Shell posted a 62 percent decline in net income to $3.25 billion and Voser said the outlook remains very uncertain given forecasts that demand for crude will fall the most this year since 1980. Shell is cutting 5,000 jobs, equivalent to about 5 percent of its workforce, and has reduced operating costs by about $1 billion.
November 20th, 2009:
Shell seeks to reassure analysts on major projects
Ethnic Chinese nabbed for stealing secrets, espionage
BEIJING (Reuters) – The United States is seeking the release of Chinese-born, American geologist Xue Feng, who was detained two years ago on state secrets charges after negotiating the purchase of an oil industry database.
March 1996 – An official of the state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corp was detained for leaking state secrets to a Chinese employee of Royal Dutch Shell who was released after spending a year largely incommunicado. Shell was in talks with CNOOC then to build an oil refinery.
Shell jobs restructuring mess
This information is based on multiple insider sources as conveyed to John Donovan
There will be more than 1/3 reduction of staff in jg A and B. In the level below that the reduction is of a similar magnitude.
The aim is to announce by 1st December who can continue and who has to go.
The mess is so great that many retired old codgers are being offered contract extensions to keep the machine running.
We hear that dato Chadwick has got it in the neck too. So young, so talented and no job for him . He probably befriended the wrong gods in Shell.
The Brinded gestapo is very tightly controlling who stays and who goes. TFA also applies to the resourcing process: do not touch anyone not on the list of friends of Malcolm. Cronyism and nepotism are flourishing as never before.
The chaos and mass distraction brought about by the jobs reapplication process has turned out to be rather more than the mere “interesting exercise” that Peter Voser had in mind.
In terms of unfortunate events in Shell’s history, some might put it on a par with a previous boss of Royal Dutch Shell spending four days as a guest of Adolf Hitler at Berchtesgaden, discussing Nazi terms for granting a monopoly to the Royal Dutch and Shell Companies for petrol distribution in Germany. Ruthless then and ruthless now.
COMMENT RECEIVED FROM A SHELL INSIDER…
SeeMeNo
Nov 20th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
John
As a MOR applicant, I can confirm the number of lobbying and cronyism. Its so time consuming and wasteful. The telephone bills in the office would surely increase these few months. I hope there is no fatality or major safety incidents as almost all staff lost focus.At the end of the day, it is the incumbent or those who has higher up “Friends” who get the job. Its who you know and not what you know! I am applying outside at the same time. If I get both, rest assured, I shall go. If I do not get a job outside, I stay till I get a job, how about that! In worst case, I get a Christmas bonus.
Comment received from “shellwaarbenjijnu”
on Nov 20th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Regarding the discussion on Open (i.e. behind closed doors) Resourcing, the cat was out of the bag already in July when Voser said an interesting exercise because we could really select those we are keen on. If ever there was an indication of selection based on who you know rather than what you know this was it. In Vosers e-mail to staff sent whilst Jeroen was actually still in charge he referred to a number of Shell firsts. In his next letter in similar vein, he may wish to consider including another first the devaluation of the notion of open, fair internal resourcing based on skill, competence, capability, and track record of delivery.
European Union gives Nigeria $1bn ‘for peace’
BBC NEWS
Friday, 20 November 2009
Militants have been demanding a greater share of the oil wealth
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The European Commission has signed a $1bn (£602m) development pact with Nigeria, aimed at tackling corruption and promoting peace.
A substantial amount of the funding will be spent on resolving conflict in the oil-rich and crime-plagued Niger Delta, the EU’s development chief said.
The money will also target electoral reform and improving human rights.
But correspondents say many Nigerians will doubt the money will get to its intended targets.
Obama administration pauses on Alaska drilling
WASHINGTON The Obama administration has delayed a decision on a request by Shell Oil Co. to drill for oil and gas in Alaskas rugged Chukchi Sea. The delay came after the oil company asked for time to respond to criticism of its plan to drill in the icy sea, a prime habitat for threatened polar bears.
Shell Denies Asking for Delay in Drilling Plan
Shell President Marvin Odum said after a Senate hearing Thursday that he only knew what he "read in the papers" about the delay granted this week by the Interior Department, adding that Shell did not request it. But a letter from the Minerals Management Service, an arm of the Interior Department, says Shell requested the delay so it can respond to a deluge of public comments on the drilling proposal.