Shell Oil Co. earnings dipped to $263...

Shell Oil Co. earnings dipped to $263 million in the second quarter, down about 1% from a year ago. The Houston-based company said that despite the effect of an explosion and fire at its manufacturing complex in Norco, La., earnings for the quarter were strong in oil and chemical products businesses. This offset a decline in exploration and production earnings, which mainly reflected lower crude oil prices. Revenue rose 4% to $5.4 billion.