period may be reduced to 15 days in urgent cases. At least one General Meeting of Shareholders is to be held annually. In order to attend a General Meeting of Shareholders and exercise voting rights thereat in person or by proxy, shareholders must be registered as such at a time to be determined by the Board of Management on either the register of shareholders or, in the case of holders of bearer share certificates, on a register designated by the Board of Management, and, in each case, they must have notified Royal Dutch in writing of their desire to exercise these rights not later than at the time and at the place specified in the notice of convocation of the meeting. Failing the designation of a register of holders of bearer share certificates by the Board of Management, holders of bearer share certificates must deposit their certificates against receipt not later than at the time and the place specified in the notice of convocation. None of the times referred to in the previous two sentences may be set on a date earlier than the seventh day before that of the meeting.

General Meetings of Shareholders may be held as often as the Board of Management or the Supervisory Board deem advisable, and may also be held when holders of ordinary shares representing at least one-tenth of the issued share capital address to the Board of Management and to the Supervisory Board a written request to convene a general meeting, specifying the subjects to be discussed. If such request is not acted upon so as to enable the meeting to be held within six weeks, the persons making the request may be empowered by the President of the District Court in The Hague to convene the meeting themselves.

The Agenda for a General Meeting of Shareholders is to be specified in the notice of convocation of the meeting. No other business may be transacted at the meeting.

An absolute majority of the votes cast is required for the adoption of resolutions, except in those cases where Dutch law or the Articles of Association prescribe a larger majority. An absolute majority of the votes cast is required for the appointment of persons to office, provided that, if after two polls such majority has not been obtained, another poll is to be taken between the two persons obtaining the

 
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highest number of votes in the second poll, after which in the event of an equality of votes, the election is to be decided by the drawing of lots.

Limitations on rights to own shares

There are no limitations imposed by Dutch law or Royal Dutch’s Articles of Association on the rights to own ordinary shares, including the rights of non-resident or shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on the ordinary shares.

Provisions, which would delay, defer or prevent a change of control

None, other than the provisions regarding the rights of holders of priority shares as described in “Control of Registrant – Ordinary shares and priority shares”.

Threshold for disclosure of share ownership

There are no provisions in the Articles of Association of Royal Dutch requiring disclosure of ownership of shares, but Dutch law requires owners of 5% or more of the share capital of a company listed on a Stock Exchange in the European Union or the European Economic Area to notify their interest to the company. In addition, the US securities laws require public disclosure by beneficial owners of more than 5% of outstanding Royal Dutch shares.

Changes in capital

The conditions imposed by Royal Dutch’s Articles of Association for changes in capital are not more stringent than required under Dutch law.

Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders

The Dutch External Financial Relations Act of 1994 enables the Minister of Finance or the Central Bank of the Netherlands, as the case may be, to issue regulations with regard to a number of financial transactions relating to the import and export of capital. The regulations as issued and applied to date have not restricted the activities and operations of Royal Dutch and the Dutch Group companies.

There is no legislative or other legal provision currently in force in the Netherlands or arising under the constituent documents of Royal Dutch restricting remittances to non-resident holders of Royal Dutch’s securities.

Taxation

Income tax
Royal Dutch is generally required by Dutch law to withhold tax at a rate of 25% on dividends. Under the current income tax convention between the United States and the Netherlands, dividends paid by a Dutch corporation to an individual resident of the United States, a corporation organised under the laws of the United States (or of any state or territory thereof) or any other legal person subject to US Federal income tax with respect to its worldwide income (a “US shareholder”) that qualifies for benefits under the convention are generally subject to Dutch withholding tax at a reduced rate of 15% of the amount of the dividend (provided the shares on which the dividend is paid are not part of the business property of a permanent establishment of the shareholder in the Netherlands). In general, the entire dividend (including the withheld amount) will be dividend income to the US shareholder, not eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations, and the withholding tax will be treated as a foreign income tax that is eligible for credit against the shareholder’s US income taxes or a deduction subject to certain limitations. Under said convention, some US organisations that are generally exempt from US Federal income tax and that are constituted and operated exclusively to administer or provide pension, retirement or other employee benefits are exempt at source from withholding tax on dividends received from a Dutch corporation. Under the income tax convention between the United States and the Netherlands rules relating to the qualification of pension funds have been issued. These rules determine the treatment under said convention. US organisations that are exempt from US Federal income tax, that are operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, educational or public purposes and that would be exempt from tax in the Netherlands if they were organised, and carried on all their activities, therein, are subject to withholding tax but may file for a full refund.

For Royal Dutch shareholders resident in any country other than the United States and the Netherlands, the availability of a whole or partial exemption or refund of the Dutch withholding tax is governed by the tax convention, if any, between the Netherlands and the country of the shareholder’s residence.

Taxation on capital gains

Capital gains on the sale of shares of a Dutch company by a US shareholder are generally not subject to taxation by the Netherlands unless the US shareholder has a permanent establishment in the Netherlands and the capital gain is derived from the sale of shares which are part of the business property of the permanent establishment.
 
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Succession duty and gift taxes

Shares of a Netherlands corporation held by an individual who is not a resident or a deemed resident of the Netherlands will generally not be subject to succession duty in the Netherlands on the individual’s death unless the shares are part of the business property of a permanent establishment situated in the Netherlands.

A gift of shares of a Dutch company by a person who is not a resident or a deemed resident of the Netherlands is generally not subject to Dutch gift tax.

Management

In accordance with its Articles of Association, Royal Dutch is managed by a Board of Management consisting of at least two Managing Directors, under the supervision of a Supervisory Board consisting of at least five members. Managing Directors are appointed by the General Meeting of Shareholders from the persons nominated by the meeting of holders of priority shares and hold office until they retire unless discharged earlier by the General Meeting of Shareholders.

The Supervisory Board is a separate body which does not include the Managing Directors. Members of the Supervisory Board are appointed by the General Meeting of Shareholders from the persons nominated by the meeting of holders of priority shares. Each year, one of the members of the Supervisory Board retires by rotation but is eligible for re-election. Further, a member of the Supervisory Board retires after having served on the Supervisory Board for a period of 10 years or retires effective on the first day of July following the initial April 1 on which the member is 70 years of age.

Nominations for the appointment of a Managing Director or a member of the Supervisory Board shall be made by a meeting of holders of priority shares and may also be made by one or more holders of ordinary shares representing in the aggregate at least 1% of the issued share capital, if approved by the meeting of holders of priority shares. Each such nomination shall contain the names of at least two qualified persons. Shareholders cast all of their votes on either of the two qualified persons. Votes cast at a General Meeting of Shareholders in favour of the election of other persons are void.

If a vacancy occurs on the Board of Management when there are still at least two Managing Directors in office, or on the Supervisory Board when there are still at least five members in office, the Board of Management shall notify the Chairman of the meeting of holders of priority shares, which meeting shall decide, after consulting the Supervisory Board and the Board of Management, whether the vacancy is to be filled. If it is resolved to fill the vacancy, the appointment shall be made at the next General Meeting of Shareholders. If there are not at least two Managing Directors or at least five members of the Supervisory Board still in office, a General Meeting of Shareholders shall be held within three months after that situation has arisen in order to fill the vacancy.

 
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The Managing Directors, members of the Supervisory Board and officers of Royal Dutch at March 29, 2005, were:

Biographies

Aad Jacobs ø

Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch
Born May 28, 1936. A Dutch national, appointed a member of the Supervisory Board in 1998 and Chairman in 2002. Due to retire in 2006. Previously Chairman of the Board of Management of ING Group. Chairman of the Supervisory Boards of Joh. Enschedé, Imtech and VNU; Vice-Chairman of the Supervisory Boards of Buhrmann and IHC Caland and a member of the Supervisory Board of ING Group.

Maarten van den Bergh + #

Member of the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch
Born April 19, 1942. A Dutch national, appointed a member of the Supervisory Board in 2000 and 2004. Due to retire in 2008. Managing Director of Royal Dutch from 1992 to 2000 and President from 1998 to 2000. Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lloyds TSB and a member of the Boards of Directors of BT and British Airways.

Wim Kok #

Member of the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch
Born September 29, 1938. A Dutch national, appointed a member of the Supervisory Board with effect from July 1, 2003. Due to retire by rotation in 2007. Chaired the Confederation of Dutch trade unions (FNV) before becoming a member of the Lower House of Parliament and parliamentary leader of the Partij van de Arbeid (Labour Party). Appointed Minister of Finance in 1989 and Prime Minister in 1994, serving for two periods of government up to July 2002. Member of the Supervisory Boards of ING Group, KLM and TPG.

Jonkheer Aarnout Loudon + #

Member of the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch
Born December 10, 1936. A Dutch national, appointed a member of the Supervisory Board in 1997. Due to retire in 2007. Member of the Board of Management of Akzo from 1977 to 1994 (Akzo Nobel as from 1994) and its Chairman from 1982 to 1994. Chairman of the Supervisory Boards of ABN AMRO Bank and Akzo Nobel and a member of the International Advisory Board of Allianz.

Professor Hubert Markl +

Member of the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch
Born August 17, 1938. A German national, appointed a member of the Supervisory Board in 2002. Due to retire by rotation in 2006. President of the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft from 1996 to 2002. Professor of Biology at the University of Constance 1974 to 2003. Member of the Supervisory Boards of Aventis, BMW, and Münchener Rückversicherungs-Gesellschaft.

Christine Morin-Postel ø

Member of the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch
Born October 6, 1946. A French national, appointed a member of the Supervisory Board in 2004. Due to retire by rotation in 2008. Formerly Chief Executive of Generale de Belgique and executive vice-president and member of the executive committee of Suez. Member of the Board of Alcan Inc. 3i plc and Pilkington plc.

Lawrence Ricciardi ø

Member of the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch
Born August 14, 1940. A US national, appointed a member of the Supervisory Board in 2001. Due to retire by rotation in 2005. Previously President of RJR Nabisco, Inc. and subsequently Senior Vice-President and General Counsel of IBM. Senior Advisor to the law firm Jones Day and to Lazard Frères & Co. Member of the Board of Directors of The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.

Jeroen van der Veer

President of Royal Dutch and Group Chief Executive
Born October 27, 1947. A Dutch national, appointed President of Royal Dutch in 2000, having been a Managing Director of Royal Dutch since 1997. Appointed Group Chief Executive in October 2004. Joined the Group in 1971 in refinery process design and held a number of senior management positions around the world. Also a member of the Supervisory Board of De Nederlandsche Bank (until September 2004) and a non-executive Director of Unilever.

Linda Cook

Managing Director of Royal Dutch and Executive Director
Born June 4, 1958. A US national, appointed a Managing Director of Royal Dutch in August 2004. President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Shell Canada Ltd from August 2003 to July 2004. Joined Shell Oil Company in Houston in 1980, and worked for Shell Oil Company in Houston and California in a variety of technical and managerial positions. Member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and member of the Board of Directors of the Boeing Company.

Rob Routs

Managing Director of Royal Dutch and Executive Director
Born September 10, 1946. A Dutch national, appointed a Managing Director of Royal Dutch with effect from July, 2003. Joined the Group in 1971. Held various positions in the Netherlands, Canada and the USA. Previously President and Chief Executive Officer of Shell Oil Products USA and President of Shell Oil Company and Country Chair for Shell in the USA.

Company Secretary, Royal Dutch

Michiel Brandjes
Joined the Group in 1980 as a Legal Adviser. General Attorney of the Company since May 2003. Appointed Company Secretary of Royal Dutch in February 2004.

Key to Committee membership

ø  Group Audit Committee

+ Remuneration and Succession Review Committee

# Social Responsibility Committee

Nominations

Lawrence Ricciardi will retire by rotation as member of the Supervisory Board effective July 1, 2005, but it will be recommended to the General Meeting of Shareholders that he be re-elected.

Relationships between members of the Board of Management, members of the Supervisory Board and officers

There are no arrangements or understandings between Managing Directors, members of the Supervisory Board or officers and any other person pursuant to which they were selected as Managing Directors, members of the Supervisory Board or officers.
 
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There are no family relationships between any Managing Director, member of the Supervisory Board or officer and any other Managing Director, member of the Supervisory Board or officer.

Share ownership

Share interests and stock options in the Company of members of the Supervisory Board and Managing Directors as at March 29, 2005:
                 
Stock options Ordinary shares

Supervisory Board
               
Aad Jacobs
           
Maarten van den Bergha
    37,950       4,000  
Wim Kok
           
Aarnout Loudon
          75,000  
Hubert Markl
           
Christine Morin-Postel
           
Lawrence Ricciardi
          10,000  

Managing Directors
               
Jeroen van der Veer
    467,100       13,330  
Linda Cook
    337,725       217  
Rob Routs
    277,466        

Excluding shares under the Deferred Bonus Plan, which will be released in principle three years after deferral.

a No options are granted to members of the Supervisory Board, but options may be outstanding to members who have formerly been a Managing Director.

Managing Directors’ share interests in Royal Dutch under the Deferred Bonus Plan

The interests of Managing Directors in the ordinary shares of Royal Dutch pursuant to the Deferred Bonus Plan at March 29, 2005:
                                                 
Deferred Bonus Plan

Number of deferred Total number of
bonus and Deferred Market price Average market deferred bonus and
dividend shares bonus shares of deferred Dividend price of dividend dividend shares
under award as at awarded bonus shares shares accrued shares paid under award as at
January 1, 2004 during the yeara at awardb during the yearc during the yeard December 31, 2004

Jeroen van der Veere
                                               
2003 awarde
    11,695             36.66       503       41.71       12,198  
2002 awardf
    3,710             60.09       159       41.71       3,869  

Awards made in 2002 and 2003 refer to the portion of the annual bonus deferred in respect of 2001 and 2002 and their related accrued dividends. In 2004 there was no opportunity for Managing Directors of Royal Dutch to defer any of their 2003 bonuses into the Deferred Bonus Plan, as the 2003 bonuses were nil.

Due to his appointment as Executive Director of Shell Transport in 2004 Malcolm Brinded’s deferred bonus plan interests have been reported in the Shell Transport 2004 Annual Report and Accounts.

a Representing the proportion of the annual bonus that has been deferred and converted into notional share entitlements (deferred bonus shares), which will not result in beneficial ownership until they are released. The value of these deferred bonus shares is also included in the annual bonus figures in the Emoluments of the Managing Directors of Royal Dutch table on page R19.
 
b The market price is based on the average share price over a period of five trading days prior to and including the day on which the share awards are made.
 
c Representing dividends paid during the year on the number of shares equal to the deferred bonus shares awarded.
 
d The market price shown is the average at the date of the 2003 final and 2004 interim annual dividends paid during the year: 41.08 and 42.34, respectively.
 
e During the period January 1, 2005 to March 29, 2005, the total number of shares under award of the 2003 award of Jeroen van der Veer increased by 268 dividend shares as a result of the second 2004 interim dividend pay-out. This leads to a total of his award of 12,466.
 
f The 2002 award of Jeroen van der Veer was released on February 16, 2005, including 1,934 additional matching shares. The award was subject to Dutch withholding tax and the net number of shares delivered to him was 2,818. The share price at the date of release was 45.58.

Group Audit Committee

In 1976 the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch, jointly with the Board of Shell Transport, established a Group Audit Committee. Under its terms of reference, which were revised in February 2004, the committee acts in an advisory capacity to the Boards, providing them with quarterly and annual updates regarding its activities and related recommendations. The committee regularly considers the effectiveness of risk management processes and internal control systems within the Group and reviews the financial accounts and reports of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies. The committee also considers both internal and external audit reports (including the results of the examination of the Group Financial Statements) and assesses the performance of the internal and external audit. The committee does not supervise the application of information and communication technologies in particular. This is part of the general responsibilities of the Board of Management and Supervisory Board respectively. The committee has established an internal, global procedure for employees to raise in confidence accounting, controls and auditing concerns.

In February, 2004, the Group Audit Committee established two discrete sub-committees to review and report to the Boards of either Royal Dutch or Shell Transport (as appropriate) on matters that are Parent Company specific. For Royal Dutch such matters include the supervision of the risk management and internal control systems, the Company’s financing and its financial reporting. The sub-committee will also supervise the company’s policy on tax planning as well as compliance with the recommendations and observations of the company’s independent auditors and the relations with the company’s independent auditors (including their independence, remuneration and non-audit services). It determines the extent of the independent auditors’ involvement in the content and publication

 
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of financial reports other than the annual accounts, assesses the sub-committee will assess the performance of the independent auditors, advises (together with the Board of Management) the Supervisory Board on the nomination of the independent auditors for the appointment by the General Meeting of Shareholders and provides recommendations on their remuneration and provision of non-audit services.

The Group Audit Committee is also responsible for the approval of all services to be provided by the external auditors KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers. This includes both audit and, to the extent permitted under applicable regulations, non-audit services. Under the guidelines adopted by the Group Audit Committee, certain specified categories of services may be contracted without pre-approval so long as the fee value for each contract does not exceed $500,000. These include permitted non-audit services such as tax compliance work, regulatory compliance work, certain advice on the tax treatment of proposed transactions, expatriate tax returns except where the expatriate has a financial reporting oversight role, among others. Other services must be specifically pre-approved. For urgent matters, the chairman of the Group Audit Committee is authorised to approve auditor engagements subject to review at the next Group Audit Committee meeting. Under the guidelines, permitted services must not present a conflict of interest. In addition, certain types of services will not normally be approved, including certain buy-side diligence services where it is likely to result in the audit firm later auditing its own work, advice on alternative deal structures for merger and acquisition transactions (although certain tax advice on deal structures proposed by the Group may be permitted), carve out accounting services and system assurance reviews and other internal control reviews, unless part of audit work.

Membership of the Group Audit Committee as at March 29, 2005 is shown in the table below.

     
Appointed by the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch

Lawrence Ricciardi
  Chairman of the Committee
Christine Morin-Postel
   
Aad Jacobs
   

     
Appointed by the Board of Shell Transport

Sir Peter Burt
   
Luis Giusti
   
Nina Henderson
   

The membership of the Royal Dutch sub-committee comprises those Supervisory Board members appointed to the Group Audit Committee. For purposes of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Aad Jacobs, a supervisory director of Royal Dutch, and a member of the Group Audit Committee, qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” (as defined). In addition, each of Mr Jacobs and Sir Peter Burt, a director of Shell Transport and member of the Group Audit Committee and the Shell Transport Audit sub-committee, qualifies under Dutch and UK corporate governance requirements as a director with “appropriate and recent relevant financial experience”.

During 2004 there were a total of 23 meetings of the Group Audit Committee. Attendance at these meetings is shown in the table below.

     
Attendance

Members Attendance

Lawrence Ricciardi
  21
Sir Peter Burt
  19
Luis Giusti
  17
Nina Henderson
  23
Aad Jacobs
  23
Christine Morin-Postela
  3

a Christine Morin-Postel was appointed a member during the year and attended all meetings following her appointment.  

A copy of the revised terms of reference of the Group Audit Committee (including the Royal Dutch sub-committee) can be found on the Shell website (www.shell.com/investor).

Remuneration and Succession Review Committee

In 1967 the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch, jointly with the Board of Shell Transport, established a Remuneration Committee which later became the Remuneration and Succession Review Committee (REMCO). For detailed information on REMCO reference is made to the Remuneration Report beginning on page R13. Its Terms of Reference are reviewed annually and were revised in February 2004 in light of corporate governance developments. A copy of the Terms of Reference of REMCO is available from Investor Relations and can be found on the Shell website (www.shell.com/investor).

Social Responsibility Committee

In 1997 the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch, jointly with the Board of Shell Transport, established a Social Responsibility Committee. The committee reviews the policies and conduct of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies with respect to the Group’s Statement of General Business Principles as well as the Group’s Health, Safety and Environment Commitment and Policy.
 
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Current membership of the Social Responsibility Committee is shown in the table below.

     
Appointed by the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch

Maarten van den Bergh
   
Wim Kok
   
Jonkheer Aarnout Loudon
   

     
Appointed by the Board of Shell Transport

Dr Eileen Buttle
  Chair of the Committee
Teymour Alireza
   
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart
   

During 2004 the committee met three times. Attendance at these meetings is shown in the table below.

     
Attendance

Members Attendance

Dr Eileen Buttle
  3
Teymour Alireza
  3
Maarten van den Bergh
  2
Wim Kok
  3
Jonkheer Aarnout Loudon
  3
Sir Mark Moody-Stuarta
  1

a Sir Mark Moody-Stuart was appointed a member during the year and was unable to attend one of the two meetings held following his appointment.

The Group’s core values of honesty, integrity and respect for people have been embodied for more than 25 years in the Group’s Statement of General Business Principles, which since 1997 have included a commitment to support fundamental human rights and to contribute to sustainable development. The principles apply to all Shell employees. The Group’s Statement of General Business Principles is publicly available on the Shell website (www.shell.com/sgbp).

The Shell Report, which reviews how Group companies are living up to the Group’s Statement of General Business Principles and contributing to sustainable development, is published annually and will be available at www.shell.com/shellreport following its publication at the end of May 2005.

Code of Ethics

For the guidance of principal executives and senior finance officers, a Code of Ethics has been drawn up in conjunction with the Group’s Statement of General Business Principles. This Code of Ethics can be found on the Shell website (see www.shell.com/codeofethics).

Compensation of Directors and officers

The aggregate amount of remuneration paid to or accrued for all members of the Supervisory Board, the Managing Directors of Royal Dutch and officers as a group by Royal Dutch and companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies for services in all capacities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, was 6,819,553. The aggregate amount set aside to provide pension, retirement and similar benefits for all members of the Supervisory Board, the Managing Directors of Royal Dutch and officers by Royal Dutch and companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, was 3,892,925. Reference is made to the information given in the Remuneration section on pages R17 to R23 relating to emoluments and service contracts of the members of the Board of Management and the fees of the Supervisory Board.

Shares under option and share purchase plan

Five Group companies, one in the Netherlands (Shell Petroleum N.V.), one in the United Kingdom (The Shell Petroleum Company Limited) and three in the United States of America (Shell Petroleum Inc., Shell Oil Company and Shell Solar Employment Services Inc.) have stock option plans under which options have been or may be granted to executives and other employees of those and other Group companies. Options granted under these plans are for terms of not more than ten years at an exercise price of not less than the fair market value on the date of granting the option.

As of March 29, 2005, an aggregate amount of 57,848,833 issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Royal Dutch were the subject of options under such plans.

 
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The number of ordinary shares of Royal Dutch under option at March 29, 2005, and the option prices of the ordinary shares at the dates the options were granted, per share and in total, were as follows:

                                 
Plan

Exercise pricea

Number of shares Average Total Term
under option per share (expiration dates)

Shell Petroleum N.V
    22,174,593       49.75     1,103,109,694       10 years  
                              (10/12/07 – 04/11/14)  
The Shell Petroleum Company Limited
    10,940,818       50.04      547,505,061       10 years  
                              (10/12/07 – 06/05/14)  
Shell Oil Company
    2,767,069     $ 53.07     $ 146,860,574.11       10 years  
                              (01/03/10 – 21/12/10)  
Shell Petroleum Inc.
    21,950,292     $ 50.19     $ 1,101,632,366.88       10 years  
                              (01/03/10 – 07/05/14)  
Shell Solar Employment Services Inc.
    16,061     $ 47.08     $ 756,204.36       10 years  
                              (25/05/11 – 07/05/14)  

a Euro-denominated exercise prices prior to the fixing of the euro conversion rate in January 1999 are derived from the quotient of guilder prices and the fixed guilders-per-euro conversion rate of 2.20371.

Two Group companies, one in the Netherlands (Shell Petroleum N.V.) and one in the United Kingdom (The Shell Petroleum Company Limited) have restricted stock plans under which grants are made on a highly selective basis to senior staff. The Executive Directors (including the Chief Executive) are not eligible to participate in the Restricted Stock Plans. A maximum of 250,000 Royal Dutch ordinary shares (or equivalent value in Shell Transport Ordinary shares) can be granted under the plans in any year. Shares are granted subject to a three-year restriction period and the number of the shares awarded is based on the fair market value at the start of the restriction period. The shares, together with additional shares equivalent to the value of the dividends payable over the restriction period, are released to the individual at the end of the three-year period. The total number of outstanding ordinary shares of Royal Dutch under the restricted stock plans as of March 29, 2005 is 189,699.66, of which 13,304.66 shares relate to dividend shares up to date.

Two Group companies, one in the Netherlands (Shell Petroleum N.V.) and one in the United Kingdom (The Shell Petroleum Company Limited) have long-term incentive plans under which shares are awarded conditionally once a year to Executive Directors and selected senior executives. The plan allows for a maximum grant with a face value of two times base pay. The value of shares conditionally awarded will reflect competitive market practice. Release may occur three years after grant. The entire award is expected to be released only in cases of exceptional performance. The total number of outstanding ordinary shares of Royal Dutch conditionally awarded under the long-term incentive plans as of March 29, 2005 is 313,463.66, of which 18,883.66 shares relate to dividend shares up to date. None of the shares will result in beneficiary ownership until they are released.

The Global Employee Share Purchase Plan enables employees to make contributions, which are applied quarterly to purchase ordinary shares of Royal Dutch or Shell Transport at current market value. If the acquired shares are retained in the plan until the end of the twelve-month cycle the employee receives an additional 15% share allocation. In the USA a variant of this plan is operated where contributions are applied to buy Royal Dutch Shares at the end of the twelve-month cycle. The purchase price is the lower of the market price on the first or last trading day of the cycle reduced by 15%. Executive Directors are not eligible to participate in the Global Employee Share Purchase Plan. At March 29, 2005, Group companies held 15.901 Royal Dutch ordinary shares in connection with this plan.

No issue of new shares is involved under any of the plans mentioned above.

 
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Royal Dutch Petroleum Company

Purchases of Equity Securities in Royal Dutch by Royal Dutch and Affiliated Purchasers

                                 

(c) Total Number of (d) Maximum Number
(a) Total Shares (or Units) (or Approximate US Dollar Value)
Number of Purchased as Part of of Shares (or Units) that May
Shares (or Units) (b) Average Price Paid Per Publicly Announced Plans Yet Be Purchased Under the
Period purchased1 Share (or Units) or Programs2 Plans or Programs3

Month #1
January 1st to 31st
                            $2 billion  

Month #2
February 1st to 29th
                            $2 billion  

Month #3
March 1st to 31st
                            $2 billion  

Month #4
April 1st to 30th
                            $2 billion  

Month #5
May 1st to 31st
    7,460,000       $49.87       7,460,000       $1.4 billion  

Month #6
June 1st to 30th
    542,000       $50.26       542,000       $1.3 billion  

Month #7
July 1st to 31st
    870,000       $51.18       870,000       $1.3 billion  

Month #8
August 1st to 31st
    11,445,000       $50.01       11,445,000       $0.4 billion  

Month #9
September 1st to 30th
    950,000       $51.68       950,000       $0.3 billion  

Month #10
October 1st to 31st
                            $0.3 billion  

Month #11
November 1st to 30th
                            $0.3 billion  

Month #12
December 1st to 31st
                            $0.3 billion  

Total
                            $0.3 billion  

1 All purchases made through announced plans.
 
2 On April 29, 2004 Royal Dutch and Shell Transport jointly announced the implementation of a share buyback program, with no expiration date. The maximum amount of the plan, including purchases of shares for the hedging of employee share options granted by companies within the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies, was $2 billion for the year 2004. The maximum amounts under the plan for purchases of shares in future years was to be determined in future years. On October 28, 2004 following the announcement of the proposed transaction described under the heading “Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Unification Proposal”, purchases under the program were suspended. On 3 February 2005, the buyback program was re-launched, in a maximum amount of up to $5 billion for the year 2005. The maximum amounts under the plan for purchases of shares in future years will be determined in future years based on a variety of factors, including debt levels and competing demands for cash in the years concerned. The unimplemented commitments in relation to 2004 have expired.
 
3 Total value of remaining potential purchases of both Royal Dutch Petroleum and The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c. stock by these companies and other members of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies as at the end of each month
 
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The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, Public Limited Company

Control of Registrant

Shell Transport is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation or by any government. As of March 29, 2005, there were the following interests in more than 3% of the issued Ordinary share capital of Shell Transport. Barclays PLC (more than 3% but less than 4%); this interest has subsisted since December 2002. Legal & General Group Plc (more than 3% but less than 4%); this interest has subsisted since January 2003; the Capital Group Companies Inc. (more than 4% but less than 5%); this interest has subsisted since April, 2004, from February 2004 to April 2004, this interest subsisted at more than 3% but less than 4%, between May 2001 and March 2002 The Capital Group Companies Inc. held more than 3% but less than 4% of the issued Ordinary share capital. Prudential plc held more than 3% but less than 4% of the issued Ordinary share capital between March 1998 and March 1999. As of March 29, 2005, the Directors and officers of Shell Transport beneficially owned in aggregate (including shares under option) less than 1% of the total shares of that class outstanding. See “Management – Share Ownership” on page 101.

On October 28, 2004, the Royal Dutch and Shell Transport Boards announced that they had unanimously agreed to propose to their shareholders a transaction through which each Parent Company will become a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc, which will become a publicly-listed company incorporated in England and Wales and headquartered and tax resident in the Netherlands. Please refer to “Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Unification Proposal” for additional information on this transaction.

Nature of Trading Market

The principal trading market for the Ordinary shares of Shell Transport is the London Stock Exchange. Shell Transport Ordinary shares are also listed and traded on stock exchanges in Belgium, France and Germany. Shell Transport Ordinary shares are traded in registered or bearer form, but predominantly in registered form. On October 28, 2004, Shell Transport announced its intention to delist from the exchanges in Belgium, France and Germany. Work on such delisting is in progress.

American Depositary Receipts representing New York Shares are listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange and are also admitted to unlisted trading privileges on the Boston, Cincinnati, Midwest, Pacific and Philadelphia Stock Exchanges. The depositary receipts are issued, cancelled and exchanged at the office of The Bank of New York, 101 Barclay Street, New York, NY 10286, as depositary under a deposit agreement between Shell Transport and the depositary and the holders of receipts.

Each New York Share represents six 25p Ordinary shares of Shell Transport deposited under the deposit agreement. At March 29, 2005, there were outstanding 80,158,786 New York Shares representing approximately 5.00% of the Ordinary share capital of Shell Transport, held by 2,000 holders of record.

At March 29, 2005 there were 3,121,170 Ordinary shares of 25p each representing approximately 0.03% of the Ordinary share capital of Shell Transport held by 901 holders of record registered with an address in the United States.

The following tables set forth the high and low closing sales prices for Shell Transport’s registered Ordinary shares (of 25p nominal value) on the London Stock Exchange and for Shell Transport’s New York Shares (of £1.50 nominal value) on the New York Stock Exchange for the periods specified:

                                 
Period

London New York


High Low High Low
£ £ $ $

2000
    6.27       4.12       54.06       40.00  
2001
    6.38       4.30       53.65       38.72  
2002
    5.41       3.70       47.03       34.59  
2003
    4.40       3.32       45.19       32.28  
2004
    4.51       3.46       51.70       39.12  

 
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Period

London New York


High Low High Low
£ £ $ $

2003
                               
1st Quarter
    4.23       3.32       41.25       32.28  
2nd Quarter
    4.40       3.70       43.18       35.81  
3rd Quarter
    4.15       3.69       40.25       37.30  
4th Quarter
    4.17       3.63       45.19       37.50  

2004
                               
1st Quarter
    4.19       3.46       46.17       39.12  
2nd Quarter
    4.19       3.47       46.36       39.85  
3rd Quarter
    4.35       3.87       47.15       42.58  
4th Quarter
    4.51       4.05       51.70       44.37  

                                 
Period

London New York


High Low High Low
£ £ $ $

2004
                               
September
    4.35       4.04       47.15       43.96  
October
    4.51       4.05       48.50       44.37  
November
    3.51       4.24       51.03       46.92  
December
    4.48       4.26       51.70       49.49  

2005
                               
January
    4.67       4.39       52.70       49.78  
February
    4.97       4.65       57.34       52.52  
March (through March 29)
    5.08       4.73       58.72       53.40  

At March 29, 2005, there were 350 First Preference shares of £1 each representing approximately 0.01% of the issued shares of the class held by two holders of record registered with an address in the United States of America. At March 29, 2005, there were 1,225 Second Preference shares of £1 each representing approximately 0.01% of the issued shares of the class held by 6 holders of record registered with an address in the USA. (Reference is made to Note 9 on page S11 for additional information on the Preference shares).

Memorandum and Articles of Association

The following summarises certain provisions of Shell Transport’s Memorandum and Articles of Association and of English law. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the UK Companies Act of 1985, as amended (the Companies Act), and Shell Transport’s Memorandum and Articles of Association. Copies of Shell Transport’s Memorandum and Articles of Association have been filed as an exhibit to this Report.

General

Shell Transport was incorporated in England on October 18, 1897 under registered number 54485 for the purpose of carrying on the business of producing, refining, storage, transport, supply and distribution of petroleum and petroleum products as set forth in clause 4 of Shell Transport’s Memorandum of Association.

Directors

Under the Articles of Association of Shell Transport:

(1) a Director shall not vote or be counted in the quorum in respect of any matter in which he is materially interested including any matter related to his own compensation;
 
(2) the Directors may exercise Shell Transport’s power to borrow provided that the borrowings of Shell Transport and its subsidiaries (if any) shall not without the consent of an ordinary resolution of shareholders of Shell Transport exceed the nominal amount of the issued and paid-up share capital of Shell Transport (these powers relating to borrowing may only be varied by special resolution of shareholders);
 
(3) Directors over age 70 must retire at each Annual General Meeting, but are eligible for re-election; and
 
(4) Directors are not required to hold shares of Shell Transport to be qualified.

Rights attaching to shares

(a) Dividend rights and rights to share in the company’s profits
Under English law, dividends are payable on Shell Transport’s shares only out of profits available for distribution, as determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United Kingdom and by the Companies Act. Holders of Shell
 
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Transport’s Ordinary shares are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by the shareholders in general meeting, rateably according to the amounts paid up on such shares, provided that the dividend cannot exceed the amount recommended by the Directors.

Shell Transport’s Board of Directors may pay holders of Ordinary shares such interim dividends as appear to it to be justified by Shell Transport’s financial position. If authorised by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders, the Board of Directors may also make payment of a dividend in whole or in part by the distribution of specific assets (and in particular of paid-up shares or debentures of any other company).

Any dividend unclaimed after 12 years from the date the dividend was due for payment will be forfeited and will revert to Shell Transport.

The holders of Ordinary shares have unrestricted rights to participate in distributions of dividend and capital subject to the rights of the holders of the First Preference shares and Second Preference shares as described below.

The First and Second Preference shares (the Preference shares) confer on the holders the right to a fixed cumulative dividend and rank in priority to Ordinary shares. The fixed dividend on the First Preference shares is payable at the rate of 5.5% per annum and the fixed dividend on the Second Preference shares is payable at the rate of 7% per annum. On a winding-up or repayment the Preference shares also rank in priority to the Ordinary shares for the nominal value of £1 per share (plus a premium, if any, equal to the excess of the daily average price for the respective shares quoted in the London Stock Exchange Daily Official List for a six month period preceding the repayment or winding-up) but do not have any further rights of participation in the profits or assets of Shell Transport.

(b) Voting rights and General Meetings of Shareholders

Voting rights and General Meetings of Shareholders
The holders of Ordinary shares have the right to attend and vote at all General Meetings of the shareholders of Shell Transport. Voting at any General Meeting of Shareholders is by a show of hands unless a poll, which is a written vote, is duly demanded. On a show of hands, every shareholder entitled to vote, who is present in person, has one vote regardless of the number of shares held. On a poll, every shareholder who is present in person or by proxy has one vote for every £1 in nominal amount of shares held by that shareholder.

A poll may be demanded by any of the following:

the chairman of the meeting;
 
at least five shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting;
 
any shareholder or shareholders representing in the aggregate not less than one-tenth of the total voting rights of all shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting; or
 
any shareholder or shareholders holding shares conferring a right to vote at the meeting on which there have been paid-up sums in the aggregate equal to not less than one-tenth of the total sum paid up on all the shares conferring that right or such shares with a nominal value of not less than £3,000.

A proxy form will be treated as giving the proxy the authority to demand a poll, or to join others in demanding one.

The necessary quorum for a general meeting is ten persons carrying a right to vote upon the business to be transacted, whether present in person or by proxy.

Matters are transacted at General Meetings of Shareholders by the proposing and passing of resolutions of which there are three kinds:

an ordinary resolution, which includes resolutions for the election of Directors, the approval of financial statements, the payment of dividends, the appointment of auditors, the increase of authorised share capital or the grant of authority to allot shares;
 
a special resolution, which includes resolutions amending Shell Transport’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, disapplying statutory pre-emption rights or changing Shell Transport’s name; and
 
an extraordinary resolution, which includes resolutions modifying the rights of any class of Shell Transport’s shares at a meeting of the holders of such class or relating to certain matters concerning Shell Transport’s winding up.

An ordinary resolution requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes of those persons voting at a meeting at which there is a quorum.

Special and extraordinary resolutions require the affirmative vote of not less than three-fourths of the persons voting at a meeting at which there is a quorum.

In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chairman of the meeting is entitled to cast the deciding vote in addition to any other vote he may have.

 
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Annual General Meetings must be convened upon advance written notice of 21 days. Other meetings must be convened upon advance written notice of 21 days for the passing of a special resolution and 14 days for any other resolution. The notice must specify the nature of the business to be transacted. The Board of Directors may if they choose make arrangements for shareholders who are unable to attend the place of the meeting to participate at other places.

Under English law, the Directors must convene an extraordinary general meeting of a company on the requisition of members holding not less than one-tenth of such paid-up capital of the company as carries the right of voting at general meetings of the company.

Preference shares do not have voting rights unless their dividend is in arrears or the proposal concerns a reduction of capital, winding-up, an alteration of the Articles of Association or otherwise directly affects their class rights.

Major shareholders have no differing voting rights.

(c)  Rights in a winding-up

Upon Shell Transport’s winding-up, the balance of assets available for distribution:

after the payment of all creditors including certain preferential creditors, whether statutorily preferred creditors or normal creditors; and
 
subject to the rights attached to the First and Second Preference shares (see “Dividend rights and rights to share in the company’s profits” on pages 95 and 96) and to any special rights attaching to any other class of shares, of which there are currently none, is to be distributed among the holders of Ordinary shares according to the amounts paid-up on the shares held by them. This distribution is generally to be made in cash. A liquidator may, however, upon the adoption of an extraordinary resolution of the shareholders, divide among the shareholders the whole or any part of Shell Transport’s assets in kind.

(d) Redemption provisions

The Ordinary shares and the Preference shares are not subject to any redemption provisions.

(e) Sinking fund provisions

Neither the Ordinary shares nor the Preference shares are subject to any sinking fund provision under Shell Transport’s Memorandum and Articles of Association or as a matter of English law.

(f)  Liability to further calls

No holder of Shell Transport’s shares will be required to make additional contributions of capital in respect of Shell Transport’s shares in the future.
 
(g) Discriminating provisions
There are no provisions discriminating against a shareholder because of his ownership of a particular number of shares.

Variation of rights

The rights attached to any class may be varied, subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, with the consent in writing of holders of three-fourths in value of the shares of that class or upon the adoption of an extraordinary resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. At every such separate meeting, all of the provisions of the Articles of Association relating to proceedings at a general meeting apply, except that the quorum is to be the number of persons who hold or represent by proxy not less than one-third in nominal value of the issued shares of the class. These provisions are not more stringent than required by law in England.

Limitations on rights to own shares

There are no limitations imposed by English law or Shell Transport’s Memorandum or Articles of Association on the rights to own shares, including the right of non-residents or foreign persons to hold or vote Shell Transport’s shares, other than limitations that would generally apply to all of Shell Transport’s shareholders.

Change of control

There are no provisions in the Memorandum or Articles of Association of Shell Transport or of corporate legislation in England that would delay, defer or prevent a change of control.
 
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Threshold for disclosure of share ownership

English law requires disclosure by beneficial owners of 3% or more of the voting share capital of a company listed on a Stock Exchange in the European Union or the European Economic Area to notify their interest to the company. English law also enables a company to require a shareholder to confirm whether he holds the shares as beneficial owner and if not to name the beneficial owner or owners. Under the Articles of Association of Shell Transport, if Shell Transport has not received a response to a statutory notice requiring disclosure of the beneficial owner of shares in Shell Transport within 14 days of issue the Directors may determine that the shareholder holding the shares in question should be subject to restrictions in respect of those shares. The restrictions may be one or more of the following:

(i) withdrawal of right to attend and vote at general meetings;
 
(ii) no transfer shall be registered in respect of the shares; or
 
(iii) no dividend shall be paid in respect of the shares.

Capital changes

The conditions imposed by Shell Transport’s Memorandum and Articles of Association for changes in capital are not more stringent than required by English law.

New York Shares (American Depositary Receipts)

One New York Share is equivalent to six Ordinary shares of 25p each. The agent of the Depositary is the registered shareholder and enjoys the rights of a shareholder under the Memorandum and Articles of Association; the rights of the holder of a New York share are specified in the agreement with the Depositary.

Exchange Controls and other Limitations Affecting Security Holders

There is no legislative or other legal provision currently in force in the United Kingdom or arising under the constituent documents of Shell Transport restricting remittances to non-resident holders of Shell Transport’s securities or affecting the import or export of capital for use by Shell Transport or UK Group companies.

Taxation

Dividends and Tax Credit
Individual shareholders resident in the UK are entitled to receive a tax credit with dividends received from Shell Transport. The amount of the credit is equal to 10/90ths of the cash dividend. The credit is not repayable in cash when it exceeds the shareholder’s UK tax liability.

There is generally no withholding tax on UK dividends.

The USA and UK have concluded a new tax treaty which came into force on March 31, 2003. There was a one-year phase-in period, ending April 30, 2004, for the new Tax Treaty. For dividends received between May 1, 2003 and April 30, 2004 qualifying shareholders can either elect to report their dividends under the old Tax Treaty or make no election in which case the dividends will be treated in line with the new treaty. If an election is made, all the provisions of the former treaty will apply.

The former Double Taxation Convention between the UK and the USA provided for the payment to qualifying US residents of an amount equal to the relevant UK tax credit, less UK income tax at the rate of 15% on the sum of the dividend and the tax credit. With a tax credit of 10/90ths the withholding tax at 15% would be more than the tax credit. In such a case the payment was treated as being reduced to zero. The shareholder was, however, able to treat the amount of the withholding tax as a tax credit that could, subject to certain limitations, be applied against that shareholder’s US income tax liability.

Under the new tax treaty there is no UK tax credit and offsetting withholding tax with the result that the cash amount of the dividend is the gross dividend and there is no possibility of claiming a credit for UK tax against the US tax liability.

The entitlement to a tax credit of a shareholder who is resident neither in the UK nor in the USA depends upon such double tax arrangements as exist between the UK and the country of the shareholder’s residence.

Taxation on Capital Gains

Under the current Double Taxation Convention between the USA and the UK, capital gains on disposals of shares by residents of the USA are not taxable in the UK unless the shares form part of the business property of a permanent establishment in the UK.

Inheritance Tax

Under the current Estate and Gift Tax Convention between the USA and the UK, Ordinary shares held by an individual who is domiciled for the purpose of the Convention in the USA and is not for the purpose of the Convention a national of the UK will not be subject to UK inheritance tax on the individual’s death or on a gift of the shares in the seven years prior to death unless the shares are
 
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part of the business property of a permanent establishment of the individual in the UK, or, in the case of a shareholder who performs independent personal services, pertain to a fixed base situated in the UK.

Stamp Duty Reserve Tax

The UK Government currently imposes a 1.5% stamp duty reserve tax on the creation of new depository receipts representing shares of UK companies. The tax does not apply to the purchase and subsequent transfer of depository receipts already in issue, nor where the holder surrenders an existing depository receipt in exchange for the underlying shares. In the case of New York shares represented by ADRs issued on or after March 18, 1991 by the Bank of New York, the depository under the deposit agreement referred to in the third paragraph under the Item entitled “Nature of trading market” on pages 94 and 95, the tax payable is calculated on the value of the underlying registered shares at the date such shares are transferred to the Bank of New York.

Management

The business of Shell Transport is managed by a Board of Directors of not less than three and not more than 20 in number. There are 11 Directors in office, of whom two are Managing Directors. Managing Directors are appointed by the Board from among the members of the Board. Pursuant to Shell Transport’s Articles of Association, a minimum of one third of the Directors (or if their number is not a multiple of three, the number nearest to one third) shall retire by rotation at each Annual General Meeting of Shareholders. The Directors to retire by rotation on each occasion shall be those of the Directors who held office at the time of the two preceding annual general meetings and who did not retire at either of them. If the number of Directors so retiring is less than the minimum additional Directors up to that number shall retire. The additional Directors to retire on each occasion shall be the Directors who have been longest in office, and if some Directors have been in office for an equal period of time, the Director(s) to retire shall (unless they otherwise agree between themselves) be chosen by lot. In 2004 four Directors retired at the Annual General Meeting in accordance with these arrangements. Directors appointed by the Board vacate office at the next Annual General Meeting and offer themselves for election. Under the Articles of Association of Shell Transport such new Directors are not included in the number of Directors liable to retire by rotation at the next Annual General Meeting. Peter Voser will vacate office and will offer himself for election at the Annual General Meeting in accordance with this provision. Peter Voser was appointed a Director of The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c with effect from October 4, 2004.
 
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The Directors, Managing Directors, and officers of Shell Transport at March 29, 2005 were:

Biographies
Lord Oxburgh KBE FRS#S
Non-executive Chairman of Shell Transport
Born November 2, 1934. A British national, appointed a Director in 1996 and Non-executive Chairman in March 2004. Pursuant to the Articles of Association, he will retire in 2005 by virtue of age (70 years). Held a number of scientific and university appointments including Chief Scientific Advisor, Ministry of Defence and Rector, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine.

Teymour Alireza#

Non-executive Director of Shell Transport
Born September 7, 1939. A Saudi Arabian national, appointed a Director in 1997. Latest date for retirement by rotation 2005. President and Deputy Chairman of The Alireza Group. Also Chairman of the National Pipe Company Ltd, Saudi Arabia and a Director of Arabian Gulf Investments (Far East) Ltd and of Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia. Member of the International Board of Trustees of the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Malcolm Brinded CBE FREng

Managing Director of Shell Transport and Executive Director
Born March 18, 1953. A British national, was appointed a Director and Managing Director of Shell Transport in March 2004. Latest date for retirement by rotation 2007. Previously a Managing Director of Royal Dutch since 2002. Joined the Group in 1974 and has held various positions around the world. Country Chair for Shell in the UK from 1999 to 2002 and Director of Planning, Environment and External Affairs at Shell International Ltd from 2001 to 2002.

Sir Peter Burt FRSEøS

Non-executive Director of Shell Transport
Born March 6, 1944. A British national, appointed a Director in 2002. Latest date for retirement by rotation 2006. Joined the Bank of Scotland in 1975 and rose to become Chief General Manager. Appointed Group Chief Executive and in 2001 became Executive Deputy Chairman of HBOS plc and Governor of the Bank of Scotland, retired in 2003. Chairman of Gleacher Shacklock Limited and a director of a number of charitable organisations. In February 2004 he was appointed Non-executive Chairman of ITV plc.

Dr Eileen Buttle CBE#

Non-executive Director of Shell Transport
Born October 19, 1937. A British national, appointed a Director in 1998 following retirement from a career of public scientific appointments. Latest date for retirement by rotation 2007. Member of a number of UK Government and European Union advisory committees on environmental aspects of UK and European research and of Boards of Trustees of environmental non-governmental organisations.

Luis Giustiø

Non-executive Director of Shell Transport
Born November 27, 1944. A Venezuelan national, appointed a Director in 2000. Latest date for retirement by rotation 2007. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Petroleros de Venezuela, SA (PDVSA) from 1994 to 1999. Before joining PDVSA in 1976, worked for the Venezuelan Shell oil company. Member of the Board of Governors of the Centre for Global Energy Studies in London. Senior Advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC.

Mary R. (Nina) Hendersonø+

Non-executive Director of Shell Transport
Born July 6, 1950. A US national, appointed a Director in 2001. Latest date for retirement by rotation 2007. Previously President of a major division and Corporate Vice-President of Bestfoods, a major US foods company, responsible for worldwide core business development. Non-executive Director of Pactiv Corporation, AXA Financial Inc., Del Monte Foods Company and Visiting Nurse Service of New York.

Sir Peter Job KBE+S

Non-executive Director of Shell Transport
Born July 13, 1941. A British national, appointed a Director in 2001. Latest date for retirement by rotation 2005. Previously Chief Executive of Reuters plc. Non-executive Director of Schroders plc, TIBCO Software Inc, Instinet Group Inc, and a member of the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Bank AG and of Bertelsmann AG.

Lord Kerr of Kinlochard GCMG+S

Non-executive Director of Shell Transport
Born February 22, 1942. A British national, appointed a Director in 2002. Latest date for retirement by rotation 2006. A member of the UK Diplomatic Service from 1966 to 2002 (and its Head from 1997 to 2002), he was successively UK Permanent Representative to the EU, British Ambassador to the USA, Foreign Office Permanent Under Secretary of State and Secretary-General of the European Convention. Non-executive Director of Rio Tinto, Scottish American Investment Trust plc and Chairman of Court/Council of Imperial College. Trustee of the National Gallery and of the Rhodes Trust.

Sir Mark Moody-Stuart KCMG#

Non-executive Director of Shell Transport
Born September 15, 1940. A British national, appointed a Non-executive Director in 2001. Latest date for retirement by rotation 2005. Appointed a Managing Director in 1991 and Chairman of Shell Transport from 1997 to 2001. Chairman of Anglo American plc and a Director of HSBC Holdings plc and Accenture. Member of the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Council for the Global Compact 2001 to 2004.

Peter Voser

Managing Director of Shell Transport and Chief Financial Officer
Born August 29, 1958. A Swiss national, was appointed a Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Shell Transport in October 2004. Latest date for retirement rotation 2008. In March 2002, joined the Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) Group of Companies, based in Switzerland as CFO and Member of the Group Executive Committee. Also responsible for ABB’s Group IT and the Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals business. Originally joined the Royal Dutch/Shell Group in 1982 where he held a variety of Finance and Business roles in Switzerland, UK, Argentina and Chile, including CFO of Oil Products.

Company Secretary, Shell Transport

Jyoti Munsiff
Joined the Group in 1969 as a Legal Adviser. Appointed Company Secretary in 1993.

Key to Committee membership

ø Group Audit Committee
 
+ Remuneration and Succession Review Committee
 
# Social Responsibility Committee

s Shell Transport Nomination Committee
 
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Directors offering themselves for election or re-election

The Directors retiring by rotation at the Annual General Meeting to be held on June 28, 2005 are Teymour Alireza, Sir Peter Job and Sir Mark Moody-Stuart. Sir Peter Job will offer himself for re-election. Teymour Alireza and Sir Mark Moody-Stuart will not offer themselves for re-election. Pursuant to the Articles of Association, Lord Oxburgh will retire in 2005 by virtue of age (70 years); he will offer himself for re-election.

Arrangements and/or relationships between Directors and officers

There are no arrangements or understandings between Directors or officers and any other person pursuant to which they were selected as Directors or officers. There are no family relationships between any Director or executive officer and any other Director or executive officer.

Share ownership

Directors of Shell Transport had the following beneficial interests in Shell Transport at March 29, 2005:
                 
Share Optionsa 25p Ordinary shares

Managing Directors
               
Malcolm Brindedb
    1,313,550       444,423 c
Peter Voser
    800,000       257,779 c
Non-executive Directors
               
Teymour Alireza
          29,093  
Sir Peter Burt
          10,000  
Dr Eileen Buttle
          3,400  
Luis Giusti
          2,400  
Nina Henderson
          9,000  
Sir Peter Job
          3,570  
Lord John Kerr of Kinlochard
          10,000  
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart
    806,000       600,000  
Lord Oxburgh
          6,438  

a Additional information is included in the “Remuneration Report – Stock options” on page S23.
 
b Excluding 10,741 Royal Dutch ordinary shares as per March 29, 2005, resulting from his participation in the Deferred Bonus Plan for Group Managing Directors in 2003 through the deferral of part of his 2002 bonus.
 
c Includes awards under Long Term Incentive Plan.

Group Audit Committee

In 1976 the Board of Shell Transport, jointly with the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch, established a Group Audit Committee. Under its terms of reference, which were revised in February 2004, the committee acts in an advisory capacity to the Boards, providing them with regular quarterly and annual updates regarding its activities and related recommendations. The committee regularly considers the effectiveness of risk management processes and internal control within the Group and reviews the financial accounts and reports of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies. The committee also considers both internal and external audit reports (including the results of the examination of the Group Financial Statements) and assesses the performance of internal and external audit.

In February 2004, the Group Audit Committee established two discrete sub-committees to review and report to the Boards of either Shell Transport or Royal Dutch (as appropriate) on matters that are Parent Company specific. For Shell Transport such matters include the monitoring of the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the regular review of the internal financial controls and corporate internal control and risk management systems and relations with the external auditor (including recommendations in relation to their appointment and removal, remuneration, effectiveness, and independence).

The Group Audit Committee is also responsible for the approval of all services to be provided by the external auditors KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers. This includes both audit and, to the extent permitted under applicable regulations, non-audit services. Under the guidelines adopted by the Group Audit Committee, certain specified categories of services may be contracted without pre-approval so long as the fee value for each contract does not exceed $500,000. These include permitted non-audit services such as tax compliance work, regulatory compliance work, certain advice on the tax treatment of proposed transactions, expatriate tax returns except where the expatriate has a financial reporting oversight role, among others. Other services must be specifically pre-approved. For urgent matters, the chairman of the Group Audit Committee is authorised to approve auditor engagements subject to review at the next Group Audit Committee meeting. Under the guidelines, permitted services must not present a conflict of interest, in addition, certain types of services will not normally be approved, including certain buy-side diligence services where it is likely to result in the audit firm later auditing its own work, advice on alternative deal structures for merger and acquisition transactions (although certain tax advice on deal structures proposed by the Group may be permitted), carve out accounting services and system assurance reviews and other internal control reviews, unless part of audit work.

 
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Membership of the Group Audit Committee as at March 29, 2005 is shown in the table below:

     

Appointed by the Board of Shell Transport

Sir Peter Burt
   
Luis Giusti
   
Nina Henderson
   

     

Appointed by the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch

Aad Jacobs
   
Lawrence Ricciardi
  Chairman of the Committee
Christine Morin-Postel
   

The membership of the Shell Transport Audit sub-committee comprises those Shell Transport directors appointed to the Group Audit Committee. For purposes of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Aad Jacobs, a supervisory director of Royal Dutch and a member of the Group Audit Committee, qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” (as defined). No director of Shell Transport that is a member of the Group Audit Committee currently so qualifies, although Sir Peter Burt, a director of Shell Transport and member of the Group Audit Committee and the Shell Transport Audit sub-committee, qualifies under Dutch and UK corporate governance requirements as a director with “appropriate and recent relevant financial experience”, as does Mr Jacobs.

During 2004 there were a total of 23 meetings of the Group Audit Committee. Attendance at these meetings is shown in the table below.

     
Attendance

Members Attendance

Lawrence Ricciardi
  21
Sir Peter Burt
  19
Luis Giusti
  17
Nina Henderson
  23
Aad Jacobs
  23
Christine Morin-Postela
  3

a Christine Morin-Postel was appointed a member during the year and attended all meetings following her appointment.

A copy of the revised terms of reference of the Group Audit Committee (including the Shell Transport Audit sub-committee) can be found on the Shell website (www.shell.com/investor).

Non-audit services (Code Provision C.3.7)

The independent auditors are on occasion engaged to undertake assignments of a non-statutory nature. Such assignments may be in connection with regulatory matters or the provision of advice regarding accounting practice developments and can only be authorised by the Shell Transport Audit sub-committee. Prior to authorisation, the committee reviews whether the independent auditor is an appropriate body to undertake the assignment and considers whether their objectivity and independence would be compromised by the additional engagement.

Remuneration and Succession Review Committee

In 1967, the Supervisory Board of Shell Transport, jointly with the Board of Royal Dutch, established a Remuneration Committee which later became the Remuneration and Succession Review Committee (REMCO). For detailed information on REMCO reference is made to the Remuneration Report beginning on page S16. Its Terms of Reference are reviewed annually and were revised in February 2004 in light of corporate governance developments. A copy of the Terms of Reference of REMCO is available from Company Secretary and can be found on the Shell website (www.shell.com/investor).

Social Responsibility Committee

In 1997 the Board of Shell Transport, jointly with the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch, established a Social Responsibility Committee. The Committee reviews the policies and conduct of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies with respect to the Group’s Statement of General Business Principles as well as the Group’s Health, Safety and Environment Commitment and Policy.

Current membership of the Social Responsibility Committee is shown in the table below.

     
Appointed by the Board of Shell Transport

Dr Eileen Buttle
  Chair of the Committee
Teymour Alireza
   
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart
   

 
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Appointed by the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch

Maarten van den Bergh
   
Wim Kok
   
Jonkheer Aarnout Loudon
   

During 2004 the committee met three times. Attendance at these meetings is shown in the table below.

     
Attendance

Members Attendance

Dr Eileen Buttle
  3
Teymour Alireza
  3
Maarten van den Bergh
  2
Wim Kok
  3
Jonkheer Aarnout Loudon
  3
Sir Mark Moody-Stuarta
  1

a Sir Mark Moody-Stuart was appointed a member during the year and was unable to attend one of the two meetings held following his appointment.

Shell companies have long been open about the values and principles which guide them, and the Group’s Statement of General Business Principles has been publicly available since 1976. The latest revision in 1997 followed extensive internal and external consultation and now includes commitments to support fundamental human rights and to contribute to sustainable development.

The Shell Report 2004 which reviews how Group companies are living up to the Group’s Business Principles and contributing to sustainable development will be available at www.shell.com/shellreport following its publication at the end of May 2005.

Code of Ethics

For the guidance of principal executives and senior financial officers, a Code of Ethics has been drawn up in conjunction with the Group’s Statement of General Business Principles. This Code of Ethics can be found on the Shell website (see www.shell.com/codeofethics).

Compensation of Directors and officers

The aggregate amount of remuneration paid to or accrued for Directors, Managing Directors and officers of Shell Transport as a group by Shell Transport and companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies for services in all capacities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, was £5,272,668. The aggregate amount set aside to provide pension, retirement and similar benefits for Directors, Managing Directors and officers of Shell Transport by Shell Transport and companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, was £7,075.

Reference is made to the information given in the Remuneration section on pages S21 to S25 relating to Directors’ emoluments and service contracts (for Managing Directors) and letters of appointment (for non-executive Directors).

Shares under option and share purchase plan

Two Group companies, one in the Netherlands (Shell Petroleum N.V.) and one in the UK (The Shell Petroleum Company Limited), have stock option plans under which options have been or may be granted to executives and other employees of those and other Group companies. Options granted under these plans are at a price of not less than the market value at the date of granting the option and for the terms indicated in the tabulation below.

As of March 29, 2005, an aggregate amount of 168,728,057 issued and outstanding Ordinary shares of Shell Transport were the subject of options under such plans.

The number of Ordinary shares of Shell Transport under option at March 29, 2005, and the option prices of the Ordinary shares at the date the options were granted, per share and in total, were as follows:

                                 
Plan

Option price

Number of shares Average Term
under option per share Total (expiration dates)

Shell Petroleum N.V.
    52,650,356       4.48       235,730,297       10 years  
                              (10/12/07 – 04/11/14 )
The Shell Petroleum Company Limited
    116,077,201       4.54       526,485,829       10 years  
                              (10/12/07 – 06/05/14 )

Two Group companies, one in the Netherlands (Shell Petroleum N.V.) and one in the United Kingdom (The Shell Petroleum Company Limited) have restricted stock plans under which grants are made on a highly selective basis to senior staff. Group Managing Directors are not eligible to participate in the Restricted stock plans. A maximum of 250,000 Royal Dutch ordinary shares (or equivalent value in Shell Transport Ordinary shares) can be granted under the plans in any year. Shares are granted subject to a three-year restriction period and the number of the shares awarded is based on the fair market value at the start of the restricted period. The shares, together with

 
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additional shares equivalent to the value of the dividends payable over the restriction period, are released to the individual at the end of the three-year period. The total number of outstanding Ordinary shares of Shell Transport under the restricted stock plans as of March 29, 2005 is 852,177, of which 46,110 shares relate to dividend shares.

Two Group companies, one in the Netherlands (Shell Petroleum N.V.) and one in the United Kingdom (The Shell Petroleum Company Limited) have long-term incentive plans under which shares are awarded conditionally once a year to Group Managing Directors and selected senior executives. The plan allows for a maximum grant with a face value of two times base pay. The value of shares conditionally awarded will reflect competitive market practice. Release may occur three years after grant. The entire award is expected to be released only in cases of exceptional performance. The total number of outstanding Ordinary shares of Shell Transport conditionally awarded under the long-term incentive plans as of March 29, 2005 is 1,181,187, of which 53,933 shares relate to dividend shares up to date. None of the shares will result in beneficiary ownership until they are released.

The Global Employee Share Purchase Plan enables employees to make contributions, which are applied quarterly to purchase Royal Dutch or Shell Transport Ordinary shares at current market value. If the acquired shares are retained in the Plan until the end of the twelve-month cycle the employee receives an additional 15% share allocation. In the USA a variant of the plan is operated where contributions are applied to buy Royal Dutch shares at the end of the twelve-month cycle. The purchase price is the lower of the market price on the first or last trading day of the cycle reduced by 15%. Group Managing Directors are not eligible to participate in the Global Employee Share Purchase Plan. At March 29, 2005, 25,816 Shell Transport Ordinary shares were held by Group companies in connection with this Plan.

Shell Sharesave Scheme

In lieu of the Global Employee Share Purchase Plan, employees in the UK continue to participate in the Shell Sharesave Scheme. Stock options are granted over shares of Shell Transport at a price set at the date specified in the invitation. Options are granted on a date not more than 30 days after the option price is determined and are normally exercisable after a three-year or five-year contractual savings period.

At March 29, 2005 there were 10,233,483 issued and outstanding Ordinary shares of Shell Transport under the option to such employees pursuant to the rules of those schemes at prices between £3.55 and £5.66.

No issue of new shares is involved under any of the plans or schemes mentioned above.

 
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Purchases of Equity Securities in Shell Transport by Shell Transport and Affiliated Purchasers

                                 

(c) Total Number of (d) Maximum Number
(a) Total Shares (or Units) (or Approximate US Dollar Value)
Number of Purchased as Part of of Shares (or Units) that May
Shares (or Units) (b) Average Price Paid Per Publicly Announced Plans Yet Be Purchased Under the
Period purchased1 Share (or Units) or Programs2 Plans or Programs3

Month #1
January 1st to 31st
                            $2 billion  

Month #2
February 1st to 29th
                            $2 billion  

Month #3
March 1st to 31st
                            $2 billion  

Month #4
April 1st to 30th
                            $2 billion  

Month #5
May 1st to 31st
    34,175,000       $7.22       34,175,000       $1.4 billion  

Month #6
June 1st to 30th
    2,000,000       $7.22       2,000,000       $1.3 billion  

Month #7
July 1st to 31st
    3,500,000       $7.25       3,500,000       $1.3 billion  

Month #8
August 1st to 31st
    39,515,000       $7.23       39,515,000       $0.4 billion  

Month #9
September 1st to 30th
    3,200,000       $7.56       3,200,000       $0.3 billion  

Month #10
October 1st to 31st
                            $0.3 billion  

Month #11
November 1st to 30th
                            $0.3 billion  

Month #12
December 1st to 31st
                            $0.3 billion  

Total
                            $0.3 billion  

1 All purchases made through announced plans.
 
2 On April 29, 2004 Royal Dutch and Shell Transport jointly announced the implementation of a share buyback program, with no expiration date. The maximum amount of the plan, including purchases of shares for the hedging of employee share options granted by companies within the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies, was $2 billion for the year 2004. The maximum amounts under the plan for purchases of shares in future years was to be determined in future years. On October 28, 2004 following the announcement of the proposed transaction described under the heading “Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Unification Proposal”, purchases under the program were suspended. On 3 February 2005, the buyback program was re-launched, in a maximum amount of up to $5 billion for the year 2005. The maximum amounts under the plan for purchases of shares in future years will be determined in future years based on a variety of factors, including debt levels and competing demands for cash in the years concerned. The unimplemented commitments in relation to 2004 have expired.
 
3 Total value of remaining potential purchases of both Royal Dutch Petroleum and The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c. stock by these companies and other members of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies as at the end of each month
 
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Index to the Financial Statements and Exhibits

         
(A) Financial Data* Page

Royal Dutch Petroleum Company:
       
Report of the Registered Independent Public Accounting Firm
    R1  
Financial Statements
       
Profit and Loss Account
    R2  
Statement of Appropriation of Profit
    R2  
Earnings per share
    R2  
Balance Sheet
    R3  
Statement of Cash Flows
    R3  
Notes to the Financial Statements
    R4  
Remuneration Report
    R13  

The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, Public Limited Company:
       
Report of the Registered Independent Public Accounting Firm
    S1  
Financial Statements
       
Profit and Loss Account
    S2  
Earnings per 25p Ordinary share
    S2  
Balance Sheet
    S2  
Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses
    S3  
Statement of Retained Profit
    S3  
Statement of Cash Flows
    S3  
Notes to the Financial Statements
    S5  
Directors’ Remuneration Report
    S16  

Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies:
       
Report of the Registered Independent Public Accounting Firms
    G1  
US GAAP Financial Statements
       
Statement of Income
    G2  
Statement of Comprehensive Income and Parent Companies’ interest in Group net assets
    G2  
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
    G3  
Statement of Cash Flows
    G4  
Notes to the Financial Statements
    G5  
Report of the Registered Independent Public Accounting Firms
    G39  
Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements
       
Statement of Income
    G40  
Statement of Comprehensive Income and Parent Companies’ interest in Group net assets
    G40  
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
    G41  
Statement of Cash flows
    G42  
Notes to the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements
    G43  
Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)
    G49  
Reserves
    G49  
Standardised measure of discounted future cash flows
    G60  
Supplementary Information – Derivatives and other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments
    G62  

         

(B) Exhibits
    E1  

1.1  Articles of Association of Royal Dutch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (Commission Files 1-3788 and 1-4039) of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2003)
1.2  Memorandum and Articles of Association of Shell Transport (incorporated by reference to the Report of Foreign Issuer on Form 6-K (Commission File No. 1-4039) of Shell Transport furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 21, 2002)
4.1  Adjustment Agreement between Royal Dutch and Shell Transport dated July 5, 1907, and certain amendments thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (Commission File Nos. 1-3788 and 1-4039) of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2003)
4.2  Shell Petroleum N.V. Stock Option Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-7590) of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 2001)
4.3  Shell Petroleum Company Limited Stock Option Plan (1967), as amended (incorporated by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-7590) of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 2001)
8    Significant Group companies as at December 31, 2004
    E2  
23.1 Consent of KPMG Accountants N.V., The Hague
    E3  
23.2 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, London
    E4  
23.3 Consent of KPMG Accountants N.V., The Hague and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, London
    E5  
23.4 Consent of KPMG Accountants N.V., The Hague
    E6  
23.5 Consent of KPMG Accountants N.V., The Hague and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, London
    E7  
23.6 Consent of KPMG Accountants N.V., The Hague and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, London
    E8  
23.7 Consent of KPMG Accountants N.V., The Hague and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, London
    E9  
99.1 Section 302 Certification of Royal Dutch
    E10  
99.2 Section 302 Certification of Royal Dutch
    E11  
99.3 Section 302 Certification of Shell Transport
    E12  
99.4 Section 302 Certification of Shell Transport
    E13  
99.5 Section 906 Certification of Royal Dutch
    E14  
99.6 Section 906 Certification of Shell Transport
    E15  

 
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* Schedules not included have been omitted because they are not applicable or not required. Alternatively, the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto. Summarised financial information in aggregate for majority-owned subsidiaries not consolidated and 50% or less-owned persons, the investments in which are accounted for by the equity method, has been provided in the notes to the financial statements. Separate financial statements for any such individual majority-owned subsidiary not consolidated or 50% or less-owned person, the investments in which are accounted for by the equity method, have been omitted because none constitutes a “significant subsidiary”.
 
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Royal Dutch Petroleum Company

Report of the Registered Independent Public Accounting Firm

To: Royal Dutch Petroleum Company

We have audited the Financial Statements of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company for the years 2004, 2003 and 2002 appearing on pages R2 to R12. The preparation of the Financial Statements is the responsibility of the Company’s Board of Management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Financial Statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Financial Statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the Financial Statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by the Board of Management in the preparation of the Financial Statements, as well as evaluating the overall Financial Statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the Financial Statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the Netherlands.

The report of the registered independent public accounting firms on the 2004, 2003 and 2002 Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies, appears on page G39.

As discussed in Note 3 on pages R5 and R6, the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company has restated its Financial Statements for the two years ended December 31, 2003, to correct for the financial impact of the Second Reserves Restatement.

Accounting principles generally accepted in the Netherlands vary in certain significant respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Information relating to the nature and effect of such difference is presented in Note 17 on page R11.

 

 

/s/ KPMG Accountants N.V.

------------------------------------------
KPMG Accountants N.V.,
The Hague – The Netherlands
Registered independent public accounting firm

 

March 29, 2005

 
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company R 1


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Financial Statements

                                 
Profit and Loss Account million

2003 2002
Note 2004 As restated As restated

Share in the net income of companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group from continuing operations             7,958       6,398       5,957  
Share in the net income of companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group from discontinued operations     2       754       13       119  

Share in the net income of companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group     4       8,712       6,411       6,076  
less Administrative expenses
            8       8       5  

              8,704       6,403       6,071  
Interest income
            10       18       28  

Profit before taxation
            8,714       6,421       6,099  
less Taxation
    5       1       3       8  

Profit after taxation
            8,713       6,418       6,091  

                                 
Statement of Appropriation of Profit million

2003 2002
Note 2004 As restated As restated

Profit after taxation
            8,713       6,418       6,091  
Taken from/(to) Statutory investment reserve
    6       (4,870 )     (3,543 )     (2,759 )
Undistributed profit at beginning of year
            2,909       3,650       4,712  
Final dividend distributed
            (2,125 )     (2,084 )     (2,042 )
(Repurchase)/cancellation of share capital
            (375 )     9       (847 )
Unclaimed dividends forfeited
            1       1       1  

Available for distribution
            4,253       4,451       5,156  

less Interim dividenda
            1,562       1,542       1,506  

Undistributed profit at end of yearb
            2,691       2,909       3,650  

                                   
Earnings per share

2003 2002
Note 2004 As restated As restated

 
Basic earnings per ordinary share from continuing operations
            3.94       3.14       2.90  

 
Basic earnings per ordinary share from discontinued operations
            0.37       0.01       0.06  

Basic earnings per ordinary share
    13       4.31       3.15       2.96  

 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share from continuing operations
            3.93       3.14       2.90  

 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share from discontinued operations
            0.37       0.01       0.06  

Diluted earnings per ordinary share
    13       4.30       3.15       2.96  

a Including 4% cumulative preference dividend for 2004 amounting to 26,880 on priority shares (2003: 26,880; 2002: 26,880).
 
b Before second interim dividend of 2,165 million (second interim dividend 2003: 2,125; final dividend 2002: 2,084 million).
 
 
R 2 Royal Dutch Petroleum Company


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Financial Statements
                           
Balance Sheet (before appropriation of profit) million

Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2003
Note 2004 As restated

Fixed assets
                       
Financial fixed assets
                       
 
Investments in companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group
    6       37,018       34,349  
 
Investment in associated company
    7       179        
Current assets
                       
Receivables
                       
  Dividends receivable from companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group             2,130       2,449  
  Other receivables from companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group             44       363  
 
Other receivables
    8       35       36  
Cash and cash equivalents
            252       8  

              2,461       2,856  

Current liabilities
                       
 
Other liabilities
    9       13       10  

Current assets less current liabilities
            2,448       2,846  

Total assets less current liabilities
            39,645       37,195  

Shareholders’ equity
                       
Paid-up capital
    10                  
 
Ordinary shares
            1,165       1,166  
 
Priority shares
            1       1  

              1,166       1,167  

Share premium reserve
            1       1  
Investment reserves
    6                  
 
Statutory
            25,185       22,707  
 
Currency translation differences
            1,848       486  
 
Other
            8,739       9,910  

              35,772       33,103  

Other statutory reserves
    11       15       15  
Undistributed profit
            2,691       2,909  

              39,645       37,195  

                         
Statement of Cash Flows million

2004 2003 2002

Returns on investments and servicing of finance
                       
Dividends received from Group companies
    4,162       3,401       4,446  
Interest received
    10       18       32  
Other
    315       212       (587 )

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from returns on investments and servicing of finance     4,487       3,631       3,891  

Taxation
                       
Tax (paid)/recovered
    (1 )     (4 )     (8 )
Financing
                       
Repurchase of share capital, including expenses
    (376 )           (889 )
Investment in associated company
    (179 )            
Dividends paid
    (3,687 )     (3,626 )     (3,536 )

Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    244       1       (542 )

Cash at January 1
    8       7       549  

Cash at December 31
    252       8       7  

 
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company R 3


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Notes to the Financial Statements

1 The Company

Royal Dutch, one of the Parent Companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies (the Group), is a holding company which, in conjunction with Shell Transport, owns, directly or indirectly, investments in the numerous companies known collectively as the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies.

The Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies as presented on pages G40 to G42 and the Notes thereto on pages G5 to G37, G43 to G48 form part of the Notes to the Annual Accounts.

Arrangements between Royal Dutch and Shell Transport provide, inter alia, that notwithstanding variations in shareholdings, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport shall share in the aggregate net assets and in the aggregate dividends and interest received from Group companies in the proportion of 60:40, respectively. It is further arranged that the burden of all taxes in the nature of, or corresponding to, an income tax leviable in respect of such dividends and interest shall fall in the same proportion.

Unification Proposal

On October 28, 2004, the Royal Dutch and Shell Transport Boards announced that they had unanimously agreed to propose to their shareholders a transaction (the “Transaction”) through which each Parent Company will become a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc, which will become a publicly-listed company incorporated in England and Wales and headquartered and tax resident in The Netherlands (“Royal Dutch Shell”). Reflecting the existing 60:40 ownership by Royal Dutch and Shell Transport of the Group, it is proposed that Royal Dutch shareholders will be offered 60% of the ordinary share capital in Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Transport shareholders will receive 40% of the ordinary share capital in Royal Dutch Shell. To implement the proposal, it is intended that (i) Royal Dutch Shell will make an offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Royal Dutch in exchange for Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares or American depositary shares (“ADSs”) representing Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares and (ii) Royal Dutch Shell will become the parent company of Shell Transport pursuant to a United Kingdom reorganisational procedure referred to as a “scheme of arrangement” under section 425 of the UK Companies Act 1985, as amended. As a result of the scheme of arrangement, holders of Shell Transport Ordinary shares (and holders of Shell Transport bearer warrants) will receive Royal Dutch Shell Class B ordinary shares and holders of Shell Transport ADSs will receive ADSs representing Royal Dutch Shell Class B ordinary shares. The Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will have identical voting rights and will vote together as a single class on all matters, including the election of directors, unless a matter affects the rights of one class as a separate class. Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will have identical rights upon a liquidation of Royal Dutch Shell, and dividends declared on each will be equivalent in amount. However, for tax purposes, holders of Class A ordinary shares will receive Dutch source dividends, while holders of Class B ordinary shares will receive dividends that are UK source to the extent that these dividends are paid through a dividend access mechanism to be established. Implementation of the Transaction will be the subject of appropriate consultation with relevant employee representative bodies as required as well as the satisfaction of certain other conditions. It is currently expected that the Transaction will be completed in July 2005.
 
Accounting principles
The inclusion in this Report of the Financial Statements of Royal Dutch appearing on pages R2 to R12 has been recommended by the Group Audit Committee and approved by the Board of Royal Dutch for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The statutory annual accounts of Royal Dutch will be prepared in accordance with Dutch legal requirements, submitted in the Dutch language to shareholders and established by an affirmative vote at the Annual General Meeting. Royal Dutch is scheduled to hold its Annual General Meeting on June 28, 2005. Accordingly, the Financial Statements included in this Annual Report do not, as of the date of filing, constitute its official accounts for Dutch law purposes.

The Financial Statements of Royal Dutch are reported in euro, while the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies are reported in US dollars. Notes 4, 6, 13 and 17 to these Financial Statements contain currency translations of certain items presented in US dollars in the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies into euro.

References are made to the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies in these Notes to facilitate an understanding of the relationships between the Financial Statements of Royal Dutch and the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies, particularly as they relate to Royal Dutch’s 60% interest in net income and net assets of companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies.

The investments in and the share in the net income of companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group are accounted for by the equity method (see also Notes 4 and 6). Accounting principles used by the Group are given in Note 31 to the Netherlands GAAP Financial

 
R 4 Royal Dutch Petroleum Company


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Notes to the Financial Statements

Statements of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies on page G43. Investments in associated companies are accounted for by the equity method.

Current assets and liabilities are stated at their nominal value. Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into euros at year-end rates of exchange, whereas results for the year are translated at average rates. For the Profit and Loss Account euros are translated from US dollars at the weighted average rate of exchange. Currency translation differences arising from translating the investments in companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group are taken to Investment reserves (see Note 6).

Administrative expenses, Interest income and Taxation are stated at the amounts attributable to the respective financial years.

The Group separately reports income from discontinued operations (see Notes 4 and 32 to the Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies). As a consequence, the Company also separately reports its share in the net income of discontinued operations of companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group and the basic- and diluted earnings per ordinary share from discontinued operations. Amounts reported in previous years have been reclassified. Royal Dutch’s share in the net income of companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group from discontinued operations amounted to 13 million in 2003 (2002: 119 million). These amounts are based on Royal Dutch’ 60% share in the Net Income from discontinued operations of companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of $25 million in 2003 (2002: $187 million) translated into euros at the average rate of exchange for the year of 1$ = 0.90 (2002: 1$ = 1.06).

Under a 2002 EU Regulation, publicly-listed companies in the European Union will be required to prepare consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) from 2005. The 2005 Financial Statements of the Group or, subject to completion of the transaction described in Note 1, of its successor, will be prepared under IFRS and will include comparative data for 2004, together with reconciliations to opening balances as at January 1, 2004 and to 2004 data previously published in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (US GAAP). With effect from January 1, 2005 Royal Dutch intends to prepare its consolidated Financial Statements under International Financial Reporting Standards.

3 Restatement of previously issued Financial Statements

First Reserves Restatement
On January 9, 2004, the Group announced the removal from proved reserves of approximately 3.9 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) of oil and natural gas that were originally reported as of December 31, 2002. As a result of further field level reviews concluded in April 2004 with the assistance of external petroleum consultants of over 90% of the Group’s proved reserves volumes (collectively, the First Half Review), the Group determined to increase the total volume of reserves to be removed from the proved category to 4.47 billion boe and to restate the unaudited oil and natural gas reserves disclosures contained in the supplementary information accompanying the Financial Statements (the First Reserves Restatement) to give effect to the removal of these volumes as of the earliest date on which they did not represent “proved reserves” within the applicable rules of the SEC (which in many cases is the date on which the volumes were initially booked as proved reserves). 12% of the volumes debooked as of December 31, 2002 as part of the First Reserves Restatement had been in the proved developed reserves category and 88% had been categorised as proved undeveloped reserves. The effects of the First Reserves Restatement were reflected in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F as originally filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) on June 30, 2004.

Following the January 9, 2004 announcement of the initial reserves recategorisation, the Group Audit Committee (GAC) appointed Davis Polk & Wardwell to lead an independent review of the facts and circumstances surrounding the recategorisation, and to report its findings and any proposed remedial actions to the GAC for its consideration. Based largely on the Davis Polk & Wardwell report, the Parent Companies, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, determined that the principal causes that permitted the initial booking and maintenance of the volumes impacted by the First Reserves Restatement as proved reserves are as follows:

the Group’s guidelines for booking proved reserves were inadequate in several respects, including (i) containing inconsistencies with the SEC’s rules and published guidance relating to proved reserves and (ii) failing to clearly and sufficiently impact these requirements and guidance to users of the guidelines. In addition, users of the guidelines in certain cases misapplied or disregarded SEC rules and published guidance and in some cases only applied changes in the guidelines prospectively rather than retrospectively. There was also insufficient knowledge and training among users of the guidelines of the SEC requirements relating to proved reserves;
 
executives and employees encouraged the booking of proved reserves, while discouraging the debooking of previously booked reserves. This fostered an atmosphere that failed to emphasise the paramount importance of the compliance element of proved reserves decisions; and
 
there were other material weaknesses in the Group’s controls relating to the booking of proved reserves, including insufficient resources allocated to the Group Reserves Auditor and Group Reserves Co-ordinator functions, a lack of clarity in the allocation of responsibilities between the Group Reserves Auditor and the Group Reserves Co-ordinator and a lack of direct reporting responsibility of the Group Reserves Auditor to the Group internal audit function and of the business Chief Financial Officers to the Group Chief Financial Officer.
 
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company R 5


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Notes to the Financial Statements

Second Reserves Restatement

On February 3, 2005, as a result of reservoir level reviews conducted during July 2004 through December 2004 of substantially all of the Group’s proved reserves volumes reported as at December 31, 2003, (collectively, the Second Half Review), the Group announced that it would remove from proved reserves an additional 1,371 million boe of oil and natural gas that were reported as at December 31, 2003 and further restate the unaudited oil and natural gas reserves disclosures contained in the supplementary information accompanying the Financial Statements of the Group (the Second Reserves Restatement and, together with the First Reserves Restatement, the Reserves Restatements) to give effect to the removal of these volumes as of the earliest date on which they did not represent “proved reserves” within the applicable rules of the SEC (which in many cases is the date on which the volumes were initially booked as proved reserves). 43% of the volumes debooked as of December 31, 2003 as part of the Second Reserves Restatement had been categorised as proved developed reserves and 57% had been categorised as proved undeveloped reserves. The effects of the Second Reserves Restatement are reflected in the comparative periods presented in the Financial Statements of the Group, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport. These effects were also reflected in Amendment No. 2 to the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on March 7, 2005.

Second Financial Restatement

In view of the inappropriate overstatement of unaudited proved reserves information resulting in the Second Reserves Restatement, it was determined to restate the Financial Statements of the Group and each of the Parent Companies for the year ended December 31, 2003 and prior periods (the Second Financial Restatement) to reflect the impact of the Second Reserves Restatement on those Financial Statements (as announced on February 3, 2005). This overstatement of unaudited proved reserves information had the effect of understating the depreciation, depletion and amortisation charges in the Financial Statements of the Group related to Exploration & Production in each of the years covered by the Second Financial Restatement. As capitalised costs relating to Exploration & Production were amortised across fewer proved reserves (following the Second Reserves Restatement), depreciation, depletion and amortisation associated with annual production volumes increased proportionally.

The effect on profit after taxation and the Shareholder’s equity of Royal Dutch, is as follows:

                         
million

Shareholders’
Profit after taxation equity


2003 2002 Dec 31, 2003

As previously reported
    6,520       6,108       37,362  

Second Reserves Restatement
    (100 )     (42 )     (166 )
Currency Translation effect
    (2 )     25       (1 )

As restated
    6,418       6,091       37,195  

 
Share in the net income of companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group
As shown in Note 38 to the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies, net income of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group included in the Profit and Loss Account has been calculated as 60% of the net income of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group as presented in the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group on pages G40 to G42. The Royal Dutch share in the net income of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group amounts to 8,712 million, the equivalent of $10,818 million (2003: 6,411 million, the equivalent of $7,134 million as restated). Net income has been translated into euros using the weighted average rate of exchange for the year.

The dividend for 2004 distributed and yet to be distributed by Group companies to Royal Dutch amounted to 3,842 million, the equivalent of $4,793 million (2003: 2,868 million, the equivalent of $3,396 million).

5 Taxation

The effective tax rate in 2004 was 0% (2003: 0%), as against a statutory corporate income tax rate in the Netherlands of 34.5%. This difference is attributable almost entirely to the participation exemption in the Dutch Corporate Income Tax Act, which exemption applies generally to any benefits, including dividends, derived from subsidiaries that have been subject to a tax on income.

6 Investments and reserves

The 60% interest of Royal Dutch in Group net assets of 37,018 million (2003: 34,349 million) is equal to the interest attributable to Royal Dutch of $50,482 million (2003: $43,326 million) shown in Note 38 to the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies.

Royal Dutch’s investments in the companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group are stated at an amount equal to its 60% share in Group net assets, translated into euros at the year-end rate of exchange. Movements during the year are translated at different rates of exchange. The resulting difference from movements in the US dollar/euro rate is included in currency translation differences.

The difference of 35,772 million between the cost of the investments and the amounts at which the investments are stated in the Balance Sheet has been taken to Investment reserves.

 
R 6 Royal Dutch Petroleum Company


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Notes to the Financial Statements

The Statutory investment reserve comprises Royal Dutch’s 60% share in the undistributed net income of Group companies which has arisen as from January 1, 1984; Royal Dutch’s share in the undistributed net income of Group companies accumulated until that date is included in Investment reserves – Other.

Royal Dutch’s 60% share in the cumulative Group currency translation differences arises as a result of translating the assets and liabilities of non-US dollar companies to US dollars at year-end rates of exchange and is shown under Investment reserves as currency translation differences. Distribution from Group companies and loss on sale of Parent Companies’ shares are translated at a rate of exchange used for distribution of dividends.

The net increase/decrease in Parent Companies’ shares held by Group companies results from sales and purchases of these shares minus dividends received on these shares, translated at the average rate of exchange for the year.

Other comprehensive income, net of tax, consists of currency translation differences, unrealised gains/losses on securities and on cash flow hedges and minimum pension liability adjustments and is translated at the year-end rate (see Note 38 to the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies on pages G46 to G48).

                                                             
Movements in Investments and Investment reserves

$ million million


Investment reserves

60% interest Currency
in Group Exchange rate Royal Dutch translation
net assetsa (/$) investments Statutory differences Other Total

Balance at December 31, 2002 (as restated)
    36,094       0.96       34,490       23,052       (2,370 )     12,562       33,244  

  Cumulative effect of change in accounting for asset retirement obligationsb     153       0.96       146       146                       146  

Balance at January 1, 2003
    36,247       0.96       34,636       23,198       (2,370 )     12,562       33,390  

Movements during the year 2003
                                                       
   
Share in the net income of Group companies
    7,134       0.90       6,411                                  
   
Distribution to Royal Dutch
    (3,396 )     0.84       (2,868 )                                
   
         
                         
  Undistributed net income of Group companies     3,738       0.95       3,543       3,543                       3,543  
  Loss on sale of Parent Companies’ shares     (1 )     0.95       (1 )     (1 )                     (1 )
 
Net (increase)/decrease in Parent Companies’ shares held by Group companies
    (378 )     0.89       (335 )                     (335 )     (335 )
  Other comprehensive income, net of tax     3,720       0.79       2,951       499       2,452               2,951  
  Translation effect arising from movements in US dollar/euro rate                     (6,445 )     (4,532 )     404       (2,317 )     (6,445 )

Balance at December 31, 2003 (as restated)
    43,326       0.79       34,349       22,707       486       9,910       33,103  

Movements during the year 2004
                                                       
   
Share in the net income of Group companies
    10,818       0.81       8,712                                  
   
Distribution to Royal Dutch
    (4,793 )     0.80       (3,842 )                                
   
         
                         
  Undistributed net income of Group companies     6,025       0.81       4,870       4,870                       4,870  
 
Net (increase)/decrease in Parent Companies’ shares held by Group companies
    (455 )     0.81       (366 )                     (366 )     (366 )
  Other comprehensive income, net of tax     1,586       0.73       1,163       (236 )     1,399               1,163  
  Translation effect arising from movements in US dollar/euro rate                     (2,998 )     (2,156 )     (37 )     (805 )     (2,998 )

Balance at December 31, 2004
    50,482       0.73       37,018       25,185       1,848       8,739       35,772  

a See Note 33 to the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies for the impact of the differences between US GAAP and Netherlands GAAP on Group net assets and net income. See Note 38 of the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies for the determination of Royal Dutch’s 60% interest in Group net assets and movements therein, including movements resulting from Group net income and distributions to the Parent Companies.
 
b This relates to a change in Group accounting policies in 2003 for asset retirement obligations which is recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of net assets in 2003. Prior periods have not been restated due to the absence of comparative data for 2002.

As the amounts dealt with under Investment reserves have been, or will be, substantially reinvested by the companies concerned, it is not meaningful to provide for taxes on possible future distributions out of earnings retained by those companies; no such provision has therefore been made.

The movements during the year in the value of the Group reporting currency (US dollar) against the Royal Dutch reporting currency (euro) lead to currency translation differences.

7 Investment in associated company

In October 2004, the Company, in conjunction with Shell Transport, invested in RDS Holding B.V. (RDS Holding), a company incorporated in the Netherlands, in order to facilitate the proposed transaction through which each of the Company and Shell Transport will become a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc, which will become a publicly-listed company incorporated in England and Wales and headquartered and tax resident in the Netherlands. The Company and Shell Transport each own 50% of the ordinary share capital of RDS Holding. The Company has a 60% financial interest in RDS Holding, Shell Transport has a 40% financial interest in RDS Holding. RDS Holding has an interest of 100% in Royal Dutch Shell plc.

The aggregate amount of the paid up capital of RDS Holding at December 31, 2004 is 299.1 million.

 
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company R 7


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Notes to the Financial Statements
                 
8 Other receivables million

Dec 31, Dec 31,
2004 2003

Dividend tax receivable
    35       36  
Other receivables
           

      35       36  

                 
9 Other liabilities million

Dec 31, Dec 31,
2004 2003

Dividends
    6       8  
Accounts payable
    6       2  
Corporation tax
    1        

      13       10  

10 Share capital

The authorised capital as laid down in the Articles of Association is expressed in euros and amounts to 1,792,000,000. The authorised share capital is divided into 3,198,800,000 ordinary shares with a par value of 0.56 each and 1,500 priority shares with a par value of 448 each. The movements in issued and paid-up capital during 2003 and 2004 were as follows:
                   
Share capital

Number of shares

Ordinary shares of N.fl.1.25/0.56
               

At December 31, 2002
    2,099,285,000       1,175,599,600  
 
Cancelled during 2003
    (15,785,000 )     (8,839,600 )

At December 31, 2003
    2,083,500,000       1,166,760,000  

 
Cancelled during 2004
    (1,775,000 )     (994,000 )

At December 31, 2004
    2,081,725,000       1,165,766,000  


Priority shares of N.fl.1,000/448
               

At December 31, 2002
    1,500       672,000  

At December 31, 2003
    1,500       672,000  

At December 31, 2004
    1,500       672,000  


Total ordinary and priority shares
               

At December 31, 2003
    2,083,501,500       1,167,432,000  

At December 31, 2004
    2,081,726,500       1,166,438,000  

On June 17, 2004, the Board of Directors of Royal Dutch announced that it will propose to its annual meeting of shareholders to be held on June 28, 2005 to abolish the priority shares.

11 Other statutory reserves

The other statutory reserves resulted from the redenomination in 2002 from guilders into euros of the nominal values of the shares.

12 Royal Dutch shares held by Group companies

The movements in 2004 in Royal Dutch shares held by Group companies were as follows:
                         

Number of shares million


Royal Dutch
60% interest
in the
Book value book value

At December 31, 2003
    50,280,082       2,394       1,436  
Purchases
    12,184,414       501       301  
Deliveries and other movements
    545,456       (115 )     (69 )

At December 31, 2004
    61,919,040       2,780       1,668  

These movements relate to the granting and exercise of stock options and to other incentive compensation plans as mentioned in Note 23 to the Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies.

 
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Notes to the Financial Statements

13 Earnings per share

The basic earnings per share amounts shown are related to profit after taxation and after deducting the 4% cumulative preference dividend on priority shares. The calculation uses a weighted average number of shares of 2,023,212,126 (2003: 2,036,687,755; 2002: 2,057,657,737 shares). This amount is based on outstanding shares, after deduction of shares held by Group companies in respect of stock options and other incentive compensation plans. For the purpose of the calculation, shares repurchased under the buyback programme are deemed to have been cancelled on purchase date.

The diluted earnings per share are based on the same profit figures. For this calculation the weighted number of shares is increased by 2,283,163 for 2004 (2003: 674,210; 2002: 442,580). These numbers relate to share options schemes as mentioned above.

Amounts reported in previous years have been reclassified following the separate reporting of income from discontinued operations (see Note 2). The basic earnings per ordinary share from discontinued operations of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies amounted to 0.01 for 2003 (2002: 0.06). The diluted earnings per ordinary share from discontinued operations of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies amounted to 0.01 for 2003 (2002: 0.06).

Royal Dutch’s 60% interest in line items as derived from the Group

Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements
                 

 million $ million

Balance Sheet
               
2004:
               
Current assets
    27,212       37,109  
Non current assets
    57,381       78,250  
Current liabilities
    (26,691 )     (36,398 )
Non current liabilities
    (18,548 )     (25,294 )
Minority interests in Group companies (60% of Group amount on page G41 translated at year end rate on page R7)
    (2,336 )     (3,185 )
   
Royal Dutch share of Group net assets (see pages R7-euro & G47-US dollar)
    37,018       50,482  
Other assets and liabilities of Royal Dutch
    2,627          
   
Net Assets
    39,645          

2003 (as restated):
               
Current assets
    20,745       26,167  
Non current assets
    59,773       75,395  
Current liabilities
    (25,888 )     (32,654 )
Non current liabilities
    (18,657 )     (23,533 )
Minority interests in Group companies (60% of Group amount on page G41 translated at year end rate on page R7)
    (1,624 )     (2,049 )
   
Royal Dutch share of Group net assets (see page R7 – euro & G47-US dollar)
    34,349       43,326  
Other assets and liabilities of Royal Dutch
    2,846          
   
Net Assets
    37,195          

Profit and Loss account
               
2004:
               
Sales proceeds (Revenue)
    163,104       202,513  
Operating profit
    15,306       19,004  
Income from continuing operations
    7,958       9,882  
Income from discontinued operations
    754       936  
Net income for the year
    8,712       10,818  
Distribution for the year
    3,842       4,793  

2003 (as restated):
               
Sales proceeds (Revenue)
    142,345       158,333  
Operating profit
    11,412       12,694  
Income from continuing operations
    6,398       7,119  
Income from discontinued operations
    13       15  
Net income for the year
    6,411       7,134  
Distribution for the year
    2,868       3,396  

2002 (as restated):
               
Sales proceeds (Revenue)
    138,514       130,972  
Operating profit
    11,256       10,643  
Income from continuing operations
    5,957       5,610  
Income from discontinued operations
    119       112  
Net income for the year
    6,076       5,722  
Distribution for the year
    3,317       3,261  

 
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Notes to the Financial Statements

14 List of companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group

A list of companies drawn up with due observance of the provisions in Articles 379 and 414, Book 2 of the Netherlands Civil Code, will at the moment that the Annual Accounts of the Company will be filed, be deposited at the office of the Commercial Register in The Hague.

15 Remuneration of members of the Supervisory Board and Managing Directors

For the amounts borne in 2004 by Royal Dutch and by the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies in respect of remuneration of the Managing Directors, reference is made to the relevant tables on pages R17 to R21.

Walter van de Vijver resigned as a Managing Director of Royal Dutch on March 3, 2004. The amount of remuneration he received whilst a Managing Director of the Company in 2004 is stated in the tables on pages R17 to R21. His employment terminated with effect from September 1, 2004. From March 4, 2004 to August 31, 2004 an amount of 589,939 was borne by the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies in respect of the remuneration he received as an employee of the Group.

For the amounts borne in 2004 by Royal Dutch and by companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group in respect of remuneration of the members of the Supervisory Board, reference is made to the relevant table on page R23. This table also includes amounts borne by companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group in respect of remuneration for two members of the Supervisory Board who served simultaneously as Directors of these companies.

In addition to the pensions from a pension fund, ten former Managing Directors receive retirement benefits for duties performed by them simultaneously in the past as Directors of Group companies, as referred to in the previous paragraph. These retirement benefits have not been insured but provisions have been made in respect thereof in accordance with applicable accounting principles.

The breakdown of these charges per former Managing Director is as follows:

                 

2004 2003

Drs M.A. van den Bergh
    67,071       145,893  
A.P. Bénard
    28,443       42,165  
Ir. J.H. Choufoer
    32,956       55,381  
Ir. J.M.H. van Engelshoven
    43,903       80,712  
R.M. Hart
    49,146       80,399  
Drs C.A.J. Herkströter
    48,833       101,043  
Ir. H. de Ruiter
    63,835       124,019  
Ir. K. Swart
    13,741       19,664  
Ir. L.C. van Wachem
    61,751       115,672  
Ir. E.G.G. Werner
    22,545       32,621  

Totala
    432,224       797,569  

a    These amounts differ from actual relevant pensions paid.

16 Employee numbers

Royal Dutch did not have any employees at December 31, 2004 or December 31, 2003. The Managing Directors of Royal Dutch have a contract of employment with Group companies.
 
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Notes to the Financial Statements

17 Reconciliation between Netherlands GAAP and US GAAP

                                                                   
 million

Basic earnings per ordinary share Net income Net assets



Dec 31,
2003 2002 2003 2002 Dec 31, 2003
2004 As restated As restated 2004 As restated As restated 2004 As restated

In accordance with Netherlands GAAP
    4.31       3.15       2.96       8,713       6,418       6,091       39,645       37,195  
Adjustments for US GAAP:
                                                               
Goodwill amortisation
    0.04       0.04       0.04       81       90       76       200       137  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for asset retirement obligations
            0.07                       141                          
Recoverability of assets
                                                               
 
Impairments
    0.11                       220                       200          
 
Reversal of impairments
    (0.11 )                     (226 )                     (206 )        

In accordance with US GAAP
    4.35       3.26       3.00       8,788       6,649       6,167       39,839       37,332  

less: Interest income less expenses and tax
                            (1 )     (7 )     (15 )                
less: Current assets less current liabilities
                                                    (2,627 )     (2,846 )
                     
 
Share in net income and net assets in companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group (US GAAP)
                            8,787       6,642       6,152       37,212       34,486  

Exchange rate (euro/$)
                            0.81       0.90       1.06       0.73       0.79  

                                                    $ million

Share in net income and net assets in companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group (see Note 30 on page G37)
                            10,910       7,387       5,794       50,746       43,498  

The table above reconciles Royal Dutch’s net income and net assets under Netherlands GAAP to US GAAP. In addition, the table shows the adjustments necessary to reconcile Royal Dutch’s net income and net assets under US GAAP to its 60% share of Group net income and net assets (as shown in Note 30 to the Group Financial Statements). These adjustments consist of the elimination of Parent Company net assets and net income, which are not included in the net assets or net income of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies, and currency translation.

The differences affecting basic earnings per share, net income and net assets between Netherlands GAAP, as applied to the preparation of these Financial Statements (and after giving effect to the restatement described in Note 3) and US GAAP are as follows:

(i) goodwill:

Under US GAAP, goodwill is not amortised but is tested for impairment annually or when certain events occur that indicate potential impairment. Under Netherlands GAAP, goodwill is amortised on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful economic life, which is assumed not to exceed 20 years unless there are grounds to rebut this assumption;

(ii) asset retirement obligations

Under US GAAP, a change in accounting for asset retirement obligations in 2003, was accounted for prospectively, with the cumulative effect of the change at the beginning of 2003 being reflected in 2003 net income. This change in accounting was also made under Netherlands GAAP. However, the cumulative effect of the change under Netherlands GAAP was reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of net assets and, due to the absence of comparative data, net income for prior years was not restated.

(iii) recoverability of assets

  (a) impairments: Under US GAAP, only if an asset’s estimated undiscounted future cash flows are below its carrying amount is a determination required of the amount of any impairment based on discounted cash flows. There is no undiscounted test under Netherlands GAAP;

  (b) reversals of impairments: Under US GAAP impairments are not reversed. Under Netherlands GAAP, a favourable change in the circumstances which resulted in an impairment would trigger the requirement for a redetermination of the amount of the impairment and any reversal is recognised in income.

18 Contingencies and litigation

In connection with the recategorisation of certain hydrocarbon reserves that occurred in 2004, a number of putative shareholder class actions were filed against Royal Dutch, Shell Transport, Managing Directors of Royal Dutch during the class period, Managing Directors of Shell Transport during the class period, and the external auditors for Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and the Group. These actions were consolidated in the United States District Court in New Jersey and a consolidated complaint was filed in September 2004. The parties are awaiting a decision with respect to defendants’ motions to dismiss asserting lack of jurisdiction with respect to the claims of non-United States shareholders who purchased on non-United States securities exchanges and failure to state a claim. Merits discovery has not begun. The case is at an early stage and subject to substantial uncertainties concerning the outcome of the material factual and legal
 
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Notes to the Financial Statements

issues relating to the litigation, including the pending motions to dismiss on lack of jurisdiction and failure to state a claim. In addition, potential damages, if any, in a fully litigated securities class action would depend on the losses caused by the alleged wrongful conduct that would be demonstrated by individual class members in their purchases and sales of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport shares during the relevant class period. Accordingly, based on the current status of the litigation, management of Royal Dutch is unable to estimate a range of possible losses or any minimum loss. Management of Royal Dutch will review this determination as the litigation progresses.

Also in connection with the hydrocarbon reserves recategorisation, putative shareholder class actions were filed on behalf of participants in various Shell Oil Company qualified plans alleging that Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and various current and former officers and directors breached various fiduciary duties to employee participants imposed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). These suits were consolidated in the United States District Court in New Jersey and a consolidated class action complaint was filed in July 2004. Defendants’ motions to dismiss have been fully briefed. Some document discovery has taken place. The case is at an early stage and subject to substantial uncertainties concerning the outcome of the material factual and legal issues relating to the litigation, including the pending motion to dismiss and the legal uncertainties with respect to the methodology for calculating damage, if any, should defendants become subject to an adverse judgment. The Group is in settlement discussions with counsel for plaintiffs, which it hopes will lead to a successful resolution of the case without the need for further litigation. No financial provisions have been taken with respect to the ERISA litigation.

The reserves recategorisation also led to the filing of shareholder derivative actions in June 2004. The four suits pending in New York state court, New York federal court and New Jersey state federal court demand Group management and structural changes and seek unspecified damages from current and former members of the Boards of Directors of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport. The suits are in preliminary stages and no responses are yet due from defendants. Because any money “damages” in the derivative actions would be paid to Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, management of the Royal Dutch does not believe that the resolution of these suits will have a material adverse effect on Royal Dutch’s financial condition or operating results.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) issued formal orders of private investigation in relation to the reserves recategorisation which Royal Dutch and Shell Transport resolved by reaching agreements with the SEC and the FSA. In connection with the agreement with the SEC, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport consented, without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings or conclusions, to an administrative order finding that Royal Dutch and Shell Transport violated, and requiring Royal Dutch and Shell Transport to cease and desist from future violations of, the antifraud, reporting, recordkeeping and internal control provisions of the US Federal securities laws and related SEC rules, agreed to pay a $120 million civil penalty and has undertaken to spend an additional $5 million developing a comprehensive internal compliance program. In connection with the agreement with the FSA, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport agreed, without admitting or denying the FSA’s findings or conclusions, to the entry of a Final Notice by the FSA finding that Royal Dutch and Shell Transport breached market abuse provisions of the UK’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the Listing Rules made under it and agreed to pay a penalty of £17 million. The penalties from the SEC and FSA and the additional amount to develop a comprehensive internal compliance program have been paid by Group companies and fully included in the Income Statement of the Group. The United States Department of Justice has commenced a criminal investigation, and Euronext Amsterdam, the Dutch Authority Financial Markets and the California Department of Corporations are investigating the issues related to the reserves recategorisation. Management of Royal Dutch cannot currently predict the manner and timing of the resolution of these pending matters and is currently unable to estimate the range of reasonably possible losses from such matters.

Group companies are subject to a number of other loss contingencies arising out of litigation and claims brought by governmental and private parties, which are handled in the ordinary course of business.

The operations and earnings of Group companies continue, from time to time, to be affected to varying degrees by political, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments, including those relating to the protection of the environment and indigenous people, in the countries in which they operate. The industries in which Group companies are engaged are also subject to physical risks of various types. The nature and frequency of these developments and events, not all of which are covered by insurance, as well as their effect on future operations and earnings, are unpredictable.

 
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Table of Contents

Remuneration Report

About this report

This report sets out the remuneration policy as it applies and will apply to the Group Chief Executive and other Executive Directors, including those who are also Managing Directors of Royal Dutch, and to the members of the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch. The policies described are also expected to apply to Directors of Royal Dutch Shell plc if the proposed unification of the Group’s two parent companies under the single parent company, Royal Dutch Shell plc, takes place1.

This report also discloses the individual remuneration of the Managing Directors and Supervisory Board members of Royal Dutch for the year ended December 31, 2004. It has been compiled with reference to the principles and best practice provisions put forward by the Tabaksblat Committee in the Netherlands. In reflection of the joint arrangements between Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, UK corporate governance disclosure requirements have also been taken into account. This report has been approved for inclusion in this Annual Report on Form 20-F and its policies will be submitted for approval by shareholders at the General Meeting.

This report contains the following sections:

The Remuneration and Succession Review Committee;
 
Remuneration policy;
 
2004 actual remuneration; and
 
Supervisory Board members.

The Remuneration and Succession Review Committee

The committee

The Remuneration and Succession Review Committee (REMCO) is a joint committee of the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch and the Board of Shell Transport. REMCO has three members appointed from the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch and three members appointed from the Board of Shell Transport. Members of the committee during 2004 are shown in the table below:
     
Appointed by the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch

Aarnout Loudon
  Chairman of the Committee
Maarten van den Bergh
  Appointed to the Committee with effect from July 1, 2004
Hubert Markl
   
Henny de Ruiter
  Retired from the Committee on June 30, 2004

     
Appointed by the Board of Shell Transport

Nina Henderson
   
Sir Peter Job
   
Lord Kerr of Kinlochard
   

The Chairman of the committee is currently Aarnout Loudon. Of the current Royal Dutch members of the committee only Maarten van den Bergh is not an independent member of the Royal Dutch Supervisory Board, as he served as a Managing Director of the Group from 1992 to 2000, as President of Royal Dutch from 1998 to 2000, and he currently serves as a Managing Director of one of the Group Holding Companies. The Shell Transport members of the committee are currently all independent Non-executive Directors. Biographical details of the REMCO members are shown on page 88.

REMCO’s responsibilities

REMCO is responsible for making recommendations to the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch and the Board of Shell Transport on the performance of Executive Directors, and on all issues related to remuneration and benefits of Executive Directors. It advises on the terms of any contract to be offered to any Executive Director, including the Group’s liabilities in relation to any provisions for the termination of such contracts. It also reviews and endorses candidates for appointments to the position of Chief Executive and Executive Director and reviews other relevant human resource matters. REMCO is also kept informed of remuneration matters concerning other senior executives of the Group, and periodically reviews these to assess alignment and consistency. In addition to fulfilling these responsibilities, REMCO also undertook a review of long-term incentive plans for Executive Directors.
 
1 Further information in respect of the proposed unification transaction and Royal Dutch Shell plc will be available at www.shell.com in due course.
 
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Remuneration Report

As a joint committee of two independent boards, REMCO cannot formally determine the remuneration of individual Executive Directors. The committee makes recommendations to the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch and the Board of Shell Transport. All such recommendations made in 2004 were approved by the Boards.

Following REMCO’s annual review of its Terms of Reference, a revised version, on its recommendation, was approved by the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch and the Board of Shell Transport in February 2004. They can be found on the Shell website (www.shell.com/investor).

During 2004 REMCO met eight times; attendance figures for the individual committee members are shown below:

             
Attendance

Members Attendance

Aarnout Loudon
    8     Chairman of the Committee
Maarten van den Bergh
    2     Appointed to the Committee with effect from July 1, 2004
Nina Henderson
    8      
Sir Peter Job
    7      
Lord Kerr of Kinlochard
    7      
Hubert Markl
    3      
Henny de Ruiter
    5     Retired from the Committee on June 30, 2004

Advisers to REMCO

During 2004 REMCO sought advice from John Hofmeister, Group Human Resources Director and Secretary to the committee, and from Michael Reiff, Group Head of Remuneration and Benefits. No formal internal or external adviser was appointed by REMCO. Kepler Associates and Towers Perrin provided external data that was collated by Group staff and used in the preparation of briefing papers that REMCO considered when making its decisions.

Remuneration policy

During 2004 the committee reviewed the remuneration policies for and the individual remuneration of the Executive Directors. The committee has recommended a number of changes which will be put forward for shareholder approval at the General Meeting on June 28, 2005 and adopted, if approved by both Royal Dutch and Shell Transport shareholders.

The remuneration policy and plans for the Executive Directors for the 2005 financial year and beyond are described below.

Philosophy

The remuneration policy is intended to recognise and support the Group’s:

Statement of General Business Principles, including the Group’s core values and commitment to contribute to sustainable development;
 
strategic direction;
 
need to attract and retain talented individuals;
 
aim to motivate and reward Executive Directors for exceptional performance that enhances the value of the Group; and
 
desire to align Executive Directors’ interests with those of shareholders.

The Group’s remuneration policy is based on the following working principles:

Performance driven

The remuneration structures for Group employees are designed to reward performance that contributes to the achievement of the Group’s objectives. Consistent with this principle, more than half of an Executive Director’s target total remuneration (excluding pension) is performance-linked and weighted to the long term. This proportion is in line with market practice and the long-term nature of the Group’s business.

Competitiveness

Remuneration levels are set by reference to the practice of global groups of companies of comparable size, complexity and international scope. The Group takes a conservative approach to executive remuneration levels within the range of our industry peers, which are the major integrated oil companies.

Consistency

Group remuneration plans covering base pay, annual bonus, and long-term incentives contain similar performance measures and reward structures for Executive Directors and senior management.
 
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Remuneration Report

Base pay

Base pay is set at a competitive level, appropriate to the scope and complexity of the roles of Chief Executive and Executive Director, reflecting the reporting structure in the Executive Committee. Base pay levels are set by reference to market-based salary scales. Appropriate market levels are established by benchmarking against three comparator groups. The major integrated oil companies serve as the Group’s industry peers and the AEX10 and FTSE20 are used as the home markets peers.

The salary scales are reviewed annually by REMCO and are adjusted in line with market practice with effect from July 1 each year.

The committee recognised the enhanced role of the Chief Executive, compared to his previous role of Chairman of the Committee of Managing Directors and it has adjusted the Chief Executive’s salary level to reflect the increased responsibilities. The current base pay levels of the Chief Executive and the Managing Directors of the Company are:

     
Current base pay levels

Role

Chief Executive, Jeroen van der Veer
  1,500,000
Managing Director, Linda Cook
  810,000
Managing Director, Rob Routs
  900,000

Annual incentive

Executive Directors are eligible for an annual bonus, designed to reward the achievement of results that further the Group’s objectives. Similar structures and mechanisms also apply to annual bonus plans for other Group employees.

As part of the annual business planning process, challenging financial, operational and sustainable development targets are set to form a Group Scorecard. Performance during the year is then measured against this Scorecard and annual bonus awards are made on this basis. For 2005 the Group Scorecard has been simplified and the elements made more transparent as part of the Group’s efforts to set clear priorities and reduce complexity. There are four components to the new Scorecard, each with its own different weighting:

Total shareholder return (TSR) relative to our industry peers, with a 25% weighting;
 
Operational cash flow, with a 25% weighting;
 
Operational excellence in each of the businesses, with a 30% weighting; and
 
Sustainable Development, primarily based on the number of reportable cases of work related injuries, with a 20% weighting.

A clear process of measuring performance against the Scorecard has been put in place with agreed definitions, calculation methodologies and controls. The Scorecard elements will also be auditable. Targets are set at stretching but realistic levels. At the end of the financial year the results are translated into an overall Group score, which can range anywhere between zero and two, the minimum and maximum, respectively. Bonus awards are based on the Group score multiplied by the target bonus level with REMCO using its judgment in making its final recommendations. The target level for Executive Directors for 2005 will be 100% of base pay, in line with competitive practices.

Long-term incentives

In 2004, REMCO reviewed the Group’s long-term incentives for Executive Directors and senior management and the outcomes of its review are described below. The committee is recommending changes which will provide greater transparency and a closer link between the remuneration of Executive Directors and senior management and the performance of the Group. Stock option grants will be discontinued in favour of conditional share awards under the Deferred Bonus Plan and the Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), in both cases with vesting subject to the Group’s performance relative to its peers. Amendments to the current Deferred Bonus Plan and to the LTIP will be proposed and both plans will be put to shareholders at the 2005 General Meeting.

The proposed amendments to the Deferred Bonus Plan and the LTIP, outlined below, would not lead to an increase in the overall value of compensation for Executive Directors.

Deferred Bonus Plan

Executive Directors are eligible to participate in the Deferred Bonus Plan. Participation is currently on a voluntary basis only. The plan serves to provide Executive Directors with an investment opportunity which aligns their interests with those of shareholders during the deferral period and encourages share ownership.

Under the plan, Executive Directors can elect to invest a proportion of their annual bonus in shares. Provided that a participant remains in Group employment for three years following the deferral, or retires within the three-year period, he or she will be eligible for matching shares. The deferred bonus shares, together with shares equivalent to the value of dividends payable on the deferred bonus shares (dividend shares) and matching shares, are released three years after deferral.

 
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Remuneration Report

REMCO has considered shareholder feedback on the current arrangements and has recommended that the proportion of annual bonus able to be deferred be increased and that performance conditions be attached to the release of matching shares.

The amended plan will allow Executive Directors to invest up to 50% of their annual bonus in shares. From 2006 25% of their annual bonus will be deferred on a mandatory basis. A participant will receive one matching share for every four deferred bonus and dividend shares accumulated. Provided that the performance condition is met, he or she will receive up to three further performance-based matching shares.

The performance condition is the Total Shareholder Return (TSR) of the Group against the major integrated oil companies, as follows:

TSR ranked 5th or 4th: no performance-based matching shares;
 
TSR ranked 3rd: one performance-based matching share;
 
TSR ranked 2nd: two performance-based matching shares;
 
TSR ranked 1st: three performance-based matching shares.

Deferrals in relation to the 2004 have been made on these amended terms, conditional upon the approval of the Plan.

Long-Term Incentive Plan

Under the LTIP, performance shares are awarded conditionally once a year. If amendments to the LTIP are approved at the General Meeting of Shareholders in 2005, the plan will allow for a conditional award of shares with a face value of zero to two and a half times base pay. The performance period will be no less than three consecutive years. The receipt of shares will be conditional on the satisfaction of performance criteria over the performance period and on the participant remaining in employment (subject to certain exceptions, including retirement). The number of shares received by Executive Directors at the end of the performance period will depend on the TSR performance of the Group relative to its industry peers:

200% of an award will be released if the Group is in first place;
 
150% for second place;
 
80% for third place;
 
awards will lapse entirely if the Group is in fourth or fifth place.

For any award to be released to Executive Directors the committee must be assured of the underlying performance of the Group. For this, it will take into consideration the Group Scorecard results, excluding TSR, over the applicable performance period, as it provides quantifiable measures of the Group’s performance and operational excellence.

Industry peer group for base pay, annual bonus, deferred bonus, and LTIP

         
Major integrated oil companies

as at January 1, 2005

BP
       
ChevronTexaco
       
ExxonMobil
       
Royal Dutch/ Shell Group
       
Total
       

Pension policy

Retirement benefit arrangements for all staff are based on local market conditions and the overall value of the remuneration package necessary to attract and retain high-calibre individuals. They take into account factors such as costs, affordability, sustainability, sharing of investment risks, and local legislation.

For the Dutch Executive Directors2 the principal source of their pensions is the Stichting Shell Pensioenfonds (SSPF). This is a defined benefit fund to which Executive Directors contribute the same percentage of relevant earnings as other employees. Contributions to the pension fund are based on the advice of actuaries. Neither the annual bonus nor the deferred bonuses are pensionable.

The latest date on which the Dutch Executive Directors may retire is on June 30, following their 60th birthday. Currently a change in retirement age is under consideration for the pension plan offered by the SSPF. A change to age 65 with effect from January 1, 2006 is proposed. Details of the proposal and its effects will be assessed further during 2005. There are provisions in the SSPF for a surviving

 
2 Dutch Managing Directors of Royal Dutch during 2004 were Jeroen van der Veer, Rob Routs, and Walter van de Vijver. Walter van de Vijver resigned as a Managing Director of Royal Dutch on March 3, 2004 and his employment terminated with effect from September 1, 2004.
 
R 16 Royal Dutch Petroleum Company


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Remuneration Report

dependant benefit of 70% of actual or prospective pension. In case of death-in-service, a lump sum of two times annual base pay is paid by the respective Group company.

For the American Executive Director3 the principal sources of pension include pension plans and savings plans. Pension plans in which she participates are the Shell Pension Plan, and the US Senior Staff Pension Plan. These are defined benefit plans which are non-contributory. Savings plans are the Shell Provident Fund for US employees, the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund for US employees, the Senior Executive Group Deferral Plan and the Senior Staff Savings Fund. These are defined contribution plans which are contributory on a voluntary basis. In line with standard US market practice the annual bonus is pensionable.

As there is no mandatory or normal retirement date in the USA, pensions include provisions to allow for retirement at age 60. There are also provisions for a dependant benefit of 50% of actual or prospective pension. A lump sum death-in-service payment is not offered under the plans.

Other benefits policy

Executive Directors are eligible to participate in regular employee benefit plans applying in their home countries including a company car benefit. Personal loans or guarantees are not granted to Executive Directors.

All-employee share schemes

Executive Directors are not eligible to participate in the Global Employee Share Purchase Plan.

Contracts policy

Contracts for Executive Directors are based on country-specific labour laws and market practice. They contain similar terms and conditions as for senior employees in the country concerned. The contracts end at retirement date or by notice of either party. Notice periods are in line with those of other senior employees.

Standard Executive Directors contracts do not contain any predetermined settlements for early termination. If and when a situation arises in which a severance payment is appropriate, its terms and conditions will be recommended by REMCO and decided by the Supervisory Board taking into account applicable law and corporate governance provisions. In the case of Executive Directors appointed from outside the Group, temporary severance arrangements may be agreed to facilitate the recruitment process. The Company will bear the costs of legal proceedings against a Managing Director, except if the Managing Director concerned is ruled to be seriously at fault by a court of law.

External appointments

External appointments are considered to be valuable in terms of broadening the experience and knowledge of Executive Directors to the benefit of the Group, provided there is no conflict of interest and the commitment required is not excessive. Such appointments are subject to the explicit approval of the Supervisory Board. Monetary payments received by Executive Directors from external directorships and similar sources are required to be paid over to and retained by their employing company.

Shareholdings

Following discussions with shareholders in 2004 a new shareholding policy has been introduced. Executive Directors are expected to build up shareholdings to the value of two times their base pay over five years. Until the targets are met, they are required to retain 50% of the shares received through the vesting of future LTIP awards and vested matching shares under the Deferred Bonus Plan. Once the targets have been met, they are required to hold the shares and maintain such level until retirement. Details of Managing Directors’ shareholdings can be found under Royal Dutch – Management – Share Ownership on page 89. Details of Managing Directors’ options can be found in the Stock options table on page R20.

2004 actual remuneration4

Base pay

Salary scales were not increased during 2004. With effect from March 3, 2004, Jeroen van der Veer’s base pay was increased to the base pay level of the Chairman of the Committee of Managing Directors on his appointment to this role and with effect from November 1, 2004, it was increased to reflect the increased responsibilities of Chief Executive of the Group.
 
3 Linda Cook, a US citizen, was appointed as a Managing Director of Royal Dutch on August 1, 2004.
 
4 The information in the tables in this section has been subjected to audit by KPMG Accountants N.V., except for the Expected value columns in the Stock options table and in the Long-Term Incentive Plan table on pages R20 and R21, which are unaudited.
 
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company R 17


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Annual incentive

Executive Directors were eligible for a bonus related to the 2004 financial year. Performance during the year was measured against the 2004 Group Scorecard which contained stretching financial, operational and sustainable development targets. The financial objectives related to TSR relative to other major integrated oil companies, and to Return on Average Capital Employed (ROACE). The operational objectives related to portfolio value growth with key targets for each business. The sustainable development objectives focused on people, brand, health, safety, environment and reputation. The 2004 Scorecard weightings were 60% for financial objectives, 20% for operational objectives and 20% for sustainable development objectives. The target level of bonus for the year 2004 was 100% of base pay, in line with market practice.

The overall 2004 Group Scorecard score was 0.9 and REMCO confirmed the outcome. Having regard to the Group’s performance against all targets, REMCO recommended and it was decided that the annual bonuses payable to Executive Directors in respect of the year 2004 are 90% of base pay.

Stock options

Stock options granted to Executive Directors in 2004 were 100% performance-linked. The financial performance criteria were TSR and ROACE, calculated as the average result of the three financial years prior to grant. TSR was measured against the other major integrated oil companies. These stock options vest three years after grant and remain exercisable for ten years after grant.

Stock options granted in March 2002 were 50% performance-linked and were due to vest in March 2005. The performance period for the options was January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2004. The Royal Dutch/ Shell Group ranked fourth in TSR against the industry peer group (three-year average over the period 2002 to 2004). Taking all these factors into consideration, the committee determined that none of the performance vesting stock options should vest. Based on this determination, half of the stock options granted to Executive Directors and Senior Executives in 2002 will vest based on time, and the other half of the stock options granted in 2002 will lapse.

Long-Term Incentive Plan

REMCO recommended that Executive Directors be made a conditional award of performance shares under the LTIP with a face value of two times the individual’s base pay. The actual number of shares received will be determined in 2007 and will be based on the Group’s performance and competitive position over the period 2004 to 2006. The performance targets are linked to relative TSR over the three-year performance period. TSR is measured relative to two separate groups of comparator companies. The first comparator group consists of the AEX10 together with the FTSE20 as at January 1, 2004 (see table opposite). The second comparator group consists of the five major integrated oil companies.

Half of each conditional award will be tested against the first group and half against the second group. For the first comparator group, 100% of the shares tested against that group will be awarded for performance in the top quartile and 25% will be awarded for performance at the median. Between these two points a straight-line calculation will be used. No shares will be received for performance below the median. For the second comparator group, 100% of the shares tested against that group will be received if the Group is in first place, 75% for second place and 50% for third place. No shares will be received for fourth or fifth place.

Home markets peer group for LTIP in 2004

     
AEX10 FTSE20
as at January 1, 2004 as at January 1, 2004

ABN AMRO
  Anglo American
AEGON
  AstraZeneca
Ahold
  Barclays
Fortis
  BHP Billiton
Heineken
  BP
ING Group
  British American Tobacco
KPN
  British Sky Broadcasting
Philips
  BT
Royal Dutch
  Diageo
Unilever N.V
  GlaxoSmithKline
    HBOS
    HSBC
    Lloyds TSB
    National Grid Transco
    Rio Tinto
    Royal Bank of Scotland
    Shell Transport
    Tesco
    Unilever PLC
    Vodafone

a In the case of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, and Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC, the weighted average TSR of the two companies will be used.
 
R 18 Royal Dutch Petroleum Company


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Remuneration Report
                                         
Emoluments of Managing Directors of Royal Dutch in office during 2004

Payment
Annual following Other
Salaries bonusa severance benefitsb Total

Jeroen van der Veer
                                       
2004
    1,281,774 c     1,350,000             18,043       2,649,817  
2003
    1,120,000       0             11,502       1,131,502  
2002
    1,013,729       1,230,500 d           4,768       2,248,997  

Malcolm Brinded
                                       
2004e
    148,080       160,593 f           6,156       314,829  
2003
    800,000       0             23,707       823,707  
2002e
    372,500       428,375 d           2,210 g     803,085  

Linda Cook
                                       
2004h
    338,892       442,000             189,623       970,515  

Rob Routs
                                       
2004
    884,516       810,000             139,850       1,834,366  
2003i
    405,000       0             55,612       460,612  

Walter van de Vijver
                                       
2004j
    186,774       0       1,900,000       7,074       2,093,848  
2003
    842,500       0             26,060       868,560  
2002
    735,095       902,750             18,091 k     1,655,936  

a    The annual bonus is included in the related performance year and not in the following year in which it is paid.
 
b    Includes social security premiums paid by the employer, employer’s contribution to the health insurance plan, where applicable school fees and other benefits stated at a value employed by the Fiscal Authorities in the Netherlands.
 
c    Jeroen van der Veer’s salary increase with effect from November 1, 2004 did not come into payment until 2005 and will therefore be reported in the 2005 Annual Report and Accounts.
 
d    Of which one-third was deferred under the Deferred Bonus Plan.
 
e    Malcolm Brinded was appointed as a Managing Director of Royal Dutch with effect from July 1, 2002 until March 3, 2004, therefore, where appropriate, the 2002 and 2004 emoluments are prorated.
 
f    Malcolm Brinded’s 2004 annual bonus amounted to £634,500 for the full year. His annual bonus from March 4, 2004 to December 31, 2004 has been listed in the 2004 Shell Transport Annual Reports and Accounts. Sterling converted to euro at the quarterly average rate of exchange.
 
g    Exclusive of deferred payment in shares amounting to £386,000 granted in 1999.
 
h    Linda Cook was appointed as a Managing Director of Royal Dutch with effect from August 1, 2004, therefore, where appropriate, the 2004 emoluments are prorated. US dollar converted to Euro at the monthly average rate of exchange.
 
i    Rob Routs was appointed as a Managing Director of Royal Dutch with effect from July 1, 2003, therefore, where appropriate, the 2003 emoluments are prorated
 
j    Walter van de Vijver resigned as a Managing Director of Royal Dutch on March 3, 2004, therefore, where appropriate, the 2004 emoluments are prorated.
 
k    Exclusive of deferred payment in shares amounting to 688,839 granted in 1999.
                                                 
Deferred Bonus Plan

Total number
Average of deferred
Number of deferred Market price market price of bonus and
bonus and Deferred of deferred dividend shares dividend shares
dividend shares bonus shares bonus shares Dividend paid during under award
under award as at awarded at awardb shares accrued the yeard as at December 31,
January 1, 2004 during the yeara during the yearc 2004

Jeroen van der Veer
                                               
2003 award
    11,695             36.66       503       41.71       12,198  
2002 award
    3,710             60.09       159       41.71       3,869  

Awards made in 2002 and 2003 refer to the portion of the 2001 and 2002 annual bonus which was deferred in 2002 and 2003 and their related accrued dividends. In 2004 there was no opportunity for Managing Directors of Royal Dutch to defer any of their 2003 bonuses into the Deferred Bonus Plan, as no 2003 bonuses were awarded.

Due to his appointment as Executive Director of Shell Transport in 2004 Malcolm Brinded’s Deferred Bonus Plan interests have been reported in the Shell Transport 2004 Annual Report and Accounts.

a    Representing the proportion of the annual bonus that has been deferred and converted into notional share entitlements (deferred bonus shares), in which there is no in beneficial ownership. The value of these deferred bonus shares is also included in the annual bonus figures in the Emoluments of the Managing Directors of Royal Dutch table above.
 
b    The market price is based on the average share price over a period of five trading days prior to and including the day on which the share awards are made.
 
c    Representing dividends paid during the year on the number of shares equal to the deferred bonus shares awarded.
 
d    The market price shown is the average at the date of the 2003 final and 2004 interim annual dividends paid during the year: 41.08 and 42.34, respectively.
 
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company R 19


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Remuneration Report
                                                                                 
Stock Options

Number of options

Expected Realised
Exercised value of Realisable gains on
(cancelled/ the 2004 gains as at stock
Granted lapsed) Exercise stock options Dec 31, options
At Jan 1, during the during the At Dec 31, pricea Exercisable Expiry grantb 2004c exercised
Royal Dutch 2004 year year 2004 from date date

Jeroen van der Veer
    40,850                   40,850       41.16       22.12.01       21.12.08             48,612        
      33,750                   33,750       59.54       23.03.03       22.03.10             0        
      80,000             (40,000 )     40,000       62.60       26.03.04       25.03.11             0        
      105,000                   105,000       62.10       21.03.05       20.03.12                    
      150,000                   150,000       36.81       19.03.06       18.03.13                    
            150,000             150,000       41.29       07.05.07       06.05.14       1,362,570              

Linda Cook
          106,300 d           106,300       42.67       05.11.07       04.11.14       997,881              

Rob Routs
    20,000                   20,000       41.16       22.12.01       21.12.08             23,800        
      18,000                   18,000       59.54       23.03.03       22.03.10             0        
      50,000                   50,000       62.10       21.03.05       20.03.12                    
      49,400                   49,400       36.81       19.03.06       18.03.13                    
      50,066                   50,066       40.95       19.08.06       18.08.13                    
            115,000             115,000       41.29       07.05.07       06.05.14       1,044,637              

Walter van de Vijvere
    10,000                   10,000       48.92       11.12.00       10.12.07             0        
      20,000                   20,000       41.16       22.12.01       21.12.08             23,800        
      24,000                   24,000       59.54       23.03.03       31.08.09             0        
      7,500                   7,500       68.73       23.08.03       31.08.09             0        
      40,000             (20,000 )     20,000       62.60       26.03.04       31.08.09             0        
      75,000                   75,000       62.10       21.03.05       31.08.09                    
      115,000                   115,000       36.81       19.03.06       31.08.09                    

Maarten van den Berghf
    37,950                   37,950       41.16       22.12.01       29.06.05             45,161        

Royal Dutchg
                                    $                                        

Linda Cookh
    13,087 i                 13,087       54.31       05.03.99       05.03.08             29,462 j      
      23,000 i                 23,000       43.50       04.03.00       04.03.09             234,099 j      
      45,000                   45,000       52.08       01.03.01       01.03.10             174,892 j      
      2,175                   2,175       56.33       21.04.01       21.04.10             1,675 j      
      70,000             (26,250 )     43,750       60.75       08.03.02       07.03.11             0        
      70,000                   70,000       54.35       21.03.03       20.03.12             155,533 j      
      70,500                   70,500       40.64       19.03.04       18.03.13             865,419 j      

Shell Canada Limited
                                    CAD                                        

Linda Cookd
    120,000             (120,000 )     0       62.55       28.01.04       26.07.04                   23,710 k

Rob Routsl
    7,500             (7,500 )     0       17.83       29.01.97       28.01.07                   230,659 m
      24,000             (24,000 )     0       23.50       27.01.98       26.01.08                   646,619 n

Due to his appointment as a Managing Director of Shell Transport in 2004 Malcolm Brinded’s stock options interests have been reported in the Shell Transport 2004 Annual Report and Accounts.

a    The exercise price is the average of the opening and closing share prices over a period of five trading days prior to and including the day on which the options are granted (no discount).
 
b    The expected values of the 2004 stock options grants have been calculated on the basis of the Black-Scholes model valuations provided by Towers Perrin and Kepler Associates. The values are unaudited. The expected value is equal to 22% of the face value of the grant.
 
c    Represents the value of unexercised stock options at the end of the financial year, which is calculated by taking the difference between the exercise price of the option and the fair market value of Royal Dutch shares at December 31, 2004, and multiplied by the number of shares under option at December 31, 2004. The actual gain, if any, a Managing Director will realise, will depend on the market price of the Royal Dutch shares at the time of exercise.
 
d    As CEO of Shell Canada Limited (SCL) Linda Cook was awarded 120,000 options in January 2004. Half of these options were subject to performance conditions. Upon her appointment as a Managing Director of Royal Dutch, Linda Cook was prohibited from exercising any SCL options. All the SCL options were therefore cancelled on Monday July 26, 2004. Linda Cook was paid a cash equivalent to the paper value of 10,000 of the non-performance related shares, on the basis that Linda Cook had qualified for 1/6th of these options on a time prorated basis. She also received a replacement grant of 106,300 options over Royal Dutch shares in respect of the potential value of the options cancelled, in relation to both the remaining performance related shares and the non-performance related shares, offset by the cash payment to her.
 
e    Upon Walter van de Vijver’s termination of employment on September 1, 2004, the exercise terms of his remaining stock options have been shortened so that they expire five years after the termination of his employment, on August 31, 2009, or earlier if their original expiry date is prior to August 31, 2009. Walter van de Vijver did not receive any stock option grants in 2004.
 
f    Maarten van den Bergh holds share options relating to his former service with the Group.
 
g    Options over Royal Dutch New York shares.
 
h    During her employment with the Group and prior to her appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Shell Canada Limited Linda Cook was awarded US-dollar based options and Stock Appreciation Rights, as well as 14,000 conditional Royal Dutch ordinary shares on October 1, 2002; the latter will be released on October 1, 2005.
 
i    Stock Appreciation Rights with an entitlement to receive any gain upon exercise in either cash or shares.
 
j    US dollar converted to euro at the year-end rate of exchange.
 
k    The exercise price was CAD 66.36. Canadian dollar converted to euro at the mean rate of exchange on the day of exercise.
 
l    Rob Routs’ Shell Canada Limited stock options were awarded to him in 1997 and 1998, when he was a Shell Canada executive.
 
m    The price at which the options were exercised was CAD 66.65. Canadian dollar converted to euro at the mean rate of exchange on the day of exercise.
 
n    The price at which the options were exercised was CAD 66.27. Canadian dollar converted to euro at the mean rate of exchange on the day of exercise.
 
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Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

Performance shares Expected value Theoretical
conditionally Released Market price at Start of End of of the 2004 gains as
At Jan 1, awarded during (cancelled/ lapsed) At Dec 31, date of performance performance performance at Dec 31,
2004 the year during the year 2004 awarda period period shares awardb 2004c

Jeroen van der Veer                                                                
 
2004
          63,211             63,211       41.29       01.01.04       31.12.06       1,122,292        
 
2003
    57,142                   57,142       40.95       01.01.03       31.12.05             0  

Rob Routs
                                                                       
 
2004
          43,594             43,594       41.29       01.01.04       31.12.06       773,998        
 
2003
    39,560                   39,560       40.95       01.01.03       31.12.05             0  

Walter van de Vijverd                                                                
 
2003
    43,956             (43,956 )           40.95       01.01.03       31.12.05              

Due to his appointment as a Managing Director of Shell Transport in 2004 Malcolm Brinded’s LTIP interests have been reported in the Shell Transport 2004 Annual Report and Accounts.

a    The market price is based on the average of the opening and closing share prices over a period of five trading days prior to and including the day on which the number of shares are determined in accordance with the Plan rules.
 
b    The expected values of the conditional performance shares awards have been calculated on the basis of a standard valuation approach provided by Towers Perrin and Kepler Associates.
     The values are unaudited. The expected value based on this approach is equal to 43% of the face value of the award.
 
c    Represents the value of the conditional performance shares under the LTIP at the end of the financial year, which is calculated by multiplying the fair market value of Royal Dutch shares, at December 31, 2004, by the number of shares under the LTIP that would vest based on the achievement of performance conditions up to December 31, 2004.
 
d    Walter van de Vijver resigned as a Managing Director of Royal Dutch on March 3, 2004. and his employment contract terminated on September 1, 2004. None of the conditional award of Royal Dutch shares made to him in August 2003 under the Long Term Incentive Plan vested. He did not receive any further Long-Term Incentive Plan awards in 2004.
                                                 
Pensions

Increase Accumulated Pension Pension
Years of in accrued annual premium 2004 premium 2003
Group pension pension as at paid by paid by
Age as at service as at during 2004 Dec 31, 2004 employer employer
Dec 31, 2004 Dec 31, 2004  thousand  thousand thousand  thousand

Jeroen van der Veera
    57       33       102       777       256       171  

Malcolm Brindedb
    51       30                   46 c     622 d

Linda Cooke
    46       24       21 f     324 g     8 h      

Rob Routs
    58       26       54       506       177       81 i

Walter van de Vijver
    49       25 j     10       385       120 k     129  

a Jeroen van der Veer’s salary increase with effect from November 1, 2004 did not come into payment until 2005. The pension figures in the 2005 Annual Report and Accounts will reflect this increase.
 
b Malcolm Brinded resigned as a Managing Director of Royal Dutch on March 3, 2004 and was appointed Managing Director of Shell Transport on the same date. Therefore his pension figures for the full year 2004 have been disclosed in the Shell Transport Annual Report and Accounts 2004.
 
c Represents pension premium paid by the employer up to March 3, 2004. Sterling converted to euro at the quarterly average rate of exchange.
 
d As a result of the 2002 valuation of the SOCPF fund the Actuary requested that an additional one-time company contribution to the fund be paid. The amount stated comprises the basic pension increase and a prorated amount relating to this additional employer contribution. Sterling converted to euro at the average quarterly rate of exchange.
 
e Linda Cook was appointed a Managing Director of Royal Dutch with effect from August 1, 2004, therefore, where appropriate, the 2004 pension figures are with effect from this date.
 
f Includes an accrued pension increase and a movement in the exchange rate between the US dollar and euro over the period disclosed; US dollar converted to euro at the quarterly average rate of exchange.
 
g US dollar converted to euro at the year-end rate of exchange.
 
h US dollar converted to euro at the quarterly average rate of exchange. In addition, the Company contributed 42,650 based on the quarterly average exchange rate to the Shell Provident Fund for US employees and the Senior Executive Group Deferral Plan, which both are defined contribution plans.
 
i The 2003 pension premium paid by the employer is reflective of Rob Routs’ appointment as a Managing Director of Royal Dutch with effect from July 1, 2003.
 
j As at August 31, 2004.
 
k The 2004 pension premium paid by the employer is reflective of Walter van de Vijver’s termination of employment on September 1, 2004.

Pensions

For employees in the Netherlands their 2004 contribution to the pension plan offered by the Stichting Shell Pensioenfonds was 8% of the amount of pensionable salary above the premium threshold. The company contribution rate was 20% during 2004.

Company contributions were not required for the US Senior Staff Pension Plan during 2004. The employing company’s contribution rate for the Shell Pension Plan was 5.1% in 2004. Executive Directors are not required to contribute to these plans.

Managing Directors’ contracts of service

Managing Directors of Royal Dutch do not have a contract of service with Royal Dutch. Jeroen van der Veer and Rob Routs have employment contracts with one of the Group Holding Companies that provide entitlement to the statutory notice period applicable to the employees in the Netherlands, being one month for an employee and, depending on the duration of employment, a maximum of four months for the employer. Such contracts expire on the expected date of retirement which is June 30 following their 60th birthday.
 
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company R 21


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Remuneration Report

Walter van der Vijver was employed with one of the Group Holding Companies on similar terms and conditions. Linda Cook’s employment contract is with Shell Expatriate Employment US Inc. on an “at-will” basis.

There are no predetermined termination compensation arrangements in place for Managing Directors of Royal Dutch.

Walter van de Vijver resigned as Managing Director of the Company on March 3, 2004. His employment terminated with effect from September 1, 2004. Under the terms of the agreement addressing termination of his employment contract, Walter van de Vijver will be eligible to receive a total amount of up to 3.8 million. This amount was determined by reference to the so called “Kantonrechtersformule”, the formula used by the courts in the Netherlands to determine compensation upon termination of employment contracts, taking into account, amongst other things, his 25 years of service with the Group. Under the agreement, an amount of 1.9 million was paid out following termination of his employment contract. Another 1.9 million is held in escrow and is subject to continuing cooperation with and review by relevant authorities, amongst other conditions. Walter van de Vijver did not receive a performance-related annual bonus or stock options or any awards under the LTIP in respect of 2004. The exercise terms of his stock options have been shortened to expire five years after the termination of his employment, on August 31, 2009, or earlier if the original expiry date is prior to August 31, 2009. The schedule for his stock options is disclosed in the Stock Options table on page R20. None of the conditional award of 43,956 Royal Dutch shares made to Walter van de Vijver in August 2003 under the Long-Term Incentive Plan vested on September 1, 2004. From June 30, 2015, Walter van de Vijver has the legal right to a deferred pension of 385,388 per annum under the Stichting Shell Pensioenfonds pension scheme to which he has contributed over the past 25 years. Under pre-existing provisions, Mr. van de Vijver is also entitled to the reimbursement of litigation costs under certain circumstances. See “Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Legal Proceedings”.

Supervisory Board members

Policy

The remuneration of the members of the Supervisory Board is, in accordance with the Articles of Association, the responsibility of the General Meeting and is determined within the limits set by shareholders. The Articles of Association provide for an amount to be fixed by the General Meeting that shall serve as the basis for the remuneration of members of the Supervisory Board. At the General Meeting held on May 16, 2002, that amount was set at 75,000 multiplied by the number of members of the Supervisory Board holding office during any year or proportionately during part of a year. This amount constitutes the maximum aggregate remuneration in respect of any year for all members of the Supervisory Board. Out of these funds, the Supervisory Board fixes the amount of the remuneration for each of its members, taking into account any special duties performed by a member. Within the limits set by shareholders, the level of remuneration is reviewed from time to time by the Supervisory Board to ensure it is in line with Supervisory Board members’ fee levels of other major listed companies, and adjustments are made when appropriate. Personal loans or guarantees are not granted to members of the Supervisory Board. The Company will bear the costs resulting from legal proceedings against a member of the Supervisory Board, except if the member concerned is ruled to be seriously at fault by a court of law.

Fees

At its last review in December 2002, the Supervisory Board resolved to increase the Supervisory Board fees to 55,000 per annum and the additional fee for the Chairman to 15,000 per annum, with effect from January 1, 2003. Also an additional fee amounting to 2,375 per meeting, will be payable to Supervisory Board members required to make intercontinental trips to attend Supervisory Board meetings. Fees for each membership of the committees of the Supervisory Board remained at 7,000.

There are no proposals to increase Royal Dutch Supervisory Board members’ fees in 2005. A proposal to abandon the payment of fees to Directors of the Holding Companies and to reduce the fees to Supervisory Board Members of Royal Dutch, following approval of the unification proposal by the General Meeting of shareholders, is under consideration.

 
R 22 Royal Dutch Petroleum Company


Table of Contents

Remuneration Report
                         
Emoluments of the Supervisory Board

2004 2003 2002

Aad Jacobs
                       
Chairman’s fee
    15,000       15,000       5,750  
Supervisory Board fees
    55,000       55,000       46,000  
Committee fees
    7,000       7,000       7,000  

      77,000       77,000       58,750  

Maarten van den Bergh
                       
Supervisory Board fees
    55,000       55,000       46,000  
Committee fees
    10,500       7,000       7,000  
Holding Company feesa
    27,968       27,711       29,021  

      93,468       89,711       82,021  

Wim Kok
                       
Supervisory Board fees
    55,000       27,500        
Committee fees
    7,000       3,500        

      62,000       31,000        

Aarnout Loudon
                       
Supervisory Board fees
    55,000       55,000       46,000  
Committee fees
    14,000       14,000       14,000  

      69,000       69,000       60,000  

Hubert Markl
                       
Supervisory Board fees
    55,000       55,000       23,000  
Committee fees
    7,546              

      62,546       55,000       23,000  

Christine Morin-Postelb
                       
Supervisory Board fees
    27,500              
Committee fees
    3,500              

      31,000              

Lawrence Ricciardi
                       
Supervisory Board fees
    55,000       55,000       46,000  
Committee fees
    7,000       3,500        
Intercontinental travel fees
    28,500       21,375        

      90,500       79,875       46,000  

Henny de Ruiterc
                       
Supervisory Board fees
    27,500       55,000       46,000  
Committee fees
    7,000       14,000       10,500  
Holding Company feesa
    13,984       27,711       29,021  

      48,484       96,711       85,521  

The information in this table is subject to audit.

a Maarten van den Bergh and Henny de Ruiter received fees from the Group Holding Companies in respect of duties performed by them as Directors of these companies.
 
b Appointed as from July 1, 2004.
 
c Retired on June 30, 2004.
 
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company R 23


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Remuneration Report

Group share plans

Set out below is a summary of the principal employee share schemes operated by Group companies.1 The shares subject to the plans are existing issued shares of Royal Dutch or Shell Transport. Shares to be delivered by a Group company under these plans are generally bought in the market at the time the commitment is made.

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

Amendments to the current Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) will be proposed to shareholders at the 2005 General Meeting. Details of the amended plan can be found on page R16.

Restricted Share Plan

This plan will be put to shareholders for approval at the 2005 General Meeting. Grants are made under this plan on a highly selective basis for recruitment and retention of senior staff. Shares are granted subject to a three-year restriction period. The shares, together with additional shares equivalent to the value of the dividends payable over the restriction period, are released to the individual at the end of the three-year period. Executive Directors are not eligible to participate in the Restricted Share Plan.

Stock Option Plans

As part of REMCO’s review of long-term incentives, it has recommended that no further grants be made under these plans. Eligible employees were granted stock options over shares of Royal Dutch or Shell Transport under these plans. The price at which the shares could be bought (the exercise price) was not less than the fair market value of the shares at the date the stock options were granted. This was calculated as the average of the stock exchange opening and closing prices over the five business days ending on the date of grant, except for the US plans where the grant price was the New York Stock Exchange closing price on the date of grant.

Options under the Stock Option Plans are exercisable three years from grant except for those granted under the US plans which vest one-third per year for three years. Stock options lapse ten years after grant; however, leaving Group employment may cause options to lapse earlier.

For the Executive Directors and the most senior executives 100% of options granted under the Stock Option Plans in 2003 and 2004 are subject to performance conditions.

Global Employee Share Purchase Plan

This plan enables employees to make contributions, which are applied quarterly to purchase Royal Dutch or Shell Transport shares at current market value. If the acquired shares are retained in the plan until the end of the twelve-month cycle the employee receives an additional 15% share allocation. In the USA a variant of this plan is operated where contributions are applied to buy Royal Dutch shares at the end of the twelve-month cycle. The purchase price is the lower of the market price on the first or last trading day of the cycle reduced by 15%. Executive Directors are not eligible to participate in the Global Employee Share Purchase Plan.

UK Sharesave Scheme

Employees of participating companies in the UK may participate in the UK Sharesave Scheme. Share options are granted over shares of Shell Transport at a price set at the date specified in the invitation. Options are granted on a date not more than 30 days after the option price is determined and are normally exercisable after a three-year or five-year contractual savings period.

Shell All-employee Share Ownership Plan

Employees of participating companies in the UK may also participate in the Shell All-employee Share Ownership Plan, which is designed to encourage employee participation in their company. Employees invest amounts up to 10% of gross annual salary with a maximum of £1,500 in any fiscal year in Shell Transport shares at the current market value using funds deducted from their monthly salary. The contributions are not liable to income tax, however, to maintain the tax benefit, the shares must be held in the plan for a defined period (normally five years).
 
1 Details of the number of shares held by Group companies in connection with the above plans are shown in Note 23 of the Group Financial Statements on pages G26 to G28.
 
R 24 Royal Dutch Petroleum Company


Table of Contents

The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, Public Limited Company

Report of the Registered Independent Public Accounting Firm

To: The Board of Directors and Shareholders of The “ Shell ” Transport and Trading Company, Public Limited Company

We have audited the Financial Statements of The “ Shell ” Transport and Trading Company, Public Limited Company for the years 2004, 2003 and 2002 appearing on pages S2 to S15. The preparation of the Financial Statements is the responsibility of the Company’s Directors. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Financial Statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Financial Statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the Financial Statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by the Company’s Directors in the preparation of the Financial Statements, as well as evaluating the overall Financial Statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the Financial Statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The “ Shell ” Transport and Trading Company, Public Limited Company at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United Kingdom.

As discussed in Note 3 on pages S6 and S7, the Company has restated its Financial Statements for the two years ended December 31, 2003, to correct for the financial impact of the Second Reserves Restatement.

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United Kingdom vary in certain significant respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Information relating to the nature and effect of such differences is presented in Note 14 on pages S12 to S14, as restated.

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

--------------------------------------------------------------------
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
London – United Kingdom
Registered independent public accounting firm

 

March 29, 2005

 
The “ Shell ” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c. S 1


Table of Contents

Financial Statements

                                 
Profit and Loss Account £ million

Note 2004 2003 2002

Income from shares in companies of
the Royal Dutch/Shell Group
    4       1,735.4       1,361.5       1,403.2  
Interest and other income
            7.2       5.6       5.4  

              1,742.6       1,367.1       1,408.6  
Administrative expenses
            7.0       4.4       4.2  

Profit on ordinary activities before taxation
            1,735.6       1,362.7       1,404.4  
Tax on profit on ordinary activities
    5       0.1       0.3       0.4  

Distributable profit for the year             1,735.5       1,362.4       1,404.0  

                                       

As As
restated restated

  Distributable profit for the year             1,735.5       1,362.4       1,404.0      
  Share of earnings retained by companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group     2,7       2,203.8       1,576.7       1,140.7      

  Earnings for the year attributable to shareholders             3,939.3       2,939.1       2,544.7      

  From continuing operations     4       3,598.5       2,932.9       2,494.8      
  From discontinued operations     4       340.8       6.2       49.9      

Aggregate dividends paid and proposed
            1,633.2       1,523.1       1,475.0      

                                       
Earnings per 25p Ordinary sharea pence

2003 2002
As As
2004 restated restated

Distributable profit for the year
    6       18.3       14.3       14.6      

  Distributable profit for the year             18.3       14.3       14.6      
  Share of earnings retained by companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group     2       23.2       16.5       11.9      

  Earnings for the year attributable to shareholders             41.5       30.8       26.5      

  From continuing operations     4       37.9       30.7       26.0      
  From discontinued operations     4       3.6       0.1       0.5      

a Of the earnings per share amounts shown above, those relating to earnings for the year attributable to shareholders are, in the opinion of the Directors, the most meaningful since they reflect the full entitlement of the Company in the income of Group companies.
                             
Balance Sheet £ million

Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2003
Note 2004 As restated

Fixed assets
                       
Investments
                       
  Shares (unlisted) in companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group     7       17,452.6       16,200.6  
  Other investments     8       82.6        
Current assets
                       
Debtors:
                       
  Dividends receivable from companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group             970.1       1,140.3  
 
Other debtors
            0.3       0.1  

              970.4       1,140.4  
Cash at bank:
                       
 
Short-term deposits
            203.0       86.8  
 
Cash
            0.6       0.3  

              1,174.0       1,227.5  

Total Assets
            18,709.2       17,428.1  

Creditors: amounts due within one year
                       
  Amounts due to companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group             0.9       0.8  
 
Corporation tax
                  0.2  
 
Unclaimed dividends
            10.9       10.2  
 
Other creditors and accruals
            2.7       2.2  
 
Preference dividends accrued
            0.3       0.3  
 
Ordinary dividend proposed
            1,029.9       932.9  

              1,044.7       946.6  

Net current assets
            129.3       280.9  

Total assets less current liabilities
            17,664.5       16,481.5  

Capital and reserves
                       
Equity interests:
                       
 
Called-up share capital; Ordinary shares
    9       2,406.2       2,416.9  
 
Capital redemption reserve
    10       79.7       69.0  
 
Revaluation reserve
    7       14,952.9       13,700.9  
 
Profit and Loss Account
            213.7       282.7  

              17,652.5       16,469.5  

Non-equity interests
                       
 
Called-up share capital:
    9                  
   
First Preference shares
            2.0       2.0  
   
Second Preference shares
            10.0       10.0  

              12.0       12.0  

Shareholders’ funds
    11       17,664.5       16,481.5  

 
S 2 The “ Shell ” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c.


Table of Contents

Financial Statements
                                 
Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses £ million

2003 2002
Note 2004 As restated As restated

Distributable profit for the year
            1,735.5       1,362.4       1,404.0  
Unrealised surplus/(deficit) on revaluation of investments in companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group     7       1,252.0       1,241.6       (529.1 )

Total recognised gains and losses relating to the year             2,987.5       2,604.0       874.9  

                                     
Statement of Retained Profit £ million

2004 2003 2002

Distributable profit for the year
            1,735.5       1,362.4       1,404.0  
Distributable retained profit at beginning of year             282.7       443.4       884.0  

              2,018.2       1,805.8       2,288.0  
 
Dividends on non-equity shares:
    9                          
   
First Preference shares
            0.1       0.1       0.1  
   
Second Preference shares
            0.7       0.7       0.7  

              0.8       0.8       0.8  

              2,017.4       1,805.0       2,287.2  

 
Dividends on equity shares:
    9                          
 
25p Ordinary shares
                               
    Interim of 6.25p in 2004, 6.10p in 2003 and 5.95p in 2002             603.7       589.7       578.0  
    Second interim of 10.7p in 2004, second interim of 9.65p in 2003 and 9.30p in 2002             1,029.9       932.9       899.1  
    Reduction due to share buyback and unclaimed dividends             (1.2 )     (0.3 )     (2.9 )

              1,632.4       1,522.3       1,474.2  

  Share repurchase including expenses             171.3             369.6  

Distributable retained profit at end of year             213.7       282.7       443.4  

                         
Statement of Cash Flows £ million

2004 2003 2002

Returns on investments and servicing of finance                        
Dividends received from companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group     1,905.6       1,484.9       1,838.8  
Interest received
    7.0       5.6       5.6  
Preference dividends paid
    (0.8 )     (0.8 )     (0.8 )
Other
    (5.8 )     (3.8 )     (3.7 )

Net cash inflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance     1,906.0       1,485.9       1,839.9  

Taxation
                       
Tax paid
    (0.3 )     (0.3 )     (0.6 )
Capital expenditure and financial investment                        
Other investments     (82.6 )            
Equity dividends paid
                       
Ordinary shares
    (1,535.4 )     (1,488.5 )     (1,447.6 )
Management of liquid resources (short-term deposits)                        
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from management of liquid resources     (116.2 )     3.1       (22.4 )
Financing
                       
Repurchase of share capital, including expenses
    (171.3 )           (369.6 )
Net (decrease)/increase in amounts due to companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group     0.1       (0.3 )     0.1  

Net cash outflow from financing
    (171.2 )     (0.3 )     (369.5 )

Increase/(Decrease) in cash
    0.3       (0.1 )     (0.2 )
Cash at January 1
    0.3       0.4       0.6  

Cash at December 31
    0.6       0.3       0.4  

Net debts, being amounts due to the companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group less cash, decreased during 2004 from £0.5 million to £0.3 million (2003: net debts decreased from £0.7 million to £0.5 million).

 
The “ Shell ” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c. S 3


Table of Contents

Financial Statements

The Company adopts a policy of minimising cash holdings whilst ensuring that operating costs, the financing of dividend payments and funding of the Company’s share buyback programme, are met. The Company’s debtors and creditors are short term and are all denominated in sterling.

At December 31, 2004 the Company had £203.0 million (2003: £86.8 million) on short-term deposit with third-party banks. The fixed interest rate earned on these sterling deposits at year-end was 4.79% (2003: 3.4%). The carrying amount and fair value of these deposits are the same.

 
S 4 The “ Shell ” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c.


Table of Contents

Notes to the Financial Statements

1 The Company

The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c. (Shell Transport), one of the Parent Companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies, is a holding company which, in conjunction with Royal Dutch Petroleum Company (Royal Dutch), owns, directly or indirectly, investments in the numerous companies referred to collectively as “the Group”.

Arrangements between Royal Dutch and Shell Transport provide, inter alia, that notwithstanding variations in shareholdings, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport shall share in the aggregate net assets and in the aggregate dividends and interest received from Group companies in the proportion of 60:40. It is further arranged that the burden of all taxes in the nature of or corresponding to an income tax leviable in respect of such dividends and interest shall fall in the same proportion.

Unification Proposal

On October 28, 2004, the Royal Dutch and Shell Transport Boards announced that they had unanimously agreed to propose to their shareholders a transaction (the “Transaction”) through which each Parent Company will become a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc, which will become a publicly-listed company incorporated in England and Wales and headquartered and tax resident in The Netherlands (“Royal Dutch Shell”). Reflecting the existing 60:40 ownership by Royal Dutch and Shell Transport of the Group, it is proposed that Royal Dutch shareholders will be offered 60% of the ordinary share capital in Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Transport shareholders will receive 40% of the ordinary share capital in Royal Dutch Shell. To implement the proposal, it is intended that (i) Royal Dutch Shell will make an offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Royal Dutch in exchange for Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares or American depositary shares (“ADSs”) representing Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares and (ii) Royal Dutch Shell will become the parent company of Shell Transport pursuant to a United Kingdom reorganisational procedure referred to as a “scheme of arrangement” under section 425 of the UK Companies Act 1985, as amended. As a result of the scheme of arrangement, holders of Shell Transport Ordinary shares (and holders of Shell Transport bearer warrants) will receive Royal Dutch Shell Class B ordinary shares and holders of Shell Transport ADSs will receive ADSs representing Royal Dutch Shell Class B ordinary shares. The Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will have identical voting rights and will vote together as a single class on all matters, including the election of directors, unless a matter affects the rights of one class as a separate class. Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will have identical rights upon a liquidation of Royal Dutch Shell, and dividends declared on each will be equivalent in amount. However, for tax purposes, holders of Class A ordinary shares will receive Dutch source dividends, while holders of Class B ordinary shares will receive dividends that are UK source to the extent that these dividends are paid through a dividend access mechanism to be established. Implementation of the Transaction will be the subject of appropriate consultation with relevant employee representative bodies as required as well as the satisfaction of certain other conditions. It is currently expected that the Transaction will be completed in July 2005.

2 Accounting policies and convention

The Financial Statements on pages S2 to S15 herein have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United Kingdom. They have been prepared under the historical cost convention modified by the revaluation of the investments in companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group (see Note 7). The disclosures described in Note 4 have been derived from the Group Financial Statements.

The inclusion in this Annual Report on Form 20-F and the Financial Statements of Shell Transport appearing on S2 to S15 has been approved by the Board of Shell Transport for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Financial Statements of Shell Transport included in this Annual Report do not, as of the date of filing, constitute the accounts of the Company filed at United Kingdom Companies House in accordance with United Kingdom legal requirements.

The 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F and the Financial Statements of Shell Transport contained therein has been re-filed to account for the impact of the Second Reserves Restatement (see Note 3). The 2003 Annual Report and Accounts have not been re-filed at United Kingdom Companies House and therefore the 2004 Annual Report and Accounts will include additional disclosures on the impact of the Second Reserves Restatement on opening shareholders’ funds. Statutory accounts for comparative periods have been delivered to United Kingdom Companies House and the Company’s auditors issued an unqualified report on those accounts. As of March 29, 2005, the auditors have not yet issued a report under Section 235 of the United Kingdom Companies Act in relation to the 2004 Annual Report and Accounts.

The Company records income from shares in Group companies, in the form of dividends, in its Profit and Loss Account. The Company’s investments in Group companies comprises a 40% interest in the Group’s net assets. An amount equal to 40% of the net assets of the Group, as presented in the Group Financial Statements in accordance with Netherlands GAAP, is included in the Company’s Financial

 
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Notes to the Financial Statements

Statements as the Directors’ valuation of this investment. The difference between the cost and the amount at which the investments are stated in the Balance Sheet has been taken to the Revaluation Reserve.

The Financial Statements of Shell Transport are reported in pounds sterling, while the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies are reported in US dollars. Notes 4, 7 and 14 to these Financial Statements contain currency translation of certain items presented in US dollars in the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies into pounds sterling.

References are made to the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies in these Notes to facilitate an understanding of the relationships between the Financial Statements of Shell Transport and the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies, particularly as they relate to Shell Transport’s 40% interest in net income and net assets of companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies.

Other fixed asset investments are held at historical cost.

Under a 2002 EU Regulation, publicly-listed companies in the European Union will be required to prepare consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) from 2005. The 2005 Financial Statements of the Group or, subject to completion of the transaction described in Note 1, of its successor, will be prepared under IFRS and will include comparative data for 2004, together with reconciliations to opening balances as at January 1, 2004 and to 2004 data previously published in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (US GAAP). With effect from January 1, 2005 Shell Transport intends to prepare its Financial Statements under International Financial Reporting Standards.

3 Restatement of previously issued Financial Statements

First Reserves Restatement
On January 9, 2004, the Group announced the removal from proved reserves of approximately 3.9 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) of oil and natural gas that were originally reported as of December 31, 2002. As a result of further field level reviews concluded in April 2004 with the assistance of external petroleum consultants of over 90% of the Group’s proved reserves volumes (collectively, the First Half Review), the Group determined to increase the total volume of reserves to be removed from the proved category to 4.47 billion boe and to restate the unaudited oil and natural gas reserves disclosures contained in the supplementary information accompanying the Financial Statements (the First Reserves Restatement) to give effect to the removal of these volumes as of the earliest date on which they did not represent “proved reserves” within the applicable rules of the SEC (which in many cases is the date on which the volumes were initially booked as proved reserves). 12% of the volumes debooked as of December 31, 2002 as part of the First Reserves Restatement had been in the proved developed reserves category and 88% had been categorised as proved undeveloped reserves. The effects of the First Reserves Restatement were reflected in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F as originally filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) on June 30, 2004.

Following the January 9, 2004 announcement of the initial reserves recategorisation, the Group Audit Committee (GAC) appointed Davis Polk & Wardwell to lead an independent review of the facts and circumstances surrounding the recategorisation, and to report its findings and any proposed remedial actions to the GAC for its consideration. Based largely on the Davis Polk & Wardwell report, the Parent Companies, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, determined that the principal causes that permitted the initial booking and maintenance of the volumes impacted by the First Reserves Restatement as proved reserves are as follows:

the Group’s guidelines for booking proved reserves were inadequate in several respects, including (i) containing inconsistencies with the SEC’s rules and published guidance relating to proved reserves and (ii) failing to clearly and sufficiently impart these requirements and guidance to users of the guidelines. In addition, users of the guidelines in certain cases misapplied or disregarded SEC rules and published guidance and in some cases only applied changes in the guidelines prospectively rather than retrospectively. There was also insufficient knowledge and training among users of the guidelines of the SEC requirements relating to proved reserves;
 
executives and employees encouraged the booking of proved reserves, while discouraging the debooking of previously booked reserves. This fostered an atmosphere that failed to emphasise the paramount importance of the compliance element of proved reserves decisions; and
 
there were other material weaknesses in the Group’s controls relating to the booking of proved reserves, including insufficient resources allocated to the Group Reserves Auditor and Group Reserves Co-ordinator functions, a lack of clarity in the allocation of responsibilities between the Group Reserves Auditor and the Group Reserves Co-ordinator and a lack of direct reporting responsibility of the Group Reserves Auditor to the Group internal audit function and of the business chief financial officers to the Group Chief Financial Officer.

Second Reserves Restatement

On February 3, 2005, as a result of reservoir level reviews conducted during July 2004 through December 2004 of substantially all of the Group’s proved reserves volumes reported as at December 31, 2003, (collectively, the Second Half Review), the Group announced
 
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Notes to the Financial Statements

that it would remove from proved reserves an additional 1,371 million boe of oil and natural gas that were reported as at December 31, 2003 and further restate the unaudited oil and natural gas reserves disclosures contained in the supplementary information accompanying the Financial Statements of the Group (the Second Reserves Restatement and, together with the First Reserves Restatement, the Reserves Restatements) to give effect to the removal of these volumes as of the earliest date on which they did not represent “proved reserves” within the applicable rules of the SEC (which in many cases is the date on which the volumes were initially booked as proved reserves). 43% of the volumes debooked as of December 31, 2003 as part of the Second Reserves Restatement had been categorised as proved developed reserves and 57% had been categorised as proved undeveloped reserves. The effects of the Second Reserves Restatement are reflected in the comparative periods presented in the Financial Statements of the Group. These effects were also reflected in Amendment No. 2 to the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on March 7, 2005.

Second Financial Restatement

In view of the inappropriate overstatement of unaudited proved reserves information resulting in the Second Reserves Restatement, it was determined to restate the Financial Statements of the Group and each of the Parent Companies for the year ended December 31, 2003 and prior periods (the Second Financial Restatement) to reflect the impact of the Second Reserves Restatement on those Financial Statements (as announced on February 3, 2005). This overstatement of unaudited proved reserves information had the effect of understating the depreciation, depletion and amortisation charges in the Financial Statements of the Group related to Exploration & Production in each of the years covered by the Second Financial Restatement. As capitalised costs relating to Exploration & Production were amortised across fewer proved reserves (following the Second Reserves Restatement), depreciation, depletion and amortisation associated with annual production volumes increased proportionally.

The effect of the Second Financial Restatement was to reduce the Company’s earnings for the year attributable to shareholders in 2003 by £35.5 million (2002: £15.6 million), and to reduce the previously reported net assets of the Company as at December 31, 2003 by £78.6 million (2002: £41.8 million). There was no impact on the Profit and Loss Account of the Company (2002: nil). The effect of the Second Financial Restatement was not significant to the Directors’ valuation of the Company’s investment in Group companies and is reflected in the comparative periods presented in these Financial Statements. The effect is also reflected in the Amendment No. 2 to the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on March 7, 2005.

The effect of the above change on the Company’s investments, is as follows:

                   
£ million

2003 2002

Investments as previously stated
    16,279.2       15,000.8  
Oil and gas reserves related adjustments:
               
 
Second Reserves Restatement
    (78.6 )     (41.8 )

Restated investments
    16,200.6       14,959.0  

There is an equivalent effect on the Revaluation Reserve, which is reflected in the Company’s share of earnings retained by companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group. There is no impact on the Company’s distributable profit.

4 Share in the income and assets of Group companies

Shell Transport’s share in certain items relating to the two Group Holding Companies is set out below. These companies own directly or indirectly the investments, which, with them, comprise the Group. The following supplementary information has therefore been provided in respect of Group Holding Companies in the aggregate and is derived from the Group Financial Statements on pages G2 to G48.

                 
£ million

2003
2004 As restateda

Fixed assets
    24,016.2       25,646.6  
Current assets including other long-term assets
    15,867.0       12,330.7  
Current liabilities
    12,584.3       12,210.7  
Long-term liabilities
    3,457.0       3,400.1  
Provisions
    5,287.9       5,399.7  

 
 
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Notes to the Financial Statements
                         
£ million

2003 2002
2004 As restateda As restateda

Sales proceeds
    73,742.4       65,205.3       58,232.8  
Sales taxes, excise duties and similar levies
    15,803.2       16,191.3       14,628.2  

Net proceeds
    57,939.2       49,014.0       43,604.6  

Operating profit after net currency gains/losses
    6,911.7       5,170.4       4,725.6  
Interest and other income
    372.5       486.1       199.5  
Interest expense
    265.2       327.2       344.4  

Income before taxation
    7,019.0       5,329.3       4,580.7  
Taxation
    3,283.8       2,310.1       2,040.0  
Minority interests
    136.8       87.2       46.7  

Income from continuing operations
    3,598.4       2,932.0       2,494.0  
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    340.8       6.2       49.9  

Net income for the year
    3,939.2       2,938.2       2,543.9  

                         
$ million

Net income for the yearb
    7,212       4,757       3,814  

a See Note 2 to the Group Financial Statements.
b See Note 38 to the Group Financial Statements.

This supplementary information has been calculated in conformity with the accounting policies of the Group Financial Statements set out in Note 3 to those financial statements and as adjusted in Note 31 to conform with Netherlands GAAP. These policies differ in certain respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the UK. If this supplementary information was presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the UK, the impact on net assets at December 31, 2004 would not be significant, although current assets including other long-term assets would increase by approximately £0.3 billion (2003: £0.4 billion), fixed assets would decrease by approximately £0.6 billion (2003: £0.8 billion), long-term liabilities would decrease by approximately £0.1 billion (2003: £0.2 billion) and provisions would decrease by approximately £0.4 billion (2003: £0.6 billion). The impact on net income for the year is not significant. Shell Transport’s distributions from Group companies were as follows:

                         
£ million

2004 2003 2002

Distributions from Group companies
    1,735.4       1,361.5       1,403.2  

                         
$ million

Distributions from Group companiesa
    3,196       2,264       2,174  

a See Note 38 to the Group Financial Statements.

The Group separately reports income from discontinued operations (see Note 32 to the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies). As a consequence, the Company’s earnings for the year attributable to shareholders and the related earnings per share have been separately identified between discontinued and continuing operations on page S2.

5 Tax on profit on ordinary activities

                         
£ million

2004 2003 2002

Corporation tax at 30% (2003 and 2002: 30%) in respect of interest income less administrative expenses     0.1       0.3       0.4  

No taxation liability arises in respect of income from shares in companies of the Group as this income consists of a distribution, which is not subject to taxation, from a UK resident company. Consequently, the effective tax rate is substantially lower than the UK Corporation tax rate of 30%.

Shell Transport’s share of taxation borne by Group and associated companies is given in Note 4.

6 Earnings per share

The basic earnings per share amounts shown are calculated after deducting 5.5% and 7% cumulative dividend on First and Second Preference shares respectively. The calculation uses a weighted average number of shares of 9,480,407,909 (2003: 9,528,797,724 shares; 2002: 9,608,614,760 shares). The earnings per share calculation excludes shares held by Group companies for share options and other incentive compensation plans (refer to Note 23 of the Group Financial Statements). There is no difference between basic and diluted earnings per share. The same earnings figure is used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation. For the diluted earnings per share calculation the weighted average number of shares is increased by 4,772,177 for 2004 (2003: 2,722,083; 2002: 4,661,292). These numbers relate to share options schemes as mentioned above.
 
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Notes to the Financial Statements

7 Investments in Group companies

Shell Transport has 40% equity shareholdings in The Shell Petroleum Company Limited, which is registered in England and Wales, (consisting of the whole of its 102,342,930 issued “B” shares of £1 each) and in Shell Petroleum N.V., which is incorporated in the Netherlands (consisting of the whole of its 994 issued “B” shares of 100,000 each). The remaining 60% equity shareholdings in these two companies (consisting of 153,514,395 “A” shares of £1 each of The Shell Petroleum Company Limited and 1,491 “A” shares of 100,000 each of Shell Petroleum N.V.) are held by Royal Dutch.

The 40% interest in Group net assets of £17,452.6 million (2003: 16,200.6 million) is equal to the interest attributable to Shell Transport of $33,654 million (2003: 28,884 million) shown in Note 38 to the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies.

Movements in Investments and Revaluation reserves

The Directors’ valuation of Shell Transport’s investments in Group companies comprises the following:
                                   
$ million £ million


Shell
40% interest in Transport Revaluation
Group net Exchange rate investments reserve
assetsa,d ($/£) As restated As restated

Balance at December 31, 2002 (as restated)
    24,062       0.62       14,959.0       12,459.3  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting policyc
    102       0.56       57.2       57.2  
Balance at January 1, 2003
    24,164               15,016.2       12,516.5  
Movements during the year 2003:
                               
  Share in the net income of Group companies     4,757       0.62       2,938.2       2,938.2  
  Distribution to Shell Transport     (2,264 )     0.60       (1,361.5 )     (1,361.5 )

  Undistributed net income of Group companies     2,493       0.63       1,576.7       1,576.7  
  Net (increase)/decrease in Parent Companies’ shares held by Group companies     (253 )     0.62       (156.0 )     (156.0 )
  Other comprehensive incomeb     2,480       0.60       1,498.7       1,498.7  
  Translation effect arising from movements in the US dollar/ sterling rate                     (1,735.0 )     (1,735.0 )

Balance at December 31, 2003 (as restated)
    28,884       0.56       16,200.6       13,700.9  

Movements during the year 2004:
                               
  Share in the net income of Group companies     7,212       0.55       3,939.2       3,939.2  
  Distribution to Shell Transport     (3,196 )     0.54       (1,735.4 )     (1,735.4 )

  Undistributed net income of Group companies     4,016       0.55       2,203.8       2,203.8  
  Net (increase)/decrease in Parent Companies’ shares held by Group companies     (304 )     0.55       (167.5 )     (167.5 )
  Other comprehensive incomeb     1,058       0.53       563.2       563.2  
  Translation effect arising from movements in the US dollar/ sterling rate                     (1,347.5 )     (1,347.5 )

Balance at December 31, 2004
    33,654       0.52       17,452.6       14,952.9  

                         
$ million

2003 2002
2004 As restated As restated

Shell Transport’s 40% interest in Group net assets at December 31     33,654       28,884       24,062  

                           
£ million

2003 2002
2004 As restated As restated

Shell Transport’s investment in Group companies comprise:                        
  Cost of investment     178.4       178.4       178.4  
Shell Transport’s share of:
                       
  Retained earnings of Group companies     20,560.7       18,356.9       16,723.0  
  Parent Companies’ shares held, net of dividends received     (1,059.9 )     (892.4 )     (736.4 )
  Cumulative other comprehensive incomeb     482.2       (81.0 )     (1,579.7 )
Currency translation differences
    (2,708.8 )     (1,361.3 )     373.7  

      17,452.6       16,200.6       14,959.0  

£/$ exchange rate at December 31
    0.52       0.56       0.62  

a The Group Financial Statements have been restated (see Note 2 to the Group Financial Statements).
 
b Other comprehensive income comprises principally cumulative currency translation differences arising within the Group Financial Statements.
 
c This relates to a change in Group accounting policy in 2003 for asset retirement obligations which is recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of net assets in 2003 in the Netherlands GAAP Group Financial Statements.
 
d See Note 38 to the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements.
 
The “ Shell ” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c. S 9


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Notes to the Financial Statements

See Note 38 of the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies for the determination of Shell Transport’s 40% interest in Group net assets and movements therein, including movements resulting from Group net income and distributions to the Parent Companies.

The earnings retained by Group companies have been, or will be, substantially reinvested by the companies concerned, and any taxation unprovided on possible future distributions out of any uninvested retained earnings will not be material.

The Company will continue to hold its investments in Group companies. However, as the investments are stated in the Balance Sheet on a valuation basis, it is necessary to report that, if the investments were to be disposed of for the amount stated, and in absence of any substantial share holding exemptions applying, a taxation liability of approximately £1.5 billion would arise (restated 2003: £1.2 billion). It is likely that substantial share holding exemptions would apply to the majority of the investment in Group companies and would reduce this potential tax liability.

 
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Notes to the Financial Statements

8 Other investments

In October 2004, the Company, in conjunction with Royal Dutch, invested in RDS Holding B.V. (RDS Holding), a company incorporated in the Netherlands, in order to facilitate the proposed transaction through which each of the Company and Royal Dutch will become a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc, which will become a publicly-listed company incorporated in England and Wales and headquartered and tax resident in the Netherlands. The Company and Royal Dutch each own 50% of the ordinary share capital of RDS Holding. The Company has a 40% financial interest in RDS Holding, Royal Dutch has a 60% financial interest in RDS Holding. RDS Holding has an interest of 100% in Royal Dutch Shell plc.

The aggregate amount of the paid up capital of RDS Holding at December 31, 2004 is 299.1 million (£155.1 million).

9 Share capital and dividends

At December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004 the authorised share capital of the Company was £2,500,000,000 divided into 9,948,000,000 Ordinary shares of 25 pence each, 3,000,000 First Preference shares of £1 each and 10,000,000 Second Preference shares of £1 each.

The allotted, called up and fully paid share capital at December 31, 2004 was as follows:

                   
Number of shares £

Equity shares
               

 
Ordinary shares of 25p each
               
 
As at 1 January
    9,667,500,000       2,416,875,000  

 
Shares repurchased for cancellation
    (42,600,000 )     (10,650,000 )

As at December 31
    9,624,900,000       2,406,225,000  

Non-equity shares
               
 
First Preference shares of £1 each
    2,000,000       2,000,000  
 
Second Preference shares of £1 each
    10,000,000       10,000,000  

      9,636,900,000       2,418,225,000  

The First and Second Preference shares (the Preference shares) confer on the holders the right to a fixed cumulative dividend (5.5% and 7% on First and Second Preference shares respectively) and rank in priority to Ordinary shares. On a winding-up or repayment the Preference shares also rank in priority to the Ordinary shares for the nominal value of £1 per share (plus a premium, if any, equal to the excess over £1 of the daily average price for the respective shares quoted in the London Stock Exchange Daily Official List for a six-months period preceding the repayment or winding-up) but do not have any further rights of participation in the profits or assets of the Company. The Preference shares do not have voting rights unless their dividend is in arrears or the proposal concerns a reduction of capital, winding-up, sanctioning the sale of undertaking, an alteration of the Articles of Association or otherwise directly affects their class rights.

The Preference shares are irredeemable and form part of the permanent capital of the Company. The number in issue has remained unchanged since 1922. The fair value of the Preference shares based on market valuations at December 31, 2004 was 102.80 pence per share (2003: 94.25 pence per share) for the First Preference shares and 145.00 pence per share (2003: 137.75 pence per share) for the Second Preference shares.

Ordinary dividends paid and proposed are as follows:

                         
£ million

2004 2003 2002

Interim of 6.25p in 2004, 6.10p in 2003 and 5.95p in 2002     603.7       589.7       578.0  
Second interim of 10.7p in 2004, second interim of 9.65p in 2003 and final of 9.30p in 2002     1,029.9       932.9       899.1  
Reduction due to share buyback and unclaimed dividends
    (1.2 )     (0.3 )     (2.9 )

      1,632.4       1,522.3       1,474.2  

10 Capital redemption reserve

                 
£ million

2004 2003

As at January 1
    69.0       69.0  
Movement relating to shares bought by Shell Transport and cancelled
    10.7        

As at December 31
    79.7       69.0  

Share capital was cancelled on all shares repurchased under the Company’s share buyback programme. As required by the Companies Act 1985, the equivalent of the nominal value of the shares cancelled is transferred to a capital redemption reserve.

 
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Notes to the Financial Statements

11 Reconciliation of movements in Shareholders’ funds

                 
£ million

2004 2003
As Restated

Distributable profit for the year
    1,735.5       1,362.4  
Dividends
    (1,633.2 )     (1,523.1 )
Repurchase of share capital, including expenses
    (171.3 )      
Unrealised surplus on revaluation of investments in companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group (Note 7)     1,252.0       1,241.6  

Net addition to Shareholders’ funds
    1,183.0       1,080.9  
Shareholders’ funds as at January 1     16,481.5       15,400.6  

Shareholders’ funds as at December 31
    17,664.5       16,481.5  

12 Auditors’ remuneration

Statutory audit fees of Shell Transport amounted to £98,000 in 2004, (2003: £129,000; 2002: £31,000). Additional audit fees in relation to US filings amounting to £57,000 were incurred in 2004; (2003: £nil; 2002: £nil). Fees payable to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for non-audit services in the UK amounted to £16,000 in 2004, (2003: £31,600; 2002: £23,000). The non-audit fees relate to advice in respect of the financial reporting and disclosure impact of developments in accounting policies and business activities of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group on the financial statements of Shell Transport, including proposed developments in International Financial Reporting Standards.

13 Aggregate Directors’ emoluments

                         
£

2004 2003 2002

Salaries, fees and benefits
    4,073,864       2,436,181       1,716,378  
Performance-related element
    525,283             1,506,500  

      4,599,147       2,436,181       3,222,878  

Excess retirement benefitsa
    31,675       40,165       23,495  
Realised share option gains
                16,476  

Of the emoluments disclosed, £720,793 in 2004 (2003: £687,311; 2002: £458,162) were borne by Shell Transport and charged in the Profit and Loss Account.

a Excess retirement benefits are the amount of unfunded retirement benefits paid to or receivable by past Directors which exceed those to which they were entitled on the date on which the benefits first became payable or March 31, 1997, whichever is the later.

14 Reconciliation between US GAAP and UK GAAP

On a UK GAAP basis, net income is represented by “Distributable Profit”; however, on a US GAAP basis the net income equivalent would be “Earnings attributable to shareholders” adjusted for US GAAP differences.
                                                                 

pence £million
Earnings per share Net income Net assets

Dec. 31,
2003 2002 2003 2002 Dec. 31, 2003
2004 As restated As restated 2004 As restated As restated 2004 As restated

In accordance with UK GAAP
    18.3       14.3       14.6       1,735.5       1,362.4       1,404.0       17,664.5       16,481.5  
add: Share of earnings retained by companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group
    23.2       16.5       11.9       2,203.8       1,576.7       1,140.7                  
   
               
Earnings for year attributable to shareholders
    41.5       30.8       26.5       3,939.3       2,939.1       2,544.7                  
Adjustments for US GAAP:
                                                               
Ordinary dividend proposed
                                                    1,029.9       932.9  
Amortisation of goodwill (see i below)
    0.4       0.4       0.4       36.7       42.0       33.3       94.2       64.4  
Retirement obligation accounting policy change (see ii below)
          0.7                   64.1                    
Impairments (see iii below)
    1.1                   99.9                   94.4        
Reversal of impairments (see iv below)
    (1.1 )                 (102.9 )                 (97.3 )      
   
In accordance with US GAAP
    41.9       31.9       26.9       3,973.0       3,045.2       2,578.0       18,785.7       17,478.8  
less: Interest and other income less expenses and tax of Shell Transport
                            (0.1 )     (0.9 )     (0.8 )                
less: Net current assets excluding ordinary dividend proposed of Shell Transport
                                                    (1,159.2 )     (1,213.8 )
less: Other fixed assets investments of Shell Transport
                                                    (82.6 )      
   
               
Share in net income and net assets in companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group (US GAAP)
                            3,972.9       3,044.3       2,577.2       17,543.9       16,265.0  

Exchange rate (£/ $)
                            0.55       0.62       0.67       0.52       0.56  

Share in net income and net assets in companies of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group (US GAAP) (see Note 30 on page G37)
                            7,273       4,926       3,862       33,830       28,999  

The table above reconciles Shell Transport’s net income and net assets under UK GAAP to US GAAP. In addition, the table shows the adjustments necessary to reconcile Shell Transport’s net income and net assets under US GAAP to its 40% share of Group net income

 
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Notes to the Financial Statements

and net assets (as shown in Note 30 to the Group Financial Statements). These adjustments consist of the elimination of Parent Company net assets and net income, which are not included in the net assets or net income of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies, and currency translation.

Under UK GAAP Shell Transport, as a Parent Company with no subsidiaries, accounts for its share of earnings in the Group on a dividend receivable basis in its profit and loss account. Its investment in the Group is at a Directors’ valuation based on 40% of the net assets of the Group, as presented in the Group Financial Statements in accordance with Netherlands GAAP. This is not in accordance with US GAAP which, in the circumstances of Shell Transport, would require equity accounting.

In addition under UK GAAP dividends are recorded in the year in respect of which they are declared (in the case of interim dividends) or proposed by the board of directors to the shareholders (in the case of final dividends). US GAAP requires dividends to be recorded in the period in which they are declared. The reconciliation between US GAAP and UK GAAP for 2003 in the table above has been updated for this item, which increases the US GAAP net assets in previously issued financial statements of £16,624.5 million by £932.9 million. The dividend adjustment has no impact on net income for 2004 (2003: nil). In addition, the net assets of 2003 both under UK GAAP and US GAAP have reduced by £78.6 million and net income under US GAAP has reduced by £35.5 million in respect of the Second Financial Restatement as detailed in Note 3.

The adjustment to net income and earnings per share represents the impact on net income for Shell Transport if the equity method of accounting was applied incorporating Shell Transport’s share of net income of Group companies on a US GAAP basis. This includes:

i) an adjustment to Shell Transport’s share of net income of Group companies for the amortisation of goodwill. Under US GAAP goodwill is not amortised but is tested for impairment annually or when certain events occur that indicates potential impairment. Under Netherlands GAAP, goodwill is amortised on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful economic life, which is assumed not to exceed 20 years unless there are grounds to rebut this assumption;
 
ii) an adjustment to Shell Transport’s share of net income of Group companies in relation to asset retirement obligations. Under US GAAP, a change in accounting for asset retirement obligations in 2003, was accounted for prospectively, with the cumulative effect of the change at the beginning of 2003 being reflected in 2003 net income. This change in accounting was also made under Netherlands GAAP. However, the cumulative effect of the change under Netherlands GAAP was reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of net assets and, due to the absence of comparative data, net income for prior years was not restated.
 
iii) an adjustment to Shell Transport’s share of net income of Group companies in relation to impairment. Under US GAAP, only if an asset’s estimated undiscounted future cash flows are below its carrying amount is a determination required of the amount of any impairment based on discounted cash flows. Netherlands GAAP has no undiscounted test.
 
iv) an adjustment to Shell Transport’s share of net income of Group companies in relation to recoverability of assets. Under US GAAP reversals of impairments are not permitted. Under Netherlands GAAP, a favourable change in the circumstances which resulted in an impairment would trigger the requirement for a redetermination of the amount of the impairment and any reversal is recognised in income.

The adjustment to net assets represents the effect of adopting equity accounting on a US GAAP basis and of recording dividends in the period in which they are declared as required by US GAAP.

 
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Notes to the Financial Statements

40% interest of Shell Transport in line items as derived from the Netherlands GAAP Group Financial Statements

                 
£ million $ million

Balance Sheet
               
2004:
               
Current assets
    12,829.6       24,739  
Non current assets
    27,053.6       52,167  
Current liabilities
    12,584.3       24,266  
Non current liabilities
    8,744.9       16,862  
Minority interests in Group companies (40% of Group amount on page G41 translated at year end rate on page S9)
    1,101.4       2,124  
   
Shell Transport share of Group net assets (pages S9-£ & G47-$)
    17,452.6       33,654  
Other assets and liabilities of Shell Transport
    211.9          
   
Net Assets
    17,664.5          

2003 (as restated):
               
Current assets
    9,784.5       17,444  
Non current assets
    28,192.8       50,264  
Current liabilities
    12,210.7       21,769  
Non current liabilities
    8,799.8       15,689  
Minority interests in Group companies (40% of Group amount on page G41 translated at year end rate on page S9)
    766.2       1,366  
   
Shell Transport share of Group net assets (pages S9-£ & G47-$)
    16,200.6       28,884  
Other assets and liabilities of Shell Transport
    280.9          
   
Net Assets
    16,481.5          

Profit and Loss account
               
2004:
               
Sales proceeds (Revenue)
    73,742.4       135,009  
Operating profit
    6,920.2       12,670  
Income from continuing operations
    3,598.4       6,588  
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    340.8       624  
Net income for the year
    3,939.2       7,212  
Distribution for the year
    1,735.4       3,196  

2003 (as restated):
               
Sales proceeds (Revenue)
    65,205.3       105,556  
Operating profit
    5,227.5       8,462  
Income from continuing operations
    2,932.0       4,746  
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    6.2       10  
Net income for the year
    2,938.2       4,756  
Distribution for the year
    1,361.5       2,264  

2002 (as restated):
               
Sales proceeds (Revenue)
    58,232.8       87,315  
Operating profit
    4,732.3       7,096  
Income from continuing operations
    2,494.0       3,739  
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    49.9       75  
Net income for the year
    2,543.9       3,814  
Distribution for the year
    1,403.2       2,174  

15 Contingencies and litigation

In connection with the recategorisation of certain hydrocarbon reserves that occurred in 2004, a number of putative shareholder class actions were filed against Royal Dutch, Shell Transport, Managing Directors of Royal Dutch during the class period, Managing Directors of Shell Transport during the class period and the external auditors for Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and the Group. These actions were consolidated in the United States District Court in New Jersey and a consolidated complaint was filed in September 2004. The parties are awaiting a decision with respect to defendants’ motions to dismiss asserting lack of jurisdiction with respect to the claims of non-United States shareholders who purchased on non-United States securities exchanges and failure to state a claim. Merits discovery has not begun. The case is at an early stage and subject to substantial uncertainties concerning the outcome of the material factual and legal issues relating to the litigation, including the pending motions to dismiss on lack of jurisdiction and failure to state a claim. In addition, potential damages, if any, in a fully litigated securities class action would depend on the losses caused by the alleged wrongful conduct that would be demonstrated by individual class members in their purchases and sales of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport shares during the relevant class period. Accordingly, based on the current status of the litigation, management of Shell Transport is unable to estimate a range of possible losses or any minimum loss. Management of Shell Transport will review this determination as the litigation progresses.

Also in connection with the hydrocarbon reserves recategorisation, putative shareholder class actions were filed on behalf of participants in various Shell Oil Company qualified plans alleging that Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and various current and former officers and directors breached various fiduciary duties to employee participants imposed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). These suits were consolidated in the United States District Court in New Jersey and a consolidated class action complaint was filed in July 2004. Defendants’ motions to dismiss have been fully briefed. Some document discovery has taken place. The case is at

 
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an early stage and subject to substantial uncertainties concerning the outcome of the material factual and legal issues relating to the litigation, including the pending motion to dismiss and the legal uncertainties with respect to the methodology for calculating damage, if any, should defendants become subject to an adverse judgment. The Group is in settlement discussions with counsel for plaintiffs, which it hopes will lead to a successful resolution of the case without the need for further litigation. No financial provisions have been taken with respect to the ERISA litigation.

The reserves recategorisation also led to the filing of shareholder derivative actions in June 2004. The four suits pending in New York state court, New York federal court and New Jersey federal court demand Group management and structural changes and seek unspecified damages from current and former members of the Boards of Directors of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport. The suits are in preliminary stages and no responses are yet due from defendants. Because any money “damages” in the derivative actions would be paid to Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, management of Shell Transport does not believe that the resolution of these suits will have a material adverse effect on Shell Transport’s financial condition or operating results.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) issued formal orders of private investigation in relation to the reserves recategorisation which Royal Dutch and Shell Transport resolved by reaching agreements with the SEC and the FSA. In connection with the agreement with the SEC, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport consented, without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings or conclusions, to an administrative order finding that Royal Dutch and Shell Transport violated, and requiring Royal Dutch and Shell Transport to cease and desist from future violations of, the antifraud, reporting, recordkeeping and internal control provisions of the US Federal securities laws and related SEC rules, agreed to pay a $120 million civil penalty and has undertaken to spend an additional $5 million developing a comprehensive internal compliance program. In connection with the agreement with the FSA, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport agreed, without admitting or denying the FSA’s findings or conclusions, to the entry of a Final Notice by the FSA finding that Royal Dutch and Shell Transport breached market abuse provisions of the UK’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the Listing Rules made under it and agreed to pay a penalty of £17 million. The penalties from the SEC and FSA and the additional amount to develop a comprehensive internal compliance program have been paid by Group companies and fully included in the Income Statement of the Group. The United States Department of Justice has commenced a criminal investigation, and Euronext Amsterdam, the Dutch Authority Financial Markets and the California Department of Corporations are investigating the issues related to the reserves recategorisation. Management of Shell Transport cannot currently predict the manner and timing of the resolution of these pending matters and is currently unable to estimate the range of reasonably possible losses from such matters.

Group companies are subject to a number of other loss contingencies arising out of litigation and claims brought by governmental and private parties, which are handled in the ordinary course of business.

The operations and earnings of Group companies continue, from time to time, to be affected to varying degrees by political, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments, including those relating to the protection of the environment and indigenous people, in the countries in which they operate. The industries in which Group companies are engaged are also subject to physical risks of various types. The nature and frequency of these developments and events, not all of which are covered by insurance, as well as their effect on future operations and earnings, are unpredictable.

 
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Directors’ Remuneration Report

Directors’ Remuneration Report

This report sets out the remuneration policy as it applies and will apply to the Group Chief Executive and other Executive Directors, including those who are Managing Directors of Shell Transport, and to the Non-executive Directors of Shell Transport. The policies described are also expected to apply to Directors of Royal Dutch Shell plc if the proposed unification of the Group’s two parent companies under the single parent company, Royal Dutch Shell plc, takes place1.

This report also discloses the individual remuneration of the Directors of Shell Transport for the year ended December 31, 2004. It has been compiled with reference to Schedule 7A of the Companies Act 1985, the Combined Code, and other corporate governance guidance on Directors’ remuneration. In reflection of the joint arrangements between Shell Transport and Royal Dutch, Dutch corporate governance disclosure requirements including the best practice provisions put forward by the Tabaksblat Committee in the Netherlands have also been taken into account. This report has been approved for inclusion in this Annual Report on Form 20-F and will be submitted for approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting.

This report contains the following sections:

The Remuneration and Succession Review Committee;
 
Remuneration policy;
 
2004 actual remuneration; and
 
Non-executive Directors.

The Remuneration and Succession Review Committee

The committee

The Remuneration and Succession Review Committee (REMCO) is a joint committee of the Board of Shell Transport and the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch. REMCO has three members appointed from the Board of Shell Transport and three members appointed from the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch. Members of the committee during 2004 are shown in the table below:
     
Appointed by the Board of Shell Transport

Nina Henderson
   
Sir Peter Job
   
Lord Kerr of Kinlochard
   

     
Appointed by the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch

Aarnout Loudon
  Chairman of the Committee
Maarten van den Bergh
  Appointed to the Committee with effect from July 1, 2004
Hubert Markl
   
Henny de Ruiter
  Retired from the Committee on June 30, 2004

The Chairman of the committee is currently Aarnout Loudon, an appointee of Royal Dutch. Sir Peter Job has been nominated by the Board of Shell Transport to respond at the Annual General Meeting to any questions relating to remuneration issues. The Shell Transport members of the committee are currently all independent Non-executive Directors. Of the current Royal Dutch members of the committee, only Maarten van den Bergh is not an independent member of the Royal Dutch Supervisory Board, as allowed under Dutch corporate governance, since he served as a Managing Director of the Group from 1992 to 2000, as President of Royal Dutch from 1998 to 2000, and he currently serves as a Managing Director of one of the Group Holding Companies. Biographical details of the REMCO members are shown on page 100.

REMCO’s responsibilities

REMCO is responsible for making recommendations to the Board of Shell Transport and the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch on the performance of Executive Directors, and on all issues related to the remuneration and benefits of Executive Directors. It advises on the terms of any contract to be offered to any Executive Director, including the Group’s liabilities in relation to any provisions for the termination of such contracts. It also reviews and endorses candidates for appointments to the position of Chief Executive and Executive Director and reviews other relevant human resource matters. REMCO is also kept informed of remuneration matters concerning other
 
1 Further information in respect of the proposed unification transaction and Royal Dutch Shell plc will be available at www.shell.com in due course.
 
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senior executives of the Group, and periodically reviews these to assess alignment and consistency. In addition to fulfilling these responsibilities, REMCO also undertook a review of long-term incentive plans for Executive Directors.

As a joint committee of two independent boards, REMCO cannot formally determine the remuneration of individual Executive Directors. The committee makes recommendations to the Board of Shell Transport and the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch. All such recommendations made in 2004 were approved by the Boards.

Following REMCO’s annual review of its Terms of Reference a revised version, on its recommendation, was approved by the Board of Shell Transport and the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch in February 2004. They can be found on the Shell website (www.shell.com/investor).

During 2004 REMCO met eight times; attendance figures for the individual committee members are shown below:

             
Attendance

Members Attendance

Aarnout Loudon
    8     Chairman of the Committee
Maarten van den Bergh
    2     Appointed to the Committee with effect from July 1, 2004
Nina Henderson
    8      
Sir Peter Job
    7      
Lord Kerr of Kinlochard
    7      
Hubert Markl
    3      
Henny de Ruiter
    5     Retired from the Committee on June 30, 2004

Advisers to REMCO

During 2004 REMCO sought advice from John Hofmeister, Group Human Resources Director and Secretary to the committee, and from Michael Reiff, Group Head of Remuneration and Benefits. Jeroen van der Veer, Chief Executive, was invited to advise the committee in respect of the performance and succession of the other Executive Directors. No formal internal or external adviser was appointed by REMCO. Kepler Associates and Towers Perrin provided external data that was collated by Group staff and used in the preparation of briefing papers that REMCO considered when making its decisions.

Remuneration policy

During 2004 the committee reviewed the remuneration policies for and the individual remuneration of the Executive Directors. The committee has recommended a number of changes which will be put forward for shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting on June 28, 2005 and adopted, if approved by both Shell Transport and Royal Dutch shareholders. The remuneration policy and plans for the Executive Directors for the 2005 financial year and beyond are described below.

Philosophy

The remuneration policy is intended to recognise and support the Group’s:

Statement of General Business Principles, including the Group’s core values and commitment to contribute to sustainable development;
 
strategic direction;
 
need to attract and retain talented individuals;
 
aim to motivate and reward Executive Directors for exceptional performance that enhances the value of the Group; and
 
desire to align Executive Directors’ interests with those of shareholders.

The Group’s remuneration policy is based on the following working principles:

Performance driven

The remuneration structures for Group employees are designed to reward performance that contributes to the achievement of the Group’s objectives. Consistent with this principle, more than half of an Executive Director’s target total remuneration (excluding pension) is performance-linked and weighted to the long term. This proportion is in line with market practice and the long-term nature of the Group’s business.

Competitiveness

Remuneration levels are set by reference to the practice of global groups of companies of comparable size, complexity and international scope. The Group takes a conservative approach to executive remuneration levels within the range of our industry peers, the major integrated oil companies.
 
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Consistency

Group remuneration plans covering base pay, annual bonus, and long-term incentives contain similar performance measures and reward structures for Executive Directors and senior management.

Base pay

Base pay is set at a competitive level, appropriate to the scope and complexity of the roles of Chief Executive and Executive Director, and reflecting the reporting structure in the Executive Committee. Base pay levels are set by reference to market-based salary scales. Appropriate market levels are established by benchmarking against three comparator groups. The major integrated oil companies serve as the Group’s industry peers and the AEX10 and FTSE20 are used as the home markets peers. The salary scales are reviewed annually by REMCO and are adjusted in line with market practice with effect from July 1 each year.

The committee recognised the enhanced role of the Chief Executive, compared to his previous role of Chairman of the Committee of Managing Directors and it has adjusted the Chief Executive’s salary level to reflect the increased responsibilities. The current base pay levels of the Chief Executive and the Managing Directors of the Company are:

         
Current base pay levels

Role £

Chief Executive, Jeroen van der Veer
    1,060,647 a
Managing Director, Malcolm Brinded
    705,000  
Managing Director, Peter Voser
    545,000  

a Euro converted to sterling at the year-end rate of exchange to achieve a sterling equivalent of 1,500,000, which is the total annual base pay Jeroen van der Veer currently receives from the Group.

Annual incentive

Executive Directors are eligible for an annual bonus, designed to reward the achievement of results that further the Group’s objectives. Similar structures and mechanisms apply to annual bonus plans for other Group employees.

As part of the annual business planning process, challenging financial, operational and sustainable development targets are set to form a Group Scorecard. Performance during the year is then measured against this Scorecard and annual bonus awards are made on this basis. For 2005 the Group Scorecard has been simplified and the elements made more transparent as part of the Group’s efforts to set clear priorities and reduce complexity. There are four components to the new Scorecard, each with its own weighting:

Total shareholder return (TSR) relative to our industry peers, with a 25% weighting;
 
Operational cash flow, with a 25% weighting;
 
Operational excellence in each of the businesses, with a 30% weighting; and
 
Sustainable Development, primarily based on the number of reportable cases of work related injuries, with a 20% weighting.

A clear process of measuring performance against the Scorecard has been put in place with agreed definitions, calculation methodologies and controls. The Scorecard elements will also be auditable. Targets are set at stretching but realistic levels. At the end of the financial year the results are translated into an overall Group score, which can range anywhere between zero and two, the minimum and the maximum, respectively. Bonus awards are based on the Group score multiplied by the target bonus level with REMCO using its judgment in making its final recommendations. The target level for Executive Directors for 2005 will be 100% of base pay, in line with competitive practices.

Long-term incentives

In 2004 REMCO reviewed the Group’s long-term incentives for Executive Directors and senior management and the outcomes of its review are described below. The committee is recommending changes which will provide greater transparency and a closer link between the remuneration of Executive Directors and senior management and the performance of the Group. Stock option grants will be discontinued in favour of conditional share awards under the Deferred Bonus Plan and the Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), in both cases with vesting subject to the Group’s performance relative to its peers. Amendments to the current Deferred Bonus Plan and to the LTIP are proposed and both plans will be put to shareholders at the 2005 Annual General Meeting.

The proposed amendments to the Deferred Bonus Plan and the LTIP, outlined below, would not lead to an increase in the overall value of compensation for Executive Directors.

Deferred Bonus Plan

Executive Directors are eligible to participate in the Deferred Bonus Plan. Participation is currently on a voluntary basis only. The plan serves to provide Executive Directors with an investment opportunity which aligns their interests with those of shareholders during the deferral period and encourages share ownership.
 
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Under the plan, Executive Directors can elect to invest a proportion of their annual bonus in shares. Provided that a participant remains in Group employment for three years following the deferral, or retires within the three-year period, he or she will be eligible for matching shares. The deferred bonus shares, together with shares equivalent to the value of dividends payable on the deferred bonus shares (dividend shares) and matching shares, are released three years after deferral.

REMCO has considered shareholder feedback on the current arrangements and has recommended that the proportion of annual bonus able to be deferred be increased and that performance conditions be attached to the release of matching shares.

The amended plan will allow Executive Directors to invest up to 50% of their annual bonus in shares. From 2006 25% of their annual bonus will be deferred on a mandatory basis. A participant will receive one matching share for every four deferred bonus and dividend shares accumulated. Provided that the performance condition is met, he or she will receive up to three further performance-based matching shares.

The performance condition is the Total Shareholder Return (TSR) of the Group against the major integrated oil companies, as follows:

TSR ranked 5th or 4th: no performance-based matching shares;
 
TSR ranked 3rd: one performance-based matching share;
 
TSR ranked 2nd: two performance-based matching shares;
 
TSR ranked 1st: three performance-based matching shares.

Deferrals in relation to the 2004 annual bonus have been made on these amended terms, conditional upon the approval of the Plan.

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

Under the LTIP, performance shares are awarded conditionally once a year. If amendments to the LTIP are approved at the Annual General Meeting in 2005, the plan will allow for a conditional award of shares with a face value of zero to two and a half times base pay. The performance period will be no less than three consecutive years. The receipt of shares will be conditional on the satisfaction of performance criteria over the performance period and on the participant remaining in employment (subject to certain exceptions, including retirement). The number of shares received by Executive Directors at the end of the performance period will depend on the TSR performance of the Group relative to its industry peers:

200% of an award will be released if the Group is in first place;
 
150% for second place;
 
80% for third place;
 
awards will lapse entirely if the Group is in fourth or fifth place.

For any award to be released to Executive Directors the committee must be assured of the underlying performance of the Group. For this, it will take into consideration the Group Scorecard results, excluding TSR, over the applicable performance period, as it provides quantifiable measures of the Group’s performance and operational excellence.

Industry peer group for base pay, annual bonus, deferred bonus and LTIP

Major integrated oil companies

     
as at January 1, 2005

BP
   
Chevron Texaco
   
ExxonMobil
   
Royal Dutch/ Shell Group
   
Total
   

Pension policy

Retirement benefit arrangements for all staff are based on local market conditions and the overall value of the remuneration package necessary to attract and retain high-calibre individuals. They take into account factors such as costs, affordability, sustainability, sharing of investment risks, and local legislation.

For the British Executive Directors2 the principal sources of pension are the Shell Contributory Pension Fund (for service in the UK) and the Shell Overseas Contributory Pension Fund (for service overseas). Both Funds are defined benefit plans to which Executive Directors contribute the same percentage of relevant earnings as other employees. Neither the annual bonus nor the deferred bonuses are

 
2 British Managing Directors during 2004 were Sir Philip Watts and Malcolm Brinded. Sir Philip Watts resigned as a Managing Director of Shell Transport on March 3, 2004.
 
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pensionable. The latest date on which Executive Directors may retire is June 30, following their 60th birthday, and the maximum pension is two-thirds of final remuneration, excluding bonuses. There are provisions, as for all members of the above Funds, for a dependant benefit of 60% of actual or prospective pension, and a lump sum death-in-service payment of three times annual pensionable salary.

For the Swiss Executive Director3, the principal source of pension is the Shell Swiss Expatriate Pension Fund (SSEPF). This is a defined benefit fund to which all members contribute the same percentage of pensionable salaries. The pension retirement age for members of this fund is 60 and the maximum pension is 63% of their final remuneration, excluding bonuses. Neither the annual bonus nor the deferred bonuses are pensionable. There are provisions in the SSEPF for a surviving dependant benefit of 70% of prospective pension. A lump sum of two times base pay will be paid in case of death-in-service.

In light of changes to UK and Swiss pension law the pension policies for British and Swiss Executive Directors will be reviewed in 2005.

Other benefits policy

Executive Directors are eligible to participate in regular employee benefit plans applying in their home countries including a company car benefit. Personal loans or guarantees are not granted to Executive Directors.

All-employee share schemes

Executive Directors are not eligible to participate in the Global Employee Share Purchase Plan. The current Shell Transport Managing Directors are not eligible to participate in the UK Sharesave Scheme and the Shell All-employee Share Ownership Plan.

Contracts policy

Contracts for Executive Directors are based on country-specific labour laws and market practice. They contain similar terms and conditions as for senior employees in the country concerned. The contracts end at retirement date or by notice of either party. Notice periods are in line with those of other senior employees. Standard Executive Directors’ contracts do not contain any predetermined settlements for early termination. If and when a situation arises in which a severance payment is appropriate, its terms and conditions will be recommended by REMCO taking into account applicable law and corporate governance provisions.

In the case of Executive Directors appointed from outside the Group, temporary severance arrangements may be agreed to facilitate the recruitment process.

External appointments

External appointments are considered to be valuable in terms of broadening the experience and knowledge of Executive Directors to the benefit of the Group, provided there is no conflict of interest and the commitment required is not excessive. Such appointments are subject to the explicit approval of the Board. Monetary payments received by Executive Directors from external directorships and similar sources are required to be paid over to and retained by their employing company.

Shareholdings

Following discussions with shareholders in 2004, a new shareholding policy has been introduced. Executive Directors are expected to build up shareholdings to the value of two times their base pay over five years. Until the targets are met, they are required to retain 50% of the shares received through the vesting of future LTIP awards and vested matching shares under the Deferred Bonus Plan. Once the targets have been met, they are required to hold the shares and maintain such level until retirement.

Directors’ shareholdings can be found under the heading The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company public limited company on page 101. Details of Managing Directors’ interests in shares of Shell Transport under the Stock Option Plans, the Long-Term Incentive Plan and the Deferred Bonus Plan are on pages S23 to S24.

 
3 Peter Voser, a Swiss citizen, was appointed as a Managing Director of Shell Transport on October 4, 2004.
 
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Directors’ Remuneration Report

Performance graph

The graph below compares, on the basis required by Schedule 7A of the Companies Act 1985, the TSR of Shell Transport and that of the companies comprising the FTSE 100 share index over the five-year period from 2000 to 2004. The Board regards the FTSE 100 share index as an appropriate broad market equity index for comparison, as it is the leading market index in Shell Transport’s home market.

(TSR PERFORMANCE GRAPH)

2004 actual remuneration4

Base pay

Salary scales were not increased during 2004. With effect from March 3, 2004, Malcolm Brinded’s base pay was increased to the base pay level of the Vice Chairman of the Committee of Managing Directors on his appointment to this role.

Annual incentive

Executive Directors were eligible for a bonus related to the 2004 financial year. Performance during the year was measured against the 2004 Group Scorecard which contained stretching financial, operational and sustainable development targets. The financial objectives related to TSR relative to other major integrated oil companies, and to Return on Average Capital Employed (ROACE). The operational objectives related to portfolio value growth with key targets for each business. The sustainable development objectives focused on people, brand, health, safety, environment and reputation. The 2004 Scorecard weightings were 60% for financial objectives, 20% for operational objectives and 20% for sustainable development objectives. The target level of bonus for the year 2004 was 100% of base pay, in line with market practice.

The overall 2004 Group Scorecard score was 0.9 and REMCO confirmed the outcome. Having regard to the Group’s performance against all targets, REMCO recommended and it was decided that the annual bonuses payable to Executive Directors in respect of the year 2004 are 90% of base pay.

Stock options

Stock options granted to Executive Directors in 2004 were 100% performance-linked. The financial performance criteria were TSR and ROACE, calculated as the average result of the three financial years prior to grant. TSR was measured against the other major integrated oil companies. These stock options vest three years after grant and remain exercisable for ten years after grant.

Stock options granted in March 2002 were 50% performance-linked and were due to vest in March 2005. The performance period for the options was January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2004. The Royal Dutch/ Shell Group ranked fourth in TSR against the industry peer group (three-year average over the period 2002 to 2004). Taking all these factors into consideration, the committee determined that none (0%) of the performance vesting stock options should vest. Based on this determination, half of the stock options granted to Executive Directors and Senior Executives in 2002 will vest based on time, and the other half of the stock options granted in 2002 will lapse.

Long-Term Incentive Plan

REMCO recommended that Executive Directors be made a conditional award of performance shares under the LTIP with a face value of two times the individual’s base pay. The actual number of shares received will be determined in 2007 and will be based on the Group’s performance and competitive position over the period 2004 to 2006. The performance targets are linked to relative TSR over the three-year performance period. TSR is measured relative to two separate groups of comparator companies. The first comparator group consists
 
4 The information in the tables in this section has been subjected to audit by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, except for the Expected value columns in the Stock options table and in the Long-Term Incentive Plan table on pages S23 to S24, which are unaudited.
 
The “ Shell ” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c. S 21


Table of Contents

Directors’ Remuneration Report

of the FTSE20 together with the AEX10 as at January 1, 2004 (see below). The second comparator group consists of the five major integrated oil companies.

Half of each conditional award will be tested against the first group and half against the second group. For the first comparator group, 100% of the shares tested against that group will be awarded for performance in the top quartile and 25% will be awarded for performance at the median. Between these two points a straight-line calculation will be used. No shares will be received for performance below the median. For the second comparator group, 100% of the shares tested against that group will be received if the Group is in first place, 75% for second place and 50% for third place. No shares will be received for fourth or fifth place.

Home markets peer group for LTIP in 2004

     
FTSE20 AEX10

as at January 1, 2004 as at January 1, 2004

Anglo American
  ABN AMRO
AstraZeneca
  AEGON
Barclays
  Ahold
BHP Billiton
  Fortis
BP
  Heineken
British American Tobacco
  ING Group
British Sky Broadcasting
  KPN
BT
  Philips
Diageo
  Royal Dutch
GlaxoSmithKline
  Unilever N.V.
HBOS
   
HSBC
   
Lloyds TSB
   
National Grid Transco
   
Rio Tinto
   
Royal Bank of Scotland
   
Shell Transport
   
Tesco
   
Unilever PLC
   
Vodafone
   

a In the case of Shell Transport and Royal Dutch, and Unilever PLC and Unilever N.V., the weighted average TSR of the two companies will be used.
                                                 
Emoluments of Managing Directors in office during 2004 £

Payment
Salaries Annual following Car Other
and fees bonusa severance benefitb benefits Total

Malcolm Brinded
                                               
2004c
    601,478       525,283 d           12,381       9,261       1,148,403  

Judith Boyntone
                                               
2004
    222,926       0       553,827 f     0       0       776,753  
2003
    381,833       0             0       18,937       400,770  

Peter Voserg
                                               
2004
    788,935       0             0       0       788,935  

Sir Philip Wattsh
                                               
2004
    219,196       0       1,057,971       3,773       0       1,280,940  
2003
    843,021       0             21,876       0       864,897  
2002
    745,969       874,000 i           21,922       0       1,641,891  

The aggregate amount of remuneration paid to or accrued for Managing Directors of Shell Transport as a group by Shell Transport and companies of the Group for services in all capacities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, was £3,995,031.

a The annual bonus is included in the related performance year and not in the following year in which it is paid.
 
b The car benefit is the Inland Revenue defined cash equivalent of the cost of company-provided vehicles.
 
c Malcolm Brinded was appointed a Shell Transport Managing Director with effect from March 3, 2004, therefore his Shell Transport emoluments are shown from this date. His emoluments during 2002, 2003 and up to and including March 3, 2004 have been listed in the 2004 Royal Dutch Annual Reports and Accounts.
 
d Malcolm Brinded’s 2004 annual bonus amounted to £ 634,500 for the full year. His annual bonus up to and including March 3, 2004 has been listed in the 2004 Royal Dutch Annual Reports and Accounts.
 
e Judith Boynton was appointed to the Board on July 1, 2003. Judith Boynton stepped aside as Group Chief Financial Officer and as Group Managing Director and Managing Director of Shell Transport on April 18, 2004. She remained with the Group in an advisory capacity reporting to the Chief Executive Jeroen van der Veer. Ms Boynton left the Group, by mutual agreement, effective December 31, 2004. Where appropriate, the 2003 and 2004 emoluments are prorated. Her benefits include the provision of a housing allowance. The emoluments she received from the Group in respect of this period amounted to £542,387.
 
f This amount was paid in January 2005 following cessation of Judith Boynton’s employment on December 31, 2004. It includes an amount of £35,227 in respect of Shell Transport fees Judith Boynton would have received had she remained as a Director until December 31, 2004.
 
g Peter Voser was appointed a Shell Transport Managing Director with effect from October 4, 2004, therefore, where appropriate, the 2004 emoluments are prorated. His salaries and fees include a one-off transition payment of £645,000 paid on joining the Group. He was not eligible for a 2004 annual bonus.
 
h Sir Philip Watts resigned as a Shell Transport Managing Director and as an employee on March 3, 2004. Therefore, where appropriate, his 2004 emoluments are prorated. His salary and fees include compensation for unused leave days.
 
i Of which one-third was deferred under the Deferred Bonus Plan.
 
 
S 22 The “ Shell ” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c.


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Directors’ Remuneration Report
                                                                                 
Stock options

Shell Transport

Number of 25p Ordinary shares under option

Expected Realised
Exercised value of Realisable gains on
(cancelled/ the 2004 gains at stock
Granted lapsed) Exercise stock options Dec 31, options
At Jan 1, during during At Dec 31, pricea Exercisable Expiry grantb 2004c exercised
2004 the year the year 2004 £ from date date £ £ £

Malcolm Brinded
    37,500                   37,500       4.39       11.12.00       10.12.07             1,875        
      139,200                   139,200       3.63       22.12.01       21.12.08             112,752        
      183,750                   183,750       5.05       23.03.03       22.03.10             0        
      14,000                   14,000       5.63       13.11.03       12.11.10             0        
      278,200             (139,100 )     139,100       5.52       26.03.04       25.03.11             0        
            800,000             800,000       3.99       07.05.07       06.05.14       702,240              

Sir Mark Moody-Stuartd
    440,800                   440,800       3.63       22.12.01       29.06.06             357,048        
      365,250                   365,250       5.05       23.03.03       29.06.06             0        

Peter Voser
          800,000             800,000       4.32       05.11.07       04.11.14       760,320                

Sir Philip Wattse
    308,750                   308,750       3.63       22.12.01       21.12.08             250,088        
      255,750                   255,750       5.05       23.03.03       02.03.09             0        
      465,000             (232,500 )     232,500       5.52       26.03.04       02.03.09             0        
      3,251 f           (3,251 )     0       5.09       01.02.07       31.07.07                    
      885,000                   885,000       5.23       21.03.05       02.03.09                    
      1,165,000                   1,165,000       3.66       19.03.06       02.03.09                    

Royal Dutch
                                                                  £          

Malcolm Brinded
    50,000                   50,000       62.10       21.03.05       20.03.12                    
      115,000                   115,000       36.81       19.03.06       18.03.13                    

Judith Boyntong
    80,000                   80,000       62.02       21.08.04       30.12.09             0        
      60,000                   60,000       62.10       21.03.05       30.12.09                    

Royal Dutch
                                    $                               £          

Judith Boyntong
    70,500                   70,500       40.64       19.03.04       18.03.13             612,036 h      

The stock options listed above relate to Shell Transport Ordinary shares, with the exception of those stock options held by Malcolm Brinded and Judith Boynton which relate to Royal Dutch Ordinary shares. Other than the UK Sharesave Scheme options, they have a10-year term and are not exercisable within three years of grant. Of the stock options granted to Executive Directors before 2003, 50% are subject to performance conditions and 50% will vest over time. These performance conditions include TSR and other long-term indicators of Group performance over a three-year period. TSR is measured relative to other major integrated oil companies. 100% of the stock options granted in 2003 and 2004 are subject to performance conditions. Details of these performance conditions can be found in Actual remuneration 2004 – Stock options on page S21. The price range of the Shell Transport Ordinary shares during the year was £3.49 to £4.48 and the market price at year-end was £4.44.

The stock options listed above for Malcolm Brinded granted to him when a Managing Director of Royal Dutch, and for Judith Boynton, granted to her before she became a Managing Director of Shell Transport, relate to Royal Dutch Ordinary shares and have a10-year term. The euro-based options are not exercisable within three years of grant; the US-dollar based options vest in equal tranches over three years. The price range of the Royal Dutch Ordinary shares listed at the Euronext Exchange during the year was 36.76 to 43.67 and the market price at year-end was 42.35. The price range of the Royal Dutch Ordinary shares listed at the NYSE during the year was $46.10 to $57.69 and the market price at year-end was $57.38.

There were no other changes in the above interests in share options during the period from December 31, 2004 to March 29, 2005.

a    The exercise price is the average of the opening and closing share prices over a period of five trading days prior to and including the day on which the stock options are granted (no discount). For the US-dollar based options of Judith Boynton, the exercise price is the NYSE closing price on the date of grant (no discount). The exercise price of the UK Sharesave Scheme options is the mid-market price on the day of the launch of the plan in the year concerned.
 
b    The expected values of the 2004 stock options grants have been calculated on the basis of the Black-Scholes model valuations provided by Towers Perrin and Kepler Associates. The values are unaudited. The expected value is equal to 22% of the face value of the grant.
 
c    Represents the value of unexercised stock options at the end of the financial year, which is calculated by taking the difference between the exercise price of the option and the fair market value of Shell Transport or Royal Dutch shares, respectively, at December 31, 2004, multiplied by the number of shares under option at December 31, 2004. The actual gain, if any, a Managing Director will realise, will depend on the market price of the Shell Transport or Royal Dutch shares at the time of exercise.
 
d    Sir Mark Moody-Stuart holds share options relating to his former service with the Group.
 
e    Upon Sir Philip Watts’ resignation on March 3, 2004, the exercise dates of his options, other than his options held under the UK Sharesave Scheme, remained unchanged if the original expiry date was earlier than five years after this date, and changed to March 2, 2009, if the original expiry date was later than five years after this date. Except for his 2001 performance-linked stock options and his UK Sharesave stock options, his stock options interests did not change between March 3, 2004 and December 31, 2004, as none of them were exercised. Following REMCO’s recommendations all of the performance-linked stock options granted to Managing Directors in March 2001 lapsed on March 26, 2004. Sir Philip Watts did not receive any stock option grants in 2004.
 
f    These options were held under the UK Sharesave Scheme of The Shell Petroleum Company Limited. Sir Philip Watts’ interests in the UK Sharesave Scheme at March 3, 2004, amounted to 3,251 options. Following his resignation his account was closed on August 27, 2004. The funds, including £170 accumulated interest, were withdrawn. The dates stated in the table reflect the original exercise period.
 
g    Judith Boynton retains rights to various existing stock options and restricted share grants in accordance with plan rules. Her stock options interests did not change between April 18, 2004 and December 31, 2004, as none of them were exercised. She did not receive any stock option grants in 2004.
 
h    US dollar converted to sterling at the year-end rate of exchange.
 
The “ Shell ” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c. S 23


Table of Contents

Directors’ Remuneration Report
                                                                 
Deferred Bonus Plan

Number of Market price Average market
deferred bonus, Matching of deferred price of Total number
dividend and Deferred shares bonus and Dividend dividend shares of shares
matching shares bonus shares conditionally matching shares shares paid during Released/ under award
under award as at awarded awarded at awardb accrued the year lapsed as at
Jan 1, 2004 during the yeara during the year £ during the yearc £ during the year Dec 31, 2004


Shell Transport Ordinary shares
                                       

Sir Philip Watts e
                                                               
2003 award
    124,327                   3.66       3,014       3.98 f     (127,341 )g     0  
2002 award
    45,803                   5.33       1,111       3.98 f     (46,914 )h     0  


Royal Dutch ordinary shares
                                   

Malcolm Brinded
                                                               
2003 award
    6,718             3,359       36.66       433       41.71 d           10,510 i

Awards made in 2002 and 2003 refer to the portion of the 2001 and 2002 annual bonus which was deferred in 2002 and 2003, respectively, and the related accrued dividends and matching shares. The 2003 award listed above for Malcolm Brinded was deferred by him when a Managing Director of Royal Dutch and it relates to Royal Dutch ordinary shares. In 2004 there was no opportunity for Malcolm Brinded to defer any of his 2003 bonus into the Deferred Bonus Plan, as no 2003 bonuses were awarded.

a Representing the proportion of the annual bonus that has been deferred and converted into notional share entitlements (deferred bonus shares), in which there is no beneficial ownership. The value of these deferred bonus shares is also included in the annual bonus figures in the Emoluments of Managing Directors table on page S22.
 
b The market price is based on the average share price over a period of five trading days prior to and including the day on which the share awards are made.
 
c Representing dividends paid during the year on the number of shares equal to the deferred bonus shares awarded, and also matching shares on those dividend shares.
 
d The market price shown is the average at the date of the 2003 final and 2004 interim annual dividends paid during the year: 41.08 and 42.34, respectively.
 
e Sir Philip Watts’ accrued bonus and dividend shares were released following his resignation on March 3, 2004. His matching shares (58,085 in total) lapsed.
 
f Representing the actual five-days average market price at the date of the 2003 final annual dividends.
 
g Comprised of deferred bonus and dividend shares that were released (84,894) and matching shares that lapsed (42,447). The related share price was £4.09.
 
h Comprised of deferred bonus and dividend shares that were released (31,276) and matching shares that lapsed (15,638). The related share price was £4.09.
 
i During the period January 1, 2005 to March 29, 2005, the total number of shares under award increased by 231 dividend and matching shares as a result of the second 2004 interim dividend pay-out. This results in a total number of shares under award of 10,741.
                                                                           
Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

Expected value Theoretical
Performance shares of the 2004 gains as at
conditionally Released Market price at Start of End of performance Dec 31,
At Jan 1, awarded during (cancelled/lapsed) At Dec 31, date of awarda performance performance shares awardb 2004c
2004 the year during the year 2004 £ period period £ £


Shell Transport Ordinary shares
                                               

Malcolm Brinded                                                                
 
2004
          353,383             353,383       3.99       01.01.04       31.12.06       606,299        

Judith Boyntond
                                                                       
 
2003
    266,475             (266,475 )     0       4.09       01.01.03       31.12.05              

Peter Voser
                                                                       
 
2004
          252,314             252,314       4.32       01.01.04       31.12.06       468,698        

Sir Philip Wattse
                                                                       
 
2003
    427,872             (427,872 )     0       4.09       01.01.03       31.12.05              


Royal Dutch ordinary shares
                           
                              £  

Malcolm Brinded                                                                
 
2003
    41,758                   41,758       40.95       01.01.03       31.12.05             0  

100% of the performance shares awarded in 2003 and 2004 are subject to performance conditions. Details of these conditions can be found in Actual Remuneration 2004 – Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) on page S19.

a    The market price is based on the average of the opening and closing share prices over a period of five trading days prior to and including the day on which the number of shares are determined in accordance with the Plan rules.
 
b    The expected values of the 2004 performance shares awards have been calculated on the basis of a standard valuation approach provided by Towers Perrin and Kepler Associates. The values are unaudited. The expected value based on this approach is equal to 43% of the face value of the award.
 
c    Represents the value of the conditional performance shares under the LTIP at the end of the financial year, which is calculated by multiplying the fair market value of Shell Transport or Royal Dutch, respectively, at December 31, 2004, by the number of shares under the LTIP that would vest based on the achievement of performance conditions up to December 31, 2004.
 
d    Judith Boynton stepped aside as Group Chief Financial Officer and as Group Managing Director and Managing Director of Shell Transport on April 18, 2004. She remained with the Group in an advisory capacity reporting to the Chief Executive Jeroen van der Veer. Ms Boynton left the Group, by mutual agreement, effective December 31, 2004. Long-Term Incentive Plan interests crystallised following the end of employment (not Directorship). None of her 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan shares awarded in 2003 vested. She did not receive any Long-Term Incentive Plan awards in 2004. As part of her remuneration prior to her appointment as a Shell Transport Managing Director, Judith Boynton received 17,000 conditional Royal Dutch ordinary shares on October 1, 2002; these were paid out to her in cash in January 2005, at a gross value of £552,306.
 
e    Sir Philip Watts resigned as a Shell Transport Managing Director and as an employee on March 3, 2004. Long-Term Incentive Plan interests crystallised following the end of employment, not Directorship. None of the shares awarded to him in August 2003 under the Long-Term Incentive Plan vested. He did not receive any Long-Term Incentive Plan awards in 2004.
 
S 24 The “ Shell ” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c.


Table of Contents

Directors’ Remuneration Report
                                                         
Pensions £ thousand

Accrued pension Transfer values of accrued benefits


Increase in
accrued
pension over
the year
Increase over Increase over (excluding
the year the year less inflation) less
At Dec 31, Increase over (excluding At Dec 31, At Dec 31, Director’s Director’s
2004 the year inflation) 2004 2003 contributions contributions

Malcolm Brindeda
    411.25 b     77.00       65.30       6,219.10       4,525.00       1,656.40       949.80  

Judith Boyntonc
    67.71 d     19.58 e     17.89 e     510.43 d     404.99 d     143.22 e     153.93 e

Sir Philip Wattsf
    468.54       20.00       (4.30 )     12,691.90       10,007.80       2,675.10       (107.50 )

Peter Voserg
    119.42 h     114.58 i     114.58 i     1,130.41 h     0 h     18.94 i     18.94 i

a    Malcolm Brinded resigned as a Managing Director of Royal Dutch on March 3, 2004 and was appointed a Managing Director of Shell Transport on the same date. His pension figures reflect 2004 in full, including the period of January 1, 2004 to March 3, 2004, when he was a Royal Dutch Managing Director.
 
b    As a result of the 2003 valuation of the SOCPF the Actuary requested that a special company contribution should be paid in addition to the usual company monthly contributions, consistently applied to all participants in the SOCPF. The amount stated comprises the basic pension increase and a prorated amount relating to this additional employer contribution.
 
c    For Judith Boynton, the Company contributed £43,155 based on the quarterly average exchange rate to the Shell Savings Plans, which are defined contribution schemes, during the period January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004. She left the Group, by mutual agreement, effective 31 December 2004 and in January 2005 withdrew her pension entitlements from the Shell Expatriate Employment US (SEEUS) Prior Service Pension Plan in the form of a lump sum of £510,435 based on the year-end rate of exchange.
 
d    US dollar converted to sterling at the year-end rate of exchange.
 
e    Includes an accrued pension increase and a movement in the exchange rate between the US dollar and sterling over the period disclosed; US dollar converted to sterling at the quarterly average rate of exchange.
 
f    Sir Philip Watts resigned as a Managing Director of the Company on March 3, 2004. He took a reduced pension to reflect his early retirement following his resignation. He commuted pension of £115,527 per annum in return for a lump sum of £1,621,311. His accrued pension at December 31, 2004, is reflective of this commutation. The stated accrued pension increase over the year figures do not take into account this commutation.
 
g    Peter Voser became a member of the Shell Swiss Expatriate Pension Fund (SSEPF) on October 4, 2004. His accrued rights from his previous employer have been transferred into the fund and are included in his accrued pension at December 31, 2004. The transfer value of the accrued benefits transferred from Peter Voser’s previous employer are treated as a Director’s contribution and therefore excluded from the transfer values of increases of accrued benefits over the year. Additional funding will be provided by the Company in 2005 such that pension benefits under the SSEPF are available to him will be equivalent to the pension benefit which would have been available to him under the SSEPF had he been a continuous active member of the SSEPF since January 1 following his 24th birthday to the date of him joining the SSEPF. The additional funding will amount to a lump sum of £1.57 million to be paid to the SSEPF in 2005 (Swiss franc converted to sterling at the year-end rate of exchange to achieve a sterling equivalent of CHF 3.43 million).
 
h    Swiss franc converted to sterling at the year-end rate of exchange.
 
i    Includes an accrued pension increase and a movement in the exchange rate between the Swiss franc and sterling over the period disclosed; Swiss franc converted to sterling at the quarterly average rate of exchange.

Pensions

In 2004 the employing company contribution rate to the Shell Contributory Pension Fund was 17.7%. Employers’ contributions to the Shell Overseas Contributory Pension Fund during 2004 were 30%. The employing companies contribution to these pension funds is determined on the advice of the Actuary. Managing Directors contributed 2% up to £30,000 per annum of relevant earnings and 6% of relevant earnings in excess of £30,000 per annum to these plans during the year.

The 2004 contribution rates for the Shell Swiss Expatriate Pension Fund (SSEPF) were 10% for both company and employees. Contributions to this pension fund are based on the advice of actuaries.

For Judith Boynton5 the principal sources of pension included pension plans and savings plans. Pension plans are the Shell Expatriate Employment US (SEEUS) Prior Service Pension Plan, the Shell Pension Plan and the Senior Executives Group Benefits Restoration Plan. These are defined benefit plans which are non-contributory. Savings plans are the Shell Provident Fund for US employees, the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund for US employees, and the Senior Executive Group Deferral Plan. These are defined contribution plans which are contributory on a voluntary basis. In line with standard US market practice the annual bonus is pensionable.

As there is no mandatory retirement date in the USA, pensions include provisions which allow for retirement at age 60, provided service requirements are met. There are also provisions for a spousal benefit of 50% of actual pension. A lump sum death benefit is offered under the defined benefit plans if death occurs before pension payments commence and if the participant is unmarried.

Company contributions were not required for the SEEUS Prior Service Pension Plan or for the Senior Executive Group Benefits Restoration Plan during 2004. The employing company contribution rate for the Shell Pension Plan was 5.1% in 2004. Executive Directors are not required to contribute to these plans.

During 2004 Judy Boynton, Malcolm Brinded, Peter Voser and Sir Philip Watts accrued retirement benefits under defined benefit plans (2003: three Managing Directors; 2002: two Managing Directors). In 2004 Judy Boynton also accrued retirement benefits under defined contribution schemes (2003: one Managing Director; 2002: not applicable). Managing Directors accrued pension benefits during the year as detailed in the table above. The transfer values are calculated using the cash equivalent transfer value method in accordance with Actuarial Guidance Note GN11.

 
5 Judith Boynton stepped aside as Group Chief Financial Officer and as Group Managing Director and Managing Director of Shell Transport on April 18, 2004. She remained with the Group in an advisory capacity reporting to the Chief Executive Jeroen van der Veer. Ms Boynton left the Group, by mutual agreement, effective December 31, 2004.
 
The “ Shell ” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c. S 25


Table of Contents

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Managing Directors’ service contracts

No Director has a contract of service with Shell Transport. The Managing Directors of Shell Transport have employment contracts with one of the Group Holding or Service Companies. The contracts provide entitlement to notice in line with the standard policy applicable to other senior staff in the UK, namely three months. Such contracts expire on the expected date of retirement which, in the case of the Managing Directors, is June 30 following their 60th birthday. Sir Philip Watts was employed with one of the Group Holding Companies on similar terms and conditions. Malcolm Brinded’s current contract is effective from July 1, 2004 and does not contain any pre-determined settlements for early termination.

Peter Voser’s contract is effective from October 4, 2004. His contract includes a temporary severance arrangement in the case of a company-initiated termination for reasons other than gross misconduct. During the first three years of his employment, the severance pay would be equal to the sum of the applicable gross annual base pay and the most recent annual bonus, but in no event less than £1,000,000.

Sir Philip Watts’ employment contract was effective from July 1, 2002, and he resigned on March 3, 2004. His severance payment following his resignation as a Managing Director of Shell Transport, and as an employee consisted of a lump sum payment of £1,057,971. This amount was based on his salary as an employee until his normal retirement date in June 2005. No Directors’ fees have been paid for this period. Sir Philip Watts did not receive a performance-related annual bonus or stock options or any awards under the LTIP in respect of 2004. He retained rights to various existing stock options in accordance with plan rules. The schedule for his stock options is disclosed in the Stock Options table on page S23. None of the 427,872 shares conditionally granted to him in August 2003 under the Long Term Incentive Plan vested. By his own choice, Sir Philip Watts had elected to invest part of his previously earned bonuses in Shell Transport shares under the Deferred Bonus Plan, which allows for matching shares to be granted to those who hold them for three years. In his case, no matching shares have been awarded. He has the legal right to a pension of £468,540 per annum under the Shell pension scheme to which he has contributed over the past 35 years. Under pre-existing provisions, Sir Philip Watts is also entitled to the reimbursement of litigation costs under certain circumstances. See “Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Legal Proceedings”.

Judith Boynton’s employment contract was effective from July 1, 2003 and was governed by US law. Employment was on an “at-will” basis. She was eligible for a severance arrangement in case of a company-initiated termination for reasons other than gross misconduct. Judith Boynton stepped aside as Group Chief Financial Officer and as Group Managing Director and Managing Director of Shell Transport on April 18, 2004. She remained with the Group in an advisory capacity reporting to the Chief Executive Jeroen van der Veer. Ms Boynton left the Group, by mutual agreement, effective December 31, 2004. She received a severance payment of $1,000,000 (£518,600) pursuant to the previously disclosed terms of her employment. She did not receive a performance-related annual bonus or stock options or any awards under the LTIP in respect of 2004. She retained rights to various existing stock options and restricted share grants in accordance with plan rules. The schedule for her stock options is disclosed in the Stock Options table on page S23. None of her 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan award of conditional shares vested. Under pre-existing provisions, Ms. Boynton is also entitled to the reimbursement of litigation costs under certain circumstances. See “Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Legal Proceedings”.

No payments on termination were made to retiring or past Directors during the year under review other than those referred to above and listed in the Emoluments of Managing Directors table on page S22.

Non-executive Directors

Remuneration policy

Under the Articles of Association the remuneration of all Directors of the Company is determined by the Board within a limit set by shareholders. At the Annual General Meeting in 2002, this annual limit was set at £900,000. Within this limit, the level of remuneration for Non-executive Directors has been reviewed from time to time by the Board to ensure it is in line with Non-executive Directors’ fee levels of other major listed companies, and adjustments are made when appropriate. The Board has appointed a Committee comprising the Managing Directors of the Company to approve fees payable to the Non-executive Directors within the limit set by shareholders. Personal loans or guarantees are not granted to Non-executive Directors.

Appointments

In accordance with the Combined Code, Non-executive Directors are appointed for specified terms of office (see table opposite). Their letters of appointment, dated February 2004, include reference to their term of office subject to the provisions of the Articles of Association regarding their election and re-election at the Annual General Meeting. They provide for a notice period of three months and there are no compensation provisions upon early termination. A copy of the standard letter of appointment is available from the Company Secretary and can be found on the Shell website (www.shell.com/investor).
 
S 26 The “ Shell ” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c.


Table of Contents

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Fees

All Non-executive Directors of Shell Transport are paid an annual fee of £50,000 with an additional fee of £5,000 per annum for acting as Chairman of one of the three Joint Committees (see pages 101-103) and an additional fee for the Chairman of the Board of £50,000 per annum. Where the Chairman serves as the Chairman of the Conference, as is the position currently, an additional payment of £50,000 per annum is receivable from the Group Holding Companies. An additional fee of £1,500 per meeting is payable to Non-executive Directors who undertake intercontinental travel to attend a meeting.

Executive Directors of Shell Transport also received Directors’ fees of £50,000 per annum from the Company. These fees are included in the overall salary levels for Executive Directors recommended by REMCO. After the Annual General Meeting of 2005 Directors’ fees will no longer be paid to Executive Directors, and they will only receive a salary from the Group. This will not affect their overall salary levels.

There are no proposals to increase Shell Transport Directors’ fees in 2005.

The aggregate amount of non-executive Directors fees paid to or accrued for non-executive Directors of Shell Transport by Shell Transport and companies of the Group for services in all capacities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, was £604,116.

                         
Remuneration of non-executive Directors £

2004 2003 2002

Teymour Alireza
    65,000       63,500       45,375  

Sir Peter Burt
    50,000       50,000       21,795  

Dr Eileen Buttle
    52,500       50,000       39,375  

Luis Giusti
    69,500       63,500       45,375  

Nina Henderson
    65,000       63,500       45,375  

Sir Peter Job
    50,000       50,000       39,375  

Lord Kerr of Kinlochard
    50,000       50,000       21,795  

Sir Mark Moody-Stuarta
    68,982       69,170       57,689  

Lord Oxburghb
    133,134       55,000       42,800  

The information in this table is subject to audit.

a Sir Mark Moody-Stuart received fees from the Group Holding Companies in respect of duties performed by him as Director of these companies in 2004, 2003 and 2002; they amounted to £18,982, £19,170 and £18,314, respectively.
 
b Lord Oxburgh received fees from the Group Holding Companies in respect of duties performed by him as Chairman of the Conference in 2004; they amounted to £41,123. The costs of this fee are borne equally by the Group Holding Companies.
         
Terms of Appointment

Terms of Appointmenta

Teymour Alireza
    2006  
Sir Peter Burt
    2009  
Dr Eileen Buttle
    2006  
Luis Giusti
    2007  
Nina Henderson
    2007  
Sir Peter Job
    2008  
Lord Kerr of Kinlochard
    2009  
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart
    2005  
Lord Oxburgh
    2005  

a The term of appointment is until the close of business of the Annual General Meeting in the year shown and is subject to the provisions of the Articles of Association.
 
The “ Shell ” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c. S 27


Table of Contents

Group Share Plans

Set out below is a summary of the principal employee share schemes operated by Group companies1. The shares subject to the plans are existing issued shares of Shell Transport or Royal Dutch. Shares to be delivered by a Group company under these plans are generally bought in the market at the time the commitment is made.

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

Amendments to the current Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) will be proposed to shareholders at the 2005 Annual General Meeting. Details of the amended plan can be found on page S19.

Restricted Share Plan

This plan will be put to shareholders for approval at the 2005 Annual General Meeting. Grants are made under this plan on a highly selective basis for recruitment and retention of senior staff. Shares are granted subject to a three-year restriction period. The shares, together with additional shares equivalent to the value of the dividends payable over the restriction period, are released to the individual at the end of the three-year period. Executive Directors are not eligible to participate in the Restricted Share Plan.

Stock Option Plans

As part of REMCO’s review of long-term incentives, it has recommended that no further grants be made under these plans. Eligible employees were granted stock options over shares of Royal Dutch or Shell Transport under these plans. The price at which the shares could be bought (the exercise price) was not less than the fair market value of the shares at the date the stock options were granted. This was calculated as the average of the stock exchange opening and closing prices over the five business days ending on the date of grant, except for the US plans where the grant price was the New York Stock Exchange closing price on the date of grant.

Options under the Stock Option Plans are exercisable three years from grant except for those granted under the US plans which vest one-third per year for three years. Stock options lapse ten years after grant; however, leaving Group employment may cause options to lapse earlier.

For the Executive Directors and the most senior executives 100% of options granted under the Stock Option Plans in 2003 and 2004 are subject to performance conditions.

Global Employee Share Purchase Plan

This plan enables employees to make contributions, which are applied quarterly to purchase Royal Dutch or Shell Transport shares at current market value. If the acquired shares are retained in the plan until the end of the twelve-month cycle the employee receives an additional 15% share allocation. In the USA a variant of this plan is operated where contributions are applied to buy Royal Dutch shares at the end of the twelve-month cycle. The purchase price is the lower of the market price on the first or last trading day of the cycle reduced by 15%. Executive Directors are not eligible to participate in the Global Employee Share Purchase Plan.

UK Sharesave Scheme

Employees of participating companies in the UK may participate in the UK Sharesave Scheme. Stock options are granted over shares of Shell Transport at a price set at the date specified in the invitation. Options are granted on a date not more than 30 days after the option price is determined and are normally exercisable after a three-year or five-year contractual savings period.

Shell All-employee Share Ownership Plan

Employees of participating companies in the UK may also participate in the Shell All-employee Share Ownership Plan, which is designed to encourage employee participation in their company. Employees invest amounts up to a 10% of their gross annual salary with a maximum of £1,500 in any fiscal year in Shell Transport shares at the current market value using funds deducted from their monthly salary. The contributions are not liable to income tax, however, to maintain the tax benefit, the shares must be held in the plan for a defined period (normally five years).
 
1 Details of the number of shares held by Group companies in connection with the above plans are shown in Note 23 of the Group Financial Statements on pages G26 to G28.
 
S 28 The “ Shell ” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c.


Table of Contents

Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies

Report of the Registered Independent Public Accounting Firms
on the US GAAP Financial Statements

We have audited the Financial Statements appearing on pages G2 to G37 of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies for the years 2004, 2003 and 2002. The preparation of the Financial Statements is the responsibility of management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Financial Statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the Standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Financial Statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the Financial Statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management in the preparation of the Financial Statements, as well as evaluating the overall Financial Statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the Financial Statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies at December 31, 2004 and 2003 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

As discussed in Note 2 on pages G5 to G8, the Group has restated its Financial Statements for the two years ended December 31, 2003, to correct for the financial impact of the Second Reserves Restatement.

As discussed in Note 3 on pages G8 to G12, the Group adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 143 “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” as of January 1, 2003; the Group adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46 “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities – an interpretation of ARB51” as of September 30, 2003.

 

 

 

/s/ KPMG Accountants N.V.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
KPMG Accountants N.V.,
The Hague – The Netherlands
Registered independent public accounting firm

 

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

--------------------------------------------------------------------
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
London – United Kingdom
Registered independent public accounting firm

 

March 29, 2005

 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 1


Table of Contents

Financial Statements

                                 
Statement of Income $ million

2003 2002
Note 2004 As restateda As restateda

Sales proceeds
            337,522       263,889       218,287  
Sales taxes, excise duties and similar levies
            72,332       65,527       54,834  

Net proceedsb
            265,190       198,362       163,453  
Cost of salesb
            221,678       165,147       135,658  

Gross profit
            43,512       33,215       27,795  
Selling and distribution expenses
            12,340       11,409       9,617  
Administrative expenses
            2,516       1,870       1,587  
Exploration
            1,823       1,475       1,052  
Research and development
            553       584       472  

Operating profit of Group companies
            26,280       17,877       15,067  
Share of operating profit of associated companies
    7       5,653       3,446       2,792  

Operating profit
            31,933       21,323       17,859  
Interest and other income
    8       1,705       1,967       748  
Interest expense
    9       1,214       1,324       1,291  
Currency exchange gains/(losses)
            (39 )     (231 )     (25 )

Income before taxation
            32,385       21,735       17,291  
Taxation
    10       15,136       9,349       7,647  

Income after taxation
            17,249       12,386       9,644  
Income applicable to minority interests
            626       353       175  

Income from continuing operations
            16,623       12,033       9,469  
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    4       1,560       25       187  
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of tax
    3             255        

Net income
            18,183       12,313       9,656  

 
Statement of Comprehensive Income and Parent Companies’ interest in Group net assets $ million

                                   
2003 2002
Note 2004 As restated As restated

Net income
            18,183       12,313       9,656  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
    6                          
 
currency translation differences
    20       3,148       5,102       2,432  
 
unrealised gains/(losses) on securities
            (350 )     689       25  
 
unrealised gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges
            31       51       (225 )
 
minimum pension liability adjustments
            (185 )     358       (1,475 )

Comprehensive income
            20,827       18,513       10,413  
Distributions to Parent Companies
            (7,989 )     (5,660 )     (5,435 )
Increase in Parent Companies’ shares held, net of dividends received
    23       (759 )     (631 )     (844 )
Loss on sale of Parent Companies’ shares
                  (1 )      
Parent Companies’ interest in Group net assets at January 1
            72,497       60,276       56,142  

Parent Companies’ interest in Group net assets at December 31
    5       84,576       72,497       60,276  

a See Note 2.
 
b Includes net proceeds for buy/sell contracts for which the costs are included in cost of sales. See Note 3 on page G8 to G12.

The Notes on pages G5 to G37 are an integral part of these statements.

 
G 2 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


Table of Contents

Financial Statements
                             
Statement of Assets and Liabilities $ million

Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2003
Note 2004 As restateda

Fixed assets
                       
 
Tangible assets
    11       88,940       87,088  
 
Intangible assets
    11       4,890       4,735  
 
Investments:
                       
   
associated companies
    7       19,743       19,371  
   
securities
    15       1,627       2,317  
   
other
            1,121       1,086  

Total fixed assets
            116,321       114,597  

Other long term assets
                       
 
Prepaid pension costs
    21       8,278       6,516  
 
Deferred taxation
    10       1,995       2,092  
 
Other
    12       4,369       2,741  

Total other long-term assets
            14,642       11,349  

Current assets
                       
 
Inventories
    13       15,391       12,690  
 
Accounts receivable
    14       37,998       28,969  
 
Cash and cash equivalents
    15       8,459       1,952  

Total current assets
            61,848       43,611  

Current liabilities: amounts due within one year
                       
 
Short-term debt
    16       5,822       11,027  
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    18       40,207       32,347  
 
Taxes payable
    10       9,885       5,927  
 
Dividends payable to Parent Companies
            4,750       5,123  

Total current liabilities
            60,664       54,424  

Net current assets/(liabilities)
            1,184       (10,813 )

Total assets less current liabilities
            132,147       115,133  

Long-term liabilities: amounts due after more than one year
                       
 
Long-term debt
    16       8,600       9,100  
 
Other
    19       8,065       6,054  

              16,665       15,154  

Provisions
                       
 
Deferred taxation
    10       14,844       15,185  
 
Pensions and similar obligations
    21       5,044       4,927  
 
Decommissioning and restoration costs
    24       5,709       3,955  

              25,597       24,067  

Group net assets before minority interests
            89,885       75,912  
Minority interests
            5,309       3,415  

Net assets
            84,576       72,497  

a See Note 2.

The Notes on pages G5 to G37 are an integral part of these statements.

 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 3


Table of Contents

Financial Statements
                                       
Statement of Cash Flows (see Note 20) $ million

2003 2002
Note 2004 As restated As restated

Cash flow provided by operating activities
                               
 
Net income
            18,183       12,313       9,656  
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flow provided by operating activities
                               
   
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation
    11       12,273       11,711       8,739  
   
Profit on sale of assets
            (3,033 )     (2,141 )     (367 )
   
Movements in:
                               
     
inventories
            (2,731 )     (236 )     (2,079 )
     
accounts receivable
            (8,462 )     1,834       (5,830 )
     
accounts payable and accrued liabilities
            7,708       (212 )     6,989  
     
taxes payable
            2,999       (218 )     (735 )
   
Associated companies: dividends more/(less) than net income
    7       258       511       117  
   
Deferred taxation and other provisions
            (524 )     (621 )     423  
   
Long-term liabilities and other
            (1,798 )     (1,588 )     (805 )
   
Income applicable to minority interests
            714       366       175  

Cash flow provided by operating activities
            25,587       21,719       16,283  

Cash flow used in investing activities
                               
 
Capital expenditure (including capitalised leases)
    11       (12,734 )     (12,252 )     (12,102 )
 
Acquisitions (Enterprise Oil, Pennzoil-Quaker State and additional shares in Equilon)
                            (8,925 )
 
Proceeds from sale of assets
            5,078       2,286       1,099  
 
New investments in associated companies
    7       (1,058 )     (983 )     (1,289 )
 
Disposals of investments in associated companies
            1,328       708       501  
 
Proceeds from sale and other movements in investments
            1,743       1,989       83  

Cash flow used in investing activities
            (5,643 )     (8,252 )     (20,633 )

Cash flow used in financing activities
                               
 
Long-term debt (including short-term part):
                               
   
new borrowings
            544       572       5,267  
   
repayments
            (1,688 )     (2,740 )     (5,610 )

              (1,144 )     (2,168 )     (343 )
 
Net increase/(decrease) in short-term debt
            (3,701 )     (2,507 )     7,058  
 
Change in minority interests
            807       (1,363 )     421  
 
Dividends paid to:
                               
   
Parent Companies
            (8,490 )     (6,248 )     (6,961 )
   
minority interests
            (264 )     (300 )     (228 )

Cash flow used in financing activities
            (12,792 )     (12,586 )     (53 )

Parent Companies’ shares: net sales/(purchases) and dividends received
            (758 )     (633 )     (864 )
Currency translation differences relating to cash and cash equivalents
            113       148       153  

Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
            6,507       396       (5,114 )

Cash and cash equivalents at January 1
            1,952       1,556       6,670  

Cash and cash equivalents at December 31
            8,459       1,952       1,556  

The Notes on pages G5 to G37 are an integral part of these statements.

 
G 4 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


Table of Contents

Notes to the Financial Statements

1 The Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies

The Parent Companies, Royal Dutch Petroleum Company (Royal Dutch) and The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c. (Shell Transport) are holding companies which together own, directly or indirectly, investments in numerous companies known collectively as the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group. Group companies are engaged in all principal aspects of the oil and natural gas industry. They also have interests in chemicals and additional interests in power generation and renewable energy (chiefly in wind and solar energy). The Group conducts its business through five principal segments, Exploration & Production, Gas & Power, Oil Products, Chemicals and Other businesses. These activities are conducted in more than 140 countries and territories and are subject to changing economic, regulatory and political conditions.

Arrangements between Royal Dutch and Shell Transport provide, inter alia, that notwithstanding variations in shareholdings, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport shall share in the aggregate net assets and in the aggregate dividends and interest received from Group companies in the proportion of 60:40. It is further arranged that the burden of all taxes in the nature of, or corresponding to, an income tax leviable in respect of such dividends and interest shall fall in the same proportion. Dividends are paid by Group companies to Royal Dutch and Shell Transport in euros and pounds sterling, respectively. The division of Group net assets between the Parent Companies and movements therein, including movements resulting from Group net income and distributions to the Parent Companies, are disclosed in Note 30 to these Financial Statements.

Unification Proposal

On October 28, 2004, the Royal Dutch and Shell Transport Boards announced that they had unanimously agreed to propose to their shareholders a transaction (the “Transaction”) through which each Parent Company will become a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc, which will become a publicly-listed company incorporated in England and Wales and headquartered and tax resident in The Netherlands (“Royal Dutch Shell”).

Reflecting the existing 60:40 ownership by Royal Dutch and Shell Transport of the Group, it is proposed that Royal Dutch shareholders will be offered 60% of the ordinary share capital in Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Transport shareholders will receive 40% of the ordinary share capital in Royal Dutch Shell. To implement the proposal, it is intended that (i) Royal Dutch Shell will make an offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Royal Dutch in exchange for Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares or American depositary shares (“ADSs”) representing Royal Dutch Shell Class A ordinary shares and (ii) Royal Dutch Shell will become the parent company of Shell Transport pursuant to a United Kingdom reorganisational procedure referred to as a “scheme of arrangement” under section 425 of the UK Companies Act 1985, as amended. As a result of the scheme of arrangement, holders of Shell Transport Ordinary shares (and holders of Shell Transport bearer warrants) will receive Royal Dutch Shell Class B ordinary shares and holders of Shell Transport ADSs will receive ADSs representing Royal Dutch Shell Class B ordinary shares. The Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will have identical voting rights and will vote together as a single class on all matters, including the election of directors, unless a matter affects the rights of one class as a separate class. Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will have identical rights upon a liquidation of Royal Dutch Shell and dividends declared on each will be equivalent in amount. However, for tax purposes, holders of Class A ordinary shares will receive Dutch source dividends, while holders of Class B ordinary shares will receive dividends that are UK source to the extent that these dividends are paid through a dividend access mechanism to be established. Implementation of the Transaction will be the subject of appropriate consultation with relevant employee representative bodies as required as well as the satisfaction of certain other conditions. It is currently expected that the Transaction will be completed in July 2005.

2 Restatement of previously issued Financial Statements

First Reserves Restatement
On January 9, 2004, the Group announced the removal from proved reserves of approximately 3.9 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) of oil and natural gas that were originally reported as of December 31, 2002. As a result of further field level reviews concluded in April 2004 with the assistance of external petroleum consultants of over 90% of the Group’s proved reserves volumes (collectively, the First Half Review), the Group determined to increase the total volume of reserves to be removed from the proved category to 4.47 billion boe and to restate the unaudited oil and natural gas reserves disclosures contained in the supplementary information accompanying the Financial Statements (the First Reserves Restatement) to give effect to the removal of these volumes as of the earliest date on which they did not represent “proved reserves” within the applicable rules of the SEC (which in many cases is the date on which the volumes were initially booked as proved reserves). 12% of the volumes debooked as of December 31, 2002 as part of the First Reserves Restatement had been in the proved developed reserves category and 88% had been categorised as proved undeveloped reserves. The effects of First
 
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Notes to the Financial Statements

Reserves Restatement were reflected in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F as originally filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) on June 30, 2004.

Following the January 9, 2004 announcement of the initial reserves recategorisation, the Group Audit Committee (GAC) appointed Davis Polk & Wardwell to lead an independent review of the facts and circumstances surrounding the recategorisation, and to report its findings and any proposed remedial actions to the GAC for its consideration. Based largely on the Davis Polk & Wardwell report, the Parent Companies, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, determined that the principal causes that permitted the initial booking and maintenance of the volumes impacted by the First Reserves Restatement as proved reserves are as follows:

the Group’s guidelines for booking proved reserves were inadequate in several respects, including (i) containing inconsistencies with the SEC’s rules and published guidance relating to proved reserves and (ii) failing to clearly and sufficiently impart these requirements and guidance to users of the guidelines. In addition, users of the guidelines in certain cases misapplied or disregarded SEC rules and published guidance and in some cases only applied changes in the guidelines prospectively rather than retrospectively. There was also insufficient knowledge and training among users of the guidelines of the SEC requirements relating to proved reserves;
 
executives and employees encouraged the booking of proved reserves, while discouraging the debooking of previously booked reserves. This fostered an atmosphere that failed to emphasise the paramount importance of the compliance element of proved reserves decisions; and
 
there were other material weaknesses in the Group’s controls relating to the booking of proved reserves, including insufficient resources allocated to the Group Reserves Auditor and Group Reserves Co-ordinator functions, a lack of clarity in the allocation of responsibilities between the Group Reserves Auditor and the Group Reserves Co-ordinator and a lack of direct reporting responsibility of the Group Reserves Auditor to the Group internal audit function and of the business chief financial officers to the Group Chief Financial Officer.

Second Reserves Restatement

On February 3, 2005, as a result of reservoir level reviews conducted during July 2004 through December 2004 of substantially all of the Group’s proved reserves volumes reported as at December 31, 2003, (collectively, the Second Half Review), the Group announced that it would remove from proved reserves an additional 1,371 million boe of oil and natural gas that were reported as at December 31, 2003 and further restate the unaudited oil and natural gas reserves disclosures contained in the supplementary information accompanying the Financial Statements (the Second Reserves Restatement and, together with the First Reserves Restatement, the Reserves Restatements) to give effect to the removal of these volumes as of the earliest date on which they did not represent “proved reserves” within the applicable rules of the SEC (which in many cases is the date on which the volumes were initially booked as proved reserves). 43% of the volumes debooked as of December 31, 2003 as part of the Second Reserves Restatement had been categorised as proved developed reserves and 57% had been categorised as proved undeveloped reserves. The effects of the Second Reserves Restatement are reflected in the comparative periods presented in these Financial Statements. These effects were also reflected in Amendment No. 2 to the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on March 7, 2005.

Second Financial Restatement

In view of the inappropriate overstatement of unaudited proved reserves information resulting in the Second Reserves Restatement, it was determined to restate the Financial Statements of the Group and each of the Parent Companies for the year ended December 31, 2003 and prior periods (the Second Financial Restatement) to reflect the impact of the Second Reserves Restatement on those Financial Statements (as announced on February 3, 2005). This overstatement of unaudited proved reserves information had the effect of understating the depreciation, depletion and amortisation charges related to Exploration & Production in each of the years covered by the Second Financial Restatement. As capitalised costs relating to Exploration & Production were amortised across fewer proved reserves (following the Second Reserves Restatement), depreciation, depletion and amortisation associated with annual production volumes increased proportionally.

The effect of the Second Financial Restatement was to reduce net income in 2003 by $183 million (2002: $66 million), of which additional depreciation in 2003 was $289 million (2002: $118 million), and to reduce the previously reported net assets as at December 31, 2003 by $351 million. The effects of the Second Financial Restatement are reflected in the comparative periods presented in these Financial Statements. These effects were also reflected in Amendment No. 2 to the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed

 
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Notes to the Financial Statements

with the SEC on March 7, 2005. The impact on the information included in these Financial Statements is summarised in the tables below:

                                                                                 
Statement of Income $ million

2003 2002

Reclassification Reclassification
As Second for As Second for
originally Reserves As discontinued As previously Reserves As discontinued As
reporteda Restatement restated operationsb restated restateda Restatement restated operationsb restated

Net proceeds
    201,728             201,728       (3,366 )     198,362       166,601             166,601       (3,148 )     163,453  
Cost of sales
    167,500       289       167,789       (2,642 )     165,147       137,997       118       138,115       (2,457 )     135,658  
Exploration
    1,476             1,476       (1 )     1,475       1,073             1,073       (21 )     1,052  
Other operating expenses
    14,428             14,428       (565 )     13,863       12,027             12,027       (351 )     11,676  
Share of operating profit of associated companies
    3,484       (19 )     3,465       (19 )     3,446       2,822       (6 )     2,816       (24 )     2,792  

Operating profit
    21,808       (308 )     21,500       (177 )     21,323       18,326       (124 )     18,202       (343 )     17,859  
Net interest (income)/expense and currency exchange (gains)/losses
    (370 )           (370 )     (42 )     (412 )     629             629       (61 )     568  

Income before taxation
    22,178       (308 )     21,870       (135 )     21,735       17,697       (124 )     17,573       (282 )     17,291  
Taxation
    9,572       (126 )     9,446       (97 )     9,349       7,796       (54 )     7,742       (95 )     7,647  
Minority interests
    365       1       366       (13 )     353       179       (4 )     175             175  

Income from continuing operations
    12,241       (183 )     12,058       (25 )     12,033       9,722       (66 )     9,656       (187 )     9,469  
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
                      25       25                         187       187  
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of tax
    255             255             255                                

Net income
    12,496       (183 )     12,313             12,313       9,722       (66 )     9,656             9,656  

a As reported in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004.
 
b As a consequence of the separate reporting of income from discontinued operations (see Note 4), information for comparative periods has been reclassified where necessary.

The financial effect of the First Reserves Restatement was to reduce net income in 2002 by $108 million, all of which was reflected in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as originally filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004. The combined financial effect of the First Reserves Restatement and the Second Reserves Restatement was a reduction in net income of $183 million in 2003 (2002: $174 million).

                                                 
Earnings by industry segment $ million

2003 2002

As Second As Second
originally Reserves As previously Reserves As
reporteda Restatement restated restateda Restatement restated

Exploration & Production
    9,105       (182 )     8,923       6,796       (70 )     6,726  
Gas & Power
    2,289             2,289       774             774  
Oil Products
    2,860             2,860       2,627             2,627  
Chemicals
    (209 )           (209 )     565             565  
Corporate and Other
    (1,184 )           (1,184 )     (861 )           (861 )
Minority interests
    (365 )     (1 )     (366 )     (179 )     4       (175 )

Net income
    12,496       (183 )     12,313       9,722       (66 )     9,656  

a As reported in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004.

The financial effect of the First Reserves Restatement was a reduction in Exploration & Production earnings of $101 million and an increase in minority interests of $7 million in 2002, all of which was reflected in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as originally filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004. The combined financial effect of the First Reserves Restatement and the Second Reserves Restatement was a reduction in Exploration & Production earnings of $182 million in 2003 (2002: $171 million) and an increase in minority interests of $1 million in 2003 (2002: $3 million).

 
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Notes to the Financial Statements
                                           
Statement of Assets and Liabilities $ million

December 31, 2003

As Second Reclassification
originally Reserves As for deferred As
reporteda Restatement restated taxb restated

Fixed assets
                                       
 
Tangible
    87,701       (613 )     87,088             87,088  
 
Intangible
    4,735             4,735             4,735  
 
Investments
    22,787       (13 )     22,774             22,774  
Other long-term assets
    9,257             9,257       2,092       11,349  
Current assets
    43,611             43,611             43,611  
Current liabilities
    54,424             54,424             54,424  
Long-term liabilities
    15,154             15,154             15,154  
Provisions
                                       
 
Deferred taxation
    13,355       (262 )     13,093       2,092       15,185  
 
Pensions and decommissioning
    8,882             8,882             8,882  
Minority interests
    3,428       (13 )     3,415             3,415  

Net assets
    72,848       (351 )     72,497             72,497  

a As reported in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004.

b  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented at December 31, 2004 separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, with reclassification of the prior year.

                   
Parent Companies’ interest in Group net assets $ million

2003 2002

At December 31 as originally reported (2003)/ previously restated (2002)a
    72,848       60,444  
Effect of the Second Reserves Restatement:
               
 
Interest at the beginning of the year
    (168 )     (102 )b
 
Net income for the year
    (183 )     (66 )

At December 31 as restated
    72,497       60,276  

a As reported in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004.

b  Cumulative effect as at January 1, 2002

The financial effect of the First Reserves Restatement was to reduce the previously reported net assets as at December 31, 2002 by $276 million, all of which was reflected in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as originally filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004. The combined financial effect of the First Reserves Restatement and the Second Reserves Restatement was a reduction in Group net assets of $627 million at December 31, 2003 (2002: $444 million).

Amounts relating to prior periods have been restated in the following notes where applicable.

3 Accounting policies

Nature of the Financial Statements
The accounts of the Parent Companies are not included in the Financial Statements, the objective of which is to demonstrate the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of a group of undertakings in which each Parent Company has an interest in common whilst maintaining its separate identity. The Financial Statements reflect an aggregation in US dollars of the accounts of companies in which Royal Dutch and Shell Transport together, either directly or indirectly, have control either through a majority of the voting rights or the right to exercise a controlling influence or to obtain the majority of the benefits and be exposed to the majority of the risks.

US accounting pronouncement FIN 46 (Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities) was implemented in 2003 with a consequential increase in the Group’s tangible fixed assets and debt of $3.4 billion as of September 30, 2003, mainly relating to power generation contracts (“tolling agreements”) which were previously accounted for as executory contracts and marked to market.

Investments in companies over which Group companies have significant influence but not control are classified as associated companies and are accounted for on the equity basis. Investments in companies over which the Group has no significant influence are stated at cost and dividends received from these companies are accounted for when received. Certain joint ventures in oil and natural gas production activities are taken up in the Financial Statements in proportion to the relevant Group interest.

The Financial Statements are presented in accordance with US GAAP, with separate Financial Statements presented under Netherlands GAAP beginning on page G40.

The preparation of Financial Statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the Financial Statements and Notes thereto. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Financial Statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

 
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Notes to the Financial Statements

Currency translation

Assets and liabilities of non-US dollar Group companies 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 aggregation are taken directly to a currency translation differences account, which forms part of Parent Companies’ interest in Group net assets. Upon divestment or liquidation of a non-US dollar Group company, cumulative currency translation differences related to that company are taken to income.

The US dollar equivalents of exchange gains and losses arising as a result of foreign currency transactions (including those in respect of inter-company balances unless related to transactions of a long-term investment nature) are included in Group net income.

Revenue recognition

Sales of oil, natural gas, chemicals and all other products are recorded when title passes to the customer. Revenue from the production of oil and natural gas properties in which the Group has an interest with other producers are recognised on the basis of the Group’s working interest (entitlement method). The difference between actual production and net working interest volumes is not significant. Gains and losses on derivatives contracts and contracts involved in energy trading and risk management are shown net in the Statement of Income if these contracts are held for trading purposes. Purchase and sale of hydrocarbons under exchange contracts that are necessary to obtain or reposition feedstock utilised in the Group’s refinery operations are shown net in the Statement of Income. Sales between Group companies, as disclosed in the segment information, are based on prices generally equivalent to commercially available prices.

In Exploration & Production and Gas & Power title typically passes (and revenues are recognised) when product is physically transferred into a vessel, pipe or other delivery mechanism. For sales by refining companies, title typically passes (and revenues are recognised) either when product is placed onboard a vessel or offloaded from the vessel, depending on the contractually agreed terms. Revenues on wholesale sales of oil products and chemicals are recognised when transfer of ownership occurs and title is passed, either at the point of delivery or the point of receipt, depending on contractual conditions.

In November 2004 FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) discussed EITF Issue no. 04-13 “Accounting for Purchases and Sales of Inventory with the Same Counterparty”, in order to consider whether or not “buy/sell” contractual arrangements should be reported net in the Statement of Income and accounted for as non-monetary transactions. There was a further EITF meeting in March 2005 but no consensus was reached on this issue and further discussion is planned.

Buy/sell contractual arrangements in this context are defined as those entered into concurrently or in contemplation of one another with the same counterparty.

Buy/sell contracts are entered into by some Group companies for feedstock, principally crude oil, and finished products mainly in the Oil Products segment, and are reported gross in the Statement of Income. Title of the commodity passes to the buyer on delivery, purchases and sales may not necessarily take place at the same time and amounts are separately invoiced and settled; there is no legal right of offset. The Group considers therefore that these are not non-monetary transactions and are then outside the scope of APB Opinion no. 29 “Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions”. In addition, the guidance provided in EITF no. 99-19 “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent”, EITF no. 02-3 “Issues Involved in Accounting for Derivative Contracts Held for Trading Purposes and Contracts Involved in Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities” and EITF no. 03-11 “Reporting Realized Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments That Are Subject to FASB Statement no. 133 and Not Held for Trading Purposes as Defined in Issue no. 02-3” has been considered in determining the presentation of the results of the Group’s operations. As a result of a communication to the oil and gas industry issued by the US Securities and Exchange Commission in February 2005 requesting additional disclosures regarding buy/sell contracts, the Group reviewed such contracts and has estimated that, if buy/sell contracts were required to be reported net, net proceeds and cost of sales for 2004 would be reduced by approximately $25 billion (this reduction of around 10% would be indicative of the impact for 2003 and 2002) with no impact on net income.

Such arrangements should be distinguished from purchases and sales under exchange contracts to obtain or reposition feedstock for refinery operations and which are, as described above, shown net in the Statement of Income. The obligations of each party are not independent and settlement is based on volumes.

Depreciation, depletion and amortisation

Tangible fixed assets related to oil and natural gas production activities are depreciated on a unit-of-production basis over the proved developed reserves of the field concerned, except in the case of assets whose useful life is shorter than the lifetime of the field, in which case the straight-line method is applied. Rights and concessions are depleted on the unit-of-production basis over the total proved reserves of the relevant area. Unproved properties are amortised as required by particular circumstances. Other tangible fixed assets are generally depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives which is generally 20 years for refineries and chemicals plants, and 15 years for retail service station facilities. Goodwill and other intangible fixed assets with an indefinite life are not amortised but tested for impairment annually. Other intangible fixed assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives (with a maximum of forty years).
 
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Notes to the Financial Statements

Recoverability of assets

Other than properties with no proved reserves (where the basis for carrying costs on the balance sheet is explained under “Exploration costs”), the carrying amounts of major Exploration & Production fixed assets are reviewed for possible impairment annually, while all assets are reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts for those assets may not be recoverable. If assets are determined to be impaired, the carrying amounts of those assets are written down to fair value, usually determined as the amount of estimated discounted future cash flows. For this purpose, assets are grouped based on separately identifiable and largely independent cash flows. Assets held for sale are written down to the amount of estimated net realisable value.

Estimates of future cash flows used in the evaluation for impairment for assets related to hydrocarbon production are made using risk assessments on field and reservoir performance and include outlooks on proved reserves and unproved volumes, which are then discounted or risk-weighted utilising the results from projections of geological, production, recovery and economic factors.

Administrative expenses

Administrative expenses are those which do not relate directly to the activities of a single business segment and include expenses incurred in the management and co-ordination of multi-segment enterprises.

Exploration costs

Group companies follow the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and natural gas exploration costs. Exploration costs are charged to income when incurred, except that exploratory drilling costs are included in tangible fixed assets, pending determination of proved reserves. Exploration wells that are more than 12 months old are expensed unless (a) (i) they are in an area requiring major capital expenditure before production can begin and (ii) they have found commercially producible quantities of reserves and (iii) they are subject to further exploration or appraisal activity in that either drilling of additional exploratory wells is under way or firmly planned for the near future, or (b) proved reserves are booked within 12 months following the completion of exploratory drilling.

Management makes quarterly assessments of the amounts included within tangible fixed assets to determine whether capitalisation is initially appropriate and can continue. Exploration wells capitalised beyond 12 months are subject to additional judgment as to whether the facts and circumstances have changed and therefore whether the conditions described in (a) and (b) no longer apply.

A proposed amendment to FASB Statement no. 19 “Financial Accounting and Reporting by Oil and Gas Producing Companies” has been issued. If enacted, this would result, on a prospective basis, in the continued inclusion of the cost of certain exploratory wells in tangible fixed assets beyond 12 months which do not meet the current requirements given in (a) and (b) above. Under the proposal amounts remain capitalised beyond 12 months if both sufficient reserves have been found to justify completion as a producing well, and sufficient progress is being made towards assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project (which does not include delay for the possibility of a change in circumstances beyond an entity’s control, for example an increase in oil and/or gas prices).

If this amendment had been reflected in the Group accounting policy, there would not have been a significant effect on the Financial Statements presented; certain write-offs may not have been required which would result in subsequent additional depreciation, depletion and amortisation charges in future years.

Research and development

Research and development expenditure is charged to income as incurred, with the exception of that on buildings and major items of equipment which have alternative use.

Deferred taxation

Deferred taxation is provided using the comprehensive liability method of accounting for income taxes based on provisions of enacted laws. Recognition is given to deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognised in the Financial Statements or in the tax returns. In estimating these tax consequences, consideration is given to expected future events. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by a valuation allowance representing the amount of any tax benefits for which there is uncertainty of realisation. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities except where there is a right of set-off within fiscal jurisdictions.

Leasing

Agreements under which Group companies make payments to owners in return for the right to use an asset for a period are accounted for as leases. Leases that transfer substantially all the risks and benefits of ownership are recorded at inception as capital leases within tangible fixed assets and debt. All other leases are recorded as operating leases and the costs are charged to income as incurred.

Interest capitalisation

Interest is capitalised, as an increase in tangible fixed assets, on significant capital projects during construction. Interest is also capitalised, as an increase in investments in associated companies, on funds invested by Group companies which are used by associated companies for significant capital projects during construction.
 
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Notes to the Financial Statements

Securities

Securities of a trading nature are carried at fair value with unrealised holding gains and losses being included in net income. Securities intended to be held to maturity are carried at cost, unless permanently impaired in which case they are carried at fair value. All other securities are classified as available for sale and are carried at fair value, with unrealised holding gains and losses being taken directly to Parent Companies’ interest in Group net assets. Upon sale or maturity, the net gains and losses are included in net income.

Short-term securities with a maturity from acquisition of three months or less and that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash are classified as cash equivalents. Securities forming part of a portfolio which is required to be held long term are classified under fixed assets – investments.

Parent Companies’ shares held by Group companies are not included in the Group’s net assets but reflected as a deduction from Parent Companies’ interest in Group net assets.

Cash flows resulting from movements in securities of a trading nature are reported under cash flow provided by operating activities while cash flows resulting from movements in other securities are reported under cash flow used in investing activities.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at cost to the Group or net realisable value, whichever is lower. Such cost is determined by the FIFO method and comprises direct purchase costs, cost of production, transportation and manufacturing expenses and taxes.

Derivative instruments

Group companies use derivatives in the management of interest rate risk, foreign currency risk and commodity price risk. The carrying amount of all derivatives, other than those meeting the normal purchases and sales exception, is measured using market prices. Those derivatives qualifying and designated as hedges are either: (1) a hedge of the fair value of a recognised asset or liability or of an unrecognised firm commitment (“fair value” hedge), or (2) a hedge of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognised asset or liability or a forecasted transaction (“cash flow” hedge), or (3) a hedge of the foreign currency exposure of an unrecognised firm commitment or an available for sale security (“foreign currency fair value” hedge) or the foreign currency exposure of a foreign currency denominated forecasted transaction (“foreign currency cash flow” hedge).

A change in the carrying amount of a fair value hedge is taken to income, together with the consequential adjustment to the carrying amount of the hedged item. The effective portion of a change in the carrying amount of a cash flow hedge is recorded in other comprehensive income, until income reflects the variability of underlying cash flows; any ineffective portion is taken to income. A change in the carrying amount of a foreign currency hedge is recorded on the basis of whether the hedge is a fair value hedge or a cash flow hedge. A change in the carrying amount of other derivatives is taken to income.

Group companies formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions. The effectiveness of a hedge is also continually assessed. When effectiveness ceases, hedge accounting is discontinued.

Environmental expenditures

Liabilities for environmental remediation resulting from ongoing or past operations or events are recognised in the period in which an obligation, legal or constructive, to a third party arises and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Measurement of liabilities is based on current legal requirements and existing technology. Recognition of any joint and several liability is based upon Group companies’ best estimate of their final pro rata share of the liability. Liabilities are determined independently of expected insurance recoveries. Recoveries are recognised and reported as separate events and brought into account when reasonably certain of realisation. The carrying amount of liabilities is regularly reviewed and adjusted for new facts or changes in law or technology.

Employee retirement plans

Retirement plans to which employees contribute and many non-contributory plans are generally funded by payments to independent trusts. Where, due to local conditions, a plan is not funded, a provision which is not less than the present value of accumulated pension benefits, based on present salary levels, is included in the Financial Statements. Valuations of both funded and unfunded plans are carried out by independent actuaries.

For plans which define the amount of pension benefit to be provided, pension cost primarily represents the increase in actuarial present value of the obligation for pension benefits based on employee service during the year and the interest on this obligation in respect of employee service in previous years, net of the expected return on plan assets.

For plans where benefits depend solely on the amount contributed to the employee’s account and the returns earned on investments of those contributions, pension cost is the amount contributed by Group companies for the period.

Postretirement benefits other than pensions

Some Group companies provide certain postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefits to retirees, the entitlement to which is usually based on the employee remaining in service up to retirement age and the completion of a minimum service period. The expected costs of these benefits are accrued over the periods employees render service to the Group. These plans are not funded. A provision is
 
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Notes to the Financial Statements

included in the Financial Statements which is sufficient to cover the present value of the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation based on current assumptions. Valuations of these obligations are carried out by independent actuaries.

Stock-based compensation plans

Group companies account for stock-based compensation plans in accordance with the intrinsic value method. This method requires no recognition of compensation expense for plans where the exercise price is not at a discount to the market value at the date of the grant, and the number of options is fixed on the date of grant. However, recognition of compensation expense is required for variable award (performance-related) plans over the vesting periods of such plans, based on the then current market values of the underlying stock.

Decommissioning and restoration costs

Estimated decommissioning and restoration costs are based on current requirements, technology and price levels and are stated at fair value, and the associated asset retirement costs are capitalised as part of the carrying amount of the related tangible fixed assets. In respect of oil and natural gas production activities, the fair value calculation of the liability is based on the economic life of the production assets and discounted using the credit-adjusted risk-free rate for the Group. For tangible fixed assets not directly associated with mineral reserves, the liability, once an obligation, whether legal or constructive, crystallises, is recognised in the period when a reasonable estimate of the fair value can be made. The obligation is reflected under provisions in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The effects of changes resulting from revisions to the timing or the amount of the original estimate of the liability are incorporated on a prospective basis.

This policy reflects US accounting standard FAS 143 (Asset Retirement Obligations) which was effective for the Group from the beginning of 2003 and resulted in a credit to income of $255 million after tax, which was reported in 2003 as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions are accounted for using the purchase method. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recognised at their fair value at the date of acquisition; the amount of the purchase consideration above this value is reflected as goodwill.

Discontinued operations

Discontinued operations comprise the activities of Group companies, which therefore do not include associated companies or other investments, which have been disposed of during the year, or remain held for sale at year end, and which are significant for the Group and can be clearly distinguished, operationally and for financial statement purposes from other Group operations. The Group does not retain, in the case of discontinued operations which have been disposed of, and will not retain, following such sale in the case of discontinued operations held for sale, any residual interest in such operations.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.

International Financial Reporting Standards

Under a 2002 EU Regulation, publicly-listed companies in the European Union will be required to prepare consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) from 2005. The 2005 Financial Statements of the Group or, subject to completion of the transaction described in Note 1, of its successor, will be prepared under IFRS and will include comparative data for 2004, together with reconciliations to opening balances as at January 1, 2004 and to 2004 data previously published in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (US GAAP).

4 Discontinued operations

The activities of certain Group companies were disposed of during 2004 or remain as held for sale at December 31, 2004. Those activities reported as discontinued operations in the Statement of Income comprise certain operations in Angola, Bangladesh, Egypt and Thailand in the Exploration & Production segment, as part of the ongoing strategy to divest assets where little growth potential is seen for the Group and where there is little strategic fit in relation to the cost of managing those assets; in the US in Gas & Power which were pipelines no longer viewed as integral to continued optimisation of the Group’s existing developments and production in the Gulf of Mexico; and in the Caribbean, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Thailand, Venezuela and the US in Oil Products in line with the strategy of increasing the Group’s profitability through greater focus on key countries and core assets. All of these were disposed of in 2004 except some operations in the Caribbean, Portugal, Romania and Spain, with a carrying amount as at December 31, 2004 of $0.3 billion, which are expected to be sold in 2005.
 
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Notes to the Financial Statements

Income from discontinued operations comprises:

                         
$ million

2004 2003 2002

Income before taxation from discontinued operations (including gains on disposal of $1,564 million in 2004 and impairments of $88 million in 2003 and $9 million in 2002)     1,980       135       282  
Taxation     332       97       95  
Minority interests     88       13        

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax     1,560       25       187  

Net proceeds of discontinued operations in 2004 (up to the date of disposal, where applicable), excluding proceeds of the disposal of such operations, were $3.5 billion (2003: $3.4 billion; 2002: $3.1 billion).

Income from discontinued operations by segment is given in Note 25(b).

5 Parent Companies’ interest in Group net assets

                           
$ million

2003 2002
2004 As restated As restated

Invested by Parent Companies
    741       741       741  
Retained earnings of Group companies     85,100       74,906       68,254  
Parent Companies’ shares held, net of dividends received (Note 23)     (4,187 )     (3,428 )     (2,797 )
Cumulative currency translation differences     4,356       1,208       (3,894 )
Unrealised gains/(losses) on:                        
 
securities (Note 15)
    350       700       11  
 
cash flow hedges
    (157 )     (188 )     (239 )
Minimum pension liability adjustments     (1,627 )     (1,442 )     (1,800 )

Balance at December 31     84,576       72,497       60,276  

Earnings retained by the subsidiary and associated companies of the Group Holding Companies (namely Shell Petroleum N.V. and The Shell Petroleum Company Limited) and Shell Petroleum Inc. amounted to $34,374 million at December 31, 2004 (2003: $25,210 million; 2002: $18,060 million). A portion of these retained earnings will flow up to the Group Holding Companies without tax cost. The balance of these retained earnings have been, or will be, substantially reinvested by the companies concerned and provision has not been made for taxes on possible future distribution of these undistributed earnings as it is not meaningful to provide for these taxes nor is it practicable to estimate their full amount or the withholding tax element.

6 Other comprehensive income

                         
2004 $ million

Net credit/(charge)

Pre-tax Tax After tax

Currency translation differences arising during the year
    2,925       70       2,995  
Net gains/(losses) realised in net income     153             153  

Currency translation differences net     3,078       70       3,148  

Unrealised gains/(losses) on securities arising during the year     109       (3 )     106  
Net gains/(losses) realised in net income     (464 )     8       (456 )

Unrealised gains/(losses) on securities net     (355 )     5       (350 )

Unrealised gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges arising during
the year
    35       (6 )     29  
Net gains/(losses) realised in net income     2             2  

Unrealised gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges net     37       (6 )     31  

Minimum pension liability adjustments     (289 )     104       (185 )

Other comprehensive income     2,471       173       2,644  

 
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Notes to the Financial Statements
                         
2003 $ million

Net credit/(charge)

Pre-tax Tax After tax

Currency translation differences arising during the year
    5,418       (360 )     5,058  
Net gains/(losses) realised in net income     44             44  

Currency translation differences net     5,462       (360 )     5,102  

Unrealised gains/(losses) on securities arising during the year     746       (16 )     730  
Net gains/(losses) realised in net income     (41 )           (41 )

Unrealised gains/(losses) on securities net     705       (16 )     689  

Unrealised gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges arising during the year     51       (3 )     48  
Net gains/(losses) realised in net income     3             3  

Unrealised gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges net     54       (3 )     51  

Minimum pension liability adjustments     669       (311 )     358  

Other comprehensive income     6,890       (690 )     6,200  

                         
2002 $ million

Net credit/(charge)

Pre-tax Tax After tax

Currency translation differences arising during the year
    2,773       (303 )     2,470  
Net gains/(losses) realised in net income     (38 )           (38 )

Currency translation differences net     2,735       (303 )     2,432  

Unrealised gains/(losses) on securities arising during the year     26       10       36  
Net gains/(losses) realised in net income     (12 )     1       (11 )

Unrealised gains/(losses) on securities net     14       11       25  

Unrealised gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges arising during the year     (209 )     (7 )     (216 )
Net gains/(losses) realised in net income     (9 )           (9 )

Unrealised gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges net     (218 )     (7 )     (225 )

Minimum pension liability adjustments     (2,446 )     971       (1,475 )

Other comprehensive income     85       672       757  

                         
2004 2003

Rates of exchange at December 31 were:
    /$       0.73       0.79  
      £/$       0.52       0.56  

7 Associated companies

(a) Income
Associated companies engage in similar businesses to Group companies and play an important part in the overall operating activities of the Group. Consequently, the Group share of operating profits arising from associated companies is seen as a contribution to the total Group operating profit and is shown as such in the Statement of Income. The Group share of interest income, interest expense, currency exchange gains/ losses and taxation of associated companies has been included within those items in the Statement of Income.

A summarised Statement of Income with respect to the Group share of net income from associated companies, together with a segment analysis, is set out below:

                         
$ million

2003 2002
2004 As restateda As restateda

Net proceeds
    53,544       44,422       33,467  
Cost of sales
    43,694       37,084       26,744  

Gross profit
    9,850       7,338       6,723  
Other operating expenses
    4,197       3,892       3,931  

Operating profit
    5,653       3,446       2,792  
Interest and other income
    173       228       102  
Interest expense
    580       540       451  
Currency exchange gains/(losses)
    20       (3 )     (15 )

Income before taxation
    5,266       3,131       2,428  
Taxation
    2,065       1,463       990  

Income from continuing operations
    3,201       1,668       1,438  
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    13       13       16  

Net income
    3,214       1,681       1,454  

a See Note 2.
 
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Notes to the Financial Statements
                         
Income by segment $ million

2003 2002
2004 As restated As restated

Exploration & Production
    1,145       800       541  
Gas & Power
    1,142       650       589  
Oil Products
    1,253       632       448  
Chemicals
    (7 )     (169 )     153  
Corporate and Other
    (319 )     (232 )     (277 )

      3,214       1,681       1,454  

(b) Investments

                                 
$ million

2004 2003

As restated
Shares Loans Total Total

At January 1
    16,800       2,571       19,371       17,945  
New investments
    681       377       1,058       983  
Net asset transfers to/(from) associates, disposals and other movements     (649 )     (284 )     (933 )     (173 )
Net income
    3,214             3,214       1,681  
Dividends
    (3,472 )           (3,472 )     (2,192 )
Currency translation differences
    455       50       505       1,127  

At December 31
    17,029       2,714       19,743       19,371  

Net income for 2004 includes a $565 million write-down in the carrying amount of Basell (Chemicals). This impairment followed the announcement in 2004 of a review of strategic alternatives regarding this joint venture, and the carrying amount of the Group’s investment in Basell at December 31, 2004 is at expected net realisable value.

Net income for 2003 includes a $286 million write-down in the carrying amount of Basell (Chemicals) reflecting a reassessment of the outlook for the business, a $200 million write-down in the carrying amount of InterGen (Gas & Power) due to poor power market conditions, mainly in the US merchant power segment, and a $115 million write-down in the carrying amount of the Cuiaba power assets in South America (Gas & Power) in light of a reappraisal of the commercial outlook.

A summarised Statement of Assets and Liabilities with respect to the Group share of investments in associated companies is set out below:

                 
$ million

2003
2004 As restated

Fixed assets
    28,665       30,892  
Current assets
    10,427       8,248  

Total assets
    39,092       39,140  
Current liabilities
    7,559       8,745  
Long-term liabilities
    11,790       11,024  

Net assets
    19,743       19,371  

An analysis by segment is shown in Note 25.

The Group’s major investments in associated companies at December 31, 2004 comprised:

                   
Segment
 Name Group interest Country of incorporation

Exploration & Production
               
 
Aera
    52%       USA  
 
Brunei Shell
    50%       Brunei  
 
Woodside
    34%       Australia  

Gas & Power
               
 
InterGen
    68%       The Netherlands  
 
Nigeria LNG
    26%       Nigeria  
 
Oman LNG
    30%       Oman  

Oil Products
               
 
Motiva
    50%       USA  
 
Showa Shell
    40%       Japan  

Chemicals
               
 
Basell
    50%       The Netherlands  
 
Saudi Petrochemical
    50%       Saudi Arabia  
 
Infinium
    50%       The Netherlands  

Although the Group has a 52% investment in Aera and a 68% investment in InterGen, the governing agreements and constitutive documents for these entities do not allow the Group to control these entities, as voting control is either split 50:50 between the

 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 15


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Notes to the Financial Statements

shareholders or requires unanimous approval of the shareholders or their representatives and, therefore, these entities have not been consolidated.

(c) Transactions between Group companies and associated companies

Transactions between Group and associated companies mainly comprise sales and purchases of goods and services in the ordinary course of business and in total amounted to:
                         
$ million

2004 2003 2002

Charges to associated companies
    14,018       18,155       10,573  
Charges from associated companies
    12,373       8,608       5,623  

Balances outstanding at December 31, 2004 and 2003 in respect of the above transactions are shown in Notes 14 and 18.

8 Interest and other income

                           
$ million

2003 2002
2004 as reclassifieda as reclassifieda

Group companies
                       
 
Interest income
    432       325       487  
 
Other income
    1,100       1,414       159  

      1,532       1,739       646  
Associated companies
    173       228       102  

      1,705       1,967       748  

a See Note 2.

Other income in 2004 includes gains from the disposal of the Group’s interest in Sinopec ($0.3 billion), and Fluxys and Distrigas ($0.5 billion). Other income in 2003 included a $1.3 billion gain from the disposal of the Group’s interest in Ruhrgas.

9 Interest expense

                           
$ million

2003 2002
2004 as reclassifieda as reclassifieda

Group companies
                       
 
Interest incurred
    840       828       883  
 
less interest capitalised
    206       44       43  

      634       784       840  
Associated companies
    580       540       451  

      1,214       1,324       1,291  

a See Note 2.

10 Taxation

(a) Taxation charge for the year
                           
$ million

2003 2002
2004 As restateda As restateda

Group companies
                       
 
Current tax charge
    13,584       8,197       6,650  
 
Deferred tax charge/(credit)
    (513 )     (311 )     7  

      13,071       7,886       6,657  
Associated companies
    2,065       1,463       990  

      15,136       9,349       7,647  

a See Note 2.

Reconciliations of the expected tax charge of Group companies to the actual tax charge are as follows:

                         
$ million

2003 2002
2004 As restated As restated

Expected tax charge at statutory rates
    13,717       8,910       6,504  
Adjustments in respect of prior years
    (52 )     166       (252 )
Other reconciling items
    (594 )     (1,190 )     405  

Taxation charge of Group companies
    13,071       7,886       6,657  

 
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Table of Contents

Notes to the Financial Statements

The taxation charge of Group companies includes not only income taxes of general application but also income taxes at special rates levied on income from Exploration & Production activities and various additional income and other taxes to which these activities are subject.

Tax adjustments in respect of prior years relate to events in the current period and reflect the effects of changes in rules, facts or other factors compared to those used in establishing the tax position or deferred tax balance.

Other reconciling items in 2004 mainly comprises the effects of disposals during the year that were taxed below the statutory rate.

Other reconciling items in 2003 include the effects of disposals during the year that were taxed below the statutory rate (including $534 million from the disposal of the Group’s interest in Ruhrgas), in addition to $442 million relating to the effects on deferred tax accounts of legislative changes to certain ring-fencing arrangements.

Other reconciling items in 2002 include $415 million due to the increase in the UK upstream corporate tax rate during the year.

(b) Taxes payable

                 
$ million

2004 2003

Taxes on activities of Group companies
    5,606       2,148  
Sales taxes, excise duties and similar levies and social law taxes
    4,279       3,779  

      9,885       5,927  

(c) Provision for deferred taxation

The provision for deferred taxation comprises the following tax effects of temporary differences:
                   
$ million

2003
2004 As restated

Tangible and intangible fixed assets
    17,738       17,365  
Pensions and similar obligations
    2,653       2,118  
Other items
    2,568       2,649  

Total deferred tax liabilities
    22,959       22,132  

Tax losses carried forward
    (4,214 )     (3,876 )
Foreign tax creditsa
    (2,042 )     (1,633 )
US trademarkb
    (247 )     (309 )
Provisions
               
 
Pensions and similar obligations
    (1,228 )     (1,329 )
 
Decommissioning and restoration costs
    (2,191 )     (1,934 )
 
Environmental and other provisions
    (455 )     (334 )
Tangible and intangible fixed assets
    (461 )     (153 )
Other items
    (3,266 )     (3,268 )

Total deferred tax assets
    (14,104 )     (12,836 )
Asset valuation allowance
    3,994       3,797  

Deferred tax assets net of valuation allowance
    (10,110 )     (9,039 )

Net deferred tax liability
    12,849       13,093  

Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as:
               
 
Deferred tax assets
    1,995       2,092  
 
Deferred tax liabilities
    14,844       15,185  

a Foreign tax credits represent surplus credits arising in holding and sub-holding Group companies on income from other jurisdictions. A valuation allowance has been recorded against the substantial part of these balances in both 2004 and 2003.
 
b Deferred tax asset created upon transfer of US trademark rights from a US wholly-owned Group company to a Netherlands wholly-owned Group company.

The Group has tax losses carried forward amounting to $12,705 million at December 31, 2004. Of these, $10,470 million can be carried forward indefinitely. The remaining $2,235 million expires in the following years:

         
$ million

2005
    702  
2006
    239  
2007
    452  
2008
    70  
2009 – 2013
    404  
2014 – 2019
    368  

 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 17


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11 Tangible and intangible fixed assets

                                                 
$ million

2004
2003

Total
Other Total Total Group
Tangible Goodwill intangibles intangibles Group As restated

Cost
                                               
At January 1
    181,685       4,011       2,998       7,009       188,694       163,957  
Capital expenditure
    12,440       3       291       294       12,734       12,252  
Sales, retirements and other movementsa
    (9,345 )     (44 )     102       58       (9,287 )     (1,770 )
Currency translation differences
    8,382       62       81       143       8,525       14,255  

At December 31
    193,162       4,032       3,472       7,504       200,666       188,694  

Depreciation
                                               
At January 1
    94,597       1,336       938       2,274       96,871       80,898  
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation charge
    11,945             328       328       12,273       11,711  
Sales, retirements and other movements
    (7,310 )     (37 )     (38 )     (75 )     (7,385 )     (3,711 )
Currency translation differences
    4,990       42       45       87       5,077       7,973  

At December 31
    104,222       1,341       1,273       2,614       106,836       96,871  

Net 2004
    88,940       2,691       2,199       4,890       93,830          

Net 2003 (as restated)
    87,088       2,675       2,060       4,735               91,823  

a Sales, retirements and other movements in 2003 include the effect of a change in accounting policy for certain long-term agreements (see Note 3).
 
b Tangible fixed assets at December 31, 2004 include rights and concessions of $11.1 billion (2003: $12.0 billion).

Other intangible fixed assets at December 31, 2004 include $0.8 billion (2003: $0.8 billion) in respect of Pennzoil-Quaker State trademarks acquired in 2002. The trademarks are being amortised over an estimated useful life of forty years. Continued brand maintenance in addition to the established long-term leadership of these brands in automotive lubricants and vehicle care markets support this estimate.

Tangible fixed assets at year end, capital expenditure, together with new investments in associated companies, and the depreciation, depletion and amortisation charges are shown in Note 25, classified, consistent with oil and natural gas industry practice, according to operating activities. Such a classification, rather than one according to type of asset, is given in order to permit a better comparison with other companies having similar activities.

The net balances at December 31 include:

                   
$ million

2004 2003

Capitalised costs in respect of assets not yet used in operations
               
  Unproved properties     2,844       4,576  
  Proved properties under development and other assets in the course of construction     13,491       12,680  

      16,335       17,256  

Unproved properties include capitalised exploratory well costs, for which the amounts at December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, and movements during 2004, 2003 and 2002 are given in the following table.

                         
$ million

2004 2003 2002

At January 1
    771       720       515  
Additions pending determination of proved reserves
    566       501       568  
Amounts charged to expense
    (432 )     (449 )     (393 )
Reclassifications to productive wells on determination of proved reserves     (94 )     (56 )     (24 )
Other movements, including acquisitions, disposals and currency translation effects     (22 )     55       54  

At December 31
    789       771       720  

There are no amounts remaining capitalised (a) in areas requiring major capital expenditure before production can begin, where neither drilling of additional exploratory wells is underway nor firmly planned for the near future, or (b) beyond 12 months in areas not requiring major capital expenditure before production can begin.

 
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Notes to the Financial Statements

Depreciation, depletion and amortisation charges for the year are included within the following headings in the Statement of Income:

                           
$ million

2003 2002
2004 As restateda As restateda

Cost of sales
    9,876       9,702       7,312  
Selling and distribution expenses
    1,438       1,229       1,041  
Administrative expenses
    121       121       62  
Exploration
    684       411       80  
Research and development
    33       28       33  

Depreciation, depletion and amortisation:
                       
 
from continuing operations
    12,152       11,491       8,528  
 
from discontinued operations
    121       220       211  

      12,273       11,711       8,739  

a See Note 2.

Depreciation, depletion and amortisation charges for 2004 include $617 million (2003: $1,249 million; 2002: $191 million) relating to the impairment of tangible fixed assets, and $5 million (2003: $127 million; 2002: $6 million) relating to the impairment of intangible fixed assets. Such charges are recorded within cost of sales. The impairment charges relate to assets held for use (2004: $229 million; 2003: $1,169 million; 2002: $105 million) and to assets held for sale (2004: $393 million; 2003: $207 million; 2002: $92 million).

For 2004, the majority of the impairment charges were in Oil Products ($579 million) and were related to the deterioration in the local operating environment for certain refinery assets and writing down to expected proceeds of marketing assets held for sale.

For 2003, the impairments were incurred in Exploration & Production ($698 million, mainly due to lower production outlooks in the UK and South America), in Oil Products ($331 million, mainly due to the announced closure of the Bakersfield refinery and the impact of local economic conditions in Latin America), in Chemicals ($220 million, mainly in CS Metals, as anticipated benefits from a prototype technology did not meet performance expectations) and in Renewables ($127 million for Shell Solar following an extensive review to assess the value of the business).

For 2002, the majority of the impairment charges (in total $197 million) were in Oil Products, reflecting plans in the USA to close surplus base oil production facilities, the closure of the Pililla base oil and bitumen refinery in the Philippines and a change in outlook for liquefied petroleum gas assets in Argentina coupled with the country’s economic downturn.

Depreciation, depletion and amortisation charges for 2004 also included $570 million relating to the write-off of various exploration properties mainly in Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom, where new information during the year from exploratory work confirmed lower than expected volume projections (2003: $366 million, mainly in Brazil and Ireland).

12 Other long-term assets

Reflecting their non-current nature, deferred charges and prepayments due after one year and other non-current assets are presented separately as part of “Other long-term assets”. At December 31, 2004 these include $3,221 million (2003: $1,989 million) of deferred charges and prepayments (including amounts in respect of risk management activities).

13 Inventories

                 
$ million

2004 2003

Inventories of oil and chemicals
    14,488       11,742  
Inventories of materials
    903       948  

      15,391       12,690  

14 Accounts receivable

                 
$ million

2004 2003

Trade receivables
    23,626       17,523  
Amounts owed by associated companies
    2,619       2,094  
Other receivables
    3,996       3,602  
Deferred charges and prepayments
    7,757       5,750  

      37,998       28,969  

Provisions for doubtful items deducted from accounts receivable amounted to $564 million at December 31, 2004 (2003: $557 million). Deferred charges and prepayments include amounts in respect of risk management activities.

 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 19


Table of Contents

Notes to the Financial Statements

15 Securities

Investments – securities mainly comprises a portfolio of equity and debt securities required to be held long term by the Group insurance companies as security for their insurance activities, for which the fair value of $1,408 million at December 31, 2004 includes an unrealised gain of $346 million.

$125 million (2003: $125 million) of these securities are debt securities classified as held-to-maturity, with maturity falling between one and five years. The remainder are classified as available for sale, of which $688 million at December 31, 2004 (2003: $638 million) are debt securities. Of the available for sale securities, the maturities of $21 million fall within one year, $411 million fall between one year and five years, and $256 million exceed five years.

The carrying amount of securities classified as cash equivalent is $1,477 million at December 31, 2004 (2003: $107 million), all of which are debt securities classified as available for sale.

Total securities at December 31, 2004 amounting to $814 million (2003: $1,557 million) are listed on recognised stock exchanges.

During 2004 a Group company disposed of an equity investment, resulting in the reclassification of an unrealised gain of $348 million from Other comprehensive income to Net income.

16 Debt

(a) Short-term debt
                 
$ million

2004 2003

Debentures and other loans
    4,661       8,181  
Amounts due to banks and other credit institutions (including long-term debt due within one year)     1,108       2,737  

      5,769       10,918  
Capitalised lease obligations
    53       109  

Short-term debt
    5,822       11,027  
less long-term debt due within one year
    1,291       1,874  

Short-term debt excluding long-term debt due within one year
    4,531       9,153  

Short-term debt at December 31, 2003 included $1.3 billion of non-recourse debt owed by a Group company, for which a covenant had been breached in 2001. During 2004, this company was disposed of and this debt was relieved in its entirety.

Short-term debenture balances fell during the year as a consequence of the Group’s reduced need for commercial paper financing.

The following relates only to short-term debt excluding long-term debt due within one year:

                   
$ million

2004 2003

Maximum amount outstanding at the end of any quarter
    6,688       9,159  
Average amount outstanding
    6,507       8,554  
Amounts due to banks and other credit institutions
    812       2,657  
Unused lines of short-term credit
    4,023       3,916  
Approximate average interest rate on:
               
 
average amount outstanding
    3%       3%  
 
amount outstanding at December 31
    3%       2%  

The amount outstanding at December 31, 2004 includes $3,315 million of fixed rate and $252 million of variable rate US dollar debt at an average interest rate of 2% and 9% respectively.

(b) Long-term debt

                 
$ million

2004 2003

Debentures and other loans
    4,204       4,868  
Amounts due to banks and other credit institutions
    3,744       3,724  

      7,948       8,592  
Capitalised lease obligations
    652       508  

Long-term debt
    8,600       9,100  
add long-term debt due within one year
    1,291       1,874  

Long-term debt including long-term debt due within one year
    9,891       10,974  

The following relates to long-term debt including the short-term part but excluding capitalised lease obligations.

 
G 20 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


Table of Contents

Notes to the Financial Statements

The amount at December 31, 2004 of $9,186 million (2003: $10,357 million) comprises:

                   
Average
$ million interest rate

US Dollar denominated debt
               
 
Fixed rate
    4,925       6%  
 
Variable rate
    697       4%  
Non-dollar denominated debt
               
 
Fixed rate
    3,101       4%  
 
Variable rate
    463       5%  

      9,186          

The approximate weighted average interest rate in 2004 was 5% for both US dollar debt and total debt.

The aggregate maturities of long-term debts are:

         
$ million

2005
    1,238  
2006
    1,884  
2007
    2,474  
2008
    530  
2009
    117  
2010 and after
    2,943  

      9,186  

During 2004, the Medium Term Note and Commercial Paper Facilities have been increased to a total level of $30.0 billion. As at December 31, 2004, debt outstanding under central borrowing programmes, which includes these facilities, totalled $8.3 billion with the remaining indebtedness raised by Group companies with no recourse beyond the immediate borrower and/or the local assets.

In accordance with the risk management policy, Group companies have entered into interest rate swap agreements against most of the fixed rate debt. The use of interest rate swaps is further discussed in Note 29.

17 Commitments

(a) Leasing arrangements
The future minimum lease payments under operating leases and capital leases and the present value of net minimum capital lease payments at December 31, 2004 are as follows:
                 
$ million

Operating Capital
leases leases

2005
    1,744       105  
2006
    1,203       73  
2007
    958       67  
2008
    781       61  
2009
    709       58  
2010 and after
    4,460       852  

Total minimum payments
    9,855       1,216  

less executory costs and interest
            511  

Present value of net minimum capital lease payments
            705  

The figures above for operating lease payments represent minimum commitments existing at December 31, 2004 and are not a forecast of future total rental expense.

Total rental expense for all operating leases was as follows:

                         
$ million

2004 2003 2002

Minimum rentals
    2,140       2,135       1,557  
Contingent rentals
    75       60       104  
Sub-lease rentals
    (198 )     (198 )     (300 )

      2,017       1,997       1,361  

 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 21


Table of Contents

Notes to the Financial Statements

(b) Long-term purchase obligations

Group companies have unconditional long-term purchase obligations associated with financing arrangements. The aggregate amount of payments required under such obligations at December 31, 2004 is as follows:
         
$ million

2005
    461  
2006
    420  
2007
    413  
2008
    385  
2009
    380  
2010 and after
    3,437  

      5,496  

The agreements under which these unconditional purchase obligations arise relate mainly to the purchase of chemicals feedstock, utilities and to the use of pipelines.

Payments under these agreements, which include additional sums depending upon actual quantities of supplies, amounted to $542 million in 2004 (2003: $252 million).

18 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

                 
$ million

2004 2003

Trade payables
    18,716       14,110  
Amounts due to associated companies
    1,927       1,829  
Pensions and similar obligations
    286       261  
Other payables
    11,620       8,832  
Accruals and deferred income
    7,658       7,315  

      40,207       32,347  

Other payables include amounts in respect of risk management activities.

19 Long-term liabilities – Other

                 
$ million

2004 2003

Risk management activities
    1,801       439  
Deferred income
    1,501       1,354  
Environmental liabilities
    664       676  
Deposits for return items
    603       566  
Liabilities under staff benefit plans
    541       315  
Advance payments received under long-term supply contracts
    354       315  
Redundancy liabilities
    127       165  
Other
    2,474       2,224  

      8,065       6,054  

These amounts include $1,222 million at December 31, 2004 (2003: $1,305 million) which does not fall due until more than five years after the respective balance sheet dates.

20 Statement of cash flows

This statement reflects the cash flows arising from the activities of Group companies as measured in their own currencies, translated to US dollars at quarterly average rates of exchange.

Accordingly, the cash flows recorded in the Statement of Cash Flows exclude both the currency translation differences which arise as a result of translating the assets and liabilities of non-US dollar Group companies to US dollars at year-end rates of exchange (except for those arising on cash and cash equivalents) and non-cash investing and financing activities. These currency translation differences and non-cash investing and financing activities must therefore be added to the cash flow movements at average rates in order to arrive at the movements derived from the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 
G 22 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


Table of Contents

Notes to the Financial Statements
                                 
2004 $ million

Movements
Movements Movements derived from
derived from arising from Statement of
Statement of currency Non-cash Assets and
Cash Flows translation movements Liabilities

Tangible and intangible fixed assets
    (2,627 )     3,448       1,186       2,007  
Investments
    (599 )     122       194       (283 )
Other long-term assets
    2,459       598       236       3,293  
Inventories
    2,731       691       (721 )     2,701  
Accounts receivable
    8,462       1,327       (760 )     9,029  
Cash and cash equivalents
    6,394       113             6,507  
Short-term debt
    3,701       (414 )     1,335       4,622  
Short-term part of long-term debt
    672       (89 )           583  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (7,708 )     (784 )     632       (7,860 )
Taxes payable
    (2,999 )     (577 )     (382 )     (3,958 )
Long-term debt
    817       (357 )     40       500  
Other long-term liabilities
    (1,442 )     (247 )     (322 )     (2,011 )
Deferred taxation
    672       (673 )     342       341  
Other provisions
    (148 )     (471 )     (1,252 )     (1,871 )
Minority interests
    (1,257 )     (109 )     (528 )     (1,894 )
Other items
    (193 )     193              
Dividends to Parent Companies in excess of retained earnings movements
    501       (128 )           373  
Adjustment for Parent Companies’ shares and Other comprehensive income excluding currency translation differences
    758       505              
               
       
                               
   
         
       
Movement in retained earnings of Group companies (Note 5)
    10,194                          
   
   
             
Movement in cumulative currency translation differences (Note 6)
            3,148                  
         
         
 
Movement in net assets (Note 5)
                            12,079  
                     
 

Income taxes paid by Group companies totalled $11.6 billion in 2004 (2003: $8.6 billion; 2002: $6.7 billion). Interest paid by Group companies was $0.9 billion in 2004 (2003: $0.9 billion; 2002: $1.0 billion).

The main non-cash movements relate to the impact on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities of divestments, particularly of the Group’s interest in Rayong Refinery which held $1.3 billion of short-term debt. There was also a review of the estimated provision for decommissioning and restoration costs during 2004 based on current experience and techniques which resulted in an increase of approximately $1.1 billion in both the provision and the corresponding tangible fixed assets.

21 Employee retirement plans and other postretirement benefits

Retirement plans are provided for permanent employees of all major Group companies. The nature of such plans varies according to the legal and fiscal requirements and economic conditions of the country in which the employees are engaged. Generally, the plans provide defined benefits based on employees’ years of service and average final remuneration. The principal plans in the Group use a December 31 measurement date.

Some Group companies have established unfunded defined benefit plans to provide certain postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefits to their retirees, the entitlement to which is usually based on the employee remaining in service up to retirement age and the completion of a minimum service period.

The Group has accounted for the impact of the United States Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization (“Medicare”) Act of 2003, with effect from January 1, 2004. The impact was a $300 million reduction in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at January 1, 2004 and a $52 million reduction in postretirement benefit cost for 2004. There was no reduction to accumulated postretirement benefit obligations of $159 million at January 1, 2004, for certain separately administered retiree benefit plans which must be analysed under final government regulations. The first subsidies arising from the Medicare Act are expected to be received in 2006.

 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 23


Table of Contents

Notes to the Financial Statements
                                                                   
$ million

Other benefits

Pension benefits 2004 2003



2004 2003 USA Other Total USA Other Total

Change in benefit obligation
                                                               
Obligations for benefits based on employee service to date at January 1     46,476       39,109       2,520       512       3,032       2,068       377       2,445  
Increase in present value of the obligation for benefits based on employee service during the year     1,086       991       35       16       51       37       15       52  
Interest on the obligation for benefits in respect of employee service in previous years     2,529       2,333       139       28       167       141       24       165  
Benefit payments made
    (2,350 )     (2,034 )     (119 )     (28 )     (147 )     (95 )     (25 )     (120 )
Currency translation effects
    3,461       5,333             40       40             78       78  
Other componentsa
    3,620       744       (66 )     43       (23 )     369       43       412  

Obligations for benefits based on employee service to date at December 31     54,822       46,476       2,509       611       3,120       2,520       512       3,032  

Change in plan assets                                                                
Plan assets held in trust at fair value at January 1     43,960       33,035                                                  
Actual return on plan assets
    5,262       6,598                                                  
Employer contributions
    1,562       1,275                                                  
Plan participants’ contributions
    56       40                                                  
Benefit payments made
    (2,350 )     (2,034 )                                                
Currency translation effects
    3,367       4,911                                                  
Other componentsa
    17       135                                                  

Plan assets held in trust at fair value at December 31     51,874       43,960                                                  

Plan assets in excess of/(less than) the present value of obligations for benefits at December 31     (2,948 )     (2,516 )     (2,509 )     (611 )     (3,120 )     (2,520 )     (512 )     (3,032 )
Unrecognised net (gains)/losses remaining from the adoption of current method of determining pension costs     3       5                                                  
Unrecognised net (gains)/losses since adoption
    9,888       7,295       727       186       913       876       149       1,025  
Unrecognised prior service cost/(credit)
    1,185       1,258       (34 )     2       (32 )     (82 )           (82 )

Net amount recognised
    8,128       6,042       (1,816 )     (423 )     (2,239 )     (1,726 )     (363 )     (2,089 )

Amounts recognised in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:                                                                
Intangible assets
    353       326                                                  
Prepaid benefit costs
    8,278       6,516                                                  
Accrued benefit liabilities:
                                                               
 
Short-term
    (213 )     (182 )     (40 )     (33 )     (73 )     (51 )     (28 )     (79 )
 
Long-term
    (2,878 )     (2,917 )     (1,776 )     (390 )     (2,166 )     (1,675 )     (335 )     (2,010 )

      5,540       3,743       (1,816 )     (423 )     (2,239 )     (1,726 )     (363 )     (2,089 )
Amount recognised in Parent Companies’ interest in Group net assets:                                                                
Accumulated other comprehensive income     2,588       2,299                                                  

Net amount recognised
    8,128       6,042       (1,816 )     (423 )     (2,239 )     (1,726 )     (363 )     (2,089 )

a Other components comprise mainly the effect of changes in actuarial assumptions, most notably the discount rate and in 2004 the impact of accounting for the US Medicare Act on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at January 1.

Additional information on pension benefits

                   
$ million

2004 2003

Obligation for pension benefits in respect of unfunded plans
    2,032       2,155  
Accumulated benefit obligation
    48,654       41,865  
For employee retirement plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, the respective amounts are:
               
 
Projected benefit obligation
    36,246       30,291  
 
Plan assets
    33,646       28,176  
For employee retirement plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, the respective amounts are:                
 
Accumulated benefit obligation
    11,844       10,452  
 
Plan assets
    10,734       9,356  

 
G 24 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


Table of Contents

Notes to the Financial Statements

Employer contributions to defined benefit pension plans during 2005 are estimated to be $1.4 billion. The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

                                 
$ million

Other benefits
Pension
benefits USA Other Total

2005
    2,584       132       32       164  
2006
    2,664       135       33       168  
2007
    2,738       147       33       180  
2008
    2,829       157       34       191  
2009
    2,908       165       35       200  
2010–2014
    15,759       905       178       1,083  

Benefit costs for the year comprise:

                                                                                                 
$ million

Other benefits

Pension benefits 2004 2003 2002




2004 2003 2002 USA Other Total USA Other Total USA Other Total

Service cost
    1,086       991       899       35       16       51       37       15       52       32       7       39  
Interest cost
    2,529       2,333       2,001       139       28       167       141       24       165       111       21       132  
Expected return on plan assets
    (3,894 )     (3,547 )     (3,339 )                                                                        
Other components
    317       303       (100 )     41       8       49       66       4       70       76       7       83  

Cost of defined benefit plans
    38       80       (539 )     215       52       267       244       43       287       219       35       254  
Payments to defined contribution plans
    221       171       84                                                                          

      259       251       (455 )     215       52       267       244       43       287       219       35       254  

Discount rates, projected rates of remuneration growth and expected rates of return on plan assets vary for the different plans as they are determined in the light of local conditions. Expected rates of return on plan assets are calculated using a common assumption-setting process based on a projection of real long-term bond yields and an equity risk premium which are combined with local inflation assumptions and applied to each plan’s actual asset mix. The weighted averages applicable for the principal plans in the Group are:

                                                                         

Other benefits

Pension benefits 2004 2003 2002




2004 2003 2002 USA Other USA Other USA Other

Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31                                                                        
Discount rate
    5.1%       5.6%       5.9%       5.8%       5.0%       6.0%       5.6%       6.5%       5.6%  
Projected rate of remuneration growth
    3.8%       3.9%       4.0%                                                  

Assumptions used to determine benefit costs for year ended December 31                                                                        
Discount rate
    5.6%       5.9%       6.0%       6.0%       5.6%       6.5%       5.6%       7.0%       6.0%  
Expected rate of return on plan assets
    7.6%       7.9%       8.0%                                                  
Projected rate of remuneration growth
    3.9%       4.0%       4.0%                                                  

Healthcare cost trend rates
                                                                       
Healthcare cost trend rate in year after reporting year
                            10.0%       3.7%       10.0%       3.9%       7.8%       4.6%  
Ultimate healthcare cost trend rate
                            5.0%       2.9%       5.0%       2.9%       5.0%       2.9%  
Year ultimate healthcare cost trend rate is applicable
                            2012       2007       2011       2006       2010       2004  

The effect of a one percentage point increase/(decrease) in the annual rate of increase in the assumed healthcare cost trend rates would be to increase/(decrease) annual postretirement benefit cost by approximately $35 million/($25 million) and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation by approximately $456 million/($374 million).

Weighted-average plan asset allocations by asset category and the target allocation for December 31, 2004 for the principal pension plans in the Group are:

                         

Target Percentage of plan
allocation assets at December 31


2004 2004 2003

Equity securities
    72%       73%       73%  
Debt securities
    23%       21%       22%  
Real estate
    2%       2%       2%  
Other
    3%       4%       3%  

Total
    100%       100%       100%  

 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 25


Table of Contents

Notes to the Financial Statements

Plan long-term investment strategies are generally determined by the responsible Pension Fund Trustees using a structured asset-liability modelling approach to determine the asset mix which best meets the objectives of optimising investment return and maintaining adequate funding levels.

22 Employee emoluments and numbers

(a) Emoluments
                         
$ million

2004 2003 2002

Remuneration
    8,125       7,477       6,096  
Social law taxes
    695       660       518  
Pensions and similar obligations (Note 21)
    526       538       (201 )

      9,346       8,675       6,413  

(b) Average numbers

                         
thousands

2004 2003 2002

Exploration & Production
    17       17       17  
Gas & Power
    2       2       2  
Oil Products
    78       82       75  
Chemicals
    8       9       9  
Corporate and Other
    9       9       8  

      114       119       111  

(c) Year-end numbers

                         
thousands

2004 2003 2002

Exploration & Production
    17       17       17  
Gas & Power
    2       2       2  
Oil Products
    76       82       80  
Chemicals
    8       9       9  
Corporate and Other
    9       9       8  

      112       119       116  

In addition to remuneration above, there were charges for redundancy of $526 million in 2004 (2003: $291 million; 2002: $215 million).

The charges relate to 4,000 employees in 2004 (mainly in the Oil Products segment, primarily due to portfolio restructuring, and in the Corporate and Other segment due to restructuring in information and technology), 2,000 employees in 2003 (mainly in the Exploration & Production and Oil Products segments) and 2,600 employees in 2002 (mainly in the Exploration & Production and Oil Products segments). The liabilities for redundancies at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and movements during 2004 and 2003 are given in the following table.

                 
$ million

2004 2003

At January 1
    494       395  
Charges
    526       291  
Payments
    (394 )     (245 )
Other movements and currency translation effects
    (29 )     53  

At December 31
    597       494  

23 Stock-based compensation plans and Parent Companies’ shares held by Group companies

Stock-based compensation plans
Certain Group companies have in place various stock-based plans for senior staff and other employees of those and other Group companies. Details of the principal plans are given below.

The Group Stock Option Plans offer eligible employees options over Royal Dutch ordinary shares (Royal Dutch shares) or Shell Transport Ordinary shares (Shell Transport shares) at a price not less than the fair market value of the shares at the date the options were granted. The options are exercisable three years from grant, except for those granted under the US plans, which vest a third per year for three years. The options lapse ten years after grant, however leaving Group employment may cause options to lapse earlier. For Group Managing Directors and the most senior executives, 100% of the options granted in 2003 (and in subsequent years) are subject to performance conditions.

 
G 26 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


Table of Contents

Notes to the Financial Statements

Under the Restricted Stock Plan, grants are made on a highly selective basis to senior staff. A maximum of 250,000 Royal Dutch shares (or equivalent value in Shell Transport shares) can be granted under the plan in any year. Shares are granted subject to a three-year restriction period and the number of shares awarded is based on the share price at the start of the restricted period. The shares, together with additional shares equivalent to the value of the dividends payable over the restriction period, are released to the individual at the end of the three-year period.

The following table shows for 2003 and 2004, in respect of option plans, the number of shares under option at the beginning of the year, the number of options granted, exercised and expired during the year and the number of shares under option at the end of the year, together with their weighted average exercise price translated at the respective year-end exchange rates:

                                                 
Royal Dutch shares Shell Transport shares Shell Canada common sharesa

Weighted Weighted Weighted
average average average
exercise exercise exercise
Number price Number price Number price
(thousands) ($) (thousands) ($) (thousands) ($)

Under option at January 1, 2003
    33,381       59.86       101,447       8.26       4,777       21.71  
Granted
    15,643       45.13       41,893       6.74       1,674       35.65  
Exercised
                (192 )     6.47       (505 )     22.88  
Expired
    (1,003 )     64.03       (2,813 )     8.92       (73 )     26.03  

Under option at December 31, 2003b
    48,021       60.09       140,335       8.44       5,873       29.43  

Granted
    14,816       52.42       42,998       7.47       1,697       45.99  
Exercised
    (495 )     47.20       (1,341 )     7.10       (1,175 )     22.73  
Expired
    (1,644 )     68.14       (6,033 )     9.69       (285 )     25.85  

Under option at December 31, 2004b
    60,698       60.56       175,959       8.73       6,110       37.17  

a Unissued.
 
b The underlying weighted average exercise prices for Royal Dutch and Shell Transport shares under option at December 31, 2004 were 44.42 (2003: 47.64) and £4.53 (2003: £4.73) respectively.

The following tables provide further information about the options outstanding at December 31, 2004:

                                         
Royal Dutch shares

Options outstanding Options exercisable

Weighted
average Weighted Weighted
remaining average average
contractual exercise exercise
Number life price Number price
Range of exercise prices (thousands) (years) ($) (thousands) ($)

$40 to $45
    6,541       8.2       42.25       2,027       42.24  
$45 to $50
    7,096       9.1       48.65       223       45.71  
$50 to $55
    19,118       7.4       52.72       6,241       53.49  
$55 to $60
    8,354       7.6       56.30       2,353       56.21  
$60 to $65
    3,759       6.2       60.77       3,759       60.77  
$65 to $70
    773       2.3       66.70       773       66.70  
$75 to $80
    149       6.8       76.94       149       76.94  
$80 to $85
    9,503       6.3       82.92       1,959       81.34  
$85 to $90
    2,124       5.4       85.36       2,124       85.36  
$90 to $95
    79       5.2       94.11       79       94.11  
$95 to $100
    3,202       6.2       96.21       3,202       96.21  

$40 to $100
    60,698       7.3       60.56       22,889       65.95  

                                         
Shell Transport shares

Options outstanding Options exercisable

Weighted
average Weighted Weighted
remaining average average
contractual exercise exercise
Number life price Number price
Range of exercise prices (thousands) (years) ($) (thousands) ($)

$7 to $8
    93,250       7.8       7.36       9,847       7.00  
$8 to $9
    6,937       3.3       8.45       6,137       8.47  
$9 to $10
    11,694       4.4       9.74       11,694       9.74  
$10 to $11
    51,761       6.3       10.29       14,110       10.64  
$11 to $12
    12,317       6.0       11.80       12,317       11.80  

$7 to $12
    175,959       6.8       8.73       54,105       9.80  

 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 27


Table of Contents

Notes to the Financial Statements

In the UK, The Shell Petroleum Company Limited and Shell Petroleum N.V. each operate a savings-related stock option scheme, under which options are granted over shares of Shell Transport at prices not less than the market value on a date not more than 30 days before the date of the grant of option and are normally exercisable after completion of a three-year or five-year contractual savings period. The following table shows for 2003 and 2004, in respect of these plans, the number of Shell Transport shares under option at the beginning of the year, the number of options granted, exercised and expired during the year and the number of shares under option at the end of the year:

                 
thousands

2004 2003

Under option at January 1
    15,089       18,680  
Granted
          4,975  
Exercised
    (1,924 )     (707 )
Expired
    (2,634 )     (7,859 )

Under option at December 31
    10,531       15,089  

Certain Group companies have incentive compensation plans containing stock appreciation rights linked to the value of Royal Dutch shares. During 2004 1,375,989 of these stock appreciation rights were exercised and 21,833 forfeited, leaving a balance of 7,484,779 at December 31, 2004 (2003: 8,882,601).

In 2001, the Global Employee Share Purchase Plan was implemented giving eligible employees the opportunity to buy Royal Dutch or Shell Transport shares, with 15% added after a specified holding period. At December 31, 2004 16,024 (2003: 4,754) Royal Dutch shares and 25,881 (2003: 19,742) Shell Transport shares were held by Group companies in connection with the Global Employee Share Purchase Plan.

Effects on Group net income and Earnings per share under the fair value method

A comparison of the Group’s net income and Earnings per share for both Royal Dutch and Shell Transport as reported under the intrinsic value method and on a pro forma basis calculated as if the fair value of options and share purchase rights granted would have been considered as compensation expense is as follows:
                                                 

2004 2003 2002



As reported Pro forma As restated Pro forma As restated Pro forma

Group net income ($ million)
    18,183       17,938       12,313       12,036       9,656       9,453  
Basic earnings per share attributable to Royal Dutch ($)
    5.39       5.32       3.63       3.55       2.82       2.76  
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Royal Dutch ($)
    5.39       5.31       3.63       3.55       2.81       2.76  
Basic earnings per ADR attributable to Shell Transport ($)
    4.60       4.54       3.10       3.03       2.41       2.36  
Diluted earnings per ADR attributable to Shell Transport ($)
    4.60       4.54       3.10       3.03       2.41       2.36  

The fair value of the Group’s 2004 option grants was estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following assumptions for US dollar, euro and sterling denominated options respectively: risk-free interest rates of 3.5%, 3.1% and 4.9%; dividend yield of 4.1%, 4.5% and 4.0%; volatility of 28.2%, 30.3% and 31.7% and expected lives of five to seven years.

Parent Companies’ shares held by Group companies

Group companies purchase shares of the Parent Companies in the open market with the purpose of covering their future obligations arising from the stock options granted to their employees and employees of other Group companies. At December 31, 2004, 52.7 million Royal Dutch shares (2003: 41.1 million) and 183.9 million Shell Transport shares (2003: 147.9 million) were held by Group companies.

In connection with other incentive compensation plans linked to the appreciation in value of Royal Dutch and of Shell Transport shares, 9.2 million Royal Dutch shares and 0.4 million Shell Transport shares were held by Group companies at December 31, 2004 and 2003. In addition, 33,600 shares of Royal Dutch were held by Group companies at December 31, 2004 and 2003.

The carrying amount of these and all Parent Company shares held in connection with the stock-based compensation plans at December 31, 2004 was $4,187 million (2003: $3,428 million).

 
G 28 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


Table of Contents

Notes to the Financial Statements

24 Decommissioning and restoration costs

                                                 
$ million

2004 2003
Short-term Long-term Total Short-term Long-term Total

At January 1
    89       3,955       4,044       71       3,528       3,599  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting policya
                      108       (102 )     6  
Liabilities incurred
    6       291       297             174       174  
Liabilities settled
    (77 )     (18 )     (95 )     (106 )     (37 )     (143 )
Accretion expense
          284       284             49       49  
Reclassifications and other movements
    160       912       1,072       12       12       24  
Currency translation differences
    7       285       292       4       331       335  

At December 31
    185       5,709       5,894       89       3,955       4,044  

a US accounting standard FAS 143 (Asset Retirement Obligations) was effective from the beginning of 2003 (see Note 3).

A review of the estimated provision for decommissioning and restoration costs was performed during 2004 based on current experience and techniques. This resulted in an increase of $1.1 billion in both the provision and corresponding tangible fixed assets, reported within other movements.

For the purposes of calculating provisions for decommissioning and restoration costs, estimated total ultimate liabilities of $9.8 billion at December 31, 2004 (2003: $7.5 billion) were used. Such estimates are subject to various regulatory and technological developments.

25 Information by geographical area and by industry segment

(a) Geographical area
                                                 
$ million

2003 2002
2004 As restateda As restateda



Net Fixed Net Fixed Net Fixed
proceeds assets proceeds assets proceeds assets

Europe
    94,904       37,930       70,375       37,686       62,575       36,516  
Other Eastern Hemisphere
    49,482       36,977       37,482       33,530       32,406       28,492  
USA
    102,877       27,580       75,109       30,343       54,677       27,266  
Other Western Hemisphere
    17,927       13,834       15,396       13,038       13,795       11,869  

Total Group
    265,190       116,321       198,362       114,597       163,453       104,143  

a As a consequence of the separate reporting of income from discontinued operations (see Note 4), information for comparative periods has been reclassified where necessary:
 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 29


Table of Contents

Notes to the Financial Statements

(b) Industry segment

                                                   
2004 $ million

Total Exploration Gas & Oil Corporate
Group & Production Power Products Chemicals and Other

Sales
                                               
 
third parties
    265,190       20,643       9,604       207,006       26,877       1,060  
 
inter-segment
            19,001       1,210       11,924       2,620       11  

Net proceeds
            39,644       10,814       218,930       29,497       1,071  

Operating profit/(loss)
                                               
 
Group companies
    26,280       18,386       331       7,152       1,245       (834 )
 
Group share of associated companies
    5,653       2,438       1,384       1,749       94       (12 )

      31,933       20,824       1,715       8,901       1,339       (846 )
Interest and other income
    1,705       244       768       90       1       602  
Interest expense
    1,214                                       1,214  
Currency exchange gains/(losses)
    (39 )     (78 )     15       (19 )     (16 )     59  
Taxation
    15,136       12,033       429       2,691       394       (411 )
Income applicable to minority interests
    626                                          

Income from continuing operations
    16,623       8,957       2,069       6,281       930       (988 )
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxb
    1,560       358       86       1,256             (52 )

Net income
    18,183       9,315       2,155       7,537       930       (1,040 )

Total assets at December 31
    192,811       68,199       23,214       71,447       18,330       11,621  
Total liabilities at December 31
    (102,926 )     (44,602 )     (15,897 )     (44,509 )     (8,062 )     10,144  
Tangible fixed assets at December 31
                                               
 
Cost
    193,162       115,404       8,028       53,773       14,561       1,396  
 
Accumulated depreciation
    (104,222 )     (63,411 )     (1,107 )     (30,689 )     (8,381 )     (634 )
Goodwill at December 31
    2,691             184       2,470       23       14  
Investments in associated companies at December 31
    19,743       4,762       4,312       6,206       4,139       324  
Capital expenditure and new investments in associated companies
    13,792       8,745       1,633       2,466       705       243  
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation charge from continuing operations
                                               
 
Impairment
    622       7             580       29       6  
 
Other
    11,530       8,132       262       2,476       515       145  

                                                   
2003 (as restated)a $ million

Total Exploration Gas & Oil Corporate
Group & Production Power Products Chemicals and Other

Sales
                                               
 
third parties
    198,362       12,224       7,377       159,075       18,843       843  
 
inter-segment
            20,244       850       3,416       1,974       29  

Net proceeds
            32,468       8,227       162,491       20,817       872  

Operating profit/(loss)
                                               
 
Group companies
    17,877       14,968       510       3,175       (112 )     (664 )
 
Group share of associated companies
    3,446       1,857       871       910       (165 )     (27 )

      21,323       16,825       1,381       4,085       (277 )     (691 )
Interest and other income
    1,967       88       1,366       (39 )     (29 )     581  
Interest expense
    1,324                                       1,324  
Currency exchange gains/(losses)
    (231 )     (16 )     (23 )     (23 )     (14 )     (155 )
Taxation
    9,349       8,307       454       1,202       (111 )     (503 )
Income applicable to minority interests
    353                                          

Income from continuing operations
    12,033       8,590       2,270       2,821       (209 )     (1,086 )
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxb
    25       78       19       39             (98 )
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax
    255       255                                  

Net income
    12,313       8,923       2,289       2,860       (209 )     (1,184 )

Total assets at December 31
    169,557       63,641       19,212       64,725       15,297       6,682  
Total liabilities at December 31
    (93,645 )     (47,866 )     (13,277 )     (42,549 )     (7,888 )     17,935  
Tangible fixed assets at December 31
                                               
 
Cost
    181,685       105,540       6,934       53,556       14,028       1,627  
 
Accumulated depreciation
    (94,597 )     (56,265 )     (985 )     (28,784 )     (7,851 )     (712 )
Goodwill at December 31
    2,675             184       2,455       23       13  
Investments in associated companies at December 31
    19,371       4,108       4,924       5,965       4,017       357  
Capital expenditure and new investments in associated companies
    13,235       8,278       1,511       2,405       599       442  
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation charge from continuing operations
                                               
 
Impairment
    1,288       679             262       220       127  
 
Other
    10,203       7,048       116       2,455       458       126  

a See Note 2 to the Group Financial Statements.
 
b $88 million of income applicable to minority interests is deducted in arriving at income from discontinued operations for the Group in 2004 (2003: $13 million).
 
G 30 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


Table of Contents

Notes to the Financial Statements
                                                   
2002 (as restated)a $ million

Total Exploration Gas & Oil Corporate
Group & Production Power Products Chemicals and Other

Sales
                                               
 
third parties
    163,453       11,640       4,254       132,681       14,125       753  
 
inter-segment
            14,680       620       3,080       1,082       17  

Net proceeds
            26,320       4,874       135,761       15,207       770  

Operating profit/(loss)
                                               
 
Group companies
    15,067       11,976       89       3,009       438       (445 )
 
Group share of associated companies
    2,792       1,316       729       554       213       (20 )

      17,859       13,292       818       3,563       651       (465 )
Interest and other income
    748       98       118       10       3       519  
Interest expense
    1,291                                       1,291  
Currency exchange gains/(losses)
    (25 )     (25 )     6       (67 )     (16 )     77  
Taxation
    7,647       6,724       195       1,021       73       (366 )
Income applicable to minority interests
    175                                          

Income from continuing operations
    9,469       6,641       747       2,485       565       (794 )
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    187       85       27       142             (67 )

Net income
    9,656       6,726       774       2,627       565       (861 )

Total assets at December 31
    153,131       56,988       16,057       60,549       14,172       5,365  
Total liabilities at December 31b
    (89,287 )     (45,191 )     (12,223 )     (41,826 )     (7,903 )     17,856  
Tangible fixed assets at December 31
                                               
 
Cost
    157,499       93,333       2,843       47,689       12,010       1,624  
 
Accumulated depreciation
    (79,136 )     (47,076 )     (763 )     (23,926 )     (6,711 )     (660 )
Goodwill at December 31
    2,324             184       1,989       22       129  
Investments in associated companies at December 31
    17,945       3,591       4,679       5,344       4,154       177  
Capital expenditure, acquisitions and new investments in associated companies
    23,651       13,154       953       7,968       998       578  
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation charge from continuing operations
                                               
 
Impairment
    188       33       4       102       29       20  
 
Other
    8,340       5,603       112       2,160       372       93  

As a consequence of the separate reporting of income from discontinued operations (see Note 4), information for comparative periods has been reclassified where necessary.

a See Note 2.
 
b Deferred taxation as at December 31, 2002 is included on a net liability basis, rather than as separate deferred taxation assets and liabilities as in 2004 and 2003.

26 Oil and gas exploration and production activities

(a) Capitalised costs
The aggregate amount of tangible fixed assets of Group companies relating to oil and gas exploration and production activities and the aggregate amount of the related depreciation, depletion and amortisation at December 31 are shown in the table below:
                         
$ million

2003 2002
2004 As restated As restated

Cost
                       
Proved properties
    104,479 a     94,069 a     83,964  
Unproved properties
    4,281       5,400       4,768  
Support equipment and facilities
    3,266       3,128       2,352  

      112,026       102,597       91,084  

Depreciation
                       
Proved properties
    60,101 a     53,867 a     45,525  
Unproved properties
    1,437       824       325  
Support equipment and facilities
    1,582       1,443       1,224  

      63,120       56,134       47,074  

Net capitalised costs
    48,906       46,463       44,010  

Oil sands: net capitalised costs
    3,087       2,811       2,246  

a Includes capitalised asset retirement costs.

The Group share of associated companies’ net capitalised costs was $3,958 million at December 31, 2004 (2003: $3,772 million; 2002: $3,173 million).

(b) Costs incurred

Costs incurred by Group companies during the year in oil and gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities, whether capitalised or charged to income currently, are shown in the table overleaf. Development costs exclude costs of acquiring support equipment and facilities, but include depreciation thereon.
 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 31


Table of Contents

Notes to the Financial Statements
                                                           
2004 $ million

Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere


Middle
East,
Asia Russia,
Europe Africa Pacific CISa USA Other Total

Acquisition of properties
                                                       
 
Proved
                      192       17       (1 )     208  
 
Unproved
    (3 )     46       (3 )     7       19       44       110  
Exploration
    152       196       141       127       418       214       1,248  
Developmentb
                                                       
 
Excluding oil sands
    2,404       1,831       363       2,645       867       362       8,472  
 
Oil sands
                                            132       132  

                                                           
2003 $ million

Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere


Middle
East,
Asia Russia,
Europe Africa Pacific CISa USA Other Total

Acquisition of properties
                                                       
 
Proved
    6       8       177       194                   385  
 
Unproved
          209       3       273       17       8       510  
Exploration
    187       163       139       273       342       155       1,259  
Developmentb
                                                       
 
Excluding oil sands
    2,776       1,660       311       1,251       1,599       588       8,185  
 
Oil sands
                                            88       88  

                                                           
2002 $ million

Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere


Middle
East,
Asia Russia,
Europe Africa Pacific CIS USA Other Total

Acquisition of properties
                                                       
 
Proved
    3,776                   122       565       801       5,264  
 
Unproved
    1,693       53             3       368       412       2,529  
Exploration
    217       279       115       170       328       182       1,291  
Development
                                                       
 
Excluding oil sands
    1,605       1,370       442       685       1,465       407       5,974  
 
Oil sands
                                            931       931  

a These amounts do not include Sakhalin II project costs in 2004 of $869 million (2003: $384 million) reported in the Gas & Power segment.
 
b Includes capitalised asset retirement costs.

The Group share of associated companies’ cost incurred was $415 million in 2004 (2003: $417 million; 2002: $551 million).

(c) Earnings

Earnings of Group companies from exploration and production activities are given in the table below. For the purpose of this note, certain purchases of traded product are netted into sales.
                                                           
2004 $ million

Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere


Middle
East,
Asia Russia,
Europe Africa Pacific CIS USA Other Total

Sales:
                                                       
 
Third parties
    5,856       137       1,045       1,806       2,092       1,277       12,213  
 
Intra-group
    7,223       5,616       1,517       4,616       4,755       1,187       24,914  

Net proceeds
    13,079       5,753       2,562       6,422       6,847       2,464       37,127  
Production costsb
    1,895       1,548       537       1,687       779       518       6,964  
Exploration expense
    201       157       139       101       364       209       1,171  
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation
    3,764       700       566       799       1,622       811       8,262  
Other income/(costs)
    (1,308 )     (353 )     280       (517 )     (340 )     (334 )     (2,572 )

Earnings before taxation
    5,911       2,995       1,600       3,318       3,742       592       18,158  
Taxation
    3,559       2,448       350       2,795       1,298       186       10,636  

Earnings from continuing operations
    2,352       547       1,250       523       2,444       406       7,522  
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax
          144       109       105                   358  

Earnings from operations
    2,352       691       1,359       628       2,444       406       7,880  

Earnings from oil sands
                                            290       290  

 
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Table of Contents

Notes to the Financial Statements
                                                           
2003 (as restated)a $ million

Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere


Middle
East,
Asia Russia,
Europe Africa Pacific CIS USA Other Total

Sales:
                                                       
 
Third parties
    5,386       129       808       1,640       1,903       1,115       10,981  
 
Intra-group
    5,873       3,888       1,179       3,713       4,480       713       19,846  

Net proceeds
    11,259       4,017       1,987       5,353       6,383       1,828       30,827  
Production costsb
    1,886       1,087       419       1,408       603       366       5,769  
Exploration expense
    229       235       112       121       275       144       1,116  
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation
    3,723       462       539       585       1,667       681       7,657  
Other income/(costs)
    (512 )     (187 )     238       (443 )     30       (240 )     (1,114 )

Earnings before taxation
    4,909       2,046       1,155       2,796       3,868       397       15,171  
Taxation
    1,686       1,437       217       2,239       1,497       204       7,280  

Earnings from continuing operations
    3,223       609       938       557       2,371       193       7,891  
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax
          (16 )     68       26                   78  

Earnings from operations
    3,223       593       1,006       583       2,371       193       7,969  

Earnings from oil sands
                                            (101 )     (101 )

                                                           
2002 (as restated)a $ million

Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere


Middle
East,
Asia Russia,
Europe Africa Pacific CIS USA Other Total

Sales:
                                                       
 
Third parties
    5,472       73       763       1,772       1,997       892       10,969  
 
Intra-group
    4,572       2,538       1,186       3,087       2,863       433       14,679  

Net proceeds
    10,044       2,611       1,949       4,859       4,860       1,325       25,648  
Production costsb
    1,826       754       420       1,275       589       298       5,162  
Exploration expense
    177       204       58       81       249       208       977  
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation
    2,469       458       572       777       1,461       265       6,002  
Other income/(costs)
    (428 )     (97 )     160       (654 )     (221 )     (219 )     (1,459 )

Earnings before taxation
    5,144       1,098       1,059       2,072       2,340       335       12,048  
Taxation
    2,340       789       294       1,638       791       93       5,945  

Earnings from continuing operations
    2,804       309       765       434       1,549       242       6,103  
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax
          (15 )     70       30                   85  

Earnings from operations
    2,804       294       835       464       1,549       242       6,188  

Earnings from oil sands
                                            (3 )     (3 )

a As a consequence of the separate reporting of income from discontinued operations (see Note 4), information for comparative periods has been reclassified where necessary. Certain other amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes. Also see Note 2.
 
b Includes certain royalties paid in cash amounting to $2,019 million in 2004 (2003: $1,700 million; 2002: $1,449 million).

The Group share of associated companies’ earnings was $1,145 million in 2004 (2003: $800 million; 2002: $541 million) mainly in the USA $603 million (2003: $424 million; 2002: $330 million) and Asia Pacific $522 million (2003: $353 million; 2002: $170 million).

27 Auditors’ remuneration

                         
Remuneration of KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers $ million

2002
2004 2003 As restated

Audit fees
    42       32       27  
Audit-related feesa
    13       11       17  
Tax feesb
    9       7       6  
Fees for all other non-audit services
    6       6       12  

a Fees for audit-related services such as employee benefit plan audits, due diligence assistance, assurance of non-financial data, operational audits, training services and special investigations.
 
b Fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services.
 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 33


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Notes to the Financial Statements

28 Contingencies and litigation

Contingent liabilities of Group companies arising from guarantees related to commitments of non-consolidated entities amounted to $2.9 billion at December 31, 2004 (2003: $3.4 billion). An analysis of the guarantees outstanding at December 31, 2004 is given in the following table:
         
$ billion

In respect of debt
    1.7  
In respect of customs duties
    0.5  
Other
    0.7  

      2.9  

The $1.7 billion of guarantees in respect of debt relate to project finance. Guarantees in respect of customs duties mainly relate to a cross guarantee, renewable annually, for amounts payable by industry participants in a western European country.

Shell Oil Company (including subsidiaries and affiliates, referred to collectively as SOC), along with numerous other defendants, has been sued by public and quasi-public water purveyors, as well as governmental entities, alleging responsibility for groundwater contamination caused by releases of gasoline containing oxygenate additives. Most of these suits assert various theories of liability, including product liability, and seek to recover actual damages, including clean-up costs. Some assert claims for punitive damages. As of December 31, 2004, there were approximately 66 pending suits by such plaintiffs that asserted claims against SOC and many other defendants (including major energy and refining companies). Although a majority of these cases do not specify the amount of monetary damages sought, some include specific damage claims collectively against all defendants. While the aggregate amounts claimed against all defendants for actual and punitive damages in such suits could be material to the financial statements if they were ultimately recovered against SOC alone rather than apportioned among the defendants, management of the Group considers the amounts claimed in these pleadings to be highly speculative and not an appropriate basis on which to determine a reasonable estimate of the amount of the loss that may be ultimately incurred, for the reasons described below.

The reasons for this determination can be summarised as follows:

While the majority of the cases have been consolidated for pre-trial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, there are many cases pending in other jurisdictions throughout the U.S. Most of the cases are at a preliminary stage. In many matters, little discovery has been taken and the courts have yet to rule upon motions on substantive legal issues. Consequently, management of the Group does not have sufficient information to assess the facts underlying the plaintiffs’ claims; the nature and extent of damages claimed, if any; the reasonableness of any specific claim for money damages; the allocation of potential responsibility among defendants; or the law that may be applicable. Additionally, given the pendency of cases in varying jurisdictions, there may be inconsistencies in the determinations made in these matters.
 
There are significant unresolved legal questions relating to claims asserted in this litigation. For example, it has not been established whether the use of oxygenates mandated by the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act can give rise to a products liability based claim. While some trial courts have held that it cannot, other courts have left the question open or declined to dismiss claims brought on a products liability theory. Other examples of unresolved legal questions relate to the applicability of federal preemption, whether a plaintiff may recover damages for alleged levels of contamination significantly below state environmental standards, and whether a plaintiff may recover for an alleged threat to groundwater before detection of contamination.
 
There are also significant unresolved legal questions relating to whether punitive damages are available for products liability claims or, if available, the manner in which they might be determined. For example, some courts have held that for certain types of product liability claims, punitive damages are not available. It is not known whether that rule of law would be applied in some or all of the pending oxygenate additive cases. Where specific claims for damages have been made, punitive damages represent in most cases a majority of the total amounts claimed.
 
There are significant issues relating to the allocation of any liability among the defendants. Virtually all of the oxygenate additives cases involve multiple defendants including most of the major participants in the retail gasoline marketing business in the regions involved in the pending cases. The basis on which any potential liability may be apportioned among the defendants in any particular pending case cannot yet be determined.

For these reasons, management of the Group is not currently able to estimate a range of reasonably possible losses or minimum loss for this litigation; however, management of the Group does not currently believe that the outcome of the oxygenate-related litigation pending as of December 31, 2004 will have a material impact on the Group’s financial condition, although such resolutions could have a significant effect on periodic results for the period in which they are recognised.

A $490 million judgment in favour of 466 plaintiffs in a consolidated matter that had once been nine individual cases was rendered in 2002 by a Nicaraguan court jointly against SOC and three other named defendants (not affiliated with SOC), based upon Nicaraguan Special Law 364 for claimed personal injuries resulting from alleged exposure to dibromochloropropane (DBCP) — a pesticide manufactured by SOC prior to 1978. This special law imposes strict liability (in a predetermined amount) on international manufacturers

 
G 34 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


Table of Contents

Notes to the Financial Statements

of DBCP. The statute also provides that unless a deposit (calculated as described below) of an amount denominated in Nicaraguan cordobas is made into the Nicaraguan courts, the claims would be submitted to the US courts. In SOC’s case the deposit would have been between $19 million and $20 million (based on an exchange rate between 15 and 16 cordobas per US dollar). SOC chose not to make this deposit. The Nicaraguan courts did not, however, give effect to the provision of Special Law 364 that requires submission of the matter to the US courts. Instead, the Nicaraguan court entered judgment against SOC and the other defendants. Further, SOC was not afforded the opportunity to present any defences in the Nicaraguan court, including that it was not subject to Nicaraguan jurisdiction because it had neither shipped nor sold DBCP to parties in Nicaragua. At this time, SOC has not completed the steps necessary to perfect an appeal in Nicaragua and, as described below, the Nicaraguan claimants have sought to enforce the Nicaraguan judgment against SOC in the U.S. and in Venezuela. SOC does not have any assets in Nicaragua. In 2003, an attempt by the plaintiffs to enforce the Nicaraguan judgment described above in the United States against Shell Chemical Company and purported affiliates of the other named defendants was rejected by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, which decision is on appeal before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Enforcement of the Nicaraguan judgment was rejected because of improper service and attempted enforcement against non-existent entities or entities that were not named in the Nicaraguan judgment. Thereafter, SOC filed a declaratory judgment action seeking ultimate adjudication of the non-enforceability of this Nicaraguan judgment in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. This district court denied motions filed by the Nicaraguan claimants to dismiss SOC claims that Nicaragua does not have impartial tribunals, the proceedings violated due process, the relationship between SOC and Nicaragua made the exercise of personal jurisdiction unreasonable, and Special Law 364 is repugnant to U.S. public policy because it violates due process. A finding in favour of SOC on any of these grounds will result in a refusal to recognize and enforce the judgment in the United States. Several requests for Exequatur were filed in 2004 with the Tribunal Suprema de Justicia (the Venezuelan Supreme Court) to enforce Nicaraguan judgments. The petitions imply that judgments can be satisfied with assets of Shell Venezuela, S.A., which was neither a party to the Nicaraguan judgment nor a subsidiary of SOC, against whom the Exequatur was filed. The petitions are pending before the Tribunal Suprema de Justicia but have not been accepted. As of December 31, 2004, five additional Nicaraguan judgments had been entered in the collective amount of approximately $226.5 million in favor of 240 plaintiffs jointly against Shell Chemical Company and three other named defendants (not affiliated with Shell Chemical Company) under facts and circumstances almost identical to those relating to the judgment described above. Additional judgments are anticipated (including a suit seeking more than $3 billion). It is the opinion of management of the Group that the above judgments are unenforceable in a U.S. court, as a matter of law, for the reasons set out in SOC’s declaratory judgment action described above. No financial provisions have been established for these judgments or related claims.

Since 1984, SOC has been named with others as a defendant in numerous product liability cases, including class actions, involving the failure of residential plumbing systems and municipal water distribution systems constructed with polybutylene plastic pipe. SOC fabricated the resin for this pipe while the co-defendants fabricated the raw materials for the pipe fittings. As a result of two class action settlements in 1995, SOC and the co-defendants agreed on a mechanism to fund until 2009 the settlement of most of the residential plumbing claims in the United States. Financial provisions have been taken by SOC for its settlement funding needs anticipated at this time. Additionally, claims that are not part of these class action settlements or that challenge these settlements continue to be filed primarily involving alleged problems with polybutylene pipe used in municipal water distribution systems. It is the opinion of management of the Group that exposure from this other polybutylene litigation pending as of December 31, 2004, is not material. Management of the Group cannot currently predict when or how all polybutylene matters will be finally resolved.

In connection with the recategorisation of certain hydrocarbon reserves that occurred in 2004, a number of putative shareholder class actions were filed against Royal Dutch, Shell Transport, Managing Directors of Royal Dutch during the class period, Managing Directors of Shell Transport during the class period and the external auditors for Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and the Group. These actions were consolidated in the United States District Court in New Jersey and a consolidated complaint was filed in September 2004. The parties are awaiting a decision with respect to defendants’ motions to dismiss asserting lack of jurisdiction with respect to the claims of non-United States shareholders who purchased on non-United States securities exchanges and failure to state a claim. Merits discovery has not begun. The case is at an early stage and subject to substantial uncertainties concerning the outcome of the material factual and legal issues relating to the litigation, including the pending motions to dismiss on lack of jurisdiction and failure to state a claim. In addition, potential damages, if any, in a fully litigated securities class action would depend on the losses caused by the alleged wrongful conduct that would be demonstrated by individual class members in their purchases and sales of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport shares during the relevant class period. Accordingly, based on the current status of the litigation, management of the Group is unable to estimate a range of possible losses or any minimum loss. Management of the Group will review this determination as the litigation progresses.

Also in connection with the hydrocarbon reserves recategorisation, putative shareholder class actions were filed on behalf of participants in various Shell Oil Company qualified plans alleging that Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and various current and former officers and directors breached various fiduciary duties to employee participants imposed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). These suits were consolidated in the United States District Court in New Jersey and a consolidated class action complaint was filed in July 2004. Defendants’ motions to dismiss have been fully briefed. Some document discovery has taken place. The case is at an early stage and subject to substantial uncertainties concerning the outcome of the material factual and legal issues relating to the

 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 35


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Notes to the Financial Statements

litigation, including the pending motion to dismiss and the legal uncertainties with respect to the methodology for calculating damage, if any, should defendants become subject to an adverse judgment. The Group is in settlement discussions with counsel for plaintiffs, which it hopes will lead to a successful resolution of the case without the need for further litigation. No financial provisions have been taken with respect to the ERISA litigation.

The reserves recategorisation also led to the filing of shareholder derivative actions in June 2004. The four suits pending in New York state court, New York federal court and New Jersey federal court demand Group management and structural changes and seek unspecified damages from current and former members of the Boards of Directors of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport. The suits are in preliminary stages and no responses are yet due from defendants. Because any money “damages” in the derivative actions would be paid to Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, management of the Group does not believe that the resolution of these suits will have a material adverse effect on the Group’s financial condition or operating results.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) issued formal orders of private investigation in relation to the reserves recategorisation which Royal Dutch and Shell Transport resolved by reaching agreements with the SEC and the FSA. In connection with the agreement with the SEC, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport consented, without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings or conclusions, to an administrative order finding that Royal Dutch and Shell Transport violated, and requiring Royal Dutch and Shell Transport to cease and desist from future violations of, the antifraud, reporting, recordkeeping and internal control provisions of the US Federal securities laws and related SEC rules, agreed to pay a $120 million civil penalty and has undertaken to spend an additional $5 million developing a comprehensive internal compliance program. In connection with the agreement with the FSA, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport agreed, without admitting or denying the FSA’s findings or conclusions, to the entry of a Final Notice by the FSA finding that Royal Dutch and Shell Transport breached market abuse provisions of the UK’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the Listing Rules made under it and agreed to pay a penalty of £17 million. The penalties from the SEC and FSA and the additional amount to develop a comprehensive internal compliance program have been paid by Group companies and fully included in the Income Statement of the Group. The United States Department of Justice has commenced a criminal investigation, and Euronext Amsterdam, the Dutch Authority Financial Markets and the California Department of Corporations are investigating the issues related to the reserves recategorisation. Management of the Group cannot currently predict the manner and timing of the resolution of these pending matters and is currently unable to estimate the range of reasonably possible losses from such matters.

Group companies are subject to a number of other loss contingencies arising out of litigation and claims brought by governmental and private parties, which are handled in the ordinary course of business.

The operations and earnings of Group companies continue, from time to time, to be affected to varying degrees by political, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments, including those relating to the protection of the environment and indigenous people, in the countries in which they operate. The industries in which Group companies are engaged are also subject to physical risks of various types. The nature and frequency of these developments and events, not all of which are covered by insurance, as well as their effect on future operations and earnings, are unpredictable.

29 Financial instruments

Group companies, in the normal course of business, use various types of financial instruments which expose the Group to market or credit risk. Group companies have procedures and policies in place to limit the amount of credit exposure to any counterparty or market. These procedures and the broad geographical spread of Group companies’ activities limit the Group’s exposure to concentrations of credit or market risk.

Some Group companies enter into derivatives such as interest rate swaps/ forward rate agreements to manage interest rate exposure. The financing of most Operating Companies is structured on a floating-rate basis and, except in special cases, further interest rate risk management is discouraged. Foreign exchange derivatives, such as forward exchange contracts and currency swaps/ options, are used by some Group companies to manage foreign exchange risk. Commodity swaps, options and futures are used to manage price and timing risks mainly involving crude oil, natural gas and oil products.

The contract/notional amount, together with the estimated fair value (carrying amount) of derivatives held by Group companies at December 31 is as follows:

                                 
$ million

2004 2003


Contract/
Contract/ Estimated notional Estimated
notional fair value amount fair value
amount

Interest rate swaps/forward rate agreements
    4,307       70       4,322       121  
Forward exchange contracts and currency swaps/options
    18,830       53       18,874       165  
Commodity swaps, options and futures
    101,021       81       65,800       61  

      124,158       204       88,996       347  

 
G 36 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


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Notes to the Financial Statements

The contract/national amounts of commodity swaps, options and futures have increased during the year as a consequence of rising crude oil and natural gas prices.

Other financial instruments in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities include fixed assets: investments – securities, trade receivables, short-term securities, cash and cash equivalents, short and long-term debt, and assets and liabilities in respect of risk management activities. The estimated fair values of these instruments approximate their carrying amounts.

30 Division of Group net assets between the Parent Companies and movements therein

The division of Group net assets and movements therein, including Group net income in accordance with Note 1, is as follows:
                         
$ million

Royal Shell
Total Dutch (60%) Transport (40%)
As restated As restated As restated

At January 1, 2002
    56,142       33,685       22,457  
Movements during the year 2002:
                       
Group net income
    9,656       5,794       3,862  
less: distributions to Parent Companies
    (5,435 )     (3,261 )     (2,174 )

Undistributed net income
    4,221       2,533       1,688  
Movement in Parent Companies’ shares held by Group companies, net of dividends received
    (844 )     (507 )     (337 )
Other comprehensive income (see Note 6)
    757       455       302  

At December 31, 2002
    60,276       36,166       24,110  

Movements during the year 2003:
                       
Group net income
    12,313       7,387       4,926  
less: distributions to Parent Companies
    (5,660 )     (3,396 )     (2,264 )

Undistributed net income
    6,653       3,991       2,662  
Loss on sale of Parent Companies’ shares
    (1 )     (1 )      
Movement in Parent Companies’ shares held by Group companies, net of dividends received
    (631 )     (378 )     (253 )
Other comprehensive income (see Note 6)
    6,200       3,720       2,480  

At December 31, 2003
    72,497       43,498       28,999  

Movements during the year 2004:
                       
Group net income
    18,183       10,910       7,273  
less: distributions to Parent Companies
    (7,989 )     (4,793 )     (3,196 )

Undistributed net income
    10,194       6,117       4,077  
Movement in Parent Companies’ shares held by Group companies, net of dividends received
    (759 )     (455 )     (304 )
Other comprehensive income (see Note 6)
    2,644       1,586       1,058  

At December 31, 2004
    84,576       50,746       33,830  

The above table is based on the Group’s US GAAP results. See Note 33 for the impact of differences between US GAAP and Netherlands GAAP on the Group’s net income and net assets. Note 38 shows the division of Group net assets and movements therein under Netherlands GAAP.

Reconciliation of Division of Group net assets between the Parent Companies and movements therein to previously issued Financial Statements

                                                                         
$ million

Total Royal Dutch (60%) Shell Transport (40%)



Second Second Second
As previously Reserves As previously Reserves As previously Reserves
restateda Restatement As restated restateda Restatement As restated restateda Restatement As restated

At January 1, 2002
    56,244       (102 )     56,142       33,746       (61 )     33,685       22,498       (41 )     22,457  
Movements during the year 2002:
                                                                       
Group net income
    9,722       (66 )     9,656       5,833       (39 )     5,794       3,889       (27 )     3,862  
less: distributions to Parent Companies
    (5,435 )           (5,435 )     (3,261 )           (3,261 )     (2,174 )           (2,174 )

Undistributed net income
    4,287       (66 )     4,221       2,572       (39 )     2,533       1,715       (27 )     1,688  
Movement in Parent Companies’ shares held by Group companies, net of dividends received
    (844 )           (844 )     (507 )           (507 )     (337 )           (337 )
Other comprehensive income (see Note 6)
    757             757       455             455       302             302  

At December 31, 2002
    60,444       (168 )     60,276       36,266       (100 )     36,166       24,178       (68 )     24,110  

Movements during the year 2003:
                                                                       
Group net income
    12,496       (183 )     12,313       7,498       (111 )     7,387       4,998       (72 )     4,926  
less: distributions to Parent Companies
    (5,660 )           (5,660 )     (3,396 )           (3,396 )     (2,264 )           (2,264 )

Undistributed net income
    6,836       (183 )     6,653       4,102       (111 )     3,991       2,734       (72 )     2,662  
Loss on sale of Parent Companies’ shares
    (1 )           (1 )     (1 )           (1 )                  
Movement in Parent Companies’ shares held by Group companies, net of dividends received
    (631 )           (631 )     (378 )           (378 )     (253 )           (253 )
Other comprehensive income (see Note 6)
    6,200             6,200       3,720             3,720       2,480             2,480  

At December 31, 2003
    72,848       (351 )     72,497       43,709       (211 )     43,498       29,139       (140 )     28,999  

a 2003 data is as originally reported.
 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 37


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Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies

Report of the Registered Independent Public Accounting Firms
on the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements

We have audited the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies for the years 2004, 2003 and 2002 (which include the Notes on pages G5 to G37 and G40 to G48). The preparation of the Financial Statements is the responsibility of management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Financial Statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the Standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Financial Statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the Financial Statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the Financial Statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the Financial Statements referred to above present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 and of the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the Netherlands.

As discussed in Note 32 on pages G43 and G44, the Group restated its Financial Statements for the two years ended December 31, 2003, to correct for the financial impact of the Second Reserves Restatement.

 

 

 

/s/ KPMG Accountants

--------------------------------------------------------------------
KPMG Accountants N.V.
The Hague – The Netherlands
Registered independent public accounting firm
 

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

--------------------------------------------------------------------
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
London – United Kingdom
Registered independent public accounting firm
 

March 29, 2005

 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 39


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Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements

                                 
Statement of Income $ million

2003 2002
Note 2004 As restateda As restateda

Sales proceeds
            337,522       263,889       218,287  
Sales taxes, excise duties and similar levies
            72,332       65,527       54,834  

Net proceeds
            265,190       198,362       163,453  
Cost of sales
            222,334       165,314       135,778  

Gross profit
            42,856       33,048       27,675  
Selling and distribution expenses
            12,340       11,409       9,617  
Administrative expenses
            2,516       1,870       1,587  
Exploration
            1,823       1,475       1,052  
Research and development
            553       584       472  

Operating profit of Group companies
            25,624       17,710       14,947  
Share of operating profit of associated companies
    34       6,050       3,446       2,792  

Operating profit
            31,674       21,156       17,739  
Interest and other income
    8       1,705       1,967       748  
Interest expense
    9       1,214       1,324       1,291  
Currency exchange gains/(losses)
            (39 )     (231 )     (25 )

Income before taxation
            32,126       21,568       17,171  
Taxation
    35       15,030       9,349       7,647  

Income after taxation
            17,096       12,219       9,524  
Income applicable to minority interests
            626       353       175  

Income from continuing operations
            16,470       11,866       9,349  
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    4       1,560       25       187  

Net income
    33       18,030       11,891       9,536  

                                   
Statement of Comprehensive Income and Parent Companies’ interest in Group net assets $ million

2003 2002
Note 2004 As restated As restated

Net income
            18,030       11,891       9,536  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
    6                          
 
currency translation differences
    20       3,148       5,102       2,432  
 
unrealised gains/(losses) on securities
            (350 )     689       25  
 
unrealised gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges
            31       51       (225 )
 
minimum pension liability adjustments
            (185 )     358       (1,475 )

Comprehensive income
            20,674       18,091       10,293  
Distributions to Parent Companies
            (7,989 )     (5,660 )     (5,435 )
Increase in Parent Companies’ shares held, net of dividends received
    23       (759 )     (631 )     (844 )
Loss on sale of Parent Companies’ shares
                  (1 )      
Parent Companies’ interest in Group net assets:
                               
 
At January 1
            72,210       60,156       56,142  
 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting policy
                  255        
         
   
   
 
 
At January 1 after cumulative effect of change
            72,210       60,411       56,142  

Parent Companies’ interest in Group net assets at December 31
    38       84,136       72,210       60,156  

a  See Note 2.

 
G 40 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


Table of Contents

Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements
                             
Statement of Assets and Liabilities $ million

Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2003
Note 2004 As restateda

Fixed assets
                       
 
Tangible assets
    36       88,451       87,088  
 
Intangible assets
    36       4,436       4,448  
 
Investments:
                       
   
associated companies
    34       20,140       19,371  
   
securities
    15       1,627       2,317  
   
other
            1,121       1,086  

Total fixed assets
            115,775       114,310  

Other long-term assets
                       
 
Prepaid pension costs
    21       8,278       6,516  
 
Deferred taxation
    10       1,995       2,092  
 
Other
    12       4,369       2,741  

Total other long-term assets
            14,642       11,349  

Current assets
                       
 
Inventories
    13       15,391       12,690  
 
Accounts receivable
    14       37,998       28,969  
 
Cash and cash equivalents
    15       8,459       1,952  

Total current assets
            61,848       43,611  

Current liabilities: amounts due within one year
                       
 
Short-term debt
    16       5,822       11,027  
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
            40,207       32,347  
 
Taxes payable
    10       9,885       5,927  
 
Dividends payable to Parent Companies
            4,750       5,123  

Total current liabilities
            60,664       54,424  

Net current assets/(liabilities)
            1,184       (10,813 )

Total assets less current liabilities
            131,601       114,846  

Long-term liabilities: amounts due after more than one year
                       
 
Long-term debt
    37       8,600       9,100  
 
Other
            8,065       6,054  

              16,665       15,154  

Provisions
                       
 
Deferred taxation
    35       14,738       15,185  
 
Pensions and similar obligations
    21       5,044       4,927  
 
Decommissioning and restoration costs
    24       5,709       3,955  

              25,491       24,067  

Group net assets before minority interests
            89,445       75,625  
Minority interests
            5,309       3,415  

Net assets
            84,136       72,210  

a  See Note 2.

 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 41


Table of Contents

Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements
                                       
Statement of Cash flows $ million

Note 2004 2003 2002

Cash flow provided by operating activities
            18,030       11,891       9,536  
 
Net income
                               
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flow provided by operating activities
                               
   
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation
    36       12,929       11,878       8,859  
   
Profit on sale of assets
            (3,033 )     (2,141 )     (367 )
   
Movements in:
                               
     
inventories
            (2,731 )     (236 )     (2,079 )
     
accounts receivable
            (8,462 )     1,834       (5,830 )
     
accounts payable and accrued liabilities
            7,708       (212 )     6,989  
     
taxes payable
            2,999       (218 )     (735 )
   
Associated companies: dividends more/ (less) than net income
    34       (139 )     511       117  
   
Deferred taxation and other provisions
            (630 )     (366 )     423  
   
Long-term liabilities and other
            (1,798 )     (1,588 )     (805 )
   
Income applicable to minority interests
            714       366       175  

Cash flow provided by operating activities
            25,587       21,719       16,283  

Cash flow used in investing activities
                               
 
Capital expenditure (including capitalised leases)
    36       (12,734 )     (12,252 )     (12,102 )
 
Acquisitions (Enterprise Oil, Pennzoil-Quaker State and additional shares in Equilon)
                            (8,925 )
 
Proceeds from sale of assets
            5,078       2,286       1,099  
 
New investments in associated companies
    7       (1,057 )     (983 )     (1,289 )
 
Disposals of investments in associated companies
            1,327       708       501  
 
Proceeds from sale and other movements in investments
            1,743       1,989       83  

Cash flow used in investing activities
            (5,643 )     (8,252 )     (20,633 )

Cash flow used in financing activities
                               
 
Long-term debt (including short-term part):
                               
   
new borrowings
            544       572       5,267  
   
repayments
            (1,688 )     (2,740 )     (5,610 )

              (1,144 )     (2,168 )     (343 )
 
New increase/(decrease) in short-term debt
            (3,701 )     (2,507 )     7,058  
 
Change in minority interests
            807       (1,363 )     421  
 
Dividends paid in:
                               
   
Parent Companies
            (8,490 )     (6,248 )     (6,961 )
   
minority interests
            (264 )     (300 )     (228 )

Cash flow used in financing activities
            (12,792 )     (12,586 )     (53 )

Parent Companies’ shares: net sales/(purchases) and dividends received
            (758 )     (633 )     (864 )
Currency translation differences relating to cash and cash equivalents
            113       148       153  

Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
            6,507       396       (5,114 )

Cash and cash equivalents at January 1
            1,952       1,556       6,670  

Cash and cash equivalents at December 31
            8,459       1,952       1,556  

 
G 42 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


Table of Contents

Notes to the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements

31 Basis of Presentation of Group Financial Statements under Netherlands GAAP

These Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the Netherlands (Netherlands GAAP). These accounting principles are consistent with the accounting principles applied in the preparation of the Group’s Financial Statements prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (US GAAP), as set out in the Group accounting policies on pages G8 to G12, except as set forth below. The Notes to the Financial Statements prepared in conformity with US GAAP appearing on pages G5 to G37 are an integral part of these Financial Statements prepared under Netherlands GAAP.

The differences between Netherlands GAAP, as applied to the preparation of these Financial Statements (and after giving effect to the restatement described in Note 32) and US GAAP, as applied to the Group’s Financial Statements prepared in conformity with US GAAP, are as follows:

(i) goodwill: Under US GAAP, goodwill is not amortised but is tested for impairment annually or when certain events occur that indicate potential impairment. Under Netherlands GAAP, goodwill is amortised on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful economic life, which is assumed not to exceed 20 years unless there are grounds to rebut this assumption;
 
(ii) recoverability of assets

  (a) impairments: Under US GAAP, only if an asset’s estimated undiscounted future cash flows are below its carrying amount is a determination required of the amount of any impairment based on discounted cash flows. There is no undiscounted test under Netherlands GAAP;
 
  (b) reversals of impairments: Under US GAAP impairments are not reversed. Under Netherlands GAAP, a favourable change in the circumstances which resulted in an impairment would trigger the requirement for a redetermination of the amount of the impairment and any reversal is recognised in income;

(iii) asset retirement obligations: Under US GAAP, a change in accounting for asset retirement obligations in 2003, as described in Note 3, has been accounted for prospectively, with the cumulative effect of the change at the beginning of 2003 of $255 million being reflected in 2003 net income. This change in accounting was also made under Netherlands GAAP. However, the cumulative effect of the change under Netherlands GAAP has been reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of net assets and, due to the absence of comparative data, net income for prior years has not been restated.

Reconciliations of Group net assets and net income presented in the Group Financial Statements prepared in conformity with US GAAP (on pages G2 to G4), to Group net assets and net income in these Group Financial Statements which have been prepared in conformity with Netherlands GAAP, are presented in Note 33. Additionally, the division of Group net assets and movements therein, including movements resulting from Group net income and distributions to Parent Companies, determined in conformity with Netherlands GAAP, are presented in Note 38.

32 Restatement of previously issued financial statements

Errors in the depreciation, depletion and amortisation charge presented in previous Financial Statements, arising as a result of overstatement of proved reserves as corrected by the Second Reserves Restatement, have been adjusted in the Netherlands GAAP financial statements through a restatement of the comparative results for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002.

Quantitative information concerning the effect of these adjustments is set forth in the tables below and additional information on the Reserves Restatement is contained in Note 2 on pages G5 to G8.

 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 43


Table of Contents

Notes to the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements
                                                                                 
Statement of Income $ million

2003 2002


Reclassification Reclassification
Second for Second for
As originally Reserves discontinued As As previously Reserves discontinued As
reporteda Restatement As restated operationsb restated restateda Restatement As restated operationsb restated

Net proceeds
    201,728             201,728       (3,366 )     198,362       166,601             166,601       (3,148 )     163,453  
Cost of sales
    167,667       289       167,956       (2,642 )     165,314       138,117       118       138,235       (2,457 )     135,778  
Exploration
    1,476             1,476       (1 )     1,475       1,073             1,073       (21 )     1,052  
Other operating expenses
    14,428             14,428       (565 )     13,863       12,027             12,027       (351 )     11,676  
Share of operating profit of associated companies
    3,484       (19 )     3,465       (19 )     3,446       2,822       (6 )     2,816       (24 )     2,792  

Operating profit
    21,641       (308 )     21,333       (177 )     21,156       18,206       (124 )     18,082       (343 )     17,739  
Net interest (income)/expense and currency exchange (gains)/losses
    (370 )           (370 )     (42 )     (412 )     629             629       (61 )     568  

Income before taxation
    22,011       (308 )     21,703       (135 )     21,568       17,577       (124 )     17,453       (282 )     17,171  
Taxation
    9,572       (126 )     9,446       (97 )     9,349       7,796       (54 )     7,742       (95 )     7,647  
Minority interests
    365       1       366       (13 )     353       179       (4 )     175             175  

Income from continuing operations
    12,074       (183 )     11,891       (25 )     11,866       9,602       (66 )     9,536       (187 )     9,349  
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
                      25       25                         187       187  

Net income
    12,074       (183 )     11,891             11,891       9,602       (66 )     9,536             9,536  

a As reported in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004.
 
b As a consequence of the separate reporting of income from discontinued operations (see Note 4), information for comparative periods has been reclassified where necessary.
                                             
Statement of Assets and Liabilities $ million

December 31, 2003

Second Reclassification
As originally Reserves for deferred As
reporteda Restatement As restated taxb restated

Fixed assets
                                       
 
Tangible
    87,701       (613 )     87,088             87,088  
 
Intangible
    4,448             4,448             4,448  
 
Investments
    22,787       (13 )     22,774             22,774  
Other long-term assets
    9,257             9,257       2,092       11,349  
Current assets
    43,611             43,611             43,611  
Current liabilities
    54,424             54,424             54,424  
Long-term liabilities
    15,154             15,154             15,154  
Provisions
                                       
   
Deferred taxation
    13,355       (262 )     13,093       2,092       15,185  
   
Pensions and decommissioning
    8,882             8,882             8,882  
Minority interests
    3,428       (13 )     3,415             3,415  

Net assets
    72,561       (351 )     72,210             72,210  

a As reported in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004.
 
b Deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented at December 31, 2004 separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, with reclassification of the prior year.
                   
Parent Companies’ interest in Group net assets $ million

2003 2002

At December 31 as originally reported (2003)/previously restated (2002)a
    72,561       60,324  
Effect of the Second Reserves Restatement:
               
 
Interest at the beginning of the year
    (168 )     (102 )b
 
Net income for the year
    (183 )     (66 )

At December 31 as restated
    72,210       60,156  

a As reported in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004.
 
b Cumulative effect as at January 1, 2002.

Amounts relating to prior periods have been restated in the following notes where applicable.

 
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Notes to the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements

33 Reconciliation between US GAAP and Netherlands GAAP

Please refer to the Notes to the Financial Statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP on pages G5 to G37. The following table provides a reconciliation between US GAAP and Netherlands GAAP for Group net income and net assets.
                                           
$ million

Net income Net assets


Dec 31,
2003 2002 Dec 31, 2003
2004 As restated As restated 2004 As restated

In accordance with US GAAP
    18,183       12,313       9,656       84,576       72,497  
Adjustments for Netherlands GAAP:
                                       
Goodwill amortisation
    (167 )     (167 )     (120 )     (454 )     (287 )
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for asset retirement obligations
          (255 )                  
Recoverability of assets:
                                       
 
Impairments
    (455 )                 (455 )      
 
Reversals of impairments
    469                   469        

In accordance with Netherlands GAAP
    18,030       11,891       9,536       84,136       72,210  

The above table should be used to understand the differences in the movements in the Group’s net assets found in Note 30 and 38 as the tables are prepared based on US GAAP and Netherlands GAAP respectively.

Net income by segment in accordance with Netherlands GAAP is as follows:

                         
$ million

Net income

2003 2002
2004 As restated As restated

Exploration & Production
    9,784       8,668       6,726  
Gas & Power
    1,739       2,279       764  
Oil Products
    7,380       2,703       2,517  
Chemicals
    881       (209 )     565  
Corporate and Other
    (1,040 )     (1,184 )     (861 )
Minority interests
    (714 )     (366 )     (175 )

      18,030       11,891       9,536  

Where applicable, differences between Netherlands GAAP and US GAAP affecting these Notes are disclosed below.

34 Associated companies

There is an increase in the Group share of operating profit of associated companies for 2004 and in the Group’s investment in associated companies at December 31, 2004 of $397 million, compared with Note 7 prepared under US GAAP, relating to the reversal of an impairment in the Exploration & Production segment as a result of an increase in the longer-term expectation for oil prices.

35 Taxation

There is a decrease in the taxation charge for 2004 and in the provision for deferred taxation at December 31, 2004 of $106 million, compared with Note 10 prepared under US GAAP, relating to impairments partly offset by impairment reversals.

36 Tangible and intangible fixed assets

                                                 
$ million

2004 2003


Total
Other Total Total Group
Tangible Goodwill intangibles intangibles Group As restated

Cost
                                               
At January 1
    181,685       4,011       2,998       7,009       188,694       167,027  
Capital expenditure
    12,440       3       291       294       12,734       12,252  
Sales, retirements and other movements
    (9,345 )     (44 )     102       58       (9,287 )     (4,840 )
Currency translation differences
    8,382       62       81       143       8,525       14,255  

At December 31
    193,162       4,032       3,472       7,504       200,666       188,694  

Depreciation
                                               
At January 1
    94,597       1,623       938       2,561       97,158       81,018  
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation charge
    12,434       167       328       495       12,929       11,878  
Sales, retirements and other movements
    (7,310 )     (37 )     (38 )     (75 )     (7,385 )     (3,711 )
Currency translation differences
    4,990       42       45       87       5,077       7,973  

At December 31
    104,711       1,795       1,273       3,068       107,779       97,158  

Net 2004
    88,451       2,237       2,199       4,436       92,887          

Net 2003 (as restated)
    87,088       2,388       2,060       4,448               91,536  

 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 45


Table of Contents

Notes to the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements

There is an increase in depreciation, depletion and amortisation for tangible fixed assets recorded in cost of sales in 2004 of $489 million, with a corresponding reduction in the net book amount at December 31, 2004, compared with Note 11 prepared under US GAAP. This relates to additional impairments mainly in Gas & Power ($625 million), as a result of economic conditions in the power generation market (where an impairment was required under Netherlands GAAP but not under US GAAP because estimated undiscounted cash flows exceeded carrying amount), partly offset by an impairment reversal in Exploration & Production of $211 million, as a result of an increase in the longer-term expectation for oil prices.

There is an increase in depreciation, depletion and amortisation for intangible fixed assets recorded in cost of sales in 2004 of $167 million (2003: $167 million), with a cumulative impact of $454 million at December 31, 2004 (2003: $287 million), compared with Note 11 prepared under US GAAP. This relates to the amortisation of goodwill under Netherlands GAAP. Goodwill arising on the acquisition of Pennzoil-Quaker State in 2002 is amortised over forty years. Continued brand maintenance in addition to the established long-term leadership of these brands in automotive lubricants and vehicle care markets support this amortisation period.

37 Debt

There is no difference in total long-term debt compared with Note 16, prepared under US GAAP, however certain long-term commitments are reported as capitalised leases under Netherlands GAAP rather than as amounts due to banks and other credit institutions as under US GAAP.

(a) Long-term debt

                 
$ million

2004 2003

Debentures and other loans
    4,204       4,868  
Amounts due to banks and other credit institutions
    980       1,061  

      5,184       5,929  
Capitalised lease obligations
    3,416       3,171  

Long-term debt
    8,600       9,100  
add long-term debt due within one year
    1,291       1,874  

Long-term debt including long-term debt due within one year
    9,891       10,974  

(b) Capitalised lease obligations

The future minimum lease payments under capital leases and the present value of net minimum capital lease payments at December 31, 2004 are as follows:
         
$ million

Capital
leases

2005
    450  
2006
    423  
2007
    423  
2008
    420  
2009
    418  
2010 and after
    5,677  

Total minimum payments
    7,811  

less executory costs and interest
    4,280  

Present value of net minimum capital lease payments
    3,531  

38 Division of Group net assets between the Parent Companies and movements therein

Arrangements between Royal Dutch and Shell Transport provide, inter alia, that notwithstanding variations in shareholdings, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport shall share in the aggregate net assets and in the aggregate dividends and interest received from Group companies in the proportion of 60:40. It is further arranged that the burden of all taxes in the nature of, or corresponding to, an income tax leviable in respect of such dividends and interest shall fall in the same proportion.
 
G 46 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


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Notes to the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements
                         
Division of Group net assets and movements therein, including Group net income $ million

   Royal Shell
   Dutch Transport
Total (60%) (40%)
As restated As restated As restated

At January 1, 2002
    56,142       33,685       22,457  
Movements during the year 2002:
                       
Group net income
    9,536       5,722       3,814  
less: distributions to Parent Companies
    (5,435 )     (3,261 )     (2,174 )

Undistributed net income
    4,101       2,461       1,640  
Movement in Parent Companies’ shares held by Group companies, net of dividends received
    (844 )     (507 )     (337 )
Other comprehensive income (see Note 6)
    757       455       302  

At December 31, 2002
    60,156       36,094       24,062  
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting policy
    255       153       102  
   
   
   
 
At January 1, 2003
    60,411       36,247       24,164  
Movements during the year 2003:
                       
Group net income
    11,891       7,134       4,757  
less: distributions to Parent Companies
    (5,660 )     (3,396 )     (2,264 )

Undistributed net income
    6,231       3,738       2,493  
Loss on sale of Parent Companies’ shares
    (1 )     (1 )      
Movement in Parent Companies’ shares held by Group companies, net of dividends received
    (631 )     (378 )     (253 )
Other comprehensive income (see Note 6)
    6,200       3,720       2,480  

At December 31, 2003
    72,210       43,326       28,884  
Movements during the year 2004:
                       
Group net income
    18,030       10,818       7,212  
less: distributions to Parent Companies
    (7,989 )     (4,793 )     (3,196 )

Undistributed net income
    10,041       6,025       4,016  
Movement in Parent Companies’ shares held by Group companies, net of dividends received
    (759 )     (455 )     (304 )
Other comprehensive income (see Note 6)
    2,644       1,586       1,058  

At December 31, 2004
    84,136       50,482       33,654  

The above table is based on the Group’s Netherlands GAAP results. See Note 33 for the impact of differences between US GAAP and Netherlands GAAP on the Group’s net income and net assets. Note 30 shows the division of Group net assets and movements therein under US GAAP.

                           
Parent Companies’ interest in Group net assets $ million

2003 2002
2004 As restated As restated

Invested by Parent Companies
    741       741       741  
Retained earnings of Group companies
    84,660       74,619       68,134  
Parent Companies’ shares held, net of dividends received (Note 23)
    (4,187 )     (3,428 )     (2,797 )
Cumulative currency translation differences
    4,356       1,208       (3,894 )
Unrealised gains/(losses) on:
                       
 
securities (Note 15)
    350       700       11  
 
cash flow hedges
    (157 )     (188 )     (239 )
Minimum pension liability adjustments
    (1,627 )     (1,442 )     (1,800 )

Balance at December 31
    84,136       72,210       60,156  

The reduction in retained earnings of Group companies at December 31, 2004 of $440 million (2003: $287 million) compared with Note 5 prepared in accordance with US GAAP, relates to impairments, reversals of impairments and the amortisation of goodwill under Netherlands GAAP (see Note 33).

 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 47


Table of Contents

Notes to the Netherlands GAAP Financial Statements

Reconciliation of Division of Group net assets and movements therein, including Group net income, to previously issued Financial Statements

                                                                         
$ million

Total Royal Dutch (60%) Shell Transport (40%)



Second Second Second
As previously Reserves As previously Reserves As previously Reserves
restateda Restatement As restated restateda Restatement As restated restateda Restatement As restated

At January 1, 2002
    56,244       (102 )     56,142       33,746       (61 )     33,685       22,498       (41 )     22,457  
Movements during the year 2002:
                                                                       
Group net income
    9,602       (66 )     9,536       5,761       (39 )     5,722       3,841       (27 )     3,814  
less: distributions to Parent Companies
    (5,435 )           (5,435 )     (3,261 )           (3,261 )     (2,174 )           (2,174 )

Undistributed net income
    4,167       (66 )     4,101       2,500       (39 )     2,461       1,667       (27 )     1,640  
Movement in Parent Companies’ shares held by Group companies, net of dividends received
    (844 )           (844 )     (507 )           (507 )     (337 )           (337 )
Other comprehensive income (see Note 6)
    757             757       455             455       302             302  

At December 31, 2002
    60,324       (168 )     60,156       36,194       (100 )     36,094       24,130       (68 )     24,062  

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting policy
    255             255       153             153       102             102  
      60,579       (168 )     60,411       36,347       (100 )     36,247       24,232       (68 )     24,164  
Movements during the year 2003:
                                                                       
Group net income
    12,074       (183 )     11,891       7,244       (110 )     7,134       4,830       (73 )     4,757  
less: distributions to Parent Companies
    (5,660 )           (5,660 )     (3,396 )           (3,396 )     (2,264 )           (2,264 )

Undistributed net income
    6,414       (183 )     6,231       3,848       (110 )     3,738       2,566       (73 )     2,493  
Loss on sale of Parent Companies’ shares
    (1 )           (1 )     (1 )           (1 )                  
Movement in Parent Companies’ shares held by Group companies, net of dividends received
    (631 )           (631 )     (378 )           (378 )     (253 )           (253 )
Other comprehensive income (see Note 6)
    6,200             6,200       3,721       (1 )     3,720       2,479       1       2,480  

At December 31, 2003
    72,561       (351 )     72,210       43,537       (211 )     43,326       29,024       (140 )     28,884  

a 2003 data is as originally reported.
 
G 48 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


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Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)

Reserves

Net quantities (which are unaudited) of proved oil and gas reserves are shown in the tables on pages G56 through G59. Proved reserves are the estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions, i.e., prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made. Proved developed oil and gas reserves are reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods. The unaudited reserve volumes reported exclude volumes attributable to oil and gas discoveries which are not at present considered proved. Such volumes will be included when technical, fiscal and other conditions allow them to be economically developed and produced.

Proved reserves are shown net of any quantities of crude oil or natural gas that are expected to be taken by others as royalties in kind but do not exclude quantities related to royalties expected to be paid in cash (except in North America and in other situations in which the royalty quantities are owned by others) or those related to fixed margin contracts. Proved reserves include certain quantities of crude oil or natural gas which will be produced under arrangements which involve Group companies in upstream risks and rewards but do not transfer title of the product to those companies.

Oil and gas reserves cannot be measured exactly since estimation of reserves involves subjective judgment. These estimates remain subject to revision and are unaudited supplementary information.

Recategorisation and restatement of unaudited proved reserves volumes

First Half Review
As announced on January 9, 2004, March 18, 2004, and April 19, 2004, the Group reviewed its proved reserves inventory (with the assistance of external consultants) during the period from late 2003 to April 2004 (collectively, the First Half Review). Following the First Half Review, 4,474 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe)1 previously booked at December 31, 2002 as proved reserves were recategorised as not proved. The results of the First Half Review were reflected in the restatement of proved reserves and of the standardised measure of discounted future net cash flows contained in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as originally filed on June 30, 2004 (the First Reserves Restatement).

Second Half Review

As announced on October 28, 2004, November 26, 2004 and February 3, 2005, the Group performed additional reviews of its proved reserves inventory (with the assistance of external consultants) during the period from July 2004 to December 2004 (collectively, the Second Half Review). As a result of the Second Half Review, 1,371 million boe previously booked at December 31, 2003 as proved reserves were recategorised as not proved. These changes are reflected in the restatement of proved reserves and the standardised measure of future cash flows contained in this Report (the Second Reserves Restatement). The Second Reserves Restatement was also reflected in Amendment No. 2 to the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 7, 2005. (The First Reserves Restatement and the Second Reserves Restatement are collectively referred to as the Reserves Restatements.)

The Second Half Review reflected the implementation of certain remedial actions undertaken following the First Half Review and First Reserves Restatement, and in light of the report of Davis, Polk & Wardwell to the Group Audit Committee. These actions were designed to strengthen the controls relating to the reporting of proved reserves and included the following:

The Group’s reserves reporting guidelines were revised to comply with the SEC requirements and published SEC staff guidance.
 
The Group implemented a program to train approximately 3,000 staff members in the revised proved reserve guidelines. This training effort was substantially completed during the fourth quarter of 2004.
 
Beginning in July 2004, asset teams in each operating unit, using the revised guidelines and in some cases assisted by external consultants, undertook a reservoir-by-reservoir review of the Group’s proved reserve base as part of its annual reserves determination process.
 
Teams from Group internal audit, assisted by separate external consultants, conducted on-site reviews to evaluate compliance of reported volumes with SEC requirements, as well as the functioning of the reserves control framework and governance. For 2004, this audit process covered approximately 90% of the Group’s proved reserves originally reported in the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004 (14,350 million boe). The findings of Group internal audit are reported directly to management and the Group Audit Committee.
1  The Group converts natural gas to crude oil equivalent using a factor of 5,800 standard cubic feet per barrel.
 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 49


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Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)

All changes to proved reserves, were agreed by the Regional Reserves Committee and the Global Reserves Committee and reviewed by the Executive Committee, the Group Audit Committee and the boards of the Parent Companies.

See “Controls and Procedures – Remedial Actions Taken in 2004” (page 76) for an additional discussion of the remedial actions taken following the First Half Review and in light of the report to the Group Audit Committee of Davis, Polk & Wardwell.

Reserves Restatements

The effects of the First Reserves Restatement were set forth in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004. The effects of the Second Reserves Restatement are set forth in the reconciliation table on page G54 and in the tables on pages G56 to G61, which reflect a restatement of the Group’s unaudited proved reserve volumes for the two years ended December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2003, as well as a restatement of the standardised measure of discounted future cash flows.

Variations from SEC Requirements

The Group determined that during the periods prior to the Reserves Restatements, its reserves bookings were not fully consistent with the definition of proved reserves as set forth in Rule 4-10 of Regulation S-X under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Rule 4-10), and the interpretations of that Rule by the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the SEC. In particular, the Group determined that its prior guidelines contained interpretations and allowed for reserve determinations that were not consistent with Rule 4-10 and SEC staff interpretations of Rule 4-10. The principal areas of variation that are reflected in the Second Reserves Restatement are discussed below.

First Reserves Restatement

Investment commitment
Volumes of hydrocarbons were booked as proved reserves with respect to certain projects for which there was found subsequently not to be a sufficient level of investment commitment to conclude that there was “reasonable certainty” of recovery of those volumes in future years under existing economic and operating conditions (as defined in SEC staff interpretations of Rule 4-10). Under prior Group guidelines, proved reserves were booked in some cases upon progress with development planning. However, this did not in all cases meet the requirement under Rule 4-10 to demonstrate specific commitment to development actions. Examples include properties in Nigeria (various fields), Norway (Ormen Lange field) and New Zealand (Pohokura field). This factor was also a consideration in Australia (Gorgon field).

Market assurance

Volumes of hydrocarbons were booked as proved reserves with respect to certain projects for which there was insufficient evidence of future market demand at the date of booking to conclude that there was “reasonable certainty” that it would be economic to recover those volumes under conditions existing at the date of booking. The primary example of this category was Australia (Gorgon field and other North West Shelf properties), but it was also a factor in determining reserves restatements for other properties that rely on the long-term extension or renewal of existing sales contracts.

Governmental or regulatory approval

Volumes of hydrocarbons were booked as proved reserves with respect to certain projects for which governmental or regulatory approvals were not sufficiently assured for there to be “reasonable certainty” of the recovery of those volumes in future years. The main examples of such properties are in Kazakhstan (Kashagan field), Ireland (Corrib field), Italy (Tempa Rossa field) and the Netherlands (Waddenzee fields).

Field performance and project delivery

Volumes of hydrocarbons were booked and maintained as proved reserves with respect to certain development projects in producing fields notwithstanding a deferment in project execution or a decline in actual production volumes and forecasts when these indications should have suggested that there was no longer “reasonable certainty” that the originally estimated volumes would be recovered in the future. These issues arose mainly in fields in the Middle East and Nigeria.

Year-end pricing

Volume entitlements under Production Sharing Contracts, and other agreements for which reserves are estimated using the “economic entitlement” method, were determined using the prices that were used internally by the Group for screening investment decisions and for business planning, rather than the year-end price as required under Rule 4-10. When applying year-end prices to such reserves estimates, the resulting reserves figure is usually inversely related to product price, such that at times of high price there will be a lower reserves entitlement than at times of low price, all other factors being equal. Several properties in the Group’s portfolio are affected in this manner.
 
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Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)

Technical definition

Volumes of hydrocarbons were booked as proved reserves with respect to some projects prior to the development of sufficient data to meet certain technical requirements established by the SEC staff in interpreting the definition of “reasonable certainty” in Rule 4-10. The primary examples are:

Lowest Known Hydrocarbon: In some cases, volumes occurring below the “Lowest Known Hydrocarbon” (ie, the deepest point that has been logged as hydrocarbon-bearing) had been included in proved reserves estimates. Such volumes were considered defensible prior to 2003 generally on the grounds that evidence of the location of fluid contacts was available through measurements of the pressure gradients in the reservoirs concerned. This volume was estimated to be 172 million boe at the end of 2003 and was accounted for as a revision during the year 2003. It was not reflected in the Reserves Restatements for prior years.
 
Proved Area – Lateral Extent: In some cases, volumes occurring in parts of the reservoir that are more than one offset development well location from existing well penetrations had been booked as proved reserves in the absence of sufficient proof of continuous and economically productive reservoir in the areas concerned. This volume was estimated to be 180 million boe at the end of 2003 and substantially all was accounted for through restatement of proved reserves for prior years. The 2003 reserves additions as announced on February 5, 2004 were also reduced by approximately 180 million boe as a result of these issues.
 
Improved Recovery – Availability of Suitable Analogues: In some cases, volumes related to the successful implementation of improved recovery processes had been booked as proved reserves in the absence of either qualifying analogues or sufficient performance proof. SEC guidance requires “reasonable certainty” that the processes would be effective in the specific reservoirs concerned. This volume was estimated to be 160 million boe at the end of 2003 and substantially all was accounted for through restatement of proved reserves for prior years.
 
Recovery Factor Forecasting Methodology: In some cases, volumes booked on the basis of sophisticated computer modelling were not sufficiently supported by actual reservoir performance, as seen principally in decline curve analysis, to satisfy the requirement of “reasonable certainty” in the estimation of proved reserves. This volume was estimated to be 160 million boe at the end of 2003 and substantially all was accounted for through the revisions occurring during the year 2003.
 
Economic Producibility: In some cases, proved reserves may have been assigned to reservoirs in the absence of information from a combination of electrical and other type logs and core analyses sufficient to indicate the reservoirs were analogous to similar reservoirs in the same field which were producing or had demonstrated the ability to produce on a formation test. However, there were no material instances of reserves being debooked solely for this reason.

Royalty

For the years ended 1999 to 2002, proved reserves and production had been recorded with respect to royalties paid in cash on properties in Canada. These were removed from proved reserves, resulting in a reduction in unaudited proved reserves of 103 million boe at December 31, 2003 and 89 million boe at December 31, 2002, and a reduction in production of 9 million boe for 2003 and 14 million boe for 2002.

Second Reserves Restatement

Lowest Known Hydrocarbon
In some cases, volumes occurring below the “Lowest Known Hydrocarbon” (i.e., the deepest point that has been logged as hydrocarbon-bearing) had been included in proved reserves estimates. Such volumes were considered defensible prior to 2003 on the grounds that evidence of the location of fluid contacts was available through measurements of the pressure gradients in the reservoirs concerned. The volume identified in the Second Half Review was estimated to be 71 million boe at the end of 2003 (5% of the Second Reserves Restatement) and was accounted for as a revision during 2003. Africa accounted for 60% of this volume followed by Asia Pacific (25%) and Europe (15%).

Proved Area – Lateral Extent

In some cases, volumes occurring in parts of the reservoir that are more than one offset development well location from existing well penetrations had been booked as proved reserves in the absence of sufficient proof of continuous and economically productive reservoir in the areas concerned. The volume identified in the Second Half Review was estimated to be 420 million boe at the end of 2003 (31% of the Second Reserves Restatement) and was accounted for through restatement of proved reserves for prior years. Africa accounted for 48% of this volume followed by Asia Pacific (32%) and Middle East (13%).

Improved Recovery – Availability of Suitable Analogues

In some cases, volumes related to the successful implementation of improved recovery processes had been booked as proved reserves in the absence of either qualifying analogues or sufficient performance proof. SEC guidance requires “reasonable certainty” that the processes will be effective in the specific reservoirs concerned. The volume identified in the Second Half Review was estimated to be 127 million
 
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Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)

boe at the end of 2003 (9% of the Second Reserves Restatement) and was accounted for through restatement of proved reserves for prior years. Western Hemisphere (excluding USA) accounted for 48% of this volume followed by Africa (42%) and Europe (10%).

Recovery Factor Forecasting Methodology

In some cases, volumes booked on the basis of sophisticated computer modelling were not sufficiently supported by actual reservoir performance, as seen principally in decline curve analysis, to satisfy the requirement of “reasonable certainty” in the estimation of proved reserves. The volume identified in the Second Half Review was estimated to be 681 million boe at the end of 2003 (50% of the Second Reserves Restatement) and was accounted for through restatement of proved reserves for prior years. Europe accounted for 45% of this volume followed by Asia Pacific (27%) and Africa (26%).

Other Reasons

In some cases, volumes were removed from proved reserves for other reasons, principally lack of investment commitment. The volume identified in the Second Half Review was approximately 73 million boe at the end of 2003 (5% of the Second Reserves Restatement).

Effect of Reserves Restatements

The tables on pages G56 to G61 show restated amounts of unaudited proved reserve volumes and a restated calculation of the standardised measure of discounted future net cash flows for 2003 and 2002 giving effect to Reserves Restatements. The allocation to particular years of quantities to be removed from the proved reserves category for some of the mature producing areas involved the use of estimates as to timing, owing to the practical difficulties in associating particular volumes with particular projects at specific times in the past. Effect was given to the Reserves Restatements through the removal of proved reserves either in the year in which those reserves were originally booked or the year during which those reserves no longer constituted proved reserves under the SEC rules, as applicable. The table on pages G56 to G61 presents a statement of proved reserves (or standardised measure) as reported in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004 (which gave effect to the First Reserves Restatement), the effects of the Second Reserves Restatement on the opening reserves or standardised measure balances for each year concerned, the effect of the Second Reserves Restatement on movements during each year and the restated closing balance.

The effect of the Reserves Restatements on unaudited proved reserve volumes and the standardised measure for each of the years covered by this report is summarised as follows:

Year ended December 31, 2003

At December 31, 2003 (and January 1, 2004), the aggregated effect on unaudited proved reserve volumes of the Second Reserves Restatement (the First Reserves Restatement did not affect 2003) was 1,371 million boe, comprising 791 million barrels of crude oil and natural gas liquids and 3,362 thousand million standard cubic feet of gas. This amounts to 10% of the total proved reserves originally stated in the 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004 (14,350 million boe). Of the total proved reserves restated, 93% (1,271 million boe) was attributable to Group companies and the remainder was attributable to associated companies. 43% of the total had been in the proved developed reserves category and 57% had been categorised as proved undeveloped reserves. Africa accounted for 38% of the restatement, Europe 28%, Asia Pacific 21%, Middle East 7%, USA 1% and Other Western Hemisphere 6%. Please refer to the narrative above for explanation of the principal reasons for the Second Reserves Restatement. After giving effect to the Reserves Restatement, the proportion of total unaudited proved reserve volumes that was accounted for as proved developed reserves at that date increased from 56%, as originally stated, to 57%.

The Second Reserves Restatement gave rise to an estimated reduction of $5,672 million in the standardised measure of discounted future net cash flow for Group companies and a further $327 million for associated companies. Together, these effects equate to approximately 10% of the total standardised measure that was originally stated at that date.

The effect of the combined Reserves Restatements on the standardised measure of discounted future net cash flows on 2002 and earlier years is disproportionately low (17% in 2002) compared with the effect on proved reserves (29% in 2002) primarily due to the fact that particularly for the First Reserves Restatement many of the volumes affected are located in relatively low margin operating areas and that the majority are undeveloped (the cost of development for these reserves tends to suppress the standardised measure of these volumes, as compared to the standardised measure for volumes that have already been developed).

The effect of the Second Reserves Restatement on the standardised measure of discounted future cash flows for year end 2003 (10%) is the same as the effect on proved reserves (10%). The volumes affected are not located primarily in low margin areas and there is a higher percentage of proved developed volumes than in the First Reserves Restatement.

Year ended December 31, 2002

At December 31, 2002 (and January 1, 2003), the aggregated effect on unaudited proved reserve volumes of the First Reserves Restatement and the Second Reserves Restatement was 5,626 million boe, comprising 3,493 million barrels of crude oil and natural gas liquids and 12,373 thousand million standard cubic feet of gas. This amounts to 29% of the total unaudited proved reserve volumes originally stated at that date (19,346 million boe). Of this total, 4,474 boe was reflected in the First Reserves Restatement, comprising
 
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Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)

2,795 million barrels of crude oil and natural gas liquids and 9,736 thousand million standard cubic feet of gas. The balance of 1,153 million boe is reflected herein as part of the Second Reserves Restatement. Of the total unaudited proved reserves restated as part of the Second Reserves Restatement, 92% (1,060 million boe) was attributable to Group companies and the remainder was attributable to associated companies. 42% of the total had been in the proved developed reserves category and 58% had been categorised as proved undeveloped reserves. Africa accounted for 35% of the Second Reserves Restatement, Asia Pacific 26%, Middle East 3%, Europe 21%, and Other Western Hemisphere 15%. Please refer to the narrative above for explanation of the principal reasons for the Second Reserves Restatement. After giving effect to the Second Reserves Restatement, the proportion of total unaudited proved reserve volumes that was accounted for as proved developed reserves at that date increased from 56%, as stated in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004, to 57%.

The Reserves Restatements gave rise to an aggregate estimated reduction of $10,542 million in the standardised measure of discounted future net cash flow for Group companies and a further $1,470 million for associated companies. Together, these effects equate to approximately 17% of the total standardised measure that was originally stated at that date in the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts and 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on June 30, 2004. The reduction of the net present value disclosed by the standardised measure includes an offset due to the correction of an error in the original statement that was discovered during compilation of the restated figures. The error related to the application of an incorrect net margin accruing to production on a fixed margin contract and resulted in an understatement of approximately 1% of the standardised measure value originally reported for the year 2002. The percentage effect is even less in 2001. Of the total reduction, $6,648 was reflected in the First Reserves Restatement and $5,364 is reflected herein as part of the Second Reserves Restatement.

Years prior to 2002

In certain cases, the affected unaudited proved reserve volumes have been removed from the proved category in years prior to 2002. Although not tabulated in detail in this report, a summary of the estimated effects on prior years is as follows:

At December 31, 2001 (and January 1, 2002), the aggregated effect on unaudited proved reserves of the Reserves Restatements was 5,324 million boe, comprising 3,205 million barrels of crude oil and natural gas liquids and 12,293 thousand million standard cubic feet of gas. This amounted to 28% of the total unaudited proved reserve volumes originally stated at that date (19,095 million boe). Of the volumes restated, 88% (4,683 million boe) were attributable to Group companies and the remainder were attributable to associated companies. 16% of the total had been in the proved developed reserves category and 84% had been categorised as proved undeveloped reserves. Africa accounted for 45% of the total restatement, Asia Pacific 33%, Middle East 11%, Europe 7%, and Other Western Hemisphere 4%. Various properties in Nigeria accounted for 43% of the restated volumes at that date, Australia accounted for 19% of the total. The effect of applying year end pricing accounted for 4% of the total;
 
at December 31, 2000 (and January 1, 2001), the aggregated effect on unaudited proved reserves of the Reserves Restatements was 5,584 million boe, comprising 3,346 million barrels of crude oil and natural gas liquids and 12,979 thousand million standard cubic feet of gas. This amounted to 29% of the total unaudited proved reserves originally stated at that date (19,455 million boe). Of the total aggregated effect, 89% (4,995 million boe) was attributable to Group companies and the remainder was attributable to associated companies. 15% of the total had been in the proved developed reserves category and 85% had been categorised as proved undeveloped reserves. Africa accounted for 44% of the total restatement, Asia Pacific 31%, Middle East 14%, Europe 5%, and Other Western Hemisphere 5%. Various properties in Nigeria accounted for 42% of the restated volume at that date and Australia accounted for 19%. The effect of applying year-end pricing accounted for 8% of the total;
 
at December 31, 1999 (and January 1, 2000), the aggregated effect on proved reserves of the Reserves Restatements was 5,207 million boe, comprising 2,802 million barrels of crude oil and natural gas liquids and 13,947 thousand million standard cubic feet of gas. This amounted to 26% of the total proved reserves originally stated at that date (19,868 million boe). Of the total aggregated effect, 89% (4,630 million boe) was attributable to Group companies and the remainder was attributable to associated companies. 19% of the total had been in the proved developed reserves category and 81% had been categorised as proved undeveloped reserves. Africa accounted for 47% of the total restatement, Asia Pacific 32%, Middle East 11%, Europe 5%, and Other Western Hemisphere 5%. Various properties in Nigeria accounted for 47% of the restated volume at that date and Australia accounted for 22%. The effect of applying year-end pricing accounted for 10% of the total;
 
at December 31, 1998 (and January 1, 1999), the aggregate effect on proved reserves of the Reserves Restatements was 4,111 million boe, comprising 2,314 million barrels of crude oil and natural gas liquids and 10,423 thousand million standard cubic feet of gas. This amounted to 20% of the total proved reserves originally stated at that date (20,455 million boe). Of the total aggregate effect, 85% (3,501 million boe) was attributable to Group companies and the remainder was attributable to associated companies. 17% of the total had been in the proved developed reserves category and 83% had been categorised as proved undeveloped reserves. Africa accounted for 57% of the total restatement, Asia Pacific 39%, and Europe 4%. Various properties in Nigeria and Australia together accounted for 85% of the restated volume at that date; and
 
at December 31, 1997 (January 1, 1998), the aggregate effect on proved reserves of the Reserves Restatements was 3,462 million boe, comprising 1,776 million barrels of crude oil and natural gas liquids and 9,779 thousand million standard cubic feet of gas.
 
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Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)

This amounted to 19% of the total proved reserves originally stated at that date (19,359 million boe). Of the total aggregate effect, 83% (2,883 million boe) was attributable to Group companies and the remainder was attributable to associated companies. 9% of the total had been in the proved developed reserves category and 91% had been categorised as proved undeveloped reserves. Africa accounted for 52% of the total restatement, Asia Pacific 45% and Europe 4%. Various properties in Nigeria and Australia together accounted for 85% of the restated volume at that date.

Reconciliation of previously reported Supplementary information – Oil and Gas

The following tables set forth the effect of the Second Reserves Restatement on (i) the proved developed and undeveloped crude oil and natural gas reserves of Group companies and the Group share of associated companies at December 31, 2003 and 2002 (ii) the standardised measure of discounted future net cash flows at each such date and (iii) a geographic analysis of the Second Reserves Restatement.

Reconciliation of Proved Reserve Volumes and Standardised Measure

                                                                                   
million barrels thousand million standard cubic feeta $ million

Reserves: Crude oil and natural gas liquids Reserves: Natural gas

Proved developed Standardised measure
and undeveloped Proved developed Proved developed and Proved developed of discounted
reserves reserves undeveloped reserves reserves future cash flows

2003 2002 2003 2002 2003 2002 2003 2002 2003 2002

Group companies
                                                                               
As originally reported (2003)/previously restated (2002)
    5,723       6,405       3,512       3,684       41,601       40,290       20,490       21,362       53,844       60,362  
Effect of the Second Reserves Restatement
                                                                               
 
Amounts at beginning of year
    (623 )     (507 )     (168 )     (145 )     (2,533 )     (1,529 )     (1,401 )     (1,453 )     (5,202 )     (2,504 )
 
Movements during the year
    (91 )     (116 )     (75 )     (23 )     (698 )     (1,004 )     (101 )     52       (470 )     (2,698 )

Total
    (714 )     (623 )     (243 )     (168 )     (3,231 )     (2,533 )     (1,502 )     (1,401 )     (5,672 )     (5,202 )

As restated At December 31
    5,009       5,782       3,269       3,516       38,370       37,757       18,988       19,961       48,172       55,160  

Group share of associated companies
                                                                               
As originally reported (2003)/previously restated (2002)
    882       933       672       659       3,319       3,412       1,914       1,847       5,828       5,762  
Effect of the Second Reserves Restatement
                                                                               
 
Amounts at beginning of year
    (75 )     (55 )     (72 )     (53 )     (104 )     187       (16 )     18       (162 )     (28 )
 
Movements during the year
    (2 )     (20 )     (10 )     (19 )     (27 )     (291 )     (17 )     (34 )     (165 )     (134 )

Total
    (77 )     (75 )     (82 )     (72 )     (131 )     (104 )     (33 )     (16 )     (327 )     (162 )

As restated at December 31
    805       858       590       587       3,188       3,308       1,881       1,831       5,501       5,600  

Geographical analysis of the Second Reserves Restatement

                                                                                   
million barrels thousand million standard cubic feeta $ million

Reserves: Crude oil and natural gas liquids Reserves: Natural gas

Proved developed Standardised measure
and undeveloped Proved developed Proved developed and Proved developed of discounted
reserves reserves undeveloped reserves reserves future cash flows

2003 2002 2003 2002 2003 2002 2003 2002 2003 2002

Group companies
                                                                               
 
Europe
    (168 )     (111 )     (94 )     (64 )     (1,242 )     (762 )     (873 )     (589 )     (1,499 )     (1,343 )
 
Africab
    (374 )     (379 )     (102 )     (64 )     (835 )     (152 )     (208 )     (446 )     (2,614 )     (2,910 )
 
Asia Pacificc
    (15 )     (15 )     (10 )     (5 )     (1,011 )     (1,132 )     (395 )     (370 )     (564 )     (556 )
 
Middle East, Russia, CISd
    (94 )     (38 )     (34 )     (33 )     (6 )           (3 )           (552 )     7  
 
USA
    (3 )     (3 )     (2 )     (2 )     (32 )     (32 )     (4 )     (5 )     (52 )     (37 )
 
Other Western Hemisphere
    (60 )     (77 )     (1 )           (105 )     (455 )     (19 )     9       (391 )     (363 )

Total
    (714 )     (623 )     (243 )     (168 )     (3,231 )     (2,533 )     (1,502 )     (1,401 )     (5,672 )     (5,202 )

Group share of associated companies
                                                                               
 
Europe
                                                           
 
Africab
                                                             
 
Asia Pacificc
    (77 )     (75 )     (82 )     (72 )     (131 )     (104 )     (33 )     (16 )     (326 )     (162 )
 
Middle East, Russia, CISd
                                                           
 
USA
                                                           
 
Other Western Hemisphere
                                                           

Total
    (77 )     (75 )     (82 )     (72 )     (131 )     (104 )     (33 )     (16 )     (326 )     (162 )

a These quantities have not been adjusted to standard heat content.
 
b Excludes Egypt.

c Excludes Sakhalin.

d Middle East and Former Soviet Union/Commonwealth of Independent States. Includes Caspian region, Egypt and Sakhalin.
 
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Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)

Crude oil and natural gas liquids

Group companies’ estimated net proved reserves of crude oil and natural gas liquids at the end of the year, their share of the net proved reserves of associated companies at the end of the year, and the changes in such reserves during the year are set out below.

Proved developed and undeveloped reservesa

                                                         
million barrels

2004

Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere


Asia Middle East Americas
Europe Africab Pacificc Russia, CISd USA Other Total

Group companies
                                                       
At January 1
    1,199       1,379       303       1,202       547       379       5,009  
Revisions and reclassifications
    (27 )     (46 )     13       80       (2 )     (197 )     (179 )
Improved recovery
    6       2             4                   12  
Extensions and discoveries
    5       13       10       68       12       2       110  
Purchases of minerals in place
                                         
Sales of minerals in place
    (2 )     (57 )     (35 )                       (94 )
Production
    (212 )     (146 )     (46 )     (172 )     (99 )     (38 )     (713 )
Transfers to associated companies
                      (384 )                 (384 )

At December 31
    969       1,145       245       798       458       146       3,761  

Group share of associated companies
                                                       
At January 1
    2             304       86       413             805  
Revisions and reclassifications
                (22 )     (13 )     18             (17 )
Improved recovery
                38                         38  
Extensions and discoveries
                                         
Purchases of minerals in place
                                         
Sales of minerals in place
                (1 )                       (1 )
Production
                (43 )           (39 )           (82 )
Transfers from Group companies
                      384                   384  

At December 31
    2             276       457       392             1,127  

Minority Interests’ share of proved reserves of Group companies
                                                       
At December 31
          23       1       109             14       147  

                 
Oil sandse million barrels

Group companies
               
At January 1
    572       572  
Revisions and reclassifications
    72       72  
Extensions and discoveries
           
Production
    (29 )     (29 )

At December 31
    615       615  

Minority Interests’ share of oil sands
               
At December 31
    135       135  

Proved developed reserves

                                                         
million barrels

2004

Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere


Asia Middle East Americas
Europe Africab Pacificc Russia, CISd USA Other Total

Group companies
                                                       
At January 1
    962       777       184       864       291       191       3,269  
At December 31f
    755       617       134       475       242       115       2,338  

Group share of associated companies
                                                       
At January 1
    1             224       1       364             590  
At December 31f
    1             187       360       349             897  

a A summary of changes is shown on page G54.
b Excludes Egypt.
c Excludes Sakhalin.
d Middle East and Former Soviet Union/Commonwealth of Independent States. Includes Caspian region, Egypt and Sakhalin.
e Petroleum reserves from operations that do not qualify as oil and gas producing activities, such as our Athabasca Oil Sands Project, are not included in oil and gas reserves and are not considered in the standardised measure of discounted future cash flows for oil and gas reserves, which is found on page G60. The petroleum reserves for the Athabasca Oil Sands Project are presented in this report net of royalty volumes.
f After accounting for a transfer of proved developed reserves from Group to associated companies of 360 million barrels at the end of 2004.
 
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Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)

                                                                                                                 
million barrels million barrels

2003 2002
As restated As restated


Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere




Middle East, Middle East,
Europe Africab Asia Pacificc Russia, CISd USA Other Total Europe Africab Asia Pacificc Russia, CISd USA Other Total


      1,377       1,449       323       1,446       717       470       5,782       1,013       1,308       426       1,677       672       504       5,600  
      88       (102 )     21       (204 )     (54 )     (57 )     (308 )     99       89       (27 )     (26 )     77       (42 )     170  
      5       (6 )     16       10       8       1       34       13             6       47       51             117  
      12       171             128       9       2       322             173       6             33             212  
      1                   3                   4       507                         7       41       555  
      (39 )                       (23 )           (62 )     (1 )     (19 )     (19 )     (62 )     (3 )           (104 )
      (245 )     (133 )     (57 )     (181 )     (110 )     (37 )     (763 )     (254 )     (102 )     (69 )     (190 )     (120 )     (33 )     (768 )
                                                                                     

 
      1,199       1,379       303       1,202       547       379       5,009       1,377       1,449       323       1,446       717       470       5,782  

 
      2             325       118       413             858       1             307             356             664  
                  1             41             42       1             55             65             121  
                  13                         13                   4                         4  
                  11       86                   97                   9             33             42  
                                                                  121                   121  
                        (117 )                 (117 )                       (1 )                 (1 )
                  (46 )     (1 )     (41 )           (88 )                 (50 )     (2 )     (41 )           (93 )
                                                                                     

 
      2             304       86       413             805       2             325       118       413             858  

 
            24       1       137             54       216             23       1       126             61       211  

 
                                                                                                                 
million barrels million barrels


                                              517       517                                               594       594  
                                              10       10                                               (77 )     (77 )
                                              60       60                                                      
                                              (15 )     (15 )                                                    

 
                                              572       572                                               517       517  

 
                                              126       126                                               115       115  

 

                                                                                                                 
million barrels million barrels

2003 2002
As restated As restated


Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere




Middle East, Middle East,
Europe Africab Asia Pacificc Russia, CISd USA Other Total Europe Africab Asia Pacificc Russia, CISd USA Other Total


      1,063       674       194       1,023       371       191       3,516       750       662       245       1,089       429       212       3,387  
      962       777       184       864       291       191       3,269       1,063       674       194       1,023       371       191       3,516  

 
      1             206       15       365             587       1             208             330             539  
      1             224       1       364             590       1             206       15       365             587  

 
 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 57


Table of Contents

Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)

Natural gas

Group companies’ estimated net proved reserves of natural gas at the end of the year, their share of the net proved reserves of associated companies at the end of the year, and the changes in such reserves during the year are set out below. The volumes set out below have not been adjusted to standard heat content, which means that volumes of gas are reported on an “as-sold” basis and are treated as equivalent without regard to the quality of the gas (e.g., with respect to the inert gas content thereof or the various hydrocarbon components). The price used to calculate future revenues and cash flows from proved gas reserves is that realised at year-end based on “as-sold” volumes. As such, the realised price reflects the quality of the gas, both in terms of inert components which reduce gas quality and hydrocarbon components with high molecular weights which enrich the quality of the gas.

Proved developed and undeveloped reservesa

                                                         
thousand million standard cubic feetb

2004

Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere


Asia Middle East Americas
Europe Africac Pacificd Russia, CISe USA Other Total

Group companies
                                                       
At January 1
    19,876       2,743       7,352       3,628       3,143       1,628       38,370  
Revisions and reclassifications
    (270 )     (74 )     125       138       (100 )     (45 )     (226 )
Improved recovery
    9                               4       13  
Extensions and discoveries
    217             171       2,128       257       192       2,965  
Purchases of minerals in place
                            9             9  
Sales of minerals in place
    (48 )           (310 )     (258 )           (37 )     (653 )
Production
    (1,345 )     (137 )     (535 )     (253 )     (486 )     (197 )     (2,953 )

At December 31
    18,439       2,532       6,803       5,383       2,823       1,545       37,525  

Group share of associated companies
                                                       
At January 1
    39             3,122             27             3,188  
Revisions and reclassifications
                120             (8 )           112  
Improved recovery
                45                         45  
Extensions and discoveries
    5             1                         6  
Purchases of minerals in place
                                         
Sales of minerals in place
                (55 )                       (55 )
Production
    (7 )           (246 )           (2 )           (255 )

At December 31
    37             2,987             17             3,041  

Minority Interests’ share of proved reserves of Group companies
                                                       
At December 31
    209             56       2,231             274       2,770  

Proved developed reserves

                                                         
thousand million standard cubic feetb

2004

Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere


Asia Middle East Americas
Europe Africab Pacificc Russia, CISd USA Other Total

Group companies
                                                       
At January 1
    11,477       886       3,128       446       1,754       1,297       18,988  
At December 31
    12,961       919       2,702       166       1,875       1,080       19,703  

Group share of associated companies
                                                       
At January 1
    34             1,825             22             1,881  
At December 31
    28             1,606             15             1,649  

a A summary of the changes is shown on page G54.
b These quantities have not been adjusted to standard heat content.
c Excludes Egypt.
d Excludes Sakhalin.
e Middle East and Former Soviet Union/Commonwealth of Independent States. Includes Caspian region, Egypt and Sakhalin.
 
G 58 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


Table of Contents

Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)

                                                                                                                 
thousand million standard cubic feetb thousand million standard cubic feetb


2003 2002
As restated As restated


Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere




Middle East, Middle East,
Europe Africac Asia Pacificd Russia, CISe USA Other Total Europe Africac Asia Pacificd Russia, CISe USA Other Total


      21,284       1,692       7,862       1,118       3,842       1,959       37,757       22,022       1,780       9,031       1,777       3,663       2,257       40,530  
      (435 )     (688 )     8       (22 )     (70 )     (181 )     (1,388 )     (110 )     1       (680 )     (282 )     162       (123 )     (1,032 )
      4       506       17             10       30       567       6             150             20             176  
      459       1,361       6       2,790       305       34       4,955       29             126             410       9       574  
      6                                     6       673                         208       12       893  
      (139 )                       (389 )     (17 )     (545 )     (5 )           (212 )           (10 )           (227 )
      (1,303 )     (128 )     (541 )     (258 )     (555 )     (197 )     (2,982 )     (1,331 )     (89 )     (553 )     (377 )     (611 )     (196 )     (3,157 )

 
      19,876       2,743       7,352       3,628       3,143       1,628       38,370       21,284       1,692       7,862       1,118       3,842       1,959       37,757  

 
      44             3,243             21             3,308       48             2,943             15             3,006  
                  106             9             115       1             434             7             442  
      1             11                         12                   8                         8  
      1                                     1       3             80             1             84  
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
      (7 )           (238 )           (3 )           (248 )     (8 )           (222 )           (2 )           (232 )

 
      39             3,122             27             3,188       44             3,243             21             3,308  

 
                  63       1,285             300       1,648                   61       59             342       462  

 
                                                                                                                 
thousand million standard cubic feeta,b thousand million standard cubic feeta,b


2003 2002
As restated As restated


Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere




Middle East, Middle East,
Europe Africac Asia Pacificd Russia, CISe USA Other Total Europe Africac Asia Pacificd Russia, CISe USA Other Total


      11,472       735       3,405       574       2,311       1,464       19,961       11,880       668       3,635       1,097       2,363       1,754       21,397  
      11,477       886       3,128       446       1,754       1,297       18,988       11,472       735       3,405       574       2,311       1,464       19,961  

 
      38             1,776             17             1,831       41             1,759             11             1,811  
      34             1,825             22             1,881       38             1,776             17             1,831  

 
 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 59


Table of Contents

Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)

Standardised measure of discounted future cash flows

United States accounting principles require the disclosure of a standardised measure of discounted future cash flows, relating to proved oil and gas reserve quantities and based on prices and costs at the end of each year, currently enacted tax rates and a 10% annual discount factor. The information so calculated does not provide a reliable measure of future cash flows from proved reserves, nor does it permit a realistic comparison to be made of one entity with another because the assumptions used cannot reflect the varying circumstances within each entity. In addition a substantial but unknown proportion of future real cash flows from oil and gas production activities is expected to derive from reserves which have already been discovered, but which cannot yet be regarded as proved.
                                                         
$ million

2004

Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere


Middle East,
Europe Africac Asia Pacificd Russia, CISe USA Other Total

Group companies
                                                       
Future cash inflows
    107,956       47,326       26,461       51,565       33,525       12,578       279,411  
Future production costs
    29,641       13,354       4,882       10,020       5,354       3,600       66,851  
Future development costs
    11,778       4,928       3,669       10,216       1,841       834       33,266  
Future tax expenses
    34,635       16,831       6,147       14,031       9,860       2,074       83,578  

Future net cash flows
    31,902       12,213       11,763       17,298       16,470       6,070       95,716  
Effect of discounting cash flows at 10%
    14,925       4,037       5,270       11,375       5,803       2,007       43,417  

Standardised measure of discounted future net cash flows
    16,977       8,176       6,493       5,923       10,667       4,063       52,299  

Group share of associated companies
                                                    5,527  

Minority interests
    285       180       36       1,078             548       2,128  

                         
Change in standardised measure of Group companies discounted future net cash flows
relating to proved Oil and Gas Reservesa,b $ million

2004 2003 2002
   As restated As restated

At January 1
    48,172       55,160       37,910  
Net changes in prices and production costs
    23,524       12,178       34,592  
Extensions, discoveries and improved recovery
    6,223       9,255       5,177  
Purchases and sales of minerals in place
    (564 )     (2,558 )     7,319  
Revisions of previous reserve estimates
    (385 )     (4,103 )     375  
Development cost related to future production
    (6,829 )     (14,291 )     (6,168 )
Sales and transfers of oil and gas, net of production costsf
    (27,530 )     (24,892 )     (20,387 )
Development cost incurred during the year
    9,386       8,205       6,503  
Accretion of discount
    7,947       9,051       6,053  
Net change in income tax
    (7,645 )     167       (16,214 )

At December 31
    52,299       48,172       55,160  

a A summary of the changes is shown on the tables on page G54.
 
b The weighted average year-end spot oil price in 2004 was $37.61/bbl ($26.52/bbl in 2003, $24.49/bbl in 2002) and the weighted average year-end spot gas price in 2004 was $21.27/boe ($18.03/boe in 2003, $15.75/boe in 2002).
 
c Excludes Egypt.
 
d Excludes Sakhalin.
 
e Middle East and Former Soviet Union / Commonwealth of Independent States. Includes Caspian region, Egypt and Sakhalin.
 
f Includes a transfer of proved developed reserves from Group to associated companies of 360 million barrels in 2004 ($260 million).

Additional information concerning proved reserves

Proved reserves can be either developed or undeveloped. Group proved reserves at December 31, 2004 were divided into 58% developed and 42% undeveloped on a barrel of oil equivalent basis.

Proved reserves are recognised under various forms of contractual agreements. Group proved reserves volumes present in agreements such as Production Sharing Contracts or other forms of economic entitlement contracts where Group share of reserves can vary with actual year-end price are approximately 859 million barrels of crude oil and natural gas liquids and 9,720 thousand million standard cubic feet of gas.

 
G 60 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


Table of Contents

Supplementary information – Oil and Gas (unaudited)

                                                                                                             
$ million $ million


2003 2002
As restated As restated


Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere Eastern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere




Middle East, Middle East,
Europe Africac Asia Pacificd Russia, CISe USA Other Total Europe Africac Asia Pacificd Russia, CISe USA Other Total




  108,836       36,965       21,695       42,627       31,203       14,710       256,036       98,126       36,427       22,243       36,513       32,541       16,280       242,130  
  20,241       6,347       4,365       7,579       4,949       4,156       47,637       18,721       5,034       3,563       5,174       4,841       3,673       41,006  
  6,541       4,661       2,528       9,679       3,085       1,315       27,809       4,783       4,670       2,397       2,844       3,201       1,532       19,427  
  39,605       16,396       4,076       15,309       8,467       2,469       86,322       32,125       18,690       4,538       17,443       9,103       3,447       85,346  

 
  42,449       9,561       10,726       10,060       14,702       6,770       94,268       42,497       8,033       11,745       11,052       15,396       7,628       96,351  
  21,126       4,210       4,590       8,491       5,170       2,509       46,096       19,511       3,601       5,343       4,166       5,427       3,143       41,191  

 
  21,323       5,351       6,136       1,569       9,532       4,261       48,172       22,986       4,432       6,402       6,886       9,969       4,485       55,160  

 
                                                  5,501                                                       5,600  

 
        136       30       (1,186 )           547       (473 )           123       22       753             468       1,366  

 
 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 61


Table of Contents

Supplementary Information – Derivatives and other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments

The following information is provided in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission rules issued in 1997. The contract/ notional amounts of the derivative instruments outstanding give an indication of the extent of the use of these instruments but not of the exposure to credit or market risk. Variable interest rates stated are spot rates applying as at December 31. Amounts denominated in non-US dollar currencies have been translated using spot exchange rates at December 31. Associated companies’ data are excluded.

Debt securities held for trading purposes

There were no debt securities held for trading purposes by Group companies at December 31, 2004, or at December 31, 2003.

Debt securities held for purposes other than trading

The following two tables give details of debt securities held for purposes other than trading by Group companies at December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively, at estimated fair value, by year of maturity.
                                                           
2004 $ million

2010
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 and after Total

Fixed rate US dollar debt securities
    1,090       29       100       105       162       95       1,581  
 
average Interest rate
    2.5%       7.1%       7.2%       5.7%       5.5%       6.5%          
Variable rate US dollar debt securities
    1                                     1  
 
average Interest rate
    1.4%                                        
Fixed rate euro debt securities
    255       47       45             17       119       483  
 
average Interest rate
    2.2%       5.9%       5.5%             4.0%       4.8%          
Fixed rate UK pound debt securities
    5                   6             17       28  
 
average Interest rate
    8.5%                   5.0%             7.5%          
Variable rate UK pound debt securities
    24                                     24  
 
average Interest rate
    4.8%                                        
Fixed rate Canadian dollar debt securities
    106                               10       116  
 
average Interest rate
    2.5%                               8.1%          
Other fixed rate debt securities
    1                               14       15  
 
average Interest rate
    4.9%                               5.8%          
Other variable rate debt securities
    37                                     37  
 
average Interest rate
    4.6%                                        

Total
    1,519       76       145       111       179       255       2,285  

                                                           
2003 $ million

2009
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 and after Total

Fixed rate US dollar debt securities
    9       54       23       230       75       131       522  
 
average Interest rate
    0.7%       5.8%       7.1%       5.6%       3.3%       6.2%          
Variable rate US dollar debt securities
    9                                     9  
 
Average Interest rate
    1.4%                                        
Fixed rate euro debt securities
    5             48       42             109       204  
 
average Interest rate
    1.9%             6.1%       5.3%             5.7%          
Fixed rate UK pound debt securities
          8                   10       5       23  
 
average Interest rate
          8.5%                   5.7%       7.0%          
Fixed rate Canadian dollar debt securities
    39                               8       47  
 
average Interest rate
    2.7%                               9.6%          
Fixed rate Swedish krone debt securities
                                  6       6  
 
average Interest rate
                                  6.8%          
Fixed rate Danish krone debt securities
                                  7       7  
 
average Interest rate
                                  5.0%          
Other fixed rate debt securities
    2                                     2  
 
average Interest rate
    9.0%                                        
Other variable rate debt securities
    48                                     48  
 
average Interest rate
    5.6%                                        

Total
    112       62       71       272       85       266       868  

Equity securities held for purposes other than trading

At December 31, 2004, Group companies held equity securities for purposes other than trading amounting to $5,017 million (2003: $4,982 million). These principally comprised shares of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, amounting to $4,187 million (2003: $3,428 million), that are held in connection with share option plans and other incentives compensation plans and a portfolio amounting to $831 million required to be held long-term by the Group insurance companies as security for their insurance activities. The portfolio tracks the Morgan Stanley World Index and therefore is spread over 20 of the major stock markets according to respective market capitalisation, including 55% in the USA, 11% in the UK, 9% in Japan, 4% in France, 3% in Switzerland, 3% in Canada and 3% in Germany.
 
G 62 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


Table of Contents

Supplementary Information – Derivatives and other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments

Debt

The following two tables give details of debt owed by Group companies at December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively, by year of maturity. Estimated fair value approximates carrying amount.
                                                                   
2004 $ million

2010
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 and after Total

Fixed rate US dollar debt
            4,200       676       1,115       85       91       2,073       8,240  
 
average interest rate
            2.9%       3.7%       5.2%       8.1%       8.2%       8.3%          
Variable rate US dollar debt
            343       260       19       9       9       309       949  
 
average interest rate
            7.4%       1.8%       3.6%       3.6%       3.7%       5.8%          
Fixed rate European debt
            294       723       1,322       419       1       2       2,761  
 
average interest rate
            2.6%       4.2%       3.4%       3.3%       4.2%       4.5%          
Variable rate European debt
            76       1       1       1                   79  
 
average interest rate
            2.9%       2.9%       3.0%       3.0%       5.0%       5.0%          
Other fixed rate debt
            201       14       17       16       16       559       823  
 
average interest rate
            3.6%       6.6%       5.6%       6.9%       6.9%       7.3%          
Other variable rate debt
            655       210                               865  
 
average interest rate
            7.3%       2.8%                                  

Total
            5,769       1,884       2,474       530       117       2,943       13,717  

                                                           
2003 $ million

2009
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 and after Total

Fixed rate US dollar debt
    5,772       804       613       1,073       152       2,709       11,123  
 
average interest rate
    1.2%       4.8%       3.2%       5.0%       5.5%       7.9%          
Variable rate US dollar debt
    1,654       144       169       17       9       316       2,309  
 
average interest rate
    3.9%       2.2%       2.1%       3.3%       4.2%       6.1%          
Fixed rate European debt
    1,185       4       666       946       377       4       3,182  
 
average interest rate
    6.1%       3.6%       4.2%       3.3%       3.5%       3.7%          
Variable rate European debt
    1,173       2       3       3       1             1,182  
 
average interest rate
    2.3%       4.3%       4.1%       4.1%       4.6%       5.3%          
Other fixed rate debt
    203       3       33       1             180       420  
 
average interest rate
    5.0%       4.2%       10.5%       5.5%       5.5%       7.5%          
Other variable rate debt
    931       255       42       27       22       17       1,294  
 
average interest rate
    6.8%       5.3%       4.0%       4.8%       4.8%       4.8%          

Total
    10,918       1,212       1,526       2,067       561       3,226       19,510  

Fixed rate European currency debt expected to mature in 2005 includes $268 million of UK pound debt (with an average interest rate of 2.8%). The fixed rate European currency debt expected to mature in 2006 is mainly UK pound debt with an average interest rate of 4.3%. Fixed rate European currency debt expected to mature in 2007 includes $1,025 million of Euro debt with an average interest rate of 3.5% and $297 million of UK pound debt with an average interest rate of 3.3%. The fixed rate European currency debt expected to mature in 2008 is Euro debt with an average interest rate of 3.3%. The fixed rate European currency debt due to mature after 2010 is Euro debt with an average interest rate of 4.4%.

Other fixed rate debt expected to mature in 2005 includes $101 million of Argentine peso debt at an average interest rate of 3.3%. Other fixed rate debt due to mature after 2010 is mainly comprised of $154 million of Malaysian Ringgit debt (at an average interest rate of 8.0%) and $391 million of Canadian Dollar debt (at an average interest rate of 6.9%).

Other variable rate debt expected to mature in 2005 includes $205 million of Philippine peso debt with an average interest rate of 8.6% and $116 million of Canadian dollar debt at an average interest rate of 2.5%. Other variable rate debt expected to mature in 2006 includes $191 million of Canadian dollar debt at an average interest rate 2.5%.

 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 63


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Supplementary Information – Derivatives and other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments

Interest rate swaps/forward rate agreements

The following two tables give details of interest rate swaps/ forward rate agreements held by Group companies at December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively, by expected year of maturity. These are held for purposes other than trading. The variable interest rate component of contracts is generally linked to inter-bank offer rates.
                                                         
2004 $ million

2009 Total contract/ Estimated
2005 2006 2007 2008 and after notional amount fair value

US dollar
                                                       
Fixed to Variable: contract/notional amount
    801       600       1,000       300             2,701       72  
average pay rate
    1.7%       1.3%       1.4%       1.4%                        
average receive rate
    5.1%       3.1%       5.0       3.3%                        
Variable to Fixed: contract/ notional amount
    264             122       88             474       (17 )
average pay rate
    2.8%             7.2%       6.2%                        
average receive rate
    3.3%             4.4%       7.3%                        

UK pound
                                                       
Fixed to Variable: contract/notional amount
          723                         723       8  
average pay rate
          4.5%                                    
average receive rate
          4.3%                                    

Euro
                                                       
Fixed to Variable: contract/notional amount
                      409             409       7  
average pay rate
                      2.0%                        
average receive rate
                      3.3%                        

Total
    1,065       1,323       1,122       797             4,307       70  

                                                         
2003 $ million

2008 Total contract/ Estimated
2004 2005 2006 2007 and after notional amount fair value

US dollar
                                                       
Fixed to Variable: contract/notional amount
          1,801       600             400       2,801       140  
average pay rate
          1.3%       1.1%             0.9%                  
average receive rate
          5.0%       3.1%             3.2%                  
Variable to Fixed: contract/ notional amount
          264             122       88       474       (25 )
average pay rate
          2.8%             7.2%       6.8%                  
average receive rate
          3.2%             4.2%       7.3%                  

UK pound
                                                       
Fixed to Variable: contract/notional amount
                669                   669       11  
average pay rate
                3.6%                              
average receive rate
                4.3%                              

Euro
                                                       
Fixed to Variable: contract/notional amount
                            378       378       (5 )
average pay rate
                            2.1%                  
average receive rate
                            3.3%                  

Total
          2,065       1,269       122       866       4,322       121  

Foreign exchange contracts

The following two tables give details of forward exchange contracts held by Group companies at December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively. These are held for purposes other than trading. Contract categories with a contract/notional amount exceeding $100 million and/or an estimated fair value exceeding $10 million (gain or loss) are listed separately.
                         
2004 (all contracts mature in 2005) $ million

Average contractual Contract/notional Estimated
exchange rate amount fair value

Buy euro/sell US dollar
    1.34       3,919       81  
Buy US dollar/sell euro
    0.74       2,124       (19 )
Buy euro/sell UK pound
    0.70       1,836       35  
Buy UK pound/sell US dollar
    1.89       1,376       25  
Buy US dollar/sell Australian dollar
    1.30       1,024       (9 )
Buy US dollar/sell Norwegian krone
    6.26       741       (27 )
Buy Singapore dollar/sell US dollar
    0.61       401       2  
Buy New Zealand dollar/sell US dollar
    0.71       335       2  
Buy Canadian dollar/sell US dollar
    0.79       208       11  
Buy Norwegian krone/sell US dollar
    0.16       202       1  
Buy US dollar/sell Philippine peso
    56.19       172        
Buy US dollar/sell Swedish krone
    6.61       141        
Buy euro/sell Polish zloty
    4.10       134        
Buy US dollar/sell Hong Kong dollar
    7.77       131        
Other contracts
            1,176       (7 )

Total
            13,920       95  

 
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Supplementary Information – Derivatives and other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments
                         
2003 (all contracts mature in 2004) $ million

Average contractual Contract/notional Estimated
exchange rate amount fair value

Buy US dollar/sell UK pound
    0.59       2,255       (118 )
Buy US dollar/sell euro
    0.80       1,897       (26 )
Buy euro/sell US dollar
    1.18       2,742       177  
Buy UK pound/sell US dollar
    1.73       1,017       3  
Buy euro/sell UK pound
    0.69       824       24  
Buy US dollar/sell Australian dollar
    1.36       422       (7 )
Buy Swiss franc/sell US dollar
    0.77       431       24  
Buy US dollar/sell Norwegian krone
    6.67       672       (18 )
Buy Singapore dollar/sell US dollar
    0.58       381       2  
Buy US dollar/sell Danish krone
    5.88       239       (3 )
Buy US dollar/sell Swedish krone
    7.14       429       (3 )
Buy Swedish krona/sell US dollar
    0.14       217       1  
Buy euro/sell Norwegian krone
    8.33       127       5  
Buy US dollar/sell Philippine peso
    55.87       118        
Other contracts
            1,074       25  

Total
            12,845       86  

Currency swaps/options

The following two tables give details of currency swaps contracts held by Group companies at December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively, by expected year of maturity. These are held for purposes other than trading. Contract categories with a contract/notional amount exceeding $100 million and/or an estimated fair value exceeding $10 million (gain or loss) are listed separately.
                                                                         
2004 $ million

Average
contractual 2010 Total contract/ Estimated
exchange rate 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 and after notional amount fair value

Buy UK pound/sell euro
    1.54                   924       410                   1,334       139  
Buy US dollar/sell Canadian dollar
    1.40       867       606       441       296       132             2,342       (175 )
Buy Canadian dollar/sell US dollar
    0.69       283       85       59       33       3             463       35  
Buy US dollar/sell Brazilian real
    2.85       101       5       89       61                   256       (60 )
Buy UK pound/sell US dollar
    1.74       37       31       24       18       14       213       337       26  
Buy US dollar/sell Thai baht
    39.94       142                                     142       (3 )
Other contracts
          36                                     36       (4 )

Total
            1,466       727       1,537       818       149       213       4,910       (42 )

                                                                         
2003 $ million

Average
contractual 2009 Total contract/ Estimated
exchange rate 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 and after notional amount fair value

Buy UK pound/sell euro
    1.54       338                   855       378             1,571       173  
Buy US dollar/sell Canadian dollar
    1.31       1,136       640       358       209       96             2,439       (126 )
Buy US dollar/sell euro
    1.09       461                                     461       171  
Buy Australian dollar/sell US dollar
    1.67       472                                     472       (130 )
Buy Canadian dollar/sell US dollar
    0.67       324       91       56       46       17             534       34  
Buy US dollar/sell Brazilian real
    2.82       121       47             71             15       254       (39 )
Buy UK pound/sell US dollar
    1.74       14       18       5                   144       181       1  
Other contracts
            98       18       1                         117       (5 )

Total
            2,964       814       420       1,181       491       159       6,029       79  

 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 65


Table of Contents

Supplementary Information – Derivatives and other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments

Commodity derivatives

The tables on this and following pages give details of commodity swaps, options and futures contracts held by Group companies at December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively, by expected year of maturity. Variable prices are linked to indexed or dated commodities.

The increases in fair values of commodity swaps, options and futures between 2003 and 2004 are primarily caused by underlying increases of commodity prices driven by an increase of crude oil prices in 2004.

Commodity swaps held for trading purposes

                                                                           
2004 $ million

2010 and Total contract/ Estimated
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 after notional amount fair value

Crude oil swaps
                                                                       
(a) Variable price to variable price contracts:
                                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
            1,776       30                               1,806       (8 )
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
            42       1                                          
 
average pay
            42.3       41.6                                          
 
average receive
            42.1       41.5                                          

(b) Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
            1,843       397       49       13                   2,302       390  
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
            54       13       2       *                              
 
average pay
            34.3       31.5       32.6       36.4                              
 
average receive
            39.6       39.3       38.0       37.9                              

(c) Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts:
                                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
            2,304       286       38       10                   2,638       (350 )
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
            64       9       1       *                              
 
average pay
            40.3       38.7       37.8       37.9                              
 
average receive
            36.1       30.7       32.9       36.3                              

Crude oil basis swaps
                                                                       
(a) Buy variable/sell variable price contracts
                                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
            53                                     53       (8 )
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
            34                                                
 
average pay
            3.9                                                
 
average receive
            1.8                                                

(b) Sell variable/buy variable price contracts
                                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
            2                                     2        
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
            *                                                
 
average pay
            4.0                                                
 
average receive
            4.5                                                

Crude oil freight swaps
                                                                       
(a) Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts
                                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
            53                                     53       (7 )
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
            29                                                
 
average pay
            1.9                                                
 
average receive
            1.7                                                

(b) Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts
                                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
            63                                     63       1  
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
            47                                                
 
average pay
            1.3                                                
 
average receive
            1.4                                                

Oil products swaps
                                                                       
(a) Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts
                                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
            3,055       106                               3,161       (111 )
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
            117       3                                          
 
average pay
            26.0       39.4                                          
 
average receive
            25.1       40.3                                          

(b) Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts:
                                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
            3,193       158                         11       3,362       95  
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
            121       4                         *                  
 
average pay
            25.5       39.6                         41.3                  
 
average receive
            26.3       37.5                         38.4                  

(c) Buy variable/sell variable price contracts
                                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
            810       15                               825       1  
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
            16       *                                          
 
average pay
            49.3       48.5                                          
 
average receive
            49.4       48.6                                          

 
G 66 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


Table of Contents

Supplementary Information – Derivatives and other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments
                                                                           
2004 continued $ million

2010 and Total contract/ Estimated
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 after notional amount fair value

Oil products basis swaps
                                                                       
(a) Buy variable/sell variable price contracts
                                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
            1,020       30                               1,050       (8 )
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
            170       4                                          
 
average pay
            5.8       8.5                                          
 
average receive
            5.7       8.6                                          

(b) Sell variable/buy variable price contracts
                                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
            137                                     137       23  
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
            18                                                
 
average pay
            7.5                                                
 
average receive
            8.7                                                

Electricity swaps
                                                                       
(a) Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
            3,268       1,296       341       25       2             4,932       (2 )
 
Volume (thousand megawatt hours)
            57       24       7       0       0                        
 
average pay
            57.0       55.0       52.4       64.3       60.5                        
 
average receive
            55.8       56.6       56.4       65.1       56.5                        

(b) Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts:
                                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
            3,250       1,245       391       54       6             4,946       (14 )
 
Volume (thousand megawatt hours)
            57       23       7       1       *                        
 
average pay
            56.1       56.4       57.0       60.6       57.3                        
 
average receive
            57.4       55.3       53.3       59.6       61.3                        

Natural gas swaps
                                                                       
(a) Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
            5,947       1,350       308       312       70             7,987       188  
 
Volume (thousand million cubic feet “bcf”)
            923       223       53       55       13                        
 
average pay ($/thousand cf)
            6.4       6.1       5.8       5.2       4.6                        
 
average receive ($/thousand cf)
            6.4       6.5       6.0       5.5       5.1                        

(b) Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts:
                                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
            6,267       1,005       426       409       206       57       8,370       123  
 
Volume (thousand million cubic feet “bcf”)
            954       162       70       69       37       11                  
 
average pay ($/thousand cf)
            6.4       6.6       6.0       5.7       5.5       5.2                  
 
average receive ($/thousand cf)
            6.6       6.2       6.1       5.9       5.6       5.1                  

(c) Buy variable price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
            404       8                               412       7  
 
Volume (thousand million cubic feet “bcf”)
            64       1                                          
 
average pay ($/thousand cf)
            6.4       6.6                                          
 
average receive ($/thousand cf)
            6.5       6.6                                          

Natural gas basis swaps
                                                                       
(a) Buy variable price/sell variable price
                                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
            455       184       60       35       22       10       766       (134 )
 
Volume (thousand million cubic feet “bcf”)
            903       365       116       72       43       24                  
 
average pay ($/thousand cf)
            0.5       0.6       0.7       0.6       0.6       0.5                  
 
average receive ($/thousand cf)
            0.4       0.4       0.5       0.5       0.5       0.3                  

(b) Sell variable price/buy variable price
                                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ millions)
            388       135       20       18       4       3       568       139  
 
Volume (thousand million cubic feet “bcf”)
            827       281       56       56       18       15                  
 
average pay ($/thousand cf)
            0.3       0.3       0.3       0.3       0.0       0.0                  
 
average receive ($/thousand cf)
            0.4       0.5       0.5       0.4       0.3       0.2                  

                                                              43,433       325  

 
 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 67


Table of Contents

Supplementary Information – Derivatives and other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments
                                                           
2003 $ million

Total contract/ Estimated
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 notional amount fair value

Crude oil swaps
                                                       
(a) Variable price to variable price contracts:
                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    2,671       13                         2,684       (3 )
 
Volume (million barrels “m bbl”)
    84       *                                    
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    31.9       26.3                                    
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    31.9       26.3                                    

(b) Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    1,452       272       63                   1,787       230  
 
Volume (m bbl)
    58       11       3                              
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    25.0       24.3       24.2                              
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    28.3       28.0       26.1                              

(c) Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts:
                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    1,364       241       13                   1,618       (160 )
 
Volume (m bbl)
    58       10       1                              
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    28.9       24.5       26.7                              
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    27.1       23.2       23.8                              

Crude oil basis swaps
                                                       
(a) Buy variable price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    2                               2        
 
Volume (m bbl)
    5                                          
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    1.0                                          
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    0.3                                          

(b) Sell variable price/buy variable price contracts:
                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    3                               3       (1 )
 
Volume (m bbl)
    2                                          
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    0.5                                          
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    1.5                                          

Crude oil freight swaps
                                                       
(a) Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    10                               10       1  
 
Volume (m bbl)
    9                                          
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    1.2                                          
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    1.4                                          

(b) Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts:
                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    53                               53       (9 )
 
Volume (m bbl)
    79                                          
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    0.8                                          
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    0.7                                          

Oil products swaps
                                                       
(a) Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    853       19                         872       42  
 
Volume (m bbl)
    34       1                                    
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    25.4       19.9                                    
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    26.4       22.2                                    

(b) Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts:
                                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    934       4       11                   949       (46 )
 
Volume (m bbl)
    40       *       1                              
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    24.3       23.8       24.3                              
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    23.2       22.6       21.7                              

 
G 68 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


Table of Contents

Supplementary Information – Derivatives and other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments
                                                                   
2003 continued $ million

2009 Total contract/ Estimated
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 and after notional amount fair value

Oil products basis swaps
                                                               
(a) Buy variable price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    268                                     268       (16 )
 
Volume (m bbl)
    94                                                
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    1.8                                                
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    2.9                                                

(b) Sell variable price/buy variable price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    95                                     95       13  
 
Volume (m bbl)
    20                                                
 
average pay ($/bbl)
    0.2                                                
 
average receive ($/bbl)
    5.4                                                

Electricity swaps
                                                               
(a) Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    832       177       147       88       12             1,256       35  
 
Volume (thousand megawatt hours “MMwh”)
    17       3       3       2       **                        
 
average pay ($/Mwh)
    50.5       51.3       50.4       51.9       66.3                        
 
average receive ($/Mwh)
    52.9       51.4       49.0       51.0       61.3                        

(b) Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    803       188       120       124       33             1,268       1  
 
Volume (MMwh)
    16       3       2       2       1                        
 
average pay ($/Mwh)
    54.1       54.9       53.8       53.5       59.5                        
 
average receive ($/Mwh)
    54.9       53.1       52.3       52.2       56.4                        

Natural gas swaps
                                                               
(a) Buy fixed price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    5,212       485       135       47                   5,879       750  
 
Volume (thousand million cubic feet “bcf”)
    1,005       109       32       9                              
 
average pay ($/thousand cf)
    5.2       4.5       4.1       5.0                              
 
average receive($/thousand cf)
    5.8       5.2       4.8       5.0                              

(b) Buy variable price/sell fixed price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    5,362       391       27       4       4       7       5,795       (711 )
 
Volume (bcf)
    1,025       83       445       1       1       2                  
 
average pay ($/thousand cf)
    5.9       5.2       4.7       4.7       4.7       4.6                  
 
average receive ($/thousand cf)
    5.2       4.7       4.8       4.2       4.2       4.2                  

Natural gas basis swaps
                                                               
(a) Buy variable price/sell variable price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    325       97       50       32       14       19       537       (180 )
 
Volume (bcf)
    829       210       109       62       33       46                  
 
average pay ($/thousand cf)
    1.81       0.58       0.60       1.33       0.49       0.43                  
 
average receive ($/thousand cf)
    2.57       0.46       0.46       1.05       0.42       0.42                  

(b) Sell variable price/buy variable price contracts:
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    255       59       22       9       5       6       356       196  
 
Volume (m bcf)
    743       145       54       30       20       23                  
 
average pay ($/thousand cf)
    0.15       0.20       0.16       0.11       0.11       0.09                  
 
average receive ($/thousand cf)
    0.34       0.41       0.40       0.31       0.23       0.25                  

Total
                                                    23,432       142  

* less than one million barrels
 
** less than one thousand megawatt hours

Group companies also held chemical product and natural gas liquid swaps at December 21, 2004 with a contract/notional amount of $102 million (2003: $10 million) and an estimated fair value of $(1) million (2003: $(1) million) and expected maturity in 2005 – 2007 (2004).

Commodity swaps held for purposes other than trading

At December 31, 2003 Group companies held crude oil, natural gas and oil product commodity swaps for purposes other than trading with a contract/notional amount of $82 million and an estimated fair value of $1 million.
 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 69


Table of Contents

Supplementary Information – Derivatives and other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments

Commodity options held for trading purposes

                                                                   
2004 $ million

2005 2006 2007 2008 Total contract/ Estimated
and after notional amount fair value

Crude oil buy calls
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    870       143       11             1,024       (37 )
 
volume (m bbl)
                    19       4       *                        
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
                    44.7       33.2       39.7                        

Crude oil sell calls
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    873       145                   1,018       46  
 
volume (m bbl)
                    20       4                              
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
                    42.9       32.8                              

Crude oil buy put
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    917       97       3             1,017       10  
 
volume (m bbl)
                    27       3       *                        
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
                    34.5       32.0       29.7                        

Crude oil sell put
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    972       103       20             1,095       (27 )
 
volume (m bbl)
                    28       3       1                        
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
                    34.2       33.4       31.2                        

Oil products buy put option
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    177       132                   309       15  
 
volume (m bbl)
                    158       128                              
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
                    1.1       1.0                              

Oil products sell put option
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    193       131                   324       (14 )
 
volume (m bbl)
                    158       128                              
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
                    1.2       1.0                              

Oil products buy call option
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    176       51                   227        
 
volume (m bbl)
                    50       42                              
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
                    3.5       1.2                              

Oil products sell call option
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    128       51                   179       (1 )
 
volume (m bbl)
                    49       42                              
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
                    2.6       1.2                              

Natural gas buy call
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    10,740       1,354       60             12,154       583  
 
volume (bcf)
                    1,493       180       9                        
 
average strike price ($/thousand cf)
                    7.2       7.5       6.6                        

Natural gas sell call
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    9,309       1,060       22       6       10,397       (455 )
 
volume (bcf)
                    1,312       158       4       *                  
 
average strike price ($/thousand cf)
                    7.1       6.7       6.3       6.3                  

Natural gas buy put
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    8,332       942       25       14       9,313       674  
 
volume (bcf)
                    1,757       201       4       3                  
 
average strike price ($/thousand cf)
                    4.7       4.7       5.5       4.8                  

Natural gas sell put
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    9,547       986       44       21       10,598       (818 )
 
volume (bcf)
                    1,996       209       8       5                  
 
average strike price ($/thousand cf)
                    4.8       4.7       5.8       5.7                  

Electricity buy call option
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    290                         290       3  
 
volume (million MWh)
                    6                                    
 
average strike price ($/MWh)
                    48.4                                    

Electricity sell call option
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    379                         379       (7 )
 
volume (million MWh)
                    8                                    
 
average strike price ($/MWh)
                    48.6                                    

Electricity buy put option
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    486                         486       8  
 
volume (million MWh)
                    12                                    
 
average strike price ($/MWh)
                    41.3                                    

Electricity sell put option
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    204                         204       1  
 
volume (million MWh)
                    5                                    
 
average strike price ($/MWh)
                    38.2                                    

Total
                                                    49,014       (19 )

* less than one million barrels

 
G 70 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


Table of Contents

Supplementary Information – Derivatives and other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments
                                                                   
2003 $ million

2004 2005 2006 2007 Total contract/ Estimated
notional amount fair value

Crude oil buy calls
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    397       7                   404       31  
 
volume (m bbl)
                    14       *                              
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
                    29.6       29.8                                  

Crude oil sell calls
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    389       68                   457       (58 )
 
volume (m bbl)
                    14       2                              
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
                    28.3       25.6                              

Crude oil buy put
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    570       28                   598       9  
 
volume (m bbl)
                    24       1                              
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
                    23.8       20.5                              

Crude oil sell put
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    455       7                   462       (9 )
 
volume (m bbl)
                    20       *                              
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
                    23.4       26.6                              

Oil products buy put option
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    261                         261       (2 )
 
volume (m bbl)
                    11                                    
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
                    23.1                                    

Oil products sell put option
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    41                         41        
 
volume (m bbl)
                    2                                    
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
                    27.7                                    

Oil products buy call option
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    8                         8        
 
volume (m bbl)
                    *                                    
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
                    42.0                                    

Oil products sell call option
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    274                         274       (2 )
 
volume (m bbl)
                    10                                    
 
average strike price ($/bbl)
                    27.2                                    

Natural gas buy call
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    8,112       414       30             8,556       692  
 
volume (bcf)
                    1,242       74       6                        
 
average strike price ($/thousand cf)
                    6.5       5.6       4.9                        

Natural gas sell call
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    6,788       232       39       1       7,060       (528 )
 
volume (bcf)
                    1,024       36       7       *                  
 
average strike price ($/thousand cf)
                    6.6       6.4       6.0       4.1                  

Natural gas buy put
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    6,316       168       63             6,547       174  
 
volume (bcf)
                    1,479       41       14                        
 
average strike price ($/thousand cf)
                    4.3       4.1       4.5                        

Natural gas sell put
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    7,292       387       47       1       7,727       (252 )
 
volume (bcf)
                    1,648       96       12       *                  
 
average strike price ($ /thousand cf)
                    4.4       4.1       4.1       5.7                  

Electricity buy call option
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    409                         409       (28 )
 
volume (million MWh)
                    10                                    
 
average strike price ($/MWh)
                    41.6                                    

Electricity sell call option
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    350                         350       30  
 
volume (MWh)
                    9                                    
 
average strike price ($/MWh)
                    39.3                                    

Electricity buy put option
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    176                         176       (11 )
 
volume (MWh)
                    6                                    
 
average strike price ($/MWh)
                    31.1                                    

Electricity sell put option
                                                               
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                    183                         183       16  
 
volume (MWh)
                    6                                    
 
average strike price ($/MWh)
                    28.8                                    

Total
                                                    33,513       62  

* less than one million barrels
 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 71


Table of Contents

Supplementary Information – Derivatives and other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments

Group companies also held chemical options at December 31, 2003 with a contract/notional amount of $1 million and estimated fair value less than $1 million and expected maturity in 2004.

Commodity options held for purposes other than trading

At December 31, 2004 Group companies held natural gas commodity sales contracts for purposes other than trading with a contract/notional amount of $1.6 billion (2003: $1.1 billion) and estimated fair value of $(359) million (2003: $(191) million) with expected maturity 2005 – 2025.

Commodity futures held for trading purposes

                                           
2004 $ million

Total contract/ Estimated
2005 2006 2007 notional amount fair value

IPE Brent futures
                                       
(a) Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    341       26             367       66  
 
volume (m bbl)
    8       1                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    42.2       34.3                        
(b) Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    561       79             640       86  
 
volume (m bbl)
    14       2                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    40.9       39.2                        

IPE Gasoil futures
                                       
(a) Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    274                   274       17  
 
volume (m bbl)
    6                              
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    34.81                              
(b) Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    196       2             198       (5 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    4       *                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    39.42       32.7                        

IPE Natural gas futures
                                       
(a) Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    6                   6       3  
 
volume (bcf)
    1                              
 
weighted average price ($/thousands cf)
    6.0                              
(b) Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    4                   4       4  
 
volume (bcf)
    1                              
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    5.7                              

Nymex crude oil futures
                                       
(a) Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    130       132       15       277       (18 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    3       3       *                  
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    43.9       39.4       36.4                  
(b) Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    427       21       10       458       (15 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    10       1       *                  
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    44.1       40.5       37.0                  

Nymex oil product futures
                                       
(a) Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    533                   533       (28 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    11                              
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    50.9                              
(b) Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    308       4             312        
 
volume (m bbl)
    6       *                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    51.9       47.88                        

Nymex natural gas futures
                                       
(a) Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    1,824       121       1       1,946       95  
 
volume (bcf)
    278       19       **                  
 
weighted average price ($/thousand cf)
    5.9       6.1       5.7                  
(b) Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    1,678       77       2       1,757       (70 )
 
volume (bcf)
    256       13       **                  
 
weighted average price ($/thousand cf)
    5.7       5.2       5.8                  

 
G 72 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


Table of Contents

Supplementary Information – Derivatives and other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments
                                           
2004 continued $ million

Total contract/ Estimated
2005 2006 2007 notional amount fair value

Imarex freight futures
                                       
(a) Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    14                   14       2  
 
volume (million tonnes)
    3                              
 
weighted average price ($/tonne)
    11.8                              
(b) Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    7                   7        
 
volume (million tonnes)
    1                              
 
weighted average price ($/tonne)
    12.9                              

Nord Pool electricity futures
                                       
(a) Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
                             
 
volume (million MWh)
                                 
 
weighted average price ($/MWh)
                                 
(b) Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    10       37             47       (2 )
 
volume (million MWh)
    ***       1                        
 
weighted average price ($/MWh)
    34.7       378                        

Total
                            6,840       135  

* less than one million barrels
 
** less than one billion cubic feet
 
*** less than one million megawatt hours
                                           
2003 $ million

2004 2005 2006 Total contract/ Estimated
notional amount fair value

IPE Brent futures
                                       
(a) Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    218       15             233        
 
volume (m bbl)
    8       *                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    28.4       26.7                        
(b) Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    510       33             543       32  
 
volume (m bbl)
    17       1                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    29.9       26.8                        

IPE Gasoil futures
                                       
(a) Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    89       21             110       (4 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    2       1                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    36.7       30.3                        
(b) Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    92       20             112       2  
 
volume (m bbl)
    3       *                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    33.9       30.0                        

IPE Natural gas futures
                                       
(a) Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    11                   11       (1 )
 
volume (bcf)
    2                              
 
weighted average price ($/thousand bcf)
    5.8                              
(b) Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    75                   75       (3 )
 
volume (bcf)
    12                              
 
weighted average price ($/thousand bcf
    6.3                              

Nymex crude oil futures
                                       
(a) Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    82       4             86       1  
 
volume (mbbl)
    3       *                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    31.6       24.9                        
(b) Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    456       22             478       43  
 
volume (m bbl)
    16       1                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    28.9       25.2                        

 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies G 73


Table of Contents

Supplementary Information – Derivatives and other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments
                                           
2003 continued $ million

2004 2005 2006 Total contract/ Estimated
notional amount fair value

Nymex oil product futures
                                       
(a) Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    350                   350       (6 )
 
volume (m bbl)
    9                              
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    38.4                              
(b) Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    71       1             72        
 
volume (m bbl)
    2       *                        
 
weighted average price ($/bbl)
    34.8       31.6                        

Nymex natural gas futures
                                       
(a) Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    1,983       22             2,005       (253 )
 
volume (bcf)
    384       4                        
 
weighted average price ($/thousand cf)
    5.2       5.2                        
(b) Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    1,776       81       2       1,859       242  
 
volume (bcf)
    344       18       **                  
 
weighted average price ($/thousand cf)
    5.2       4.6       4.4                  

Nord Pool electricity futures
                                       
(a) Short contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    52                   52        
 
volume (million MWh)
    2                              
 
weighted average price ($/MWh)
    31.8                              
(b) Long contracts:
                                       
 
contract/notional amount ($ million)
    1,420       222             1,642       (5 )
 
volume (million MWh)
    43       7                        
 
weighted average price ($/MWh))
    33.0       32.9                        

Total
                            7,628       48  

* less than one million barrels.
 
** less than one billion cubic feet.

Futures contracts shown above represent unmatched positions. The total contract/notional amount of short contracts represents an aggregation of Group companies’ positions where, at December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively, sales contracts exceed the purchase contracts with the same maturity date. The total contract/notional amount of long contracts represents an aggregation of Group companies’ positions where, at December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively, purchase contracts exceed the sales contracts with the same maturity date.

 
G 74 Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies


Table of Contents

Exhibits

             
Exhibit index

Exhibit Page
No. Description No.

1.1
  Articles of Association of Royal Dutch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (Commission Files 1-3788 and 1-4039) of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2003)        
1.2
  Memorandum and Articles of Association of Shell Transport (incorporated by reference to the Report of Foreign Issuer on Form 6-K (Commission File No. 1-4039) of Shell Transport furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 21, 2002)        
4.1
  Adjustment Agreement between Royal Dutch and Shell Transport dated July 5, 1907, and certain amendments thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (Commission File Nos. 1-3788 and 1-4039) of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2003)        
4.2
  Shell Petroleum N.V. Stock Option Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-7590) of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 2001)        
4.3
  Shell Petroleum Company Limited Stock Option Plan (1967), as amended (incorporated by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-7590) of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 2001)        
8
  Significant Group companies as at December 31, 2004     E2  
23.1
  Consent of KPMG Accountants N.V., The Hague     E3  
23.2
  Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, London     E4  
23.3
  Consent of KPMG Accountants N.V., The Hague and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, London     E5  
23.4
  Consent of KPMG Accountants N.V., The Hague     E6  
23.5
  Consent of KPMG Accountants N.V., The Hague and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, London     E7  
23.6
  Consent of KPMG Accountants N.V., The Hague and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, London     E8  
23.7
  Consent of KPMG Accountants N.V., The Hague and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, London     E9  
99.1
  Section 302 Certification of Royal Dutch     E10  
99.2
  Section 302 Certification of Royal Dutch     E11  
99.3
  Section 302 Certification of Shell Transport     E12  
99.4
  Section 302 Certification of Shell Transport     E13  
99.5
  Section 906 Certification of Royal Dutch     E14  
99.6
  Section 906 Certification of Shell Transport     E15  

 
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies E 1


Table of Contents

Signatures

As to the undersigned registrant, this Report consists solely of the information referred to on the cross-reference sheet headed Royal Dutch and does not include the information as to Shell Transport on pages 37 and 38 under the heading “Selected Financial Data”, on page 41, on pages 94 through 105 and pages S2 through S28.

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.

N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij

 

/s/ Jeroen van der Veer

--------------------------------------
Jeroen van der Veer
President and Managing Director

 

March 29, 2005


Table of Contents

As to the undersigned registrant, this Report consists solely of the information referred to on the cross-reference sheet headed Shell Transport and does not include the information as to Royal Dutch on page 37 under the heading “Selected Financial Data”, on pages 39 to 40, on pages 82 through 93 and pages R2 through R24.

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.

The “ Shell ” Transport and Trading Company, Public Limited Company

 

/s/ Malcolm Brinded

--------------------------------------
Malcolm Brinded
Managing Director

 

March 29, 2005