Shell is an international energy company with expertise in the exploration, production, refining and marketing of oil and natural gas, and the manufacturing and marketing of chemicals. 

We use advanced technologies and take an innovative approach to help build a sustainable energy future. We also invest in power, including from low-carbon sources such as wind and solar; and new fuels for transport, such as advanced biofuels and hydrogen.

Shell was formed in 1907, although our history can be traced back to the first half of the 19th century.

The Chief Executive Officer is Ben van Beurden.

Our purpose

Shell's purpose is to power progress together with more and cleaner energy solutions. We believe that rising standards of living for a growing global population are likely to continue to drive demand for energy, including oil and gas, for years to come. At the same time, the need to tackle climate change means there is a global transition under way to a low-carbon energy system.

Our people

Our people are essential to the successful delivery of the Shell strategy and to sustaining business performance over the long term. Performing competitively in the evolving energy landscape requires competent and empowered people working safely together across Shell.

We believe that diverse teams led by inclusive leaders deliver better safety and business performance.

Find out about diversity and inclusion at Shell

Learn more about careers with Shell

Shell at a glance in 2021

70+ countries where we operate

82,000 employees at December 31, 2021

64.2 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) sold during 2021

10 refineries in which we have interests

3.2 million barrels of oil equivalent we produce per day

Financial performance in 2021

Revenue: $261,504 million

Income: $20,630 million

Cash capital expenditure: $19,698 million

Investment in research and development: $815 million

Fast facts for sustainable development in 2020

$156 million was spent on voluntary social investment worldwide.

Of this, $46 million was spent on COVID-19 contributions. About $5 million of this was part of our contractual obligations.

Around $87 million of our total social investment spend in 2020 was in countries that, according to the UN Development Programme’s Human Development Index 2019, have a gross domestic product of less than $15,000 a year per person.