Former Rio Tinto finance chief steps down from Royal Dutch Shell’s board as a result of the charges.
The sale to Canadian Natural Resources allows Shell to focus on assets such as deepwater oil and gas that aren't as costly to exploit as oil sands.
"2016 was the transition year, 2017 needs to be the delivery year," Shell CEO Ben van Beurden says.
The two companies' performance boosts hopes that the industry is adapting to an environment of low oil prices.
The profitability of the company's refining and integrated businesses helped offset a $1.4 billion loss in the energy production unit.
The job cuts were announced amid increasing concern over whether the BG deal is still viable because of plunging oil prices.
Nearly 20,000 deals worth $2.2 trillion have been announced so far this year, a pace that approaches pre-financial crisis levels.
Shareholders are pressuring management to "identify risks associated with climate change, rein in greenhouse gases, or assess methane emissions."
Citigroup says falling oil prices are exposing projects that were either poorly executed or bad ideas to begin with.
Agriculture, energy infrastructure and fast food are most exposed to the threat of Russian military occupation and continued political unrest.
To develop future leaders, the best approach may be to toss them away and catch them when they return.
