It’s been a rough year for oil, to say that least. And the worst isn’t over yet. Even though oil demand, and therefore oil prices, have been slowly recovering, that upward trajectory is now running out of steam and we’re headed toward a slump amidst what will almost certainly be a yearslong recession in the wake of the economic fallout from the devastating spread of the novel coronavirus. Even as oil demand and prices have recovered, the tried and true economic model is no longer a failsafe option for oil and gas companies. Pumping crude just isn’t paying the bills. This is not solely due to the COVID-19 pandemic–it’s been a long evolution in the sector. “Over the past decade, the ‘oil’ companies, whose profits were mostly derived from pumping crude out of the oil fields they discovered, transformed themselves into ‘oil and gas’ companies,” oil strategist Julian Lee wrote for Bloomberg Opinion this week. “Now they are evolving once again to become ‘energy’ companies. Shell’s latest report shows that almost half of its production was natural gas, compared with less than 40 percent in 2005.”read more
Shell to change-up FIFO roster at Australian operations
Paul Hunt: Senior Journalist: Oil & Gas, Policy. 07 August 2020
SHELL is urging its staff to move to a new fly-in, fly-out, roster, a move that has been described by unions as “unsafe.”
Currently FIFO staff work three weeks on, four weeks off, then three weeks on and five weeks off but under the new proposed agreement, employees would simply do a four week on, four week off roster.
In a power-point presentation leaked to Energy News this week, Shell Australia said a new roster was needed due to interstate travel restrictions, and the combined impact of a 14-day quarantine requirement for FIFO staff.read more
Shell gets green light for huge Crux backfill project
SHELL Australia has been granted approval by the national oil and gas regulator for development of its massive Crux field offshore Western Australia, though the company earlier flagged a delay to the development thanks to pandemic and oil price concerns.
Paul Hunt: Senior Journalist: Oil & Gas, Policy. 05 August 2020
The 2 trillion cubic feet Crux gas field project will be the source of backfill for the Prelude floating LNG vessel, which has not sent a cargo since February.
The development will consist of five subsea production wells tapping into the northern Browse Basin, which will then be tied back to an unmanned platform.read more
Shell Tankers (Singapore) Private Limited (“Shell”) has agreed long-term charter contracts for six newbuild liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.
Shell has signed separate agreements for two LNG ships each with affiliates of Knutsen LNG, Korea Line Corporation, and ICBC Financial Leasing and institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
The state-of-the-art 174,000 cbm LNG ships will be built by Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries. They will all be equipped with efficient dual-fuel X-DF engines, boil-off management plants, air lubrication systems and shaft generators for auxiliary power. The design and addition of energy efficiency technologies will give these ships the best emissions performance in their class.read more
How Nigeria’s AGF Malami Indicted Predecessor Adoke In OPL 245 Scam While Testifying In London
Malami, while testifying, said Adoke accompanied P&ID in making Nigeria lose the case. He also accused Adoke to have received a bribe of more than $800,000.
BY SAHARA REPORTERS, NEW YORK JUL 30, 2020
Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has made egregious corruption claims against his predecessor, Mohammed Bello Adoke, while testifying for Nigeria in the ongoing P&ID case.read more
Shell Swings to Historic Loss as Pandemic Devastates Oil Demand
Anglo-Dutch oil major warns that uncertain demand outlook could curtail its third-quarter production
Royal Dutch Shell PLC swung to a heavy loss in the second quarter and warned that the outlook for oil-and-gas demand continued to be uncertain, illustrating the scale of damage Covid-19 is wreaking on the industry.
The pandemic has decimated demand for oil, hitting prices hard. When around two-thirds of the world’s population was in lockdown in early April, global oil demand fell by a third, according to the International Energy Agency.read more
LONDON (Reuters) – Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) avoided its first quarterly loss in recent history, helped by a booming trading business, but announced nearly $17 billion in impairment charges reflecting a pessimistic outlook for oil and gas prices.
Shell had warned last month it was set to slash the value of its oil and gas assets by up to $22 billion as the coronavirus crisis hollowed out energy demand.
“Shell has delivered resilient cash flow in a remarkably challenging environment,” CEO Ben van Beurden said in a statement on Thursday.read more
Shell has invested $300,000 in the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge’s new Cary Saurage Community Arts Center at 233 St. Ferdinand St.
These funds will support the Shell Gallery, an art exhibition and meeting space open to individuals, schools and organizations throughout the Capital Region and beyond.
“Shell understands the vital role that arts and culture play in creating an appealing place to live and work,” said Renee Chatelain, president and CEO of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge. “They are industry leaders in investing in the quality of life for the Louisiana community, and we are excited about the many positive ways that this arts/business partnership will impact the community.”read more
Four civil society groups who have been monitoring the OPL 245 scandal have raised 25 questions for Nigeria’s justice minister, Abubakar Malami, on the handling of the assets recovered in relation to the oil block.
The groups include Corner House, Global Witness and Re:Common – all European transparency organisations – and the Human and Environmental Development Agenda(HEDA), a Nigerian anti-corruption group.read more
Energy majors ‘spend 90%’ on fossil fuels despite climate pledges
23/07/2020: Paris (AFP)
Energy giants Shell and Total continue to invest 90 percent of their capital on planet-warming fossil fuels despite promises to slash their greenhouse gas emissions, according to an industry analysis seen exclusively by AFP.
With combined emissions equivalent to that of Germany — the world’s fourth largest economy — both companies are likely to fall “well short” of their own sustainable investment targets, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) said.read more
The last time I covered Shell(LSE: RDSB) shares was on 10 March. At the time, Shell’s share price had just crashed spectacularly due to plunging oil prices and the oil price war that had erupted between Saudi Arabia and Russia. My view back then was that Shell’s share price weakness was a buying opportunity.
Fast forward to today, and Shell’s share price is actually lower than it was when I covered the stock in March. Did I get it wrong? Let’s take another look at the investment case for Shell.read more
Shell Energy has launched a new Solar Storage tariff as part of its partnership with German battery storage system manufacturer sonnen.
Customers with solar panels installed on their homes will be able to earn solar credits in the summer, when they are generating excess power that can be exported to the grid. These credits can then be used come winter to save money on bills.
In the UK, a home will typically use about 30% of the electricity produced by their solar panels, but by combining it with a sonnenBatterie this can grow to 75% of their annual energy produced. Adding Shell’s new tariff increases this even further the company stated.read more
Shell promotes Edward Hymes to President of Jiffy Lube
TIRE BUSINESS STAFF: 15 JULY 2020
Mr. Hymes, who’s been with Shell since 2001, will be responsible for the management and growth of the Jiffy Lube franchise, including oversight of more than 2,000 independently owned Jiffy Lube service centers in the U.S. and Canada.
His appointment was effective in January. He succeeds Patrick Southwick, who stays with Shell Oil as vice president, Downstream Acquisitions and Divestments.
“Edward’s extensive retail experience coupled with his real estate and business investment expertise position him well to lead the Jiffy Lube business,” said Machteld de Haan, president, Shell Lubricants Americas.read more
Prominent international groups involved in anti-corruption efforts globally have written to President Muhammadu Buhari on what they consider the unfortunate treatment of Ibrahim Magu.
PREMIUM TIMES reported the arrest of Mr Magu, acting chairman of Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, EFCC, on Monday.
He has been detained since then as he continues to appear before a panel probing allegations of corruption and insubordination against him. The allegations were made by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.read more
Shell eyes $2.2 billion divestment from giant Indonesia gas project
by Damon Evans:09/07/2020, 3:40 pmShell is pushing ahead with plans to divest its share of the giant Abadi LNG project in the Masela Block offshore Indonesia.
Its 35% stake is valued at $2.2 billion, data from Rystad Energy shows. But, despite the block’s close proximity to Asian demand markets, it will be tough to find buyers for one of the world’s largest undeveloped gas resources, potentially leaving the project in limbo.A spokesperson for Indonesian upstream regulator SKK Migas told local media on 6 July that the Anglo-Dutch supermajor had decided to exit the proposed project due to the low oil price environment and development delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Similar rumours about Shell’s exit emerged in early 2019, but Inpex, the Japanese operator of the Masela Block, subsequently won approval for a new development plan, including additional fiscal incentives to enhance the project’s economics, Andrew Harwood, Asia Pacific research director at Wood Mackenzie, told Energy Voice.
However, “there is more substance behind the news this time, with Shell’s recent decision to write-down the value of its upstream portfolio perhaps signaling a wider portfolio review,” added Harwood.read more
US sanctions trying to stop Nord Stream 2 are unacceptable – German Foreign Office
Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office Niels Annen pointed out that, in addition to German, French, Dutch, and Austrian companies, as well as services, in particular, certification and supervision, may be at risk of restrictive measures
BERLIN, July 1. /TASS/. Possible new US sanctions against Nord Stream 2 are aimed at halting the project’s implementation, which complies with EU legislation, and therefore unacceptable, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office Niels Annen said on Wednesday.
“It would block a commercial project, which is being implemented on the basis of EU law,” he said. “The position of the German government on this issue is unequivocal: extraterritorial sanctions are a blatant interference with EU sovereignty. It is obvious that the US side is trying to unilaterally stop the project,” Annen said. He pointed out that, in addition to German, French, Dutch, and Austrian companies, as well as services, in particular, certification and supervision, may be at risk of restrictive measures.read more
Exclusive: Raízen, Wilmar set to end sugar trading venture RAW – sources
Reporting by Marcelo Teixeira and Maytaal Angel; editing by Jonathan Oatis: 02 JULY 2020
NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) – Brazil’s Raízen, the world’s largest sugar-making company, and Asian commodities trader Wilmar International (WLIL.SI) are set to end their partnership in the global sugar trading joint venture RAW, four sources familiar with the process said.
The joint venture, formed in 2016, was the second-largest trader of Brazilian sugar, with volumes around 4 million tonnes annually, and its dissolution will make the market more fragmented.read more
Coronavirus Takes a Toll on Shell Imposing $15-$22B Write-Offs
Zacks Equity Research: ZacksRoyal Dutch Shell RDS.A recently provided an update on second-quarter 2020 guidance, envisioning its post-tax impairment charges between $15 billion and $22 billion. This hefty write-down comes as the coronavirus and associated demand deceleration wipe billions off the oil and natural gas asset value. Recently, Shell’s continental rival BP plc BP management confirmed that it anticipates taking impairments to the tune of $17.5 billion in the second quarter of 2020.
What Does the Record Write-Down Imply?
The energy industry, grappling with the twin demerits of oversupply and low pricing, expects the weak macro environment to persist. Companies like Shell and BP are carrying assets on their balance sheets that were purchased/developed at a time when commodity prices were materially higher than the current figures. As the market deteriorates, the operators are ultimately forced to take write-offs.read more
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, arraigned Malabu Oil & Gas Limited, six other companies and an oil tycoon, Aliyu Abubakar before the Federal High Court on a 48-count fraud charge.
The Defendants were docked over their involvement in alleged fraudulent transfer of controversial OPL 245, considered as one of the richest oil blocks in Africa.
Other defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/268/2016, are A-Group Construction Company Limited, Rocky Top Resources Limited, Mega-Tech Engineering Limited, Novel Properties and Development Company Limited, and Carlin International Nigeria Limited.read more
EFCC drops Adoke from key OPL 245 case, files fresh charges against Malabu
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Malabu Oil and Gas Limited on fresh charges of money laundering in the OPL 245 deal of 2011.
July 02, 2020
Malabu, alongside Aliyu Abubakar, a businessman, and six other companies were arraigned on a 48-count charge before Iyang Ekwo, judge of a federal high court in Abuja.
The companies listed in the charge are: A-Group Construction Company Limited, Rocky Top Resources Limited, Mega Tech Engineering Limited, Novel Properties and Development Company Limited, and Carlin International Nigeria Limited.read more
DNV GL approves Shell’s CO2 technology use at Fortum’s plant
JULY 2, 2020
OSLO, July 2 (Reuters) – EShell’s carbon dioxide capture technology has been approved for use at Fortum’s waste-to-energy plant in Oslo, the risk management and quality assurance firm DNV GL said on Thursday.
Fortum plans to build a full scale CO2 capture facility at the plant to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 400,000 tonnes per year, the equivalent of emissions from 200,000 cars.
The pilot project showed that Shell’s CONSOLV CO2 technology could capture more than 90% of CO2 from the flue gas, DNV GL, which certifies that technology is as described and meets existing standards, said in a statement.
“The third-party technology qualification by DNV GL gave us confidence that the project risk related to implementing the Shell technology was low,” said Jannicke Gerner Bjerkas, the head of the project at the plant.read more
Shell secures biogas supply as part low-carbon shift
JUNE 30, 2020 / 8:35 PM
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) – Royal Dutch Shell said on Tuesday it has agreed to buy renewable gas, known as biomethane, from Denmark’s Nature Energy, in what the smaller company termed the largest deal of its kind.
The gas will be supplied to Europe’s pipeline network from July 1. The size and financial details of the contract were not disclosed.
In April, Shell laid out the oil and gas sector’s most extensive strategy yet to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.read more
Shell, one of the world’s largest oil companies, has warned that the low price of oil could reduce the value of its assets by up to $22bn (£17.9bn).
It said it expects oil to change hands at $60 per barrel in the long term and to be priced at $35 this year and $40 next year.
Shell follows rival BP in telling investors that oil hardware is not worth as much as it used to be.
BP told investors this month its assets could be worth $17.5bn less.
Countries across the globe have ordered people to stay indoors and not travel as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused a slump in demand for oil.read more
Royal Dutch Shell said that it could cut the value of its oil and gas assets by as much as $22 billion, as it takes a dim view of the state of the oil market. The move adds more evidence to the notion that a huge slice of oil reserves will wind up as stranded assets. Shell cut its Brent oil prices forecast from $60 per barrel to $35 for this year, and lowered its 2021 and 2022 forecasts to $40 and $50 per barrel, respectively, down from $60 previously. The lower outlook reflects the expected damage to the oil market due to the coronavirus and the negative impacts on the global economy, Shell said.read more
Big Oil’s Long Bet on Hydrogen Offers a Climate Lifeline
Bloomberg News: Will Mathis and Akshat Rathi: June 25, 2020 6:06 AM EDT: Last Updated June 25, 2020 8:48 AM EDT
(Bloomberg) — On particularly cold winter days, the vast majority of the U.K.’s energy comes from burning natural gas. That arrangement will have to change radically–and soon–if the country is to hit its legally mandated target of net-zero emissions by 2050. As other countries adopt similar targets to align with the Paris climate agreement, they too will have to find an alternative to natural gas. That leaves fossil fuel companies with a ticking clock.
Hydrogen burns cleanly, leaving only water behind. That’s made it an attractive alternative fuel source–not just for governments looking to satisfy climate mandates, but also for oil companies trying to ensure their continued relevance. Oil-and-gas majors such as Shell, Equinor, and BP have spent tens of millions of dollars on pilot projects. Now in the face of record-low oil prices, frozen international travel, and growing shareholder unease over greenhouse gas emissions, investing in hydrogen has taken on a new urgency.read more
The fossil fuel company Shell must be held accountable for significant and systematic pollution caused by oil extraction in the Niger delta, lawyers will argue in the supreme court.
Nigerians from the Ogale and Bille communities say they have suffered decades of pollution, including the contamination of their water wells with potentially cancer-causing chemicals, as well as the devastation of mangrove vegetation, all of which was documented by the UN in a groundbreaking report in 2011.
The United Nations environment programme (UNEP) said in its report it could take 30 years to clean up the pollution caused by oil extraction and recommended an initial fund of $1bn (£800m) for the first five years to be paid by the oil companies that operate in Ogoniland – including the largest company, Shell.read more
Okpabi and others (Appellants) v Royal Dutch Shell Plc and another (Respondents)
Case ID: UKSC 2018/0068
Issue(s)
Whether and in what circumstances the UK-domiciled parent company of a multi-national group of companies may owe a common law duty of care to individuals who allegedly suffer serious harm as a result of alleged systemic health, safety and environmental failings of one of its overseas subsidiaries as the operator of a joint venture operation.
Facts
The Appellants (some 42,500 people) are citizens of Nigeria and inhabitants of the areas allegedly affected by oil leaks from pipelines and associated infrastructure, that SPDC operates on behalf of an unincorporated joint venture in which numerous participating interests are held, in and around the Niger Delta. The leaks are said to have impacted their lives, health and local environment. They contend that the Respondents are responsible. Royal Dutch Shell Plc (‘RDS’) is the parent company of the Shell group of companies, incorporated in the UK. The Shell Petroleum Company of Nigeria Limited (‘SPDC’, the other Respondent) is an exploration and production company incorporated in Nigeria and is a subsidiary of RDS. The claims against RDS and SPDC are based on the tort of negligence under the common law of Nigeria which, for present purposes, is to be regarded as the same as the law of England and Wales. The claim against RDS is brought on the basis that RDS owed the claimants a duty of care either because it exercised significant control over material aspects of SPDC’s operations and/or assumed responsibility for SPDC’s operations. RDS applied under CPR Part 11(1) for orders declaring that the court had no jurisdiction to try the claims against it, or should not exercise such jurisdiction as it had. At first instance Fraser J held that there was no arguable case that RDS owed the Appellants a duty of care. The Appellants appealed to the CA against the judgment and Order of Fraser J. The CA upheld the decision of Fraser J. The Supreme Court has since clarified the law in this area, including by reference to the CA’s decision in this case, in Vedanta Resources PLC and another (Appellants) v Lungowe and others (Respondents) [2019] UKSC 20.read more
Wells Fargo will buy 150 megawatts of solar power from Shell Energy, a move that demonstrates widening corporate interest in renewable energy even among some of the strongest supporters of fossil fuels.
The deal is modest: Wells Fargo says the 150 megawatts, purchased from three locations in Virginia and one in California, would meet about 8 percent of its global energy needs.
But it carries symbolic value. Wells Fargo, the second-biggest lender to fossil fuel companies over the past four years, is buying carbon-free electricity from Shell, a company that’s been in the oil business since the 1880s. The deal also shows the appeal of solar projects even in the midst of the punishing economic downturn brought on by the novel coronavirus pandemic.read more
Bloomberg News: Laura Millan Lombrana and Rachel Morison: June 23, 2020
Electric Car Charging Stations Are Finally About to Take Off
(Bloomberg) — The electric vehicle sector has been stuck for years with a chicken-and-egg problem. Until there were extensive networks of public charging stations, a critical mass of people would never feel comfortable driving EVs–but until a critical mass of people were driving EVs, there was no sense in investing in extensive networks of public charging stations.
It may be the coronavirus pandemic that finally breaks the stalemate. BloombergNEF’s latest Long-Term Electric Vehicle Outlook predicts that EVs sales will experience a smaller dip than traditional auto sales as a result of the broader economic squeeze, and that they’ll bounce back more quickly once the market recovers. EVs and the infrastructure needed to charge them have also been a part of many of the stimulus packages announced by European and Asian governments. Just in the past few weeks, Germany included chargers in its €2.5 billion proposed economic package, and the European Union announced that it’s aiming to have 1 million public chargers by 2025, from fewer than 200,000 today.read more
Shell and Total join UK floating offshore wind syndicate
By David McPhee: 22/06/2020
North Sea oil giants Shell and Total have joined a UK floating offshore wind consortium created to drive forward the technology.
The oil firms will work alongside offshore wind developers EDF Renewables, EDP Renewables, Equinor, ESB, Mainstream Renewable Power, ScottishPower Renewables and SSE Renewables as part of Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult’s national Floating Offshore Wind Centre of Excellence (FOWCoE).read more
A Scottish politician said yesterday he was “deeply disappointed” that an oil production vessel which has sat in Dundee for a year will be dismantled in Norway.
North-east Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald claimed the scrapping of Shell’s Curlew vessel could have been done at a number of Scottish locations “had they been given the opportunity to tender”.
Mr Macdonald called for “action” to help Scottish yards win more North Sea oil and gas decommissioning work.read more
BM Corp. (IBM) and Shell have teamed up to launch Oren, a business-to-business marketplace platform to help mining companies accelerate the digitalization of their operations and services.
Mining companies are seeking automated mine solutions such as self-driving haul trucks and remote operations centers in their operations as the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted business operations. To do this, mining operations need to become more digital both within the mines and throughout the wider value chains.read more
Oil Spill Clean-Ups in Nigeria Lack Progress, Groups Say
William Clowes: Bloomberg: June 17, 2020
(Bloomberg) –Nigeria and Royal Dutch Shell Plc have failed to implement most recommendations made by the United Nations to clean up oil pollution in the Niger River delta, according to a new report.
The UN Environment Programme in 2011 proposed the creation of a $1 billion fund to repair the damage done by decades of crude spills in the Ogoniland area in southeastern Nigeria. However, progress has been poor and the little work that has been done is sub-standard, advocacy groups including Amnesty International said Thursday.read more
Shell Foresees LNG Market Rebounding From Coronavirus Lows
Shell & LNG
Shell became the largest LNG producer in the world following the acquisition of BG Group Plc in 2016, which boosted its portfolio of supply contracts and stakes in LNG plants around the world. In fact, in the recently-released quarterly report, Shell’s earnings per ADS of 74 cents outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 51 cents on higher LNG sales volumes.
Coronavirus Hurts LNG Volumes
Over the past few months, the oil and gas industry has been in shambles, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic that shook most sectors until now. Global fuel demand is visibly dented in the aftermath of large-scale travel bans imposed globally. As a result, the outlook for all the industries in the energy sector business is downbeat.read more
Shell looks to Brazil solar power sales from farms that are due online in 2023
Luciano Costa: JUNE 9, 2020
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Royal Dutch Shell PLC is ready to start negotiating with potential clients the sale of future solar power on Brazil’s free energy market from its first farms due to start operating in 2023, Shell’s solar business development manager for Latin America said.
In a telephone interview on Monday, Maria Gabriela da Rocha said the startup date would depend on the negotiations and was part of Shell’s strategy to move into renewable energy, betting on industries’ increasingly wanting to sign long-term clean energy contracts.read more
Shell boss ‘bothered’ by depiction of firm as ‘unwelcome player’ in energy transition
Royal Dutch Shell Plc had been turning out about 2.7 million barrels of oil each day until the novel coronavirus took hold of the world.
By Bloomberg: 09/06/2020
Demand for oil, the company’s core product, dropped almost a third in April, and the price of West Texas Intermediate briefly dipped into negative numbers for the first time.
It’s not easy to run an oil major when people suddenly stop needing oil.
Chief Executive Officer Ben van Beurden responded by slashing spending and cutting Shell’s dividend for the first time since World War II.read more
Shell suspends operations in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta area after seismic activity
JUNE 7, 2020
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Oil company Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDSa.L) said it has suspended operations at its Bajada de Añelo site in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta area after seismic activity in the region.
Shell, which operates the block along with local state oil firm YPF, said in a statement late on Saturday that the preventative suspension of activities came after seismic movements were registered in an area of Argentina’s Neuquén province near the Andes mountains bordering on Chile.read more
Bureau Veritas has signed a global framework agreement with Shell to help reduce emissions from operations.
Shell has set a target of maintaining methane emissions intensity below 0.2% by 2025.
Bureau Veritas has said it will help Shell detect leaks across its assets. The Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) process will allow Shell to monitor, quantify and control emissions in order to minimise its carbon footprint.read more
A massive Pennsylvania plastics project, owned by Shell, that President Donald Trump touted during a visit last year faces risks of oversupply and a low price outlook, an energy industry report said on Thursday.
Pandemic exposes cracks in oil majors’ bet on plastic
Joe Brock: JUNE 4, 2020
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – The energy industry’s bet that a petrochemicals boom would support decades of oil and gas sales growth is on shaky ground as an already saturated plastic market is hit by a coronavirus demand shock.
While soaring demand for personal protective equipment and takeaway food containers has boosted sales of some plastics, it is likely to be only a temporary spike, say analysts.read more
Shell Energy Retail has this week launched two new ‘carbon neutral’ energy tariffs for British households, combining its existing 100 per cent renewable power offer with a promise to offset emissions from heating and cooking through investment in nature-based projects.read more
Bloomberg) — Oil and gas companies worldwide have raised $171 billion of debt from the loan and bond markets since March after the coronavirus pandemic hit demand for fuel.
The $171 billion tally is equivalent to the volume of bonds sold for the industry in the whole year of 2019. The debt pile is set to grow further with almost $120 billion of borrowings due by the end of the year that will need to be either repaid or refinanced. Of that amount, $43 billion is in bonds and $76 billion in loans.read more
Shell, XOM to seek arbitration against Netherlands: report
May 29, 2020
Shell and ExxonMobil will file an arbitration claim against the Netherlands government over compensation for the early closure of gas field, according to Global Arbitration Review (GAR).
The companies operate the Groningen gas field through NAM — a 50-50 Dutch joint venture. Production from the onshore gas field causes earthquakes affecting local communities, which has prompted the government to shut it down early.
NAM is working with the Dutch government and other stakeholders to fulfill its obligations to residents of the area, which include compensation for damage caused by the earthquakes.read more
Oil majors including Chevron Corp., Exxon Mobil Corp., Royal Dutch Shell PLC and Total SA are scrambling to cope with coronavirus outbreaks among their workers that could threaten the profitability of some of their largest projects.
Merchants (MRCH) fund manager Simon Gergel has cut the investment trust’s stake in Shell (RDSB) by a third in response to the oil company’s historic move to slash its dividend last month.
The Anglo-Dutch company cut its quarterly dividend by two thirds from 47 to 16 US cents at the end of April, as the coronavirus crisis precipitated the first such move since the second world war.
Shell’s decision shocked income fund managers two days after rival BP (BP) had chosen to maintain its own dividend. However, Gergel reiterated his view that the company’s changing plans were as much of a challenge to the investment case as the loss of income.read more
As the price of a Brent barrel is trading at nearly half of what it was at the beginning of the year, Royal Dutch Shell Plc (NYSE: RDS.A) is planning on offering some staff voluntary severance, according to Bloomberg sources.
In a note to its staff, Shell CEO Ben van Beurden said that the Dutch oil major was working to become leaner and more resilient, according to the Bloomberg sources who saw the correspondence.read more
OPL 245: How Italian Prosecutors Hid Vital Information from Judge
By Davidson Iriekpen:
Facts have emerged that the lead Italian prosecutor in the criminal case involving Shell and ENI over the OPL 245 affair, Dr. Fabio De Pasquale, concealed a significant material fact from the Milanese court concerning the former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, THISDAY has learnt.
In the transcripts of the hearing with Criminal Proceeding No. 54772/13 RGNR, the prosecution witness, Ferri Alessandro, had told the court that Adoke owned the property at No. 271, Cadastral Zone A06 Maitama, Abuja, for which he had collected a mortgage of N300 million from Unity Bank in 2011.read more
A controversial license transfer deal between Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A, RDS.B) and Pieridae Energy (OTC:PTOAF) over aging assets in Alberta that failed to win approval from the province’s energy regulator say they will try again.
The regulator yesterday refused to allow licenses for sour gas wells, pipelines and other facilities to be transferred to Pieridae Energy from Shell Canada, saying the deal appeared to reduce Shell’s responsibility for cleaning up the sites, adding that the extent of contamination at the hundreds of facilities is unknown.
Shell says it will look for a way to transfer the licenses to Pieridae and keep the cleanup liabilities.
The regulator said the Nord Stream 2 consortium – which also includes Uniper, Wintershall-Dea, Royal Dutch Shell, OMV and Engie – did not qualify for an exemption…
FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Germany’s energy regulator on Friday declined to grant a waiver of European Union gas directives to the operators of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, dealing a fresh blow to the project to carry gas from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea.
Nord Stream 2, designed by Russia’s Gazprom to increase direct shipments to Europe, is far behind schedule and has faced political opposition from Washington, as well as from Ukraine and Poland through whose territory Russian gas is shipped to consumers in western Europe.read more
Malabu Oil Block: ex-minister Orubebe’s wife quizzed over N360m deals
MAY 15, 2020
From Yusuf Alli, Abuja
Former Niger Delta Affairs Minister Godsday Orubebe’s wife Maureen, has been grilled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a N500 million deal linked to the $1.092 billion Malabu Oil Block scandal.
Mrs. Orubebe is also being investigated for alleged money laundering.
She was alleged to have bought three assets from the company of one of the suspects on trial over the Malabu Oil Block Settlement Agreement.
The assets were alleged to be part of those which over $523 million (out of $1.06b) was used for.read more
Big Oil’s Most Profitable Business Is No Longer Oil
Newbuild LNG Carriers
How Nigeria’s AGF Malami Indicted Predecessor Adoke In OPL 245 Scam While Testifying In London
Devastates Oil Demand
Shell invests $300,000 in the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge’s new arts center
Energy majors ‘spend 90%’ on fossil fuels despite climate pledges
Shell promotes Edward Hymes to President of Jiffy Lube
By 
Magu: International groups write Buhari, say Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight may suffer setback
by Damon Evans:
OPL 245:EFCC arraigns Malabu oil, 6 others over alleged $1bn fraud
EFCC drops Adoke from key OPL 245 case, files fresh charges against Malabu
DNV GL approves Shell’s CO2 technology use at Fortum’s plant
A Scottish politician said yesterday he was “deeply disappointed” that an oil production vessel which has sat in Dundee for a year will be dismantled in Norway.
Oil Spill Clean-Ups in Nigeria Lack Progress, Groups Say
Shell signs up Bureau Veritas for emissions fight
Nature based solutions: Shell Energy debuts new ‘carbon neutral’ tariffs
Bloomberg News:
Shell, XOM to seek arbitration against Netherlands: report
Shell, Pieridae to try again after Alberta regulator blocks license transfers
