Record refining margins and LNG Canada expansion drive Shell higher
Record refining margins set to nearly double earnings Shell said its refining margin will hit a record $42 a barrel in the third quarter, up from $24, as wars in the Middle East and Ukraine squeeze global fuel supplies. That directly boosts profit in Shell's refining business and sets up a bumper earnings report at the end of October.
This is the single biggest new force lifting Shell's profit and share price this period.
Shell approves $33 billion LNG Canada expansion Shell gave the green light to a $33 billion expansion of LNG Canada that would roughly double capacity to 28 million tonnes a year, with Shell holding a 40% stake. It deepens Shell's bet on liquefied natural gas as a core, long-term cash generator.
A major new capital commitment that shapes Shell's long-term growth story.
Kazakhstan proposes $5.2 billion fine over Kashagan Kazakh regulators proposed a $5.2 billion fine against Shell and partners at the Kashagan oil field for alleged environmental and contractual violations. It is a potential one-off cash hit and a reminder of the political risk in some of Shell's key oil assets.
A new, material regulatory risk that could weigh on Shell's cash flow and sentiment.
Gulf storm shut-ins and Pearl GTL restart Shell halted output at five Gulf of Mexico platforms ahead of a storm, tightening already stretched fuel supplies and supporting prices. Meanwhile, Shell partially restarted its damaged Pearl GTL plant in Qatar, a small step toward restoring lost production, though shipping remains constrained.
Both are new supply-side events that affect Shell's volumes and the tight fuel market.
