“Shell delivered better results this quarter, reflecting strong operational and cost performance. But lower oil prices continue to be a significant challenge across the business, and the outlook remains uncertain.

Our investment plans and portfolio actions are focused firmly on reshaping Shell into a world-class investment case at all points in the oil-price cycle, through stronger returns and improved free cash flow per share. We are making good progress towards this aim in spite of current challenging market conditions.

The integration of Shell and BG is now essentially done and has been completed well ahead of plan. It’s been an important catalyst for the significant and lasting changes we are making to the company’s working practices, cost structure and portfolio.

In parallel with the integration, we have been managing the company through the down-cycle by reducing costs and investment levels, while executing our asset sales plans and starting up new projects.

Our underlying operational costs in 2016 are already at an annualised run rate of $40 billion, $9 billion lower than Shell and BG costs in 2014. They’re set to reduce further on a like-for-like basis as deal synergies and improvements are delivered in full.

Meanwhile, 2016 organic capital investment – which includes $3 billion in non-cash items – will be around   $29 billion, some $18 billion below 2014 Shell and BG levels. Capital investment for 2017 is expected to be around $25 billion which is at the low end of our $25-$30 billion range.

We are actively working on 16 material asset sales as part of the company’s planned $30 billion divestment programme.

Cash flow will be further boosted by new projects. When fully ramped up, projects started up in 2016 are expected to add more than 250 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d). Cash flow from new projects started up between 2014 and 2018 is expected to total $10 billion in 2018, at an average $60 oil price.”