SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C.
20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of April 2005
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company
Translation of registrant's name into English
30, Carel van Bylandtlaan, The Hague, The Netherlands
(Address of principal executive offices)
N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij
Royal Dutch Petroleum Company
Stock Exchange Release
FIRST QUARTER INTERIM DIVIDEND ANNOUNCEMENT
The Supervisory Board and the Board of Management of N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij (Royal Dutch Petroleum Company) have decided to pay a first quarter interim dividend in respect of the financial year 2005 of € 0.46 per ordinary share.
The amount to be paid in dollars to holders of shares of New York Registry will depend upon the dollar/euro exchange rate ruling in Amsterdam on May 3, 2005. The interim dividend will be paid on June 15, 2005, to the holders of record of shares of New York Registry at the close of business on May 3, 2005.
The shares will be traded ex-dividend in New York as of April 29, 2005.
Taxation
The applicable rate of Netherlands withholding tax is 25%.
The Double Taxation Convention between the Netherlands and the United States of America provides for the payment of dividends to qualifying United States residents at a reduced withholding tax rate of 15%. Under the provisions of this Convention the withholding tax rate for qualifying organisations administering or providing pension or other employee benefits may be reduced to 0% provided such organisations have complied with the applicable certification requirements. Certain other tax-exempt organisations, e.g. charities, may reclaim 25% tax withheld provided certain conditions are met.
The Hague, April 28, 2005
