Shell's trading recovery in Q3 offsets biofuel plant losses
Shell just reported a strong comeback in oil and gas trading for Q3 2025 after last quarter's turbulence.
Gas trading was "significantly higher," and oil saw gains too, helped by steady Brent crude prices hovering between $65 and $70 per barrel.
Biofuel losses prompt Shell to shift focus
Even with the trading boost, Shell took a $600 million loss on its paused Rotterdam biofuels plant—bringing total losses there to $1.4 billion since last year.
The company is shifting focus from some low-carbon projects to prioritize profits, while its chemicals business keeps struggling.
Industry trends and tough choices for energy companies
Shell's moves reflect bigger industry trends: high energy costs in Europe are squeezing chemical production, and even BP is slowing down on biofuels to stick with oil and gas for now.
With more updates expected later this month, this shows how energy companies are navigating tough choices between green ambitions and financial realities.