ROYAL Dutch Shell chief executive Ben van Beurden has seen the value of his pay package more than double to €20.1 million (£17.8m) from €8.9m.

The annual report of the oil and gas giant shows the Dutch executive’s pay rocketed as a result of a dramatic increase in long term incentive awards.

The €15.2m earned in Long Term Incentive Payment awards was up from €4m in the previous year.

Mr van Beurden also earned a €3m bonus in both years. His salary increased to €1.53 from €1.49m.

Chief financial officer Jessica Uhl saw her total pay increase to €4.9 from €3m.

Shell posted a 36% increase in annual profits to a four year high of $21.4bn (£16.3bn) for 2018, up from $15.8bn.