Shell (SHEL:NYSE) more than doubled its second-quarter earnings from a year earlier, as higher oil and gas prices, record refinery utilization, and strong trading boosted profits to above analyst expectations. Shell on Thursday reported adjusted earnings of $9.84 billion for the second quarter, more than double the $4.26 billion for the same period last year, and smashing analyst estimates of $8.8-$8.9 billion. The higher adjusted earnings reflected a jump in realized oil and gas prices, higher crude, fuel, and LNG trading profits, surging chemicals…
LNG Market Background
The global LNG market has undergone a structural transformation in recent years, with U.S. exports reshaping trade flows and providing consuming nations with greater supply optionality. European buyers have accelerated long-term LNG contracting following the disruption of Russian pipeline gas supplies.
New LNG liquefaction capacity — from the U.S. Gulf Coast, Qatar's North Field expansion, and Australian projects — is expected to add significant supply volumes through the late 2020s, with implications for long-term contract pricing and spot market dynamics.
What to Watch
Stakeholders will be tracking spot LNG cargo pricing in Asian and European markets, liquefaction plant utilization rates, and upcoming long-term supply contract negotiations as global LNG trade flows continue to evolve.
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