Shell Pakistan’s parent company to exit ownership, announces sale of stake

Shell Pakistan Limited (SPL) announced on Wednesday that its parent company, Shell Petroleum Company Limited (SPCo), has communicated its intention to divest its ownership stake in SPL. The notification was conveyed by SPCo to the Board of Directors of Shell Pakistan Limited during a meeting held on June 14, 2023. The announcement was promptly disseminated to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) by Shell Pakistan.

The potential sale of shares is contingent upon a targeted sales process, the completion of binding documentation, and obtaining the requisite regulatory approvals. It should be noted that SPL operates as a subsidiary of Shell Petroleum Company Limited, United Kingdom, which is itself a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell Plc—a globally renowned energy and petrochemical conglomerate.

Shell Pakistan Limited engages in the marketing of petroleum products, compressed natural gas, and a diverse range of lubricating oils. While this development signifies a change in ownership, Shell Pakistan has emphasised that its ongoing business operations will remain unaffected and continue as usual. The company remains fully committed to ensuring the provision of safe and reliable services to its valued customers and partners.

In the previous month, Shell Pakistan Limited released its financial results for the first quarter of 2023, which were significantly impacted by the prevailing economic crisis in the country. The company reported a substantial loss of Rs4.6 billion, in contrast to a profit after tax of Rs2 billion in the corresponding period last year. This downturn can be attributed to the unprecedented devaluation of the Rupee, escalating inflation, and broader macroeconomic uncertainties.