Global Crisis Drives Supermajor Profits, Asian Plastics Shortage

Shell reported higher-than-expected first-quarter profits, driven by soaring oil prices and trading gains amid the war in Iran, according to OilPrice.com. The supermajor posted adjusted earnings of $6.9 billion for Q1 2026, beating analyst estimates of $6.1-$6.3 billion. The company attributed the results to higher realized liquids prices and "significantly higher trading" during unprecedented market volatility.

Shell's performance follows similar strong results from European peers BP and TotalEnergies, which also cited booming oil trading and higher prices due to the Middle East conflict. Shell announced a $3 billion share buyback program and a 5% dividend increase to $0.3906 per share. However, it reduced its LNG production outlook for Q2 due to lost volumes in Qatar.

Meanwhile, the supply crunch stemming from the conflict is triggering a plastics crisis in Asia, a key market for Bakken hydrocarbons. OilPrice.com reported that Asia faces plastics shortages due to a shortage of naphtha, a key feedstock whose price has doubled in the region. The shortage, driven by disrupted Middle East supplies, threatens medical supplies, packaging, and consumer goods.

Indonesia is particularly vulnerable, as it relies almost entirely on Middle Eastern naphtha imports, with sector players warning of potential operational suspensions. The crisis emerged after the Strait of Hormuz shutdown in late February following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. While initial seaborne crude supplies mitigated the shock, dwindling stocks are now revealing deeper supply chain vulnerabilities.

Asia is the largest consumer of Middle Eastern oil, gas, and petrochemical feedstocks. Governments have responded with price caps and subsidies, but physical feedstock shortages pose a significant challenge. This disruption underscores the global interconnectedness of oil, gas, and derivative product markets where Bakken producers operate.

In a historical note, Bing News reported on an interview with 96-year-old Carl Frisinger, the last surviving crew member of the drilling team that discovered oil near Tioga, North Dakota. The discovery fundamentally changed the state's economy and history, laying the groundwork for the modern Bakken industry that now navigates a volatile global landscape shaped by geopolitical events.