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December, 2015:

Shell, BG close in on merger, set to publish scheme document

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Written by Rita Brown – 21/12/2015

Industry giants Shell and BG are zeroing in on their mega-merger.

Following unanimous approval from both boards, BG today confirmed it was seeking approval from the High Court to publish its scheme document and convene the related shareholder meeting.

The document is expected to be published tomorrow.

A Shell spokesperson added:”Subject to approval of the UK Listing Authority, the Shell shareholder circular and prospectus are expected to be published at the same time as the scheme document. read more

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BG investor sells £100m of shares

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By Ben Martin, and Ben Marlow: 20 Dec 2015

One of the biggest investors in BG Group has sold almost £100m of shares in the oil and gas business in the past week, raising questions about its view of the company’s £55bn takeover by Royal Dutch Shell.

Investment giant Capital Group offloaded stock worth approximately £76.4m on Thursday and about £21.1m the day before, as well as smaller disposals earlier in the week. The sales by Capital, which is also a major investor in Shell, came during a week in which another big shareholder in both energy companies voiced concerns about the BG takeover. 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.

$1.1bn Malabu Scam: Leaked emails show Shell, Eni, Jonathan’s aides conspired to divert money to Etete

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Screen Shot 2015-12-19 at 15.06.02The director of Global Witness, Simon Taylor, said, “We now know beyond all possible doubt or denial that Shell and Eni knew exactly where their payment was going.

Nicholas Ibekwe: Dec 19, 2015

Despite repeated denial by oil giants, Shell and Eni, that they did not know that the $1.1 billion they paid for OPL 245 was meant to be diverted to Malabu Oil and Gas, leaked emails have revealed that both companies were culpable in the plan to transfer the money to the dubious firm.

Malabu Oil and Gas, a shady oil firm, was incorporated by former Petroleum Minister, Dan Etete, five days before the oil bloc was awarded to it by the military regime of Sani Abacha. 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 braced for a flood of compensation claims

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Screen Shot 2015-12-19 at 14.30.30By ROB DAVIES FOR THE DAILY MAIL19 December 2015

Royal Dutch Shell is braced for a flood of compensation claims against its Nigerian business over oil spills, after a ruling that makes it more vulnerable to lawsuits.

Judges in The Hague, Netherlands, ordered Shell to hand over documents that could shed light on the cause of spills, which the firm blamed on sabotage by oil thieves.

The ruling is a blow for Shell, which had argued that cases against its Nigerian joint venture SPDC should be heard in Nigeria where the plaintiffs are based, and where companies cannot be held responsible for spills caused by sabotage. 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.

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Screen Shot 2015-11-20 at 08.55.47Published at 11:00AM – 19/12/15

Shell’s giant Prelude FLNG project is nearing completion, as the oil and gas supermajor releases an updated video of the project.

Shell Prelude FLNG

Prelude LNG project, will be located 200 miles (322km) offshore Western Australia, in an area known as the Browse basin, in 820 feet (250m) of water.

The project is centred around the giant Prelude FLNG vessel, currently under construction in South Korea.

The 488 metre (1,601 ft) long, 74 metre (243 ft) wide vessel is part of an overall project, that includes vast subsea infrastructure and technological breakthroughs, that has cost Shell and partners an estimated US$12.6 billion. 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 could face ‘tens of billions in damages’ over Nigeria spills

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Court rules Royal Dutch Shell can be held liable for oil spills at its subsidiary in Nigeria

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Screen Shot 2015-11-20 at 08.55.47By Reuters: 1:34PM GMT 18 Dec 2015

A Dutch appeals court has ruled that Royal Dutch Shell can be held liable for oil spills at its subsidiary in Nigeria, potentially opening the way for other compensation claims against the multinational.

Judges in The Hague ordered Shell to make available to the court documents that might shed light on the cause of the oil spills and whether leading managers were aware of them.

A lower Dutch court in 2013 had found that Shell’s Dutch-based parent company could not be held liable for leakages of oil at its Nigerian subsidiary. 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.

Dutch court: Nigeria farmers can sue Shell in Netherlands

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Dutch court: Nigeria farmers can sue Shell in Netherlands

Screen Shot 2015-11-20 at 08.55.47[JURIST] The Hague Court of Appeals [official website] ruled Friday that the Royal Dutch Shell [corporate website] can be sued in a Dutch court for their involvement in oil leaks in Nigeria. The ruling [text, in Dutch] stems from a suit brought by four Nigerian farmers that claimed Shell and its Nigerian subsidiaries were responsible for oil leaks leading to their lands being damaged. In a statement explaining their reasoning for their decision, the Court of Appeals said, “It cannot be established in advance that the parent company is not liable for possible negligence of the Nigerian operating company.” 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 boss faces challenge as oil price fall threatens tie-up

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Guy Chazan: December 18, 2015

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FULL FT ARTICLE

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 contests Dutch ruling on Nigerian spills

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Screen Shot 2015-11-20 at 08.55.47By Daniel J. Graeber: Dec. 18, 2015

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Dec. 18 (UPI) — Dutch supermajor Shell said it was disappointed that a national court in The Hague has assumed jurisdiction over claims tied to oil spills in Nigeria.

Nigerian farmers said Royal Dutch Shell and the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria are liable for damages caused by leaking oil pipelines during a three-year period ending in 2007. The parent company said it has no liability for the actions of its subsidiary and that the Dutch court system holds no authority over the case. 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.

Dutch appeals court says Shell may be held liable for oil spills in Nigeria

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Nigerian farmers affected by oil pollution get green light to pursue case against Anglo–Dutch multinational as judges order release of key documents

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Friends of the Earth activists hold a banner supporting civil action taken by Nigerian farmers whose livelihoods were affected by leaking pipelines in the oil-rich Niger delta. Photograph: Peter Dejong/AP

Reuters: Friday 18 December 2015 13.33 GMT

A Dutch appeals court ruled on Friday that Royal Dutch Shell can be held liable for oil spills at its subsidiary in Nigeria, potentially opening the way for other compensation claims against the multinational.

Judges in The Hague ordered Shell to make available to the court documents that might shed light on the cause of the oil spills and whether leading managers were aware of 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’s Bay Day in the Dock

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Ken Saro-Wiwa must be chuckling at this turn of events. In his last testament before his execution 20 years ago, Saro-Wiwa declared that Shell will one day be in the dock. Now, the presence of Shell in the dock is not only happening but will pick up speed.

December 18, 2015

The decision of the Appeal Court at The Hague on 18 December 2015 that the four farmers whose lands and creeks were damaged by Shell’s pollution can indeed sue the oil mogul in The Netherlands has come as refreshing news.

While this is a sweet step towards total victory, we are saddened that while the case drags on the polluted lands are yet to be remediated and the victims are still deprived of the use of their lands and creeks.

Shell’s oil spills in the Niger Delta are well known and the oil company’s claims that such spills are caused by third party interferences often ring hollow, if you know the real story. The history of the spin by Shell that oil spills from their facilities are caused by third parties has been on since the 1980s. Although there was a spike in such interferences between 2005 and 2009 due to armed responses in the region, much of the spills are still attributable to equipment failure or poor maintenance. 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 to face Nigeria oil spill lawsuit

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A Dutch judge has ruled that a court in the Netherlands should hear a case against Royal Dutch Shell brought by four Nigerian farmers.

The farmers and fishermen want Shell to clean up oil spills in four villages in the Niger Delta and pay compensation.

The latest ruling overturns a decision that was made two years ago by a lower court.

The oil giant said it was disappointed with decision made by appeals court judge Hans van der Klooster.

He ruled that Dutch courts had jurisdiction in the case against Shell and its Nigerian subsidiary. 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.

Nigerian Farmers Cleared to Sue Shell in Dutch Court

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Screen Shot 2015-12-18 at 08.01.07By MIKE CORDER, ASSOCIATED PRESS: THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Dec 18, 2015

Nigerian farmers will have the chance to sue oil multinational Shell in a Dutch court for pollution they blame on leaking pipelines, a Dutch appeals court ruled Friday.

Activists said the ruling sets a landmark legal precedent that clears the way for Dutch-based companies to be sued for alleged negligence of their subsidiaries elsewhere in the world.

“There is now jurisprudence that means victims of human rights violations or pollution can sue Dutch multinationals in the Netherlands,” said Geert Ritsema of the Dutch arm of Friends of the Earth, the environmental group that is also involved in the case.

The case centers on a charge from four farmers that Shell and its Nigerian unit are liable for damages caused by leaks from two underground oil pipes from 2004-2007. Shell has argued that it has no liability in the case and that Dutch courts did not have jurisdiction. 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.

Dutch court says Royal Dutch Shell can be liable for Nigeria spills

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Screen Shot 2015-12-18 at 08.01.07By Thomas Escritt: FRIDAY, 18 DEC 2015

THE HAGUE (Reuters) – A Dutch appeals court ruled on Friday that Royal Dutch Shell can be held liable for oil spills at its subsidiary in Nigeria, potentially opening the way for other compensation claims against the multinational.

Judges in The Hague ordered Shell to make available to the court documents that might shed light on the cause of the oil spills and whether leading managers were aware of them.

Friday’s ruling overturned a finding by a lower Dutch court in 2013 that Shell’s Dutch-based parent company could not be held liable for spills at its Nigerian subsidiary.

The legal dispute dates back to 2008 when four Nigerian farmers and campaign group Friends of the Earth filed suit against the oil company in the Netherlands, where its global headquarters is based. 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 Philippines says will exhaustively challenge 53.14 billion peso tax claim

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MANILA | BY NEIL JEROME MORALES: Fri Dec 18, 2015

The Philippine unit of Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) will exhaust all legal means, including international arbitration, to challenge a 53.14 billion peso (£751.8 million) tax claim against its Malampaya natural gas project, a company official said on Friday.

Shell Philippines Exploration B.V, is the operator of Malampaya in the southwestern Philippines, along with partners, Chevron Malampaya LLC, a unit of the U.S. energy firm (CVX.N) and the Philippines’ state-owned PNOC Exploration Corp. read more

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Offer by Royal Dutch Shell plc for BG Group plc

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LONDON, December 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ —

ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC

RULE 2.10 ANNOUNCEMENT

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION

Disclosure of total Royal Dutch Shell plc shares in issue pursuant to Rule 2.10

Royal Dutch Shell plc (NYSE: RDS.A) (NYSE: RDS.B) announces that it has today issued 49,040,564 A ordinary shares of €0.07 each in relation to the scrip dividend programme for the third quarter 2015 interim dividend. In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “Code”), Royal Dutch Shell plc confirms that following this issue, it has the following relevant securities held and in issue outside treasury: 3,990,921,569 A ordinary shares of €0.07 each, with ISIN reference GB00B03MLX29; and 2,440,410,614 B ordinary shares of €0.07 each, with ISIN reference GB00B03MM408, each admitted to trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange and on Euronext Amsterdam. The total number of Royal Dutch Shell plc A ordinary shares and B ordinary shares held and in issue outside treasury is 6,431,332,183. Royal Dutch Shell plc has A and B American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The Bank of New York Mellon acts as depositary. Each A ADS represents two A ordinary shares of €0.07 each and each B ADS represents two B ordinary shares of €0.07 each. The Royal Dutch Shell plc A ADSs have the trading symbol RDS.A and ISIN US7802592060 and the Royal Dutch Shell plc B ADSs have the trading symbol RDS.B and ISIN US7802591070. 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’s Russian LNG Venture Readying Export Boost Plans

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Screen Shot 2015-12-18 at 08.13.03By Stephen Stapczynski and Ichiro Suzuki: Bloomberg.com: Dec 18, 2015

Sakhalin Energy Investment Co., the only liquefied natural gas exporter in Russia, has agreed to begin design work on an expansion, the joint venture said Friday.

The partners — Gazprom PJSC, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Mitsui & Co. and Mitsubishi Corp. — will add a third production unit at the Sakhalin-2 LNG export terminal to raise capacity by 4.8 million metric tons to 14.4 million metric tons a year, Miyuki Shiga, a Mitsui spokeswoman, said by phone. The design process will take about a year and the first cargo from the new unit is expected to ship early next decade, Shiga 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.

Dutch court to rule on landmark Nigerian case against Shell

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Screen Shot 2015-12-18 at 08.01.07FRIDAY 18 DECEMBER 2015

A Dutch appeals court is to rule Friday whether the country’s tribunals can hear a landmark case for damages brought by four Nigerians against oil giant Shell.

The four farmers and fishermen, backed by the Dutch branch of environmental group Friends of the Earth, first filed the case in 2008 against the Anglo-Dutch company in a court case thousands of kilometres from their homes.

They want Shell to clean up devastating oil spills in four heavily-polluted villages in the west African country’s oil-rich Niger Delta, prevent further spills and pay compensation. 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 calls for tougher regulation of Dubai oil benchmark

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Screen Shot 2015-11-20 at 08.55.47HOUSTON/BENGALURU | BY LIZ HAMPTON AND ANKUSH SHARMA: Thu Dec 17, 2015

Royal Dutch Shell PLC on Thursday called for tougher regulation of the Dubai crude benchmark, the Middle East’s most important oil-pricing mechanism, after record trade volumes skewed prices.

Industry players have been calling on pricing agency Platts to review its Dubai assessment, saying record trading by Chinese state companies in August during the Market-on-Close process pushed liquidity to the limit and disrupted Dubai’s relationship with other global benchmarks. The Dubai marker sets the prices for more than 12 million barrels per day of Middle Eastern and Russian crude exports to Asia. 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 terminates contract for infamous drillship

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Grant Rowles: DECEMBER 18, 2015

Noble Corporation has announced that Shell has terminated the contract for the drillship Noble Discoverer.

In its latest fleet status report, Noble said that “Shell has terminated the rig’s contract for convenience” and has agreed to pay the remaining term at approximately 90 percent of the operating dayrate “adjusted for certain other items.”

Shell committed to a three-year deal in late February 2014 at $368,000 per day for the drillship to be used for its failed Arctic drilling campaign… read more

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COURT REFUSES TO UNFREEZE FUNDS FROM “SMASH AND GRAB” RAID ON NIGERIAN OIL BLOCK

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Screen Shot 2015-12-17 at 15.58.14Prosecutors allege that “fronts for President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria” received US$523m in proceeds of “smash and grab” OPL 245 deal.

Press release / 15 Dec 2015

Southwark Crown Court today rejected an attempt by a company owned by the former Nigerian oil minister Dan Etete to unfreeze US$85m in proceeds of the corrupt deal for the Nigerian offshore oil block, Oil Prospecting Licence 245 (OPL 245), which was sold to Shell and Eni for $1.1bn in 2011. 

The funds were restrained at the request of Italian authorities, who are investigating the sale of the block by Malabu Oil & Gas, a company secretly owned by Mr Etete, to the international oil companies. 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 working to protect assets offshore Alaska

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Screen Shot 2015-11-03 at 08.42.45Dutch supermajor notes the challenge does not equate to a resumption of drilling activity.

By Daniel J. Graeber: Dec. 17, 2015

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (UPI) — While Royal Dutch Shell said it aims to protect its drilling rights in the Arctic waters offshore Alaska, it said drilling was off the table for the foreseeable future.

Royal Dutch Shell in October said it was considering its options when the Bureau of Safety and Environment Enforcement denied its request to suspend leases in Arctic Alaskan waters that expire between 2017 and 2020. Leases expire at the end of their terms unless operators are engaged in drilling or related activity. 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 slide unlikely to scuttle Shell’s takeover of BG

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…rejection of the takeover could entail losses all round, making it more painful for those with shares in both companies. BG shares would likely collapse…

LONDON | BY RON BOUSSO, KAROLIN SCHAPS AND SINEAD CRUISE: Thu Dec 17, 2015

Royal Dutch Shell’s takeover of BG Group may look less attractive after the slide in oil prices but the fact the same investors own nearly half of both firms means the deal is still likely to go through.

Investors holding about 43 percent of Shell’s shares also hold 53 percent of BG, according to Reuters data. For example, Blackrock, Franklin Mutual Advisers and Norges together hold more than 12 percent of Shell and nearly 7.5 percent of BG. 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.

Is it worth it for Shell and BG to do a deal?

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Fiona Walsh: 16 Dec 2015

When Royal Dutch Shell launched its blockbuster £47 billion (€65 billion) bid for BG, oil was changing hands on energy markets at about $60 a barrel and the price was forecast to rise to $70.

Nine months later benchmark Brent crude has slid to a seven-year low below $40 a barrel. So the value of Shell’s shares and cash offer for BG has been cut from £47 billion in April to £35 billion. So do the economics of a deal that would have created a business valued at more than £200 billion still add up? 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.

Again, Shell Faces Dutch Court over Niger Delta Oil Damage

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Screen Shot 2015-11-20 at 08.55.4716 Dec 2015

Amnesty International has said Shell could be exposed to a raft of compensation claims and be forced to disclose previously withheld internal documents over its failure to stop and clean up decades of oil pollution in a test case before the Dutch Court of Appeal on Friday.

According to a statement by the international human rights watchdog, the case is the latest attempt by Niger Delta communities to hold Shell to account, with the support of international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including Amnesty International. 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 faces Dutch court for Niger Delta oil damage

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15 December 2015

The oil giant Shell could be exposed to a raft of compensation claims and be forced to disclose previously withheld internal documents over its failure to stop and clean up decades of oil pollution in a test case before the Dutch Court of Appeal on Friday.

The case is the latest attempt by Niger Delta communities to hold Shell to account, with the support of international NGOs including Amnesty International.

On Friday, the Dutch Court of Appeal is expected to rule on whether Shell Nigeria can be held liable in the Netherlands for its negligence in Nigeria and also decide on whether to allow the plaintiffs access to documents withheld by Shell. The case has been brought by Friends of the Earth on behalf of four farmers in the Niger Delta. 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 to Expand CNOOC Petrochemical Venture in Southern China

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Screen Shot 2015-11-20 at 08.55.47By Bloomberg News: December 15, 2015

Royal Dutch Shell Plc. is expanding its petrochemical venture in southern China with China National Offshore Oil Corp.

The two companies signed an agreement Tuesday to double the capacity of their equally held ethylene-cracking facility in Guangdong province to 2 million metric tons a year and add other chemicals units, Shell said in an e-mailed statement. The new facilities are expected to start operation in two years, it said, without providing a figure on the cost of the expansion. 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 Bid Aims to Preserve U.S. Drilling Rights in Arctic Ocean

Screen Shot 2015-12-15 at 16.53.51Jennifer A Dlouhy: December 15, 2015: Bloomberg.com

  • Oil company files appeal challenging rejection by Interior

  • Clock now ticking on oil and gas leases expiring in 2020

Screen Shot 2015-11-03 at 08.42.45Royal Dutch Shell Plc is fighting to preserve U.S. drilling rights in Arctic waters three months after halting exploration indefinitely there because it failed to find meaningful oil or natural gas deposits.

Europe’s largest oil company filed a notice of appeal Tuesday challenging the U.S. Interior Department’s Oct. 29 rejection of the company’s requests to stop the clock on Arctic oil and gas leases that otherwise expire between 2017 and 2020. The dispute is expected to undergo an administrative review, possibly delaying a final judgment until after a new U.S. president takes office. 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 promises more cuts to win investors over on BG deal

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Michael Bow: 15 Dec 2015

Royal Dutch Shell moved to shore up support for its £35bn BG Group takeover yesterday, by promising to slash more jobs amid concerns shareholders could rebel against the deal. 

The Anglo-Dutch oil giant will axe a further 2,800 jobs around the world on top of 7,500 roles it had previously announced were for the chop.

The losses – equivalent to 3 per cent of the combined group’s workforce – coincide with the final furlong of the long-running takeover saga, which has been put under pressure due to this year’s oil price rout.  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 internal communication BG takeover

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14 December 2015

Dear colleagues

Earlier today, in advance of completion of the recommended combination with BG Group, Shell announced further details of the proposed operational and administrative restructuring under consideration to achieve the expected synergies and benefits of the deal. The announcement will be covered in the media – indeed some of you may have seen it already – however, as the UK is specifically mentioned, I wanted you to hear directly from the company, even though at this stage there really is no additional information we can give. 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 can claim BG despite burden of proof weighing on van Beurden

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David Cummings, head of equities at Standard Life, says the deal no longer makes a lot of sense…

John Maynard Keynes was famous for changing his mind when the facts informing his decisions changed. Ben van Beurden, chief executive of Shell, is becoming infamous for his attachment to a decision whose factual foundation is eroding. The oil price, the data point against which the world economy and Shell’s purchase of BG Group are correlated, has changed drastically. 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.

This Oil Giant Is Going to Slash Thousands of Jobs

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Royal Dutch Shell expects to slash thousands more jobs to save costs if its takeover of BG Group goes through as planned early next year following a final green light from China.

The acquisition, which was announced on April 8 and is biggest in the sector in a decade, has been cleared by China’s Ministry of Commerce, Shell said on Monday, after earlier approvals from Australia, Brazil, and the European Union.

Shell RDS.A -1.32% and BG LON: BG will now send a merger prospectus to shareholders and hold special general meetings for votes on the deal. If approved, it will face a court hearing 10 days later and could be completed by early February. 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 plans 2,800 extra job cuts after BG deal

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Royal Dutch Shell has said it will cut 2,800 jobs if its planned takeover of BG Group goes ahead, about 3% of the combined group’s workforce.

The proposed job cuts are in addition to the 7,500 job losses Shell announced in July.

The tie-up between Shell and BG deal is due to be completed early next year.

However, an institutional investor has told the BBC that the deal does not make “financial sense” at current oil price levels.

David Cumming, head of equities at Standard Life Investments, told the BBC it was “very difficult to make the deal work” with oil below $40 a barrel, saying oil prices needed to be $60-$70 a barrel. 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 sees reduction of about 2,800 jobs after BG deal

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Reductions are in addition to previously announced plans to reduce Shell’s headcount and contractor positions by 7,500 globally.

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Markets | Mon Dec 14, 2015 5:35am EST

* Shell updates on its intentions for Shell-BG combination 

* Expectation is that BG’s business would be integrated into Shell’s businesses

* With regards to office footprint rationalisation in UK, Shell will, following deal completion, undertake a comprehensive review during course of 2016

* Deal remains on track for completion in early 2016.

* Expects BG restructuring will be required to achieve expected benefits of recommended combination

* Reductions are in addition to previously announced plans to reduce Shell’s headcount and contractor positions by 7,500 globally. 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 merger with BG Group gets green light from China

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By Rebecca Burn-Callander8:01AM GMT 14 Dec 2015

Shell’s £55bn takeover of BG has been cleared by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), giving the deal the green light to go ahead.

This was the final regulatory hurdle standing in the way of the deal. China’s blessing follows success with regulators in Australia, the US, EU and Brazil.

Shareholders at the two companies will now decide whether the tie-up will go ahead, and the deal could complete in early 2016.

The takeover, which will create Britain’s biggest public company, has been under mounting scrutiny in recent weeks as the City questions whether Shell can justify pushing ahead, with oil prices remaining so suppressed. 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 is troubled waters for Shell

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Chris Nuttall: Dec 14, 2015

The oil price is also a teaser for Shell, would-be acquirer of BG. The takeover was originally predicated on oil prices of over $70 a barrel. Chief executive Ben Van Beurden then revised that figure to the mid $60s, even as he tweaked up synergy targets. With oil at under $40 a barrel, investors are increasingly sceptical whether the transaction should go ahead, albeit that only a third of the original price was in cash rather than shares. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has cleared Shell’s takeover of BG Group… 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.

BEN VAN BEURDEN’S HARE-BRAINED BG TAKEOVER

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BEN VAN BEURDEN: Chief executive, Royal Dutch Shell

Just a year into the job, the 57-year-old Dutchman struck a legacy-defining deal. April’s £47bn cash-and-share takeover of smaller rival BG was hailed as a bold move to enliven the be- leaguered energy industry.

With each fall in the price of crude oil, though, the daring swoop starts to look more hare-brained.

When van Beurden, a mechanical engineer and Shell lifer, unveiled his blockbuster bid, crude traded at $57 a barrel. Shell based the hefty 50% premium for BG’s shares on oil rising to $67 next year and $90 by 2018.  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 China clears merger with BG

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BEIJING: Deals | Mon Dec 14, 2015 2:23am EST

China has given unconditional clearance to a proposed merger between Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) and BG Group (BG.L), clearing the final key regulatory hurdle for the $70-billion tie-up, Shell said on Monday.

The clearance means the pre-conditional approval process is complete, the Anglo-Dutch company said in a statement.

Prior to the approval, industry sources told Reuters that Chinese authorities were pressing Shell to sweeten long-term gas supply contracts as the world’s top energy consumer faces a large surplus of the supplies as a demand boom at home falters. 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 wants rules eased to leave platform bases on North Sea bed

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Kiran Stacey, Energy Correspondent: 13 December 2015

Three concrete structures each weighing as much as the Empire State Building are likely to be abandoned on the bed of the North Sea under plans by Shell to decommission the Brent platforms.

The oil company is set to ask regulators for an opt-out from international rules requiring the complete removal of platforms that have been shut down, people close to the process have told the Financial Times.

FULL ARTICLE

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Market isn’t so sure of Shell’s BG buyout

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11 December 2015

The oil price has fallen to a new seven-year low after the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecast a slowdown in growth in demand for oil.

The price of Brent crude oil fell below $39 a barrel at one point, its lowest since December 2008.

The IEA said demand in the current quarter was growing by 1.3 million barrels a day, down from 2.2 million barrels in the previous quarter.

The IEA predicts that will slip back to 1.2 million barrels a day next year.

The price of Brent crude fell to $38.90 a barrel at one point, before recovering slightly to $39.13 – still down 60 cents in the trading session. US crude oil also fell, down 50 cents to $36.12 a barrel. 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.

Crude-oil prices are in a nasty death spiral

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By Myra P. SaefongDec 11, 2015 10:42 a.m. ET

Crude-oil futures have been facing severe headwinds since last year, when prices for the U.S. and global benchmarks shed more than half their value from the highs seen in June 2014. Now, crude oil faces another stunning unraveling.

The commodity has already lost a third of its value in 2015…

On Friday, West Texas Intermediate crude CLF6, -3.81% took another step lower, dipping below $36 a barrel after the International Energy Agency said the oil-supply glut would continue to keep prices 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.

Shell’s New Zealand review sign of rationalisation as BG merger moves closer

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Screen Shot 2015-11-20 at 08.55.47Written by Niamh Forrest – 11/12/2015 7:41 am

Oil major Shell is shifting to portfolio rationalisation as the move to a merger with BG Group nears one step closer, according to a leading analyst.

Tom Ellacott, from Wood Mackenzie’s Corporate Analysis team, said a combined portfolio between the two companies will now be defined by its geographical reach.

He said up to five country exits could be on the cards.

Shell has been in New Zealand for more than 100 years with an 84% stake in the Maui field. 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’s Management Wants You to Know These 5 Key Things

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Royal Dutch Shell’s Management Wants You to Know These 5 Key Things

Screen Shot 2015-11-20 at 08.55.47Last quarter was a pretty rough one for Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE:RDS-A) (NYSE:RDS-B). The company was forced to take more than $7.9 billion in charges to the income statement to write down some abandoned development projects, and its oil and gas production in the Americas continues to be a bit of a headache. 

Management was well aware of how these results looked, and so on its most recent conference call its executives acknowledged these weaknesses but also had some things to say that any investor in Shell should be aware of. Here are five quotes from the most recent conference call that provide some juicy tidbits into how to view this company over the long term. 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 mulls exit from New Zealand

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Screen Shot 2015-11-20 at 08.55.47Angela Macdonald-Smith: 10 Dec 2015

Royal Dutch Shell is mulling a complete exit from New Zealand, putting all its oil and gas assets in the country under review for a possible sale that would likely fetch into the billions of dollars.

Country chairman Rob Jager said that while the New Zealand business was “great”, it is “a small part of the global Shell business and hence the decision to undertake a strategic review at this time.”

Shell already has a sale process underway for its stake in the Maui gas pipeline, with a teaser document sent to potential buyers by adviser JPMorgan in October. The pipeline is expected to fetch as much as $NZ300 million, but the rest of Shell’s business in New Zealand is much more extensive. 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.

Can 2015’s Laggard Royal Dutch Shell Plc Snap Back Next Year?

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I believe that Shell still has much further to fall.

By Royston Wild – Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

It has been a few months in coming, but crude oil prices finally crashed to fresh nadirs at the start of this week. The Brent benchmark toppled all the way back to within a whisker of $41 per barrel, taking out September’s lulls and marking the lowest level since 2008.

The black gold price has endured further pressure after industry cartel OPEC again refused to cut production on Friday, ignoring a steady stream of weak demand indicators and bloated stockpiles. Instead the group elected to intensify its market-share grab by raising its daily production target to 31.5 million barrels. 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 Cutting Salaried Positions At Corunna

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Screen Shot 2015-11-20 at 08.55.47By Dave Dentinger on December 8, 2015: BLACKBURNNEWS.COM 

Shell Canada is cutting an unspecified number of salaried positions at its Corunna refinery in 2016 to remain competitive in a challenging economy.

Spokesman Randy Provencal says he can’t get into numbers at this point but the reductions will affect employees like engineers and office support staff and not hourly workers.

“The employees who are working in the plant, running the plant, they’re not impacted by these staffing reductions,” says Provencal.

“Shell is taking the necessary steps to ensure our manufacturing site here in Corunna is competitive through all economic cycles, right now what we’re doing is exploring a number of efficiencies which will result in some staff reductions in the coming 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.

Economics, not just regulation, sidelined Shell’s offshore Alaska drilling plans

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Screen Shot 2015-11-03 at 08.42.45Dermot ColeDecember 8, 2015

Fresh assertions that the Obama administration smothered Shell’s Arctic dreams followed the news that Statoil gave up on its leases, the second company to abandon plans to look for oil in the Chukchi Sea.

Citing market conditions and noting the leases “are no longer considered competitive within Statoil’s global portfolio,” the Norwegian company announced its withdrawal plans Nov. 17. The company had long taken a cautious approach in the region, using Shell as a bellwether. Earlier this year it had scaled back its plans to drill in the Barents Sea because of low oil prices. 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.

Investors Are Unsure About Shell’s Strategy to Expand Its LNG Business

Investors Are Unsure About Shell’s Strategy to Expand Its LNG Business

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12/08/2015

SUGAR LAND, TX–(Marketwired – Dec 8, 2015) – Investors don’t seem to think much of Royal Dutch Shell’s (NYSE:RDS.A) (The Hague, Netherlands) expanded commitment to liquefied natural gas (LNG), signaled in part by its $70 billion acquisition of BG Group Plc (London: BG) (Reading, England) earlier this year. But the company insists it sees a lot of long-term value in the global LNG trade, and that the BG deal will drive changes that will position it favorably for years to come. 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 producers prepare for prices to halve to $20 a barrel

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Larry Elliott Economics editor: Tuesday 8 Dec 2015 19.40 GMT

The world’s leading oil producers are preparing for the possibility of oil prices halving to $20 a barrel after a second day of financial market turmoil saw a fresh slide in crude…

FULL ARTICLE

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