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May, 2005:

MAY 2005 ROYAL DUTCH SHELL NEWS HEADLINES

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Lloyds List: Liquid gold Qatar leads the way with huge export projects

Lloyds List: Liquid gold Qatar leads the way with huge export projects

31 May 2005

‘THERE is Qatar and there is everyone else,’ is now a common statement in the LNG industry.

And no wonder. Qatar and its oil major partners are raising the industry benchmark with their huge projects to export gas to the UK and US, notably through the largest ships and liquefaction trains ever built.

Within the next three years, this tiny nation will become the world’s largest exporter of LNG, thanks to the series of RasGas and Qatargas projects. Not long after that, Qatar Gas Transport (Nakilat) will take over the mantle as the world’s leading LNG shipping company. read more

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Lloyds List: Two newbuilds boosts Shell’s fleet to 20

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Shell India wins Golden Peacock Award

India Infoline.com (India): Shell India wins Golden Peacock Award

 31 May 2005

Shell India announced on Monday that it has been declared a winner of the prestigious ‘Golden Peacock Eco-Innovation Award 2005’ by the World Environment Foundation (WEF). The award recognizes the innovative environmental features and technologies deployed at Shell fuel retail stations, including double-walled fibre-glass storage tanks, leak-proof piping, impervious forecourts and oil-water interceptors.

Vikram Singh Mehta, Chairman, Shell Group of Companies, India, said, “We are honoured by the Award and gratified that the eco-friendly technology and practices deployed in our retail business are welcomed by society. This award is a recognition of sustainable development, which is at the heart of ‘the way we do business’ in Shell.” read more

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Flying J and Shell Canada open first co-branded travel plaza in Alberta

Flying J and Shell Canada open first co-branded travel plaza in Alberta

CALGARY, May 30 /CNW/ – Flying J Inc, a privately held U.S. corporation

based in Ogden, Utah, and Shell Canada Limited, an integrated oil and gas

company based in Calgary, Alberta announced today that they are opening their

first co-branded travel plaza in western Canada on Tuesday, June 7, 2005. The

travel plaza site, the first Flying J site in Canada offering Shell branded

gasoline, is located on 20 acres just east of Edmonton, Alberta in Sherwood

Park on the Yellowhead Highway, a major trans-Canada transportation route for read more

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Shell Stations Cater to Entertainment

Convenience Store News: Shell Stations Cater to Entertainment-Starved Customers 

31 May 2005 

LOS ANGELES — Select Shell Oil stations in the Los Angeles area will debut the VST Media Network, offering news, sports and entertainment to drivers while they fill their tanks. VST partnered with two independent Los Angeles-based Shell dealers: Pacific Fuels and C.A.R. Enterprises Inc.

The system from VST Media Inc. runs paid advertising in addition to reporting news, sports and entertainment, plus movie trailers, public service announcements and emergency alerts. It runs over a high-speed, centrally managed network that provides regular updates to the programming at the pumps. When the pumps are not in use, screens cycle through a series of on-site promotional offerings. Lifting the fuel nozzle from the dispenser triggers the start of a two- to three-minute programming loop, matched to the average consumer fueling time. The loop features a maximum of six 15-second ads. read more

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Lloyds List: Many new producers preparing ground to get in on the act

Lloyds List: Many new producers preparing ground to get in on the act

31 May 2005

WITH so much excitement surrounding the LNG industry, it is easy to overlook the fact that the two nations with the world’s largest gas reserves, Russia and Iran, have yet to export a cargo by ship between them.

Indeed, during the next 10 to 15 years, experts expect 10 or 11 new exporting countries to join the dozen that are already in the industry.

In addition, many of the countries that are already exporting LNG are planning to expand their production dramatically. read more

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Shell accused over tax on UK investors

THE TIMES (UK): Shell accused over tax on UK investors

May 31, 2005 

By Gary Duncan 

SHELL yesterday faced accusations of unfairly inflicting heavy bills for capital gains tax on some British investors who hold shares in the Dutch arm of the oil giant.

Under Shell’s impending restructuring, shareholders in the British and Dutch arms of the group are to be issued with new shares in Royal Dutch Shell, an entity formed from the combination of the two.

However, Angela Knight, chief executive of the Association of Private Client Investment Managers, says several thousand mainly small UK investors in Royal Dutch will lose out. She says the Shell scheme is tax-neutral for shareholders in Shell Transport and Trading, and for Dutch and American investors in Royal Dutch Shell, but she had found that UK shareholders in the Dutch part of the group face an unavoidable capital gains charge. read more

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Call for Shell to alter its plan to unify

FINANCIAL TIMES: Call for Shell to alter its plan to unify

31 May 2005

By Clay Harris

Royal Dutch/Shell should modify its unification proposals to minimise the potential tax burden on a relatively small group of individual shareholders in the UK, an investment industry leader said yesterday.

Under the scheme due to be considered by shareholders next month, UK holders of Royal Dutch who accept shares in the new unified Royal Dutch Shell will be treated as if they had disposed of their old shares, giving rise to a potential capital gains tax (CGT) liability. read more

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Shell to Start Talks With Nigeria, Ogoni Activists

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Shell to Start Talks With Nigeria, Ogoni Activists

By SHAI OSTER

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

May 31, 2005; Page A7

LONDON — Royal Dutch/Shell Group will start reconciliation talks with the Nigerian government and representatives from Ogoniland that could lead to its return to Nigeria’s oil-rich region and could help resolve one of the worst chapters of Shell’s history in that nation.

Shell left the region in 1993, following violent protests there. The ensuing government crackdown led to the execution of Ogoni activist Ken Saro-Wiwa. read more

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Huge tax bills for Royal Dutch investors from Shell merger

Daily Telegraph: Huge tax bills for Royal Dutch investors from Shell merger 

By Paul Farrow (Filed: 31/05/2005)

Hundreds of British shareholders in Royal Dutch Petroleum face huge capital gains tax bills when it merges with Shell Transport & Trading.

Last week, the oil giant announced the timetable for this deal. If, as expected, the proposals are accepted, investors will exchange existing shares for shares in the new company on July 20.

The vast majority of shareholders will not have to pay any tax when the shares are exchanged. British Shell Transport & Trading shareholders qualify for rollover relief and will only be liable for CGT as and when they dispose of their shares in future. read more

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Chevron bringing back Texaco brand, symbol

Amarillo.com: Rising Star: Chevron bringing back Texaco brand, symbol

Posted 30 May 2005

By James F. Peltz

Los Angeles Times

Michael Lemmons / [email protected]

SAN RAMON, Calif. – Odd as it sounds, the U.S. arm of Chevron is getting back into the business of Texaco.

The Texaco brand of gasoline had withered in the U.S. market since 2001, when Chevron Corp. bought Texaco Inc. for $39 billion. The combined company went by the name ChevronTexaco until shortening its official moniker to Chevron Corp. earlier this month.

To get their merger cleared by antitrust authorities, ChevronTexaco sold exclusive rights to the Texaco brand for three years to a group led by the Shell division of Royal Dutch/Shell Group. read more

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Shell ponders stake in Panuke

The Chronicle Herald (Canada): Shell ponders stake in Panuke

30 May 2005

Petroleum giant may be ready to expand its N.S. holdings

By JUDY MYRDEN / Business Reporter

There is speculation that one of Nova Scotia’s oldest players in the offshore has its eyes on the Deep Panuke natural gas discovery.

Shell Canada Ltd., which owns a third of the Sable gas project, is interested in EnCana Corp.’s nearby Panuke discovery, a Calgary newspaper reported.

Jan Rowley, a Shell Canada spokeswoman, confirmed that the company, as a partner in the Sable project, is in discussions with EnCana. read more

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Irish Times: Mayo TDs call for Shell to build offshore terminal

Irish Times: Mayo TDs call for Shell to build offshore terminal

30 May 2005

Lorna Siggins, Marine Correspondent

Two Mayo TDs have called on the Government to insist that Shell E&P Ireland build a shallow water offshore terminal for the €900 million Corrib gas field on safety grounds.

Fine Gael TD Michael Ring and Independent TD Dr Jerry Cowley were responding to an Irish Times report that a British consultancy firm, hired by Minister for the Marine Noel Dempsey to conduct an independent safety review of the onshore pipeline, is part-owned by the project’s major shareholder, Shell. read more

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Keep your promise, Nigerian villages tell Shell

Gulf Times (Qatar): Keep your promise, Nigerian villages tell Shell

Posted 29 May 2005

OTUEGILA, Nigeria: Local leaders from 13 communities in southern Nigeria’s oil-rich but restive Niger Delta accused the Anglo-Dutch energy giant Shell of reneging on a promise to build them a road yesterday and demanded that the firm halt its operations in their area.

The protest was set to overshadow yesterday’s publication of Shell Nigeria’s annual People and the Environment report, which recounts the work the firm has carried out in order to relieve the crippling poverty which blights life in the villages around its multibillion-dollar facilities. read more

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The Scotsman: Shell and North Sea

The Scotsman: Shell and North Sea

29 May 2005

LESS charitable views on Royal Dutch/Shell in the darkest days of last year had a lot in common with those of the North Sea. Like the company, the North Sea smacked of terminal decline, its glory days left behind some time in the 1980s, its talent moving on to new pastures.

So it must be gratifying for Shell’s North Sea explorers to strike a blow against both preconceptions. Last week it revealed that it had stumbled upon what looks like Norway’s biggest gas find in five years with its Onyx West well. read more

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Shell’s auction of its LPG business could raise £1.6bn

Sunday Telegraph: Shell’s auction of its LPG business could raise £1.6bn

By Sylvia Pfeifer (Filed: 29/05/2005)

Shell, the Anglo-Dutch oil giant, is to auction its liquid petroleum gas (LPG) business and is hoping for bids of up to $3bn (£1.6bn).

It is understood that relevant information will be sent to prospective buyers in the next two weeks. Some of the world’s largest private equity players have expressed an interest in the business, which generates earnings of about $400m. Analysts believe Shell could get as much as $3bn for one of the largest players in the global LPG market. read more

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AP Worldstream: Are we there yet? Some see the beginning of the end of the road for oil

AP Worldstream: Are we there yet? Some see the beginning of the end of the road for oil

MATT CRENSON

May 29, 2005

Could the petroleum joyride _ cheap, abundant oil that has sent the global economy whizzing along with the pedal to the metal and the air conditioning blasting for decades _ be coming to an end?

Some observers of the oil industry think so. They predict that this year, maybe next _ almost certainly by the end of the decade _ the world’s oil production, having grown exuberantly for more than a century, will peak and begin to decline.

And then it really will be all downhill. The price of oil will increase drastically. Major oil-consuming countries will experience crippling inflation, unemployment and economic instability. Princeton University geologist Kenneth S. Deffeyes predicts “a permanent state of oil shortage.” read more

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The Guardian: Fast forward

The Guardian (UK): Fast forward

Interview by Eileen Sheridan

Saturday May 28, 2005

“I’ve done best in the jobs I’ve most enjoyed, so I think carefully about the jobs I want to do and try to make sure I’m passionate about them,” says Sally. “I’ve learned to take soundings and trust the views of others as I’ve made decisions about what to take on. Having a few people in the organisation you can rely on to give you objective and honest feedback is something I’ve valued. read more

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Shell link to ‘independent’ consultants for gas pipeline

Irish Times: Shell link to ‘independent’ consultants for gas pipeline

28 May 2005

Lorna Siggins, Marine Correspondent

“Independent” consultants hired by Minister for the Marine Noel Dempsey to review the safety of the Corrib gas onshore pipeline are part-owned by the project’s major shareholder, Shell.

British Pipeline Agency (BPA) Ltd is jointly-owned by BP and Shell UK, and was commissioned earlier this year by the Minister to conduct an “independent” evaluation of the high-pressure onshore pipeline which will transport gas from the Corrib gas field off the Mayo coast to the proposed terminal at Bellanaboy. read more

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We don’t like … … no rollover relief

The Guardian (UK): We don’t like … … no rollover relief

Phillip Inman

Saturday May 28, 2005

Potential problems loom for savers who have stashed share certificates in oil giant Shell under their bed, in a safe deposit box or electronic nominee account.

Anyone investing in the the Netherlands-quoted Royal Dutch arm of Shell will be faced with significant CGT liabilities. It follows the merger of UK-based Shell Transport & Trading and Royal Dutch to create Royal Dutch Shell plc, says stockbroker Charles Stanley.

Royal Dutch shareholders get 60% while Shell Transport owners get 40%. read more

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Constitution is in a mess, the Briton who wrote it says

THE TIMES: Constitution is in a mess, the Briton who wrote it says

28 May 2005

By Bronwen Maddox

What started out as a simple statement of principles turned into a monster out of control

THE European Constitution should still be praised for setting out Europe’s common values, and defining the powers of the institutions that run it.

But key sections “got out of control” in two years of drafting. Its authors took on too much, and tried to solve problems they were not equipped to tackle. They were too ambitious, and they started two years too late.

That is the verdict of Lord Kerr of Kinlochard, one of the main authors of the tome which polls suggest will be rejected by French voters on Sunday, very likely followed by the Dutch on Wednesday. “Why did it get so big? We tried to do it all,” he said yesterday. read more

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Shell delays target to end gas flaring in Nigeria by a year

THE TIMES (UK): Shell delays target to end gas flaring in Nigeria by a year

28 May 2005

By Carl Mortished, International Business Editor

SHELL has risked the ire of the environmental lobby by delaying its target date for the end of gas flaring in Nigeria by a year to 2009.

The oil company blames a failure to invest by its state partner, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, for the delay in cutting out the wasteful flaring of gas from more than 1,000 wells in the Niger Delta.

The practice has been a blot on Shell’s copybook in Nigeria and the conflagration, visible on satellite images, is a big source of greenhouse gases. read more

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Shell has fewer spills, deaths among workers

Houston Chronicle: Shell has fewer spills, deaths among workers

28 May 2005

By STEPHEN VOSS

Bloomberg News

The Royal Dutch-Shell Group of Companies reported fewer oil spills and worker deaths, no change in greenhouse gas emissions and an increase in bribes in an annual assessment of its corporate responsibility.

The company, which operates in 140 countries, spilled 6,600 tons of liquids in 2004, down from 6,700 tons in 2003. U.S. offshore pipelines damaged by Hurricane Ivan spilled 1,500 tons alone, making it overshoot a global target of 6,100 tons.

“The growth of energy companies in the decades ahead will depend on their ability to operate with integrity and to listen and respond to society’s expectations for their operations and products,” Shell Chief Executive Jeroen van der Veer said in a report published on Shell’s Web site Friday. read more

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Shell admits second downgrade more serious

Financial Times: Shell admits second downgrade more serious

28 May 2005

By James Boxell

Royal Dutch/Shell has underlined the seriousness of its second reserves cut last year by estimating that the barrels of oil and gas removed were more valuable than those in its first, far bigger reduction.

The Anglo-Dutch oil group was initially forced to cut its proved oil and gas reserves by about 4.5bn barrels early last year, but was embarrassed in October when it admitted that a further restatement would be needed.

The second cut overshadowed the historic proposal to merge Shell’s Dutch and British holding companies in response to investor criticism about the reserves scandal. read more

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Daily Mail: Now Shell spells out swap deal

Daily Mail: Now Shell spells out swap deal

CITY INVESTMENT

Saturday, May 28, 2005

SHELL shareholders have some reading to do as the oil group sends out documents on welding its two companies Royal Dutch Petroleum and Shell Transport into a single, £120bn giant called Royal Dutch Shell (RDS).

You need to get your vote back to Shell by June 26. That means filling in a proxy form for the agm on June 28 (you can still turn up at the ExCel Centre in London Docklands on the day).

Most UK holders have Shell Transport shares. Shell gives an example of how their holding changes, based on midweek’s share price of 470p. For each share held, you get roughly 0.287 B shares in RDS. If you had 100 Shell shares, worth £470, you would get 28 RDS B shares. If these trade at £16.36 each, your holding would be worth £458.08. Shell would send you a cheque for the remaining £11.92. read more

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Daily Telegraph: Shell scrutinised again

Daily Telegraph: Shell scrutinised again

28 May 2005

CITY BULLETIN:

Shell put its environmental record under fresh scrutiny yesterday after conceding it would miss targets to end the controversial practice of burning off unwanted gas in Nigeria.

The Anglo-Dutch oil giant blamed a lack of funding from the country’s government and project delays for pushing back the elimination by 12 months to 2009. Costs have so far reached $2billion (£l.lbillion) and further costs of $1.8billion are expected.

Shell also reported more oil spills in the past year than at any time since the turn of the millennium, although the majority of the 236 incidents were caused by sabotage. read more

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Oil firms boost spending on personnel

San Jose Mercury News: Oil firms boost spending on personnel

27 May 2005

Major oil companies including San Ramon-based Chevron Corp. (CVX), BP Plc and Royal Dutch/Shell Group are spending more than ever for workers and equipment as surging energy consumption increases demand for geologists, drilling rigs and pipe.

Finding and pumping a barrel of oil — including labor, equipment and seismic testing — cost a record $17.12 last year, up 43 percent from a year earlier, data compiled by Bloomberg show. One example: A rig that can drill in mile-deep water averaged $183,217 a day in the first quarter, up from $127,990 the year before, according to Houston consultant ODS-Petrodata. read more

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Repsol Plans to Make Bid For Shell’s LPG Business

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Repsol Plans to Make Bid For Shell’s LPG Business

Posted 27 May 2005

By ANDRES CALA

Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

PARIS — Repsol YPF plans to announce next week it is partnering with other investors to bid for Royal Dutch/Shell’s liquefied petroleum gas distribution and marketing business, a move that if successful would make the Spanish oil and gas company the largest LPG distributor in the world, a person familiar with the negotiations said Thursday.

Repsol, the fifth-largest European energy company by market capitalization, plans to join forces with United Kingdom-based CVC Capital Partners and other undisclosed investors to coincide with a general meeting Tuesday at which Repsol’s new chairman and chief executive, Antonio Brufau, will disclose the company’s strategy for the next five years. read more

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FTC Clears Shell In Refinery Closure

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: FTC Clears Shell In Refinery Closure

Posted 27 May 2005

By RUSSELL GOLD
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

The Federal Trade Commission has concluded the Royal Dutch/Shell Group wasn’t trying to drive up California gasoline prices by closing a refinery in Bakersfield, Calif. The agency closed a year-long investigation on Wednesday, stating that it could find “no evidence to substantiate” allegations the company was scheming to boost profit margins by squeezing refinery capacity. read more

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FTC: Shell Not Trying to Boost Gas

MSN News: FTC: Shell Not Trying to Boost Gas read more

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FTC Drops Probe of Shell Refinery Plans

Los Angeles Times: FTC Drops Probe of Shell Refinery Plans

27 May 2005

By Erica Williams, Times Staff Writer

Shell Oil Co. wasn’t attempting to squeeze fuel supplies and boost pump prices in California when it announced plans in 2003 to close its Bakersfield refinery, federal antitrust authorities said Wednesday.

The Federal Trade Commission said it found “strong evidentiary corroboration” of the oil giant’s stated reasons for closing the 70,000-barrel-a-day refinery and would drop its yearlong investigation.

The Houston-based unit of Royal Dutch/Shell Group cited oil supply problems and economic factors for the planned closure. But after public officials intervened, the refinery was sold in March to Flying J Inc., a Utah truck stop operator. read more

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Businesses call for urgent action on climate change

The Guardian: Businesses call for urgent action on climate change

Mark Tran

Friday May 27, 2005

The right government policy on climate change could minimise costs to business and need not harm competitiveness, 13 of Britain’s most powerful companies said today.

In a letter addressed to the prime minister, Tony Blair, HSBC, Shell, BP and others said there was a need to take urgent action now to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

They pledged to engage other businesses, the UK public, governments and international businesses to back the effort.

The companies – which between them employ tens of thousands of people and have a turnover of £452bn – said the private sector and government were caught in a Catch 22 situation that they wanted to help resolve. read more

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San Jose Mercury News: Bush pushing hydrogen fuel as alternative

San Jose Mercury News: Bush pushing hydrogen fuel as alternative

26 May 2005

DEB RIECHMANN

Associated Press

WASHINGTON – President Bush stared inquisitively down into the nozzle of a hydrogen fuel hose on Wednesday, then pumped the fuel into a blue compact car as he renewed his plea for Congress to pass a wide-ranging energy bill.

But with the cost of hydrogen double that of premium gasoline, even the president acknowledged that seeing today’s children take their driver’s tests in pollution-free cars is a long-term goal.

“This is the beginning of fantastic technology,” Bush said at a Shell station in northeast Washington, the first retail hydrogen and gasoline fueling station in North America. “Hydrogen is the wave of the future. We’re too dependent on foreign sources of energy.” read more

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U.S. President Bush Tours Shell Hydrogen Service Station

H2Carsbiz (Denmark): U.S. President Bush Tours Shell Hydrogen Service Station

26 May 2005

By PEB based on a White House Press Release

U.S. President George W. Bush talks to the media as he stands with Rick Scott, Operations and Safety Coordinator, Shell Hydrogen, L.L.C. at the Shell Benning Hydrogen Service Station in Washington D.C. ; the first integrated gasoline/hydrogen station in North America.

On May 25, U.S. President Bush was given a tour of the Shell Benning Hydrogen Service Station in Washington D.C. The tour took place whilst President Bush is fighting in the fourth year to get his Energy Bill through the Senate. read more

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US FTC clears Shell decision to shut California refinery

AFX Europe (Focus): US FTC clears Shell decision to shut California refinery

26 May 2005

SAN FRANCISCO (AFX) – A Federal Trade Commission investigation of Shell Oil Company’s decision to shut a California refinery found the company did nothing wrong, the government agency said.

Shell’s announcement that it would shut its Bakersfield refinery by Oct 1, 2004, triggered a storm of accusations by consumer groups and lawmakers that the company was trying to drive up gasoline prices by cutting refining capacity.

“The commission found no evidence to substantiate this,” the FTC said in a statement late Wednesday. read more

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Nigeria: Niger Delta communities said preparing to protest against oil giant

BBC Monitoring Service: Nigeria: Niger Delta communities said preparing to protest against oil giant

26 May 2005

Excerpt from report by John Iwori entitled “13 oil communities protest against Shell” published by Nigerian newspaper This Day website on 25 May; subheading inserted editorially;

The abandonment of phase II of the Imiringi -Nembe road project, being embarked upon by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has sparked off a gale of demonstrations in 13 host communities in the Niger Delta region.

This Day checks revealed that the operations of the Anglo-Dutch oil giant in the region might be jeopardized if the protests continue. read more

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Nearly 400 former Shell staff still wait on Malaysian Appeal Court hearing after winning their High Court case against Shell

ShellNews.net: Nearly 400 former Shell staff still wait on Malaysian Appeal Court hearing after winning their High Court case against Shell

Posted 26 May 2005

In September 2004  the Miri High Court ordered Sarawak Shell Bhd (SSB), Sabah Shell Petroleum Co Ltd (SSPC), the Trustees of Shell Sarawak and Sabah Retirement Fund (SSSRBF) and Shell Sarawak and Sabah Provident Fund (SSSPF), to pay nearly RM100 million to 399 former Shell employees. The total sum to be paid to the plaintiffs is estimated to be RM100 million.

 

Counsel for Shell applied for a stay of execution pending appeal. Counsel for the plaintiffs, Datuk Dr Cyrus Das, brought to the courts attention the fact that the majority of the plaintiffs are well over the age of 60 and in weak and declining health. read more

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The great oil rush of 2005

THE TIMES: The great oil rush of 2005

Posted 26 May 2005

By Rhys Blakely, Times Online

Cairn Energy is moving one step closer to unlocking the riches it discovered under a plot of Indian desert bought at a knock-down price from the hapless Shell. If only the rest of the oil sector could put in such a slick performance.

The Scottish minnow turned FTSE 100 oil giant is likely to receive approval from the Indian government to develop its three key onshore fields in western Rajasthan, Platts, the commodities news service, reported this morning. read more

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Niger Delta Communities Protest Against Shell

allAfrica.com: Niger Delta Communities Protest Against Shell

25 May 2005

This Day (Lagos)

Onwuka Nzeshi

Warri

About 50 oil bearing communities and hosts to the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Delta State, staged a peaceful demonstration at the weekend in protest over the alleged relocation of Shell’s major departments from Warri, Western division to the eastern division in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

The protesters said the company had moved its key offices namely the finance/Treasury, minor contracts, major contracts recruitment, community front desk, contracts/procurement and logistics departments from Warri to Port Harcourt. This means that even though Shell still has its largest concentration of oil wells and production facilities in the western Niger Delta, all of these infrastructure would now be administered from its Eastern division. read more

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Shell hails major gas strike off the coast of Norway

The Scotsman: Shell hails major gas strike off the coast of Norway

25 May 05

JIM STANTON

DEPUTY BUSINESS EDITOR

SHELL, the Anglo-Dutch energy giant, appears to have made its biggest gas strike off Norway for more than a decade.

The company said it had found gas at its Onyx prospect in the Norwegian Sea, with Norwegian officials suggesting a major find.

In a statement, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) said: “The size of the discovery may approach 60 billion standard cubic metres of producible gas.”

It added: “Gas was proven in Jurassic sandstones and two successful production tests were performed.” read more

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The Guardian: Macho cash

The Guardian: Macho cash

25 May 2005

The “headline” profits of £10.3bn trumpeted by Vodafone yesterday might have qualified as the Biggest Profit Turned By A British Company – except that would have been misleading.

Followers of the bulge bracket corporate scene this year will have first seen Shell declared as the leader in February with £9.4bn, only to be eclipsed a month later by HSBC with £9.6bn. But comparing the heavyweights of corporate Britain has an air of comparing apples, pears – and oranges, too. read more

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Scarborough Today (UK): Oil giant Shell to sponsor Rotunda

Scarborough Today (UK): Oil giant Shell to sponsor Rotunda

24 May 2005

SHELL UK has become the first corporate sponsor of the Rotunda Museum.

Lord Oxburgh, the chairman of Shell Transport and Trading, will announce full details of the major boost to the Rotunda renovation campaign when he arrives in Scarborough to visit the museum today.

An eminent geologist himself, Lord Oxburgh said he was delighted to be making the announcement on behalf of Shell UK and to visit Scarborough again.

He said: ‘The Dinosaur Coast is one of the richest geological coastlines in Britain and the Rotunda Museum is unique. read more

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Jurassic find gives Shell hope of brighter future

Daily Telegraph: Jurassic find gives Shell hope of brighter future

By Christopher Hope, Business Correspondent (Filed: 24/05/2005)

Shell, which is restructuring itself after losing 25pc of its proved oil and gas reserves last year, yesterday announced one of its biggest finds of the year off the coast of Norway.

The Anglo-Dutch energy giant said it had made a “significant discovery in sandstones of Jurassic age” in its Onyx South West prospect in the Norwegian Sea, more than 5,000 metres below sea level, 150 kilometres north of Kristiansund. read more

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NEW YORK TIMES: Battle in the Sound

NEW YORK TIMES: Battle in the Sound

Posted 14 May 2005

The chorus of local opposition to a floating, Queen-Mary-size natural gas operation in the middle of Long Island Sound grew even louder last week, when the Suffolk County Legislature voted overwhelmingly to oppose the project and hire lawyers to fight it.

The strength and unanimity of Long Island’s opposition to the project’s developers, Broadwater Energy, have been impressive; there is nothing like a huge, scary energy project in our own backyard to get our protective instincts up. But Long Islanders opposed to Broadwater might want to guard their ammunition and use it wisely – this could be a long struggle. Here’s why: read more

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MosNews (Russia): Shell Says Progress Reached in Gazprom Asset Swap Talks

MosNews (Russia): Shell Says Progress Reached in Gazprom Asset Swap Talks

24 May 2005

International oil major Royal Dutch/Shell said on Monday, May 23, that progress has been made in its talks with Russia’s natural gas monopoly Gazprom regarding asset swap. The companies want to exchange stakes in Siberian and Far East deposits, Shell CEO Jeroen van der Veer said.

“We are in discussions with Gazprom about various projects,” van der Veer, quoted by Reuters, told reporters after speaking to the Institute for International Economics. “We feel that we have especially over the past two months made a lot of progress but they are not finalized.” read more

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Norwegian gas find for Shell

THE TIMES (UK): Norwegian gas find for Shell

By Carl Mortished, International Business Editor

May 24, 2005

Shell has made a significant gas discovery in Norway at its Onyx South West Prospect where a well was tested for 1.5 million cubic metres of gas per day. The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate suggested that the gasfield, in which Shell has a 30 per cent interest, could contain reserves of 60 billion cubic metres.

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Shell discovers ‘Big Cat’ gas field off Norway coast

The Independent: Shell discovers ‘Big Cat’ gas field off Norway coast

By Michael Harrison, Business Editor

24 May 2005

Shell, the embattled oil giant, won some respite from its woes over dwindling reserves yesterday by announcing a significant gas discovery off the coast of Norway.

The Onyx South West field, in which Shell has a 30 per cent stake, is estimated to contain about 60 billion cubic metres of gas, officially qualifying it as one of the company’s “Big Cat” prospects.

The amount of gas in the field is equivalent to 377 million barrels of oil. To qualify as a Big Cat prospect, Shell’s share of potential production has to be in excess of 100 million barrels. read more

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Shell Makes Natural Gas Find Off Norway

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Shell Makes Natural Gas Find Off Norway

Posted 24 May 2005

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

OSLO, Norway (AP) — A wildcat exploration well drilled in the Norwegian Sea has made a promising natural gas strike, although it was too early to say how large, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate announced Monday.

The well was drilled by the Norwegian branch of Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies at its Onyx prospect off western Norway.

”The new discovery in the Norwegian Sea is very encouraging and proves that the Norwegian continental shelf has great potential for new and significant finds. This could be an important discovery, and will lead to renewed interest in the area,” Norwegian Oil Minister Thorhild Widvey said in a news release. read more

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Lloyds List: Shell ready to reap rewards of gas find

Lloyds List: Shell ready to reap rewards of gas find

Martyn Wingrove

May 24, 2005

Royal Dutch/Shell has found a significant gas-condensate field in the Norwegian Sea which holds the potential for a raft of new awards for offshore contractors.

The Anglo-Dutch oil major found a large reservoir of natural gas and some condensate in the Onyx SW wildcat exploration well in block 6406’9, 40km west of its Draugen production platform.

‘We are dealing with a significant find,’ said Rien Herber, exploration director for Shell Exploration ‘ Production Europe. read more

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