Royal Dutch Shell has reported a 72 per cent slump in profits for the second quarter as the energy giant continues to be hit by low oil and gas prices.

The company said underlying earnings fell to $1.05 billion (£0.8bn) in the three months to March from  $3.76 billion in the same period last year.

Chief executive Ben van Beurden, pictured, flagged the "significant challenge" lower energy costs are posing.