Profits at Shell soared 77% to nearly £5bn in the last three months, but the oil group said there was little chance of lower prices for motorists, with energy prices due to rise even further in the long term.
Chief executive Peter Voser said there was no point in blaming Shell for high pump prices given that the company made virtually "nothing" on petrol and 60% to 70% of the price for each litre went to the government in taxes.