Royal Dutch Shell has seen its profit rise due to higher oil prices in the first half of the year.
Profit rose 14% to $US41.4 billion for 2008.
But a slump in oil prices from a record $US147.27 per barrel to under $US50 per barrel towards the end of the year saw a sharp drop in its December quarter earnings.
Profits fell 28% to $US4.8 billion.
