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April, 2011:

Shale gas ‘worse than coal’ for climate


Gas is a natural by-product of shale rock

12 April 2011 Last updated at 18:10

By Richard Black Environment correspondent, BBC News

The new kid on the energy block, shale gas, may be worse in climate change terms than coal, a study concludes.

Drawn from rock through a controversial “fracking” process, some hail the gas as a “stepping stone” to a low-carbon future and a route to energy security.

But US researchers found that shale gas wells leak substantial amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Royal Dutch Shell Spooks

AN INTRIGUING TURN OF EVENTS IN SHELL ESPIONAGE MACHINATIONS

By John Donovan

Regular visitors will be aware of our extensive history stretching back over a decade of being the subjects of intense Royal Dutch Shell espionage activity.

Shell admitted in writing its association with an undercover agent caught red-handed at our offices using fake credentials. Shell informed us that he was not the only investigative agent on our case, but refused to reveal the nature and scope of other intelligence gathering activities.

Shell categorically denied any connection with other sinister events, including threats made against us and our key witnesses in the run up to a High Court action against Shell; burglaries at the homes of our lawyer, our main witness and our own home during the same period, when Shell related documents were examined; interviews conducted with our key witnesses and our solicitor by undercover agents pretending to be journalists for well known newspapers. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell and Gazprom talk on Japan gas

Royal Dutch Shell has cemented its partnership with Gazprom by discussing asset swaps and how to increase shipments of gas to Japan, where the Fukushima nuclear disaster has caused an energy shortage.

Shell revealed last year that it would let Gazprom share some of its projects abroad if it is allowed to help develop the third and fourth stages of the lucrative Sakhalin island in Russia. Photo: EPA

Rowena Mason By Rowena Mason 7:57PM BST 12 Apr 2011

Peter Voser, Shell chief executive, flew to Moscow for meetings with Alexey Miller, the head of Gazprom, where they talked about deals related to Siberia and Asia.

“While discussing the situation on global energy markets, both sides considered the issue of increasing LNG [liquefied natural gas] supplies to Japan from the Sakhalin-2 project as the fastest way to stabilise power supply for its consumers,” a Gazprom spokesman said.

Shell revealed last year that it would let Gazprom share some of its projects abroad if it is allowed to help develop the third and fourth stages of the lucrative Sakhalin island in Russia. Deals could even take the form of asset swaps, as Gazprom seeks to increase its presence on the international stage. Sakhalin is thought to contain reserves of more than 14bn barrels of oil equivalent. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell shutdown a rational move, but it will cost jobs

LAST week Treasurer Wayne Swan rejected the concept of Singaporean control of Australia’s stock exchange, but it seems fuel supply is a different matter. Shell’s decision yesterday to close its Sydney refinery means more Australian fuels will be imported from the likes of Singapore.

It is by no means as black and white as painted above, but the contrast is worth noting as Australia moves further into a trade deficit for liquid fuels.

Resources Minister Martin Ferguson predicts the deficit will hit $30 billion in 2015, double the level two years ago. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Gazprom, Shell discuss asset swap

MOSCOW, April 12, 2011

Russian energy giant Gazprom and Anglo-Dutch oil major Shell discussed joint projects in West Siberia and in the east of Russia, Gazprom’s participation in Shell’s undertakings in third countries and increased liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries to quake-hit Japan from the Sakhalin-II project, Gazprom said on Tuesday.

Gazprom head Alexei Miller and Shell CEO Peter Voser held a working meeting on Tuesday to discuss the companies’ interaction under a protocol on global strategic partnership, the Russian energy giant said in a statement. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Nigeria: Shell plans $101M gas pipeline project

LAGOS, Nigeria

Royal Dutch Shell PLC says it will build a $101 million gas pipeline through Nigeria’s oil-rich southern delta to help it cut down on burning gas from its operations.

Shell’s local subsidiary issued a statement Monday saying it will build a 26-mile (42-kilometer) pipeline to bring the gas to a plant for domestic use.

The gas fires, known as flaring, are caused by the burning of natural gas that is produced along with crude oil. Environmentalists describe it as one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases which cause global warming. Those living in the Niger Delta say the burning contributes to acid rain and causes respiratory illnesses. Flaring leaves their fishing villages bathed in light at all hours. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell goes with refining flow – all downhill

Illustration: Simon Letch

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The news that Royal Dutch Shell has bitten the bullet on its oil refining plant in NSW, Clyde Refinery, should come as no surprise. The economics of refining fuel are not what they used to be.

For Shell in particular its move to pull back from this business is in keeping with a worldwide spring cleaning exercise that has resulted in it selling down its stake in Woodside Petroleum. The sale of the remainder of this 24 per cent stake is inhibited only by its ability to find an appropriate buyer and an attractive price. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Gardaí investigate alleged death threats to Corrib whistleblowers

The Irish Times – Monday, April 11, 2011

LORNA SIGGINS Western Correspondent

GARDAÍ IN north Mayo have initiated inquiries into alleged threats made to a contact supplying information on the Corrib gas project to a British whistleblowers’ website.

Supt Pat Diskin of Belmullet Garda station confirmed yesterday his office was carrying out “initial inquiries” regarding “correspondence in relation to matters raised by a third party”, but could not comment further.

John Donovan, who runs RoyalDutchShellplc.com with his father, Alfred, said he had written to the Garda Commissioner last October and was contacted by Supt Diskin just over a week ago. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell plays tough with BHP over Woodside deal



Woodside liquefied natural gas platform in the Timor Sea Source: The Australian

Matt Chambers April 11, 2011

ROYAL Dutch Shell is playing hardball on a possible sale of its 24 per cent stake in Woodside Petroleum to BHP Billiton, its local chief declaring yesterday that Shell was in “no hurry” to do a deal.

Speaking on the sidelines of a conference in Perth last night and ahead of this week’s annual Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association meeting, Shell Australia chair Ann Pickard moved to hose down reports out of London at the weekend that a sale of its stake in the Perth-based oil and gas company was imminent. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Chevron sells Shell stake in Australia project

By John Letzing , MarketWatch

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Chevron Corp. said Sunday it has agreed to sell a stake in its proposed Wheatstone natural-gas project in Australia, a key means for the U.S. oil giant to address growing demand for energy resources in China and other parts of Asia, to Royal Dutch Shell PLC.

Under the terms of the deal, Shell will gain an 8% interest in Chevron’s  Wheatstone and Iago natural gas fields offshore of northwest Australia. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Information added to our online archive

“Kremlin Attack Dog” Oleg Mitvol turns up the heat on Shell…

Argus Energy Interview with Oleg Mitvol

SHELL UNDERHAND ACTIVITIES (Long before The News of the World phone hacking)

DJ Freeman letter to Donovan 3 July 1998 (Lawyers representing Royal Dutch Shell Group and all of its employees). The “Mr Phillips” referred to in the letter was a Shell spy operating undercover. This was admitted by Shell.

RELATED LETTER FROM ALFRED DONOVAN

Mr Colin Joseph
D J Freeman
43 Fetter Lane
London EC4A 1JU
read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

‘Horrifying’ talk of raping me by gardai has caused ‘deep distress’ for everyone

FEAR: ‘Glimpse of intimidation community has faced for years’

Damien Eagers: CONTROVERSY: Jerrie Ann Sullivan speaks to media. She was arrested after climbing onto a tractor in a protest against Shell

By Clodagh Sheehy

Friday April 08 2011

The five gardai at the centre of the “rape-tape” allegations will face some sort of censure but are unlikely to be sacked.

They are likely to face internal disciplinary procedures with possible sanctions like suspension or fines if they are found guilty of misconduct. One of the two women at the centre of the garda ‘rape tape’ has spoken of her “distress” at what had happened.

Jerrie Ann Sullivan, a postgraduate student from Dublin, said the remarks by gardai joking about raping her and another woman had been deeply traumatic. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell, Gazprom CEOs To Discuss Asset Swaps Next Week

APRIL 8, 2011

MOSCOW (Dow Jones)–Energy giants Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDSA.LN) and OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS) will discuss potential asset swaps next week, Gazprom said Friday.

Peter Voser, chief executive of Royal Dutch Shell and Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller will discuss potential asset swaps, said Pavel Oderov, head of Gazprom’s international business department.

Under a memorandum of understanding signed between the two companies last year, Voser and Miller will discuss “potential interesting assets for Gazprom abroad, and potential interesting assets for Shell in Russia,” Oderov said. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell’s outgoing UK boss has seen oil firm’s role shift in a changing climate

guardian.co.uk home

Chairman James Smith says Shell has had to respond to the global warming challenge

Fiona Harvey The Guardian, Friday 8 April 2011

James Smith leaves Royal Dutch Shell at the end of the month

Now is a good time to be running an oil company. Prices are sky-high, energy demand is increasing at an unprecedented rate as the global economy recovers, and there are new markets to be explored. Royal Dutch Shell largely dodged the criticism heaped on the industry after BP‘s catastrophic oil spill last year in the Gulf of Mexico, and is delivering golden results to shareholders. Profits for 2010 were reported as $18.6bn (about £11.4bn), nearly double the $9.8bn for the year before. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell protest woman lacks confidence in commission inquiry

The Irish Times – Friday, April 8, 2011

CONOR LALLY

INVESTIGATION: ONE OF the women at the centre of the Garda rape comments controversy has expressed a lack of confidence in the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission’s ability to investigate the gardaí involved and to sanction them.

Jerrie Ann Sullivan said more than 100 complaints have been made over the past two years about gardaí policing the anti-Shell protests in Mayo but none of the gardaí had been sanctioned.

“That doesn’t leave you with a huge amount of hope,” she told a Shell to Sea press conference in Dublin. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

SHELL’S CONTROVERSIAL FRACKING PLANS FOR SOUTH AFRICA

The Karoo National Park in South Africa

By John Donovan

The first three draft EMP documents below have been compiled by Golder Associates Africa (Pty) Ltd (Golder), a so called “independent” environmental consultant, retained and paid by Shell.

The documents are part of Royal Dutch Shell’s application to explore the Karoo basin in South Africa for shale gas using the controversial hydraulic fracturing (fracking) technique.

The remaining document is a critical review prepared by Havemann Inc., specialist energy attorneys.
read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Corrib gardaí ‘confined to office duties’

The five gardaí at the centre of alleged comments of a sexually threatening nature in Co Mayo are to be confined to office duties in Castlebar while an investigation into the incident is carried out.

Updated: 16:58, Thursday, 7 April 2011

The five gardaí at the centre of alleged comments of a sexually threatening nature in Co Mayo are to be confined to office duties in Castlebar while an investigation into the incident is carried out.

The move was announced in the Dáil by the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Alan Shatter.

Minister Shatter said four of the gardaí would be moved to the station from their current posts and the fifth – who is already stationed in Castlebar – will remain there. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Hollow words in the oil industry: ‘we are committed to safety’

FROM A FORMER SHELL NORTH SEA PLATFORM OIM

You may be interested in this article from today’s Aberdeen Press and Journal

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2214497

For many years now we have heard the phrase “we are committed to safety”  What exactly does this mean?  Is it to pacify the readers of various media reports or do the Companies who utter such statements really understand the meaning they infer.  Perhaps we can revisit what these statements mean,  maybe not what the dictionary defines!

Commit
Commitment
Committed read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Corrib protest woman to waive anonymity at press conference

Image: Frerieke via Flickr

ONE OF THE women at the Corrib gaspipe protest towards whom rape remarks were apparently directed by gardai is to waive her anonymity at a press conference this morning.

The woman is to speak to reporters at Buswell’s Hotel in Dublin at 11.30am. A Shell to Sea campaign spokesperson told TheJournal.ie this morning that the woman had taken the decision to reveal her identity because she had been warned that it was being leaked by gardai to the media.

Spokesperson Caoimhe Kerins said:

The reason that she will waive her anonymity is that we have been warned that the names and addresses of the two women have been leaked by gardai to the media and that the Sunday papers were going to report on them. One of the women is not in a position to have her anonymity lifted so this woman is stepping forward. We’re hoping that this will allow her to speak on her own terms. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Women to make complaint about gardaí

The Irish Times – Thursday, April 7, 2011

LORNA SIGGINS and CONOR LALLY

THE GARDA Síochána Ombudsman Commission is due to receive a formal complaint today from the two women at the centre of the controversy over allegations of misconduct by Garda officers.

One of the women is also due to attend a Shell to Sea press conference in Dublin this morning.

The Garda ombudsman initiated an inquiry on Tuesday as a “matter of public interest”, following the revelation that gardaí were inadvertently recorded on a camera making jokes about threatening to deport and rape one of the women. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell’s S. Africa Shale Plan Should Be Halted, Lawyers Say

April 6 (Bloomberg) — Royal Dutch Shell Plc’s application to start shale-gas exploration in South Africa’s Karoo region should be terminated because it lacks sufficient information for regulators to assess it properly, Havemann Inc. attorneys said.

Shell, planning to drill about 24 wells in an area of about 90,000 square kilometers (34,749 square miles), faces opposition to its proposed hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking, in the sheep and game farming region, an arid stretch across northwest South Africa, from the Treasure the Karoo Action Group, which has 3,000 supporters and commissioned Havemann to compile the report. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Refugee from Shell slams fracking

Nigerian ‘political and environmental refugee Barry Wuganaale, a member of the Ogoni people from Niger Delta in Nigeria, opposes Shell’s fracking plans. Photo: Michael Walker

April 6 2011

Melanie Gosling

and Grace Huang

WHEN Nigerian political refugee Barry Wuganaale heard on television that Shell would be fracking for gas in the Karoo, he nearly choked on his dinner.

“I was shocked. I didn’t need to think twice about opposing this. South Africa has no experience of Shell operating upstream. You know them at the pumps here, but not drilling,” Wuganaale said yesterday. “I am from the Ogoni people in the Nigeria. We know Shell. What Shell has done to the Ogoni people and to the Nigerian state, I don’t wish to be repeated on anyone.” read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

STANDING UP TO GOLIATH: Opposition to Shell’s gas exploration in South Africa

STANDING UP TO GOLIATH”: The People of the Karoo in South Africa oppose Shell’s gas exploration by Lewis Pugh

Lewis Pugh, a lawyer, and an environmentalist that uses swimming to raise awareness on the impact of climate change

I want to take you back to the early 1990’s in this country. You may remember them well.  Nelson Mandela had been released.  There was euphoria in the air.  However, there was also widespread violence and deep fear. This country teetered on the brink of a civil war.  But somehow, somehow, we averted it.  It was a miracle! And it happened because we had incredible leaders.  Leaders who sought calm. Leaders who had vision.  So in spite of all the violence, they sat down and negotiated a New Constitution. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Alleged ‘rape’ remarks by gardaí investigated

Two separate investigations are under way into Garda behaviour in relation to Shell to Sea protestors in Mayo.

Updated: 22:09, Tuesday, 5 April 2011

Two separate investigations are under way following allegations that remarks of a sexually suggestive and disturbing nature were made by gardaí after the arrest of two women involved in an anti-Corrib Gas protest last week.

A recording where gardaí speak about rape in relation to one of two female campaigners they had just arrested was released by the protest group last night.

The recording is believed to have occurred inadvertently after gardaí took a video camera from the women. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Harrington undertakes not to interfere with Shell activities

Tuesday, 05 April 2011 14:00

Well-known Shell to Sea activist Maura Harrington has given an undertaking to the Circuit Court not to interfere with workers employed by Shell in their operations at Glengad.

The undertaking was given by her defence on behalf of Maura Harrington, Doohoma, Belmullet, who had custodial sentences imposed in the District Court unconditionally suspended by Judge Raymond Groarke at Ballina Circuit Court on Tuesday last.
The offences related to activities back in 2008 and 2009 when Ms. Harrington was convicted of careless driving, trespassing with intent at Glengad and using a scissors to criminally damage netting at Glengad.
read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Kazakhstan to delay work on vast oil field by three more years

Kazakhstan is planning a three-year halt to work on the main phase of the super-giant Kashagan oil field development, as international oil companies Royal Dutch Shell and Exxon Mobil fight to convince the country’s oil ministry to back a simplified design, which would slash costs by $18bn (£11bn) to $50bn.

The Kazakhs are considering shelving the new simplified design, and keeping the field producing at its initial rate of 375,000 barrels per day (bpd) for at least three years. Photo: Getty

Richard Orange By Richard Orange, in Astana 11:30PM BST 04 Apr 2011

The delay, if approved, could push the start of full production from the field well into the next decade, making it all but impossible for Shell and its partners to make an acceptable profit before the contract expires in 2037.

The Kazakhs are considering shelving the new simplified design, and keeping the field producing at its initial rate of 375,000 barrels per day (bpd) for at least three years, after which the NCOC consortium could use a greater understanding of the geology to produce a better design for the second phase, when production is expected to hit 1.5m bpd. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Senior garda to investigate treatment of Corrib protesters

LORNA SIGGINS, Western Correspondent

A SENIOR garda officer has been appointed to investigate the treatment of two women who were arrested during protests over the Corrib gas project late last week.

Members of the force were inadvertently recorded on a video camera they had earlier confiscated joking about threatening to deport and rape one of the women who had refused to give her name to officers.

The video camera was not fully switched off after it was seized by gardaí and it recorded exchanges between several gardaí in the vehicle in which they were travelling. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Unrest Spreading to Petroleum Development Oman

By John Donovan

Printed below is a self-explanatory email sent this afternoon to Mr. Michiel Brandjes, Company Secretary & General Counsel Corporate, Royal Dutch Shell Plc.

From: John Donovan <[email protected]>
Date: 4 April 2011 15:01:00 GMT+01:00
To: [email protected]
Subject: Middle East Unrest Spreading to Oman? Demands made to Oman Government

Dear Mr. Brandjes

Printed below is a letter from staff representatives of Petroleum Development Oman (PDO Oman), a company which for several decades has been closely associated with Shell. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell says asset disposal not exit strategy

By Bassey Udo

April 4, 2011 11:32AM

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of Nigeria Limited at the weekend declared that its decision to dispose of some of its marginal acreages in Nigeria to some indigenous exploration and production operating companies should not be construed to mean a grand plan to leave the country in the near future.

The company has already offered to dispose of about four of its onshore oil blocks located in oil mining leases (OMLs) 30, 34, 40 and 42, reputed to hold a combined reserves of about 2 billion barrels of crude, as part of its strategic plan to reduce the scope of its onshore operations in the Niger Delta region as a result of increase of attacks on its facilities. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Fitch downgrades Shell’s credit rating amid debt concerns

NO, IT’S NOT AN APRIL FOOLS DAY PRANK

1 April 2011:

LONDON (AFP) – Ratings agency Fitch on Friday downgraded Royal Dutch Shell’s long-term credit-worthiness to AA from AA+ due to concerns over the Anglo-Dutch energy giant’s rising debt levels.

“The downgrade reflects the fact that management fundamentally departed from its conservative financial profile with the increase in net debt of around $17 billion in 2009 and $5.6 billion in 2010,” Jeffrey Woodruff, senior director in Fitch’s Energy team, said in a statement. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Controversy over Shell Value Creation Teams

COMMENT ADDED ON 1 APRIL 2011

FROM IAIN PERCIVAL (RIGHT), RETIRED GLOBAL CHIEF PETROLEUM ENGINEER OF SHELL INTERNATIONAL (Iain retired from Shell in 2006 after 33 years of service.)

John – in your posting dated 31 March 2011 “You can be sure of Shell – the biggest confidence trick in history”, you wrote

when Shell so-called “value creation teams”, were already engaged in activities leading to the falsification of Shell’s oil and gas reserves and one of the biggest investor frauds in history.

I wish to correct any impression the team members were in any way conducting themselves in any other way than as competent, dedicated technical professionals conducing a root and branch examination of the huge volume of hydrocarbons in Shell’s resource portfolio categorized as “Scope for Recovery”. The aim of the exercise was to identify activities & projects which could (I emphasise the word could) lead to booking volumes of hydrocarbons as “Expectation” volumes, not proved, and only if there was a reasonable level of certainty the projects would go ahead. The outcome of the Value Creation initiative was a complete change in the way the company goes about generating hydrocarbon development concepts, designing and executing well programmes, defining and executing major engineering projects and optimizing the way facilities are operated and maintained. The current suite of E&P Global Processes, operating standards, learning & development programmes, best practice sharing / knowledge management owe their existence to the pioneering work conducted by the Shell technical professionals who worked in the Value Creation Teams. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell Sells Chile Fuel Business to Quinenco for $614 Million

By Brian Swint – Apr 1, 2011 8:05 AM GMT+0100

Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDSA) sold most of its fuel business in Chile to Quinenco for $614 million as it focuses on increasing global production.

The sale will cover Shell’s retail, commercial fuels, bitumen and chemicals businesses, the Hague-based company said in a statement today. The disposal is part of plans to operate in fewer and larger markets for the half of the business that brings fuel to consumers, it said.

Chief Executive Officer Peter Voser last month pledged $1 billion of extra cost cuts in refining and marketing as the company tries to accelerate output growth through 2014. Voser is targeting $5 billion in asset sales this year. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell expects to drill deepwater Gulf of Mexico well in April

Washington (Platts)–31Mar2011/408 pm EDT/2008 GMT

Shell said Thursday it plans to start drilling an exploratory well in its Cardamom Deep discovery in the US Gulf of Mexico next month.

The work represents the first new deepwater exploration to clear all regulatory hurdles since last year’s Deepwater Horizon disaster and subsequent drilling moratorium.

Spokesman Bill Tanner said the Noble Jim Thompson semi-submersible rig is under contract and ready to move to the site sometime in April. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.