U.S. Steel Tariff Could Impact Shell GoM Decisions

 

Wael Sawan, who heads Shell's deepwater operations, said President Donald Trump's intention to slap up to 25 percent tariffs on imported steel and aluminium could materially impact the value of the Vito development off the Louisiana coast, one of a handful of projects Shell is planning to greenlight this year.

 

U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry said on Wednesday he was "not sure" if Trump had made up his mind about levying the steel tariffs.

 

Shell has in recent years set a strict ceiling on costs of projects, which all have to generate profit at oil prices of $40 a barrel.

 

The cost of oil and gas projects, which require huge amounts of raw material including steel and cement, could rise by 25 to 50 percent in some cases if a tariff is imposed, Sawan told Reuters in an interview in Houston.

 

"We are trying to grapple with the implications of the tax changes, which are positive, but also the implications of the steel tariffs or what might come out," he said.

 

"I'm hopeful within the next few weeks as we understand more, we will have a better understanding of the economics that impact the decision and timing."

 

Shell is expected to make a number of final investment decisions on projects as the sector emerges from a three-year downturn that saw a sharp drop in investments.