London - Anglo-Dutch oil giant Royal Dutch Shell Thursday reported profits of nearly 8 billion pounds (16 billion dollars) in the first six months of this year, due largely to the rocketing oil price.

Shell said increased oil and gas prices offset the impact of weaker trading conditions in its downstream refining and marketing business.

The company posted earnings of 7.92 billion pounds for the half-year, with the period from April to June seeing a 5-per cent jump to 3.82 billion pounds, compared with the same period in 2007. (dpa)