Royal Dutch Shell cited tighter refining margins and slighter volumes for posting an eight percent slip in third-quarter earnings of $6.39 billion.

In slides and video, Europe’s largest supermajor said it’s exploration and production division had earned $233 million less year-on-year, down to $3.51 billion on supplier costs and higher taxes in the world.

But the $500-million slip to $1.65 billion in its oil products division cut deepest.

Meanwhile, in Norway Shell turnover is set for a mark-up on an agreement to sell E.ON Ruhrgas a 28-percent equity stake in the undeveloped Skarv and Idun fields for $893 million.

The sale is set to be completed by the end of 2007. And Ormen Lange gas (Shell 17 percent) volumes are set to peak at 420 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day, with a corresponding hike in Gas & Power revenue next quarter.