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Shell Payments Plummet: Brazil Overtakes Nigeria
5 Jun
Summary
- Shell's 2025 government payments dropped to $23.8 billion.
- Brazil replaced Nigeria as Shell's largest state recipient.
- Nigeria payments halved due to Shell's onshore production exit.

Shell Plc reported a substantial 15% decrease in its 2025 payments to governments where it operates, totaling $23.8 billion for the year. This financial shift sees Brazil surpassing Nigeria as the company's primary state beneficiary. Payments to Brazil saw a notable increase of about 15%, reaching approximately $4.25 billion, driven by expanding output from prolific offshore fields.
Conversely, payments to Nigeria experienced a sharp decline, falling by more than half to about $2 billion. This reduction is directly linked to Shell's strategic withdrawal from onshore production activities in the country after decades of operation. The trend underscores a broader industry movement towards assets offering stronger returns and more stable operating environments.
Other energy giants are also expanding their presence in Brazil's resource-rich waters. Companies like TotalEnergies SE, Exxon Mobil Corp., and BP Plc are increasing investments and production from key offshore developments, highlighting the country's growing importance in the global energy landscape.