Shell revealed it would take a "good look" at its North Sea portfolio as it considers $30billion of asset sales over the next two years. The confirmation comes after Energy Voice asked chief executive Ben van Beurden if the firm could rule out more cuts to North Sea numbers. The company leader said: "I don't think it's appropriate ever to rule out staff reductions." Speaking to the press today, van Beurden outlined how rising costs and depleting assets forced the firm to pull a series of "financial levers", including reducing overall company numbers by 6,500. The move saved the firm $4billion. The chief executive said: "These levers are working. We still have all the balance sheet strength ahead of us if we were to need it." A further $30billion will be clawed back through asset sales. The bulk of sales are expected to come after the completion of its landmark BG deal. The chief executive said the takeover will act as a "springboard to change Shell into a simpler and more profitable company".