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August, 2015:

Discussing the costs of disaster for offshore US oil : Regulation and Environment

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Screen Shot 2015-08-28 at 08.10.57In this week’s Oilgram News column, Regulation and Environment, Gary Gentile asks if the risks associated with ultra-deepwater oil production endeavors are properly disclosed to shareholders.

By Gary Gentile | August 31, 2015

Opponents of offshore drilling in frontier environments, such as the Arctic, have opened up a new front in their effort to curtail such efforts — asking US financial regulators to require more robust disclosure of the risks involved.

A group of Democrats in the US Congress have asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to force companies to tell investors the cost of a catastrophic accident resulting from drilling in ultra-deepwaters or in the harsh and remote waters off the coast of Alaska. 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.

Arctic Drilling: A Giant Gamble for the Planet and Shell’s Bottom Line

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Kieran Cooke, Climate News Network | August 31, 201

Shell is betting on finding the oil industry’s Holy Grail: according to 2008 estimates by the U.S. Geological Survey, the Arctic contains more than 20 percent of the world’s remaining hydrocarbon resources—including at least 90 billion barrels of oil.

If Shell does strike oil in big quantities maybe its gamble will pay off—and its anxious shareholders can look forward to handsome payouts.

But the whole venture is a high-risk business. The decision by the U.S. administration to allow Shell to start drilling in the Chukchi Sea, off the coast of Alaska, is highly controversial. 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.

Obama set to visit Alaska’s Arctic Circle amid charges of hypocrisy

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Screen Shot 2015-08-13 at 11.35.25Environmental advocates say decision to permit Shell to set rig off Alaska has tarnished president’s climate legacy

August 31, 2015 

by Renee Lewis @Renee5Lewis55 & Michael Pizzi @michaelwpizzi

President Barack Obama is set to become the first serving U.S. president to witness firsthand the impact of global warming in Alaska’s Arctic Circle when he visits the state this week to press for urgent action against climate change. But many activists have charged him with hypocrisy following his administration’s recent decision to formalize Royal Dutch Shell’s permit to drill for oil off Alaska’s northwest coast. Protests against the administration’s policies are planned Monday in Anchorage, Seattle and Portland. 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.

700 Walrus Seen Near Shell Oil Rigs in Arctic as Obama Visits Alaska

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World View | August 31, 2015

Thousands of Pacific walrus are coming ashore on the northwest Arctic coast of Alaska, repeating a migratory change for the walrus which U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists have called a clear effect of loss of Arctic Ocean sea ice on which the animals rely. As the walrus swim south from the preferred but now ice-free feeding ground, Hanna Shoal in the Chukchi Sea, many are passing close enough to the flotilla of Shell Oil ships on its drill site to be seen from the ships. 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.

Oil prices slide as Obama lets Shell drill in the Arctic

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Screen Shot 2015-08-13 at 11.35.25As the giant Shell oil company begins highly controversial and risky exploration drilling in the Arctic, the price of crude continues to slide. Kieran Cooke from Climate News Network reports: 31 August 2015

It’s a gamble — some would say a giant gamble. Before even one litre of oil has been found, the Anglo-Dutch Shell group is believed to have spent more than US$7 billion just making preparations for its latest Arctic venture.

Shell is betting on finding the oil industry’s Holy Grail: according to 2008 estimates by the U.S. Geological Survey, the Arctic contains more than 20 per cent of the world’s remaining hydrocarbon resources — including at least 90 billion barrels of oil. 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.

Obama’s Alaska Visit Puts Climate, Not Energy, in Forefront

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By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS: AUG. 31, 2015

WASHINGTON — President Obama will travel to Alaska on Monday to call for urgent and aggressive action to tackle climate change, capitalizing on a poignant tableau of melting glaciers, crumbling permafrost and rising sea levels to illustrate the immediacy of an issue he hopes to make a central element of his legacy.

But during a three-day trip choreographed to lend spectacular visuals and real-world examples to Mr. Obama’s message on global warming, he will pay little heed to the oil and gas drilling offshore that he allowed to go forward just this month, a move that activists say is an unsavory blot on an otherwise ambitious climate record. 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.

Records detail equipment failure on Arctic drilling rig

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Screen Shot 2015-08-13 at 11.35.25“The company’s repeated failures in basic readiness tests show that when things go wrong in the Arctic ocean, it will be a disaster…”

By Jennifer A. Dlouhy: August 30, 2015

WASHINGTON — Newly released documents reveal the extent of problems with anti-pollution equipment on a Shell-contracted Arctic drillship earlier this year.

The records, provided by the U.S. Coast Guard in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, also describe a botched fire drill by the crew of another Shell-contracted drilling rig months before it began boring an exploratory oil well in the Chukchi Sea.

That rig, the Transocean Polar Pioneer, was moored in Seattle and being prepared for its Arctic mission in May, when the Coast Guard conducted an initial inspection and two emergency drills onboard. 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.

U.S. Is Seen as Laggard as Russia Asserts Itself in Warming Arctic

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Sources: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, IBRU at Durham University, Bordermap Consulting, KlimaCampus Integrated Climate Data Center, U.S. Geological Survey: By The New York Times

By STEVEN LEE MYERSAUG. 29, 2015

ABOARD COAST GUARD CUTTER ALEX HALEY, in the Chukchi Sea — With warming seas creating new opportunities at the top of the world, nations are scrambling over the Arctic — its territorial waters, transit routes and especially its natural resources — in a rivalry some already call a new Cold War. 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.

Obama: Climate change threatens to ‘wipe out’ American towns

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By BARBARA BOLAND 8/29/15 

President Obama redirected attention from his decision to allow Shell to drill a well off the Alaskan coast to the “imminent danger” of climate change in his weekly address Saturday. Ahead of a three-day tour of Alaska, Obama said the northern state’s melting glaciers, swift shoreline erosion and rising sea levels threaten to “swallow one island community.”

“Think about that,” Obama said. “If another country threatened to wipe out an American town, we’d do everything in our power to protect ourselves. Climate change poses the same threat, right now.” 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.

Shelling out too much

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Mr van Beurden – who ill-advisedly said the deal only really sings once the oil price recovers to $90 a barrel – would be unwise to count on it. He’s on the hook for a £750m break fee if he pulls out, a pay-out he’d be hard pressed to survive.

By Jeremy Warner: Sunday Telegraph 30 Aug 2015

It would be wrong to say City investors are on the point of insurrection over Royal Dutch Shell’s blockbuster takeover bid for BG Group. Most big investors in Shell will also be major shareholders in BG, so if the stock and cash offer goes through, what they lose on the Shell roundabout they will gain on the BG swings.

None the less, it is ever more obvious Shell’s Ben van Beurden is overpaying for BG, as reflected in the fact that BG shares languish at a whopping great discount to the see-through value of Shell’s offer – 981p per share against 1134p. 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.

President Obama Defends Shell Arctic Drilling Decision

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By: MICHEAL KAUFMAN: Aug 29, 2015 

Critics argue that allowing Shell to explore Arctic for oil goes against the country’s stance on climate change

President Obama has defended his decision to grant approval for drilling in the Arctic region, ahead of his trip to Alaska. Royal Dutch Shell plc (ADR) (NYSE:RDS.A) had been seeking the US government’s permission to conduct oil exploration in offshore Arctic. Last month, Shell was granted permission to drill a well off the coast of Alaska. The decision has been criticized heavily, as environmentalists have been quick to point out the risks associated with drilling in the Arctic.

President Obama’s Clean Power Plan, announced earlier this month, has also come in the line of fire. The plan, which calls for a 32% reduction in carbon emissions from power plants in the US, is aimed at reducing the country’s carbon footprint, as the US tries to lead the charge in the battle against climate change. Critics argue that allowing Shell to explore Arctic for oil goes against the country’s stance on climate change. 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.

Obama says climate change is real, despite what skeptics say

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Screen Shot 2015-08-29 at 23.11.41“We made it clear that Shell has to meet our high standards in how they conduct their operations – and it’s a testament to how rigorous we’ve applied those standards that Shell has delayed and limited its exploration off Alaska while trying to meet them.”

By Bruce Alpert, NOLA.com | Times-Picayune: 29 August 2015

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama Saturday (Aug. 29 pressed the case for urgent action to combat climate change, while defending his administration from criticism by environmental critics unhappy with its approval of Shell’s plan to drill off Alaska’s coast.

“I share people’s concerns about offshore drilling. I remember the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico all too well,” Obama said in his weekly radio address.

“That’s precisely why my administration has worked to make sure that our oil exploration conducted under these leases is done at the highest standards possible, with requirements specifically tailored to the risks of drilling off Alaska,” the president said. “We don’t rubber-stamp permits.  We made it clear that Shell has to meet our high standards in how they conduct their operations – and it’s a testament to how rigorous we’ve applied those standards that Shell has delayed and limited its exploration off Alaska while trying to meet them.” 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 offshore drilling application prompts conflict-of-interest charge

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By Charles Mandel | August 29th 2015

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Shell Canada Limited is applying to bring offshore drilling to Nova Scotia’s waters. But environmentalists are raising alarm bells over potential conflict of interest, as the group reviewing Shell’s application — the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) — includes a board member who worked at Shell Canada and Royal Dutch Shell for 30 years.

The federal Privy Council Office re-appointed Douglas Gregory as an alternate board member in March, 2014.

Gregory’s background includes work as an exploration geophysicist in Canada; and in 1999 opening Shell Canada’s exploration office, focused on deep water seismic exploration within Nova Scotia’s waters. 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.

Offshore petroleum board refutes conflict charge

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Screen Shot 2015-07-31 at 19.22.09JESSICA FLOWER: August 28, 2015 

Despite a U.K. newspaper’s suggestion of a conflict of interest in the Shell offshore drilling proposal approval process, the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board says it’s confident the steps it takes to eliminate any conflicts or unethical dealings neutralizes any concerns.

The Guardian reported Wednesday about a potential conflict of interest involving a board member, Douglas Gregory, and the Shell proposal now under review.

Before retiring in 2003, Gregory worked more than 30 years for Shell Canada and Royal Dutch Shell, and opened Shell’s Halifax exploration office. In 2008, the federal Conservative government appointed him to the board. 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.

Obama defends Shell Arctic drilling decision

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Screen Shot 2015-08-13 at 11.35.25By AFP 29 August 2015

Two days before heading to Alaska to raise climate change awareness, US President Barack Obama on Saturday defended his controversial decision to allow Shell to drill in the Arctic’s Chukchi Sea.

The Obama administration’s green light for the Anglo-Dutch oil giant angered environmental groups which have decried the “hypocrisy” of the president, who in recent months has stressed the need for aggressive actions against climate change.

Opponents note how the decision comes in the run-up to the UN climate conference in Paris in December. The meeting is seen as crucial in efforts to forge an agreement to curb international emissions. 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.

Oil price rises: is this the end of the slump?

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“The trend is strong and down… do not be wrong-footed by a correction higher…”

Aug 28, 2015: Brent in biggest one-day surge since December 2008 as pipelines closed down

Oil prices are continuing to rise after the market posted its biggest one-day surge for close to seven years, a recovery that comes off the back of a sharp decline earlier this week.

The Financial Times reports the international benchmark Brent crude jumped by more than 10 per cent, or $4.42, to settle at $47.56 a barrel on Thursday. On Friday morning it had fallen slightly in early trading and was hovering around $47.

This recovery had followed several days in which a renewed slump, which set in earlier in the summer, gathered pace. Prices hit a post-financial crisis low of close to $42 a barrel on Tuesday. Even now Brent is only back to where it was a week ago and at a level that remains punishing for producers in many regions. US crude settled at $42.86, another week-long high but relative low. 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.

Why Royal Dutch Shell plc Is Facing Resistance In Canada

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By: MICHEAL KAUFMAN: Aug 28, 2015 

Royal Dutch Shell plc’s (ADR) (NYSE:RDS.A) drilling in Canada will be coming in for resistance, as reported by the Guardian. The drilling plan in Nova Scotia’s southern shore has been approved by the country’s Environment Minister and is under the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board’s review.

The Canadian Environment Ministry has been criticized for not for reviewing strategic projects properly and for disregarding public opinion. People are not happy with Environment Minister’s decision to allow 21 days to cap any oil spill, when in the US, only 24 hours are allowed. 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.

The usual dubious antics of Greenpeace

Posting on our Shell Blog by a Long Term Regular Contributor, “LondonLad,” a retired Shell Executive: Aug 28th, 2015 

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Found the following on Greenpeace and their usual dubious antics (much more on them in the article at :
https://www.activistfacts.com/organizations/131-greenpeace/

Greenpeace is the largest environmental organization in the world, with an international membership of over 3 million and offices in over 40 countries. Forbes magazine once described it as “a skillfully managed business” with full command of “the tools of direct mail and image manipulation — and tactics that would bring instant condemnation if practiced by a for-profit corporation.” But Greenpeace has escaped public censure by hiding behind the mask of its “non-profit” status and its U.S. tax exemption. In other countries, however, Greenpeace has not been as lucky: Both Canada and New Zealand have revoked the organization’s non-profit status, noting that the group’s overly politicized agenda no longer has any “public benefit.” 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 Pauses Arctic Offshore Drilling for High Wind, Water

Screen Shot 2015-08-10 at 22.14.12ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Aug 28, 2015

By DAN JOLING Associated Press


Screen Shot 2015-08-13 at 11.35.25Strong winds and high waves that pounded the northern coast of Alaska have led Royal Dutch Shell PLC to temporarily stop exploratory oil drilling in the Arctic Ocean.

“Due to high wind and sea states, we have paused all critical operations in the Chukchi Sea,” said spokesman Curtis Smith in an email response to questions.

The eastern Chukchi Sea this week experienced gale-force winds in the range of 39 to 54 p.m., said Ed Townsend, lead forecaster for the National Weather Service in Fairbanks. Winds at Point Lay on Alaska’s northwest coast about 9 a.m. Friday blew steadily at 29 mph with gusts to 37 mph. 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.

Why Shell Announced Force Majeure On Nigerian Bonny Crude Export

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By: MICHEAL KAUFMANAug 28, 2015

On Thursday, August 27, Royal Dutch Shell plc’s (ADR) (NYSE:RDS.A) Nigerian unit closed down its two crude pipeline and declared “force majeure” on export of Bonny Light crude, as reported by Reuters.

The Hague-based company closed the Trans Niger Pipeline at Oloma because of a leakage in the pipeline. The company closed down its Nembe Creek Trunkline to stop theft and vandalism of crude oil in the vicinity. Furthermore, the company is working on the maintenance of the pipeline. However, it did not state any timeline for restarting its operation. 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.

GREENPEACE: SHELL IS ‘BANANAS’ IN NEW ARCTIC DRILLING PROTEST

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“Shell goes bananas” – Greenpeace protest against oil drilling in the Arctic (Picture: Screenshot/Facebook/Greenpeace Nederland)

Posted on Aug 28, 2015 by Janene Van Jaarsveldt

Environmental activists Greenpeace placed a giant banana peel on the roof oil company Shell’s office in Amsterdam on Friday morning. This giant banana peel is another protest against the company’s oil drilling in the Arctic. “Shell is going bananas and the world needs to know.”

“North Pole oil is a risk we can not accept. Yet Shell is rushing like a madman on oil stocks on the edge of the retreating arctic ice. With a 75% chance of an oil spill. Today campaigners are putting the spotlight on this madness”, the environmental activists write on their website. 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.

OSSL Whistleblower Email Sent to Irish Police, Irish Times and Shell on 28 August 2015

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From: THE OSSL COMPANY <[email protected]>

Date: 28 August 2015 08:10:45 BST

To: Pearse_Street_DS <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected], Commissioner <[email protected]>, “<[email protected]>” <[email protected]>, Michiel Brandjes <[email protected]>, [email protected]

Subject: Corrib CEO ..a Shell man …the day the nightmare began …top cop Gannon.

The Shell CEO appointed to Corrib, accompanied by his Local liaison officer unannounced arrived in the premises of OSSL. 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.

Addressing The Royal Dutch Shell Dividend Concerns

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Screen Shot 2015-07-31 at 19.22.09Christopher F. DavisAug. 27, 2015

Summary

  • Shares of oil majors have been crushed and Shell is no exception.
  • Concerns over the dividend are being raised.
  • I discuss the possibility of a dividend cut and what I see as likely happening.

Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE:RDS.A) (NYSE:RDS.B) has been crushed in the last three months, and of course, over the last year since oil began its selloff. At the time of this writing oil is rebounding back above $40, but I wanted to address something very important about the stock. Its dividend. I recommended it in several articles, and explained the differences between the two types of shares. Through dividend compounding, this stock belongs in your portfolio, particularly a tax advantaged retirement account. But there has been whispers of fear that because of the oil slump, profits will be decimated and as such the dividends are in jeopardy. While the threat to profits is real, the concerns over the dividend are far overblown. I strongly believe that the dividend is more than safe. And at a 7.6% yield, you should be buying hand over fist at these levels and lower. 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.

High winds cause flooding in Barrow, prompts Shell to pause oil drilling

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Screen Shot 2015-08-28 at 08.10.57Yereth Rosen and Alex DeMarban: 27 August 2015

Huge, wind-whipped waves crashed onto the shore at Barrow on Thursday, forcing the closure of a nearby road, the National Weather Service reported. Westerly winds were gusting up to 50 miles an hour, pushing waves up to the top of the beach and causing some erosion, the National Weather Service said.

A National Weather Service employee in Barrow captured still images and video of the high waves and flooding.

The service has issued a coastal flood warning for Barrow until Friday morning, along with a high surf advisory for the western part of the North Slope and a gale warning for much of the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. Seas up to 14 feet were forecast for Thursday in the Chukchi. 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.

Canadian agency deciding Shell’s offshore drilling includes ex-Shell official

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Screen Shot 2015-08-27 at 14.29.46News of Tory-appointed official follows on Environment Minister granting Shell up to 21 days to stop underwater oil spills. In contrast the United States requires Shell to have capping equipment on-site in Alaska within 24 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 Leaves ALEC, Is Still Terrible

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Shell remains one of the dirtiest, corrupt and dangerous companies ever known, and no amount of green-washing can hide that simple fact.

Derrick Crowe: 27 August, 2015

Earlier this month, Royal Dutch Shell announced it would allow its membership in the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, to expire. ALEC is a major force behind the scenes in the effort to stall official policies that would combat climate change. Shell’s extraction from ALEC is part of a larger ongoing effort to position the company as concerned about the environment, responsible, and supportive of efforts to mitigate climate change.

Don’t believe it for a second. 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 urges ‘prompt processing’ of Corrib pipeline application

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Lorna Siggins: Thu, Aug 27, 2015

Shell E&P Ireland has urged the Department of Energy to ensure “prompt processing” of its application to operate the Corrib gas pipeline, as it says that “all of the elements of the Corrib gas field are in an advanced state of readiness”.

The company has submitted an application to the department for permission to operate the 91 kilometre-long high pressure pipeline in north Mayo under section 40 of the Gas Acts. Details of the application were not available on the department’s website on Wednesday. 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.

BG Group share price: Gap between market valuation and Shell offer widens

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…the growing gap between the offer value and the market value indicates increasing investor anxiety over the merger, thus markets are beginning to question the deal’s prospects of success…

by Veselin Valchev: 26 Aug 2015

BG Group Plc’s (LON:BG) share price is sliding further away from the proposed offer by larger London-listed energy peer Royal Dutch Shell, signalling fading investor confidence that the deal will complete as planned, the Financial Times reported earlier this week.

BG’s share price had slipped 1.38 percent to 947.30p as of 14:01 BST today, underperforming the FTSE 100 which was flat. This compares with Shell’s proposed price of about 1,106p (383p in cash plus 0.4454 Shell B shares per BG share), equating to a discount of about 14.4 percent. At one point on ‘Black Monday’, traders cited by FT said that the spread widened to as much as 17 percent. 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.

Market Rout

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Oil’s slump has been brutal. More than half a trillion dollars of value has been wiped from the five biggest international oil companies — Exxon, Shell, Chevron, Total and BP — since mid-June last year.

Rakteem Katakey: August 26, 2015: BLOOMBERG.COM

Shares of the largest oil companies have slumped so low it suggests investors expect the crash in crude prices to force cuts in dividends. History tells a different story.

Oil’s collapse has driven the annual dividend yield at Royal Dutch Shell Plc to at least a 20-year high of 7.7 percent this week, compared with 4.4 percent for the benchmark FTSE 100 Index. The yield — the annual return divided by the share price — is also at a two-decade high at Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp. read more

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Shell exploration drilling advances at Burger J prospect

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Screen Shot 2015-08-13 at 11.35.25BY TIM BRADNER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE: 26 Aug 2015

Shell is keeping a tight lid on information about its Chukchi Sea drilling for now.

The semi-submersible Polar Explorer is at work drilling the first well in Shell’s 2015 program, Burger J, and a weekly report issued Aug. 25 by the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, or BSEE, indicated that a shallow casing string has been installed and cemented into place on the well.

This is an initial “string” of casing that is typically installed once the “mud-line cellar” excavation is completed, a step Shell reported earlier. “Casing” refers to heavy steel pipe installed in the well through which the actual drilling tools are operated and drilling “mud,” or fluid, is circulated to keep up pressures at the bottom and to remove rock cuttings from drilling. read more

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Charlotte Church joins the campaign trail once again as she performs a requiem in musical protest over Arctic drilling

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By REBECCA DAVISON FOR MAILONLINE: 26 August 2015

Singer Charlotte Church joined a protest rally outside the Shell headquarters in London on Wednesday in protest over Arctic drilling on behalf of Greenpeace. 

The 29-year-old took to the streets to lead a performance of Requiem for Arctic Ice as well as The Bitter Earth outside the building, writing ‘Save The Arctic’ across her hands in pen. 

According to Greenpeace, the campaign was part of the charity’s month-long run of Titanic-themed orchestral protests. read more

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Oil at rock bottom: Is your portfolio at risk?

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Screen Shot 2015-08-04 at 22.49.59Among individual oil producers, the biggest on the market is Royal Dutch Shell, and its share price has unsurprisingly performed terribly in the last year. The shares have fallen 36 per cent since last August…

by Annabelle Williams: 26 August 2015

Shares in energy companies have plummeted – should investors be buying?

OIL PRICES have fallen to their lowest levels since the financial crisis. The price of Brent crude went down to $42 a barrel earlier this week, before recovering a little.

The news is shocking because, when oil prices were first slashed from over $100 a barrel to around $50 last June – due to the fact that there is so much being pumped out of the ground and not enough industrial demand in the world to use it all – people thought it would be temporary. read more

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Shell-BG deal off?

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By Oliver Haill | Sharecast – Tue, Aug 25, 2015 08:36 BST

LONDON (ShareCast) – (ShareCast News) – A global stock market sell-off and tumbling oil prices have increased fears that some of this year’s largest takeover deals are at risk of falling apart – including Royal Dutch Shell (Xetra: R6C1.DEnews) ‘s $70bn bid for UK rival BG Group (LSE: BG.Lnews) . Over the past week, the gap between the agreed price of several takeovers and the market price of the target companies’ shares has widened, as funds that specialise in profiting from these situations have taken fright. read more

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Shell seeks permission to operate Corrib gas pipeline

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by Joe Leogue: Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Shell Ireland has officially applied to the Government for permission to operate the controversial pipeline from the Corrib gas field off the coast of Mayo.

The application is the first to be made under the Gas Act since the completion of its construction.

The pipeline is a joint venture by the Corrib Gas Partners which comprises Shell E&P Ireland Limited, Statoil, and Vermillion.

The application was sent to Minister for Communications, Energy, and Natural Resources Alex White on Tuesday, August 18. read more

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Royal Dutch Shell Is Now A 7.54% Dividend Yield Monster

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Screen Shot 2015-08-13 at 11.35.25Aug. 24, 2015 6:45 PM ET

Summary

  • Stock market downturn takes Shell’s dividend yield to an astonishing 7.54%.
  • The dividend looks reasonably safe.
  • High initial yield but little growth expected in coming years.

Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE:RDS.A) (NYSE:RDS.B) doesn’t need an introduction. This Anglo-Dutch multinational is one of the largest, integrated oil & gas majors in the world. Its share price has dropped nearly a quarter since the start of the year, pushing its dividend yield ever higher. While commonly regarded by many DGI investors as lesser quality than Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM), I believe the current market situation highly favors including this stock in the energy component of your dividend portfolio. read more

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Impact of Global Sell-Off on Shell-BG Group Deal

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Screen Shot 2015-08-25 at 13.53.52By: MICHEAL KAUFMANAug 25, 2015

Royal Dutch Shell plc. (ADR) (NYSE:RDS.A) earlier this year finalized its $70 billion merger deal with BG Group plc. (ADR) (NYSE:BRGYY). The cash-and-stock deal valued BG at $20 per share. Shell, based on BG’s stock price on April 7, agreed on paying a 50% premium. However, as yesterday’s sell-off and grim crude oil prices are factored into the mix, it appears that the deal, among many others, may fall apart.

BG stock slipped 6.78% to close Monday’s trading session at $14.71 per share. The spread for the deal reached its highest level on Monday. Shell looks forward to acquiring BG’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) assets. The company is also interested in the acquisition so as to take advantage of the opportunity to enter new markets. read more

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Opec powerless to halt oil price slide, warns former group president

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Opec veteran says that current oil prices slump has exceeded the worst expectations of the group

By Andrew Critchlow, Commodities editor: 24 Aug 2015

Opec is powerless to arrest the slide in oil prices unless producers outside the group such as Russia match any cuts in output, according to a former president of the group.

‘Black Monday’: £91bn wiped off FTSE 100 as China fears spark global markets crash

With oil prices plummeting due to global oversupply, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) would be unable to stabilise the market on its own, Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah told The Telegraph on Monday. The group – which is mainly comprised of Middle Eastern and South American oil producers – would need agreement from other oil-producing nations. read more

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Royal Dutch Shell bid for BG Group at risk of falling apart

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Arash Massoudi and Miles Johnson: 24 Aug 2015

A global stock market sell-off and tumbling oil prices have increased fears that some of this year’s largest takeover deals are at risk of falling apart — including Royal Dutch Shell’s $70bn bid for UK rival BG Group.

FULL ARTICLE

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Concerns mount over whale deaths in Gulf of Alaska

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Ryan Schuessler: August 24 

KODIAK, Alaska – Researchers are scrambling to determine what’s behind the death of 30 whales in the Gulf of Alaska as unusually warm ocean temperatures continue to wreak havoc on the region.

Since May 2015, 14 fin whales, 11 humpback whales, one gray whale and four unidentified specimens have been found dead along shorelines in the Gulf of Alaska, nearly half of them in the Kodiak Archipelago. Other dead whales have been reported off the coast of British Columbia, including four humpbacks and one sperm whale. read more

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INTERVIEW-Shell eyes Iran, to pay debt when sanctions end

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TEHRAN | BY GUY FAULCONBRIDGE: Mon Aug, 2015

Aug 24 Royal Dutch Shell will repay a $2 billion debt to the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) when sanctions on Iran are lifted and will consider investing in the country’s vast energy sector, Shell’s boss for new business said.

Much would depend on the terms offered by the Islamic Republic once sanctions were lifted, said Edward Daniels, Shell’s executive vice-president for commercial and new business development. He was speaking to Reuters while on a British government visit to reopen the country’s embassy in Tehran. read more

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Screen Shot 2015-05-07 at 07.59.01In the case of Royal Dutch Shell PLC’s agreement to buy BG Group PLC, the year’s largest announced deal, the spread widened to 13.7% Friday from 11.4% a week earlier. That is the widest since the deal was announced in April, as investors fret over the possibility that plummeting oil prices could cause Shell to walk away.

FULL ARTICLE

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Iran to Raise Oil Output ‘at Any Cost’ to Defend Market Share

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Screen Shot 2015-08-04 at 22.49.59U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude fell to less than $40 a barrel for the first time in more than six years in New York trading on Friday.

Anthony Dipaola and Hashem Kalantari: BLOOMBERG.COM: 23 AUGUST 2015

Iran plans to raise oil production “at any cost” to defend the country’s market share and joins calls for an emergency OPEC meeting to help shore up crude prices.

“We will be raising our oil production at any cost and we have no other alternative,” said Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, according to his ministry’s news website Shana. “If Iran’s oil production hike is not done promptly, we will be losing our market share permanently.”

Iran had the second-biggest output in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries before U.S.-led sanctions banning the purchase, transport, finance and insuring of its crude began July 2012. Oil producers such as BP Plc and Royal Dutch Shell Plc have expressed interest in developing its reserves, the world’s fourth-biggest, once sanctions are removed. read more

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Oil slump highlights pressure on dividend payouts

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Screen Shot 2015-08-04 at 22.49.59Extracts from an article by Garry White: 22 Aug 2015

Some in the City are concerned that distributions to shareholders at some major dividend payers are too high. This is particularly true for the oil sector.

Opec is being eaten alive and needs to meet to heal its wounds

Low oil prices bite as Premier Oil waits to tap Shetland field

Based on current forecasts, the prospective yield in 2016 for BP is about 6.9pc and for Shell it stands at 6.7pc. These unusually high yields are often an indicator of an impending cut in the payout. read more

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‘Both sides are unhappy’: Obama’s Arctic drilling green light heightens tensions

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Screen Shot 2015-06-30 at 21.06.27State Department official says administration’s stance on oil drilling program continues to spur criticism as Hillary Clinton joins list of opponents

Oliver Milman in Washington: Friday 21 August 2015

A senior official at the State Department has admitted there is an “obvious tension” between the US’s commitment to combat climate change and its approval of Shell’s oil drilling in the Arctic.

Shell was given the final green light by the Obama administration to drill off the coast of Alaska on Monday. read more

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Shell begins ‘high-risk’ drilling for Arctic oil

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Robin Pagnamenta Energy Editor: August 22, 2015

Shell has begun the final stage of its $7 billion attempt to drill for oil in Alaska’s remote Chukchi Sea.

Despite tumbling oil prices and opposition from Hillary Clinton and conservationists, this weekend a steel drill bit was grinding its way through rocks deep beneath the icy waves.

Shell, which was granted final permission to begin drilling by US officials on Monday, believes the oil bearing rocks could hold up to 29 billion barrels — enough to supply half of Amerca’s needs for a decade.  read more

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Charlotte Church adds her voice to Arctic oil protest

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Screen Shot 2015-08-13 at 11.35.25Emma Howard: Friday 21 August 2015

Her performance is part of a month-long protest that Greenpeace is staging, with different groups – from brass bands to bagpipes – playing the same four-piece movement every day during August to highlight Shell’s Arctic venture. The project was inspired by the string quartet on the Titanic, who continued to play as the ship went down after striking an iceberg.

Church said the campaign had struck a chord “because of how unbelievably dumb [drilling in the Arctic] is. It’s exploitative and nonsensical. The reason they can get to this oil is because the Arctic ice is already melting to a degree, but they’re going to drill more and make it worse … if there is some sort of spill they won’t be able to deal with it or clean it up.” read more

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Oil suffers longest weekly losing streak since 1986

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Screen Shot 2015-08-04 at 23.11.09Published: Aug 21, 2015 3:22 p.m. ET

“It looks like the market will remain in a supply/demand surplus at least through 2016.”

SOURCE

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OIL BELOW $40

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Shell will despoil the Arctic. But Barack Obama is the real villain here

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Clinton nailed Obama this week: “The Arctic is a unique treasure. Given what we know, it’s not worth the risk of drilling,” she wrote.

Others put it more strongly: “It’s perplexing and depressing to hear President Obama say he wants to fix climate change but then approve Arctic drilling.

FULL ARTICLE

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Fire at Shell’s Pulau Bukom plant leaves 6 injured, including 3 in critical condition

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Screen Shot 2015-07-31 at 19.22.09This is not the first time a fire broke out at Pulau Bukom. In September 2011, more than 100 firefighters helped to put out a fire that raged for 32 hours at the Pulau Bukom refinery. Shell was fined $80,000 the following year for lapses in workplace safety that led to the fire.

Lim Yi Han: 21 August 2015

SINGAPORE – A fire broke out at oil giant Shell’s manufacturing site on Pulau Bukom on Friday evening, leaving six workers with burn injuries.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they received a call at around 6.15pm about the fire from the Pulau Bukom Manufacturing Site.

Upon its arrival, the fire had already been extinguished by Shell’s emergency response team.

The six victims were sent to the Singapore General Hospital (SGH).

Three of them are in a “critical condition”, said a SGH spokesman. One is in a stable condition, and two others were discharged after receiving outpatient treatment. read more

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