BP, Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies are ranked among the top five oil companies in the world. They are listed on the stock exchange and will distribute to their shareholders an extraordinary payment of $100 billion (EUR 90,100 million), compared to at least 2023.

The Guardian newspaper has published the data, "in a context of growing indignation at the benefits of fossil fuels," he explained. And that is, when oil companies have made huge profits "from the swings of the Ukrainian war on the market," the British newspaper says.

Financial experts expect that, as a result of dividends and stock transactions, the amount of the previous year’s remuneration is likely to be exceeded and the record broken, which for the time being has data from the first three quarters of 2023. Benefits will not, however, be as high as expected due to the recent drop in fuel prices.

Leak forward

So why are they going to distribute so much money? According to experts, oil companies are offering increasing rewards to prevent investors from leaving the sector, as "external pressure" against them is increasing. The Guardian talks, among other things, about spectacular actions by activists in general meetings or campaigns worldwide. I mean, go ahead is a flight.

According to the same newspaper, "some environmental groups believe that these fees are being used to distract investors from the public reaction to the oil industry and the final changes that governments need to end fossil fuels."

Unfortunately, it was not the only record this year associated with fossil fuels. The Guardian has recalled that what we have just passed has also been the warmest year recorded, as "the climate emergency has caused extreme weather events". And that's what we all have to pay for.