Shell has revealed it's handing an extra $6bn (£4.7bn) to shareholders after its newest quarterly earnings beat its personal forecasts.

The oil and gasoline main reported internet earnings of $9.6bn (£7.6bn) for the primary three months of the yr.

The determine was barely down on the sum achieved within the closing quarter of 2022 however above the $9.1bn achieved in the identical interval a yr earlier.

Its personal estimate prematurely of the primary quarter earnings report had stood at $8bn.

Shell mentioned the efficiency mirrored a cooling in oil and gasoline costs for the reason that begin of 2023 and better taxes.

The headwinds, it reported, have been partially offset by improved volumes and a greater efficiency from gasoline buying and selling and its chemical substances and merchandise division.

Its rewards for shareholders - in dividends and share buy-backs - matched the quantity handed again within the earlier quarter.

Shell mentioned the $4bn buyback programme was resulting from be accomplished by the top of the present second quarter.

The dividend of $0.2875 per share was the identical as the quantity paid for October-December.

While the earnings made by the likes of Shell and BP, which revealed its figures earlier this week, are welcome for traders and pension funds alike, they've additionally prompted a lot debate over whether or not they need to be paying extra to the general public purse via windfall taxes.

Shell mentioned $441m (£351m) was paid via the Energy Profits Levy on its North Sea operations within the final quarter of 2022.

Chief govt Wael Sawan informed traders: "In Q1 Shell delivered strong results and robust operational performance, against a backdrop of ongoing volatility, while continuing to provide vital supplies of secure energy.

"We will begin a $4bn share buyback programme for the subsequent three months as a part of our dedication to ship enticing shareholder returns."