Shell to review £25bn investment in UK projects after windfall tax extended

Monday 21 November 2022 19:53, UK

Shell will review £25bn of investments in British projects after the chancellor extended the windfall tax on energy companies, its UK chairman has told Sky News.

David Bunch said the oil giant would re-examine each of its projects on a “case-by-case basis” after Jeremy Hunt increased the levy on “excess” oil and gas profits from 25% to 35% in last week’s autumn statement.

Shell announced a £25bn programme of investment five months ago but Mr Bunch said the government’s move, intended to help fund energy support and balance the national balance sheet, meant it would be re-examined.

“We outlined an investment package five months ago of £25bn, and the one thing I said was we really need a stable fiscal environment to make sure we can get that investment out of the door,” he said. “Since then we have had three budgets, a couple of prime ministers, so it’s welcome to see some stability.

“But we are going to have to look at each of those projects on a case-by-case basis and re-evaluate them, based on the current fiscal outlook, and that will determine whether or not we invest to the amount we previously discussed.”

Mr Bunch called on the government to set out how the windfall tax might be withdrawn if and when prices return closer to historical norms.

“As the UK’s biggest company we need to do our part. We understand the need that is out there, and I think we understand the nature of the windfall tax.

“However, the current design of the windfall tax does not have an off switch. It doesn’t have a price point at which that windfall tax turns off. That is something we would like to talk to the government about.