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March 20th, 2007:

The Lakeside Leader: Chipewyan Lake area oil sands project moving to next stage

Joe McWilliams
Lakeside Leader
Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada

What’s known in coffee shops as ‘the Shell project’ is still a long way from fruition, but things are happening. Sure Northern Energy – which Royal Dutch Shell owns – is planning a series of community open houses in affected communities early next month to talk about what they’ve been up to. And what they’ll likely be doing in the year to come.

“Hopefully we’ll talk about some sort of field test,” says company spokesman Andrew Ritchie. A field test would be a step up from what Sure Northern has been doing so far, which is a winter drilling program to “test the resource.” read more

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Reuters: Barclays and ABN to split top jobs

LONDON (Reuters) – Barclays (LSE: BARC.L – news) and Dutch rival ABN AMRO (Amsterdam: AABA.AS – news) said a merger of their companies would be listed in London, have headquarters in Amsterdam, and would split the top two jobs.

Barclays Chief Executive John Varley is set to take the same job in a combined bank, and ABN’s Rijkman Groenink would probably be chairman under the proposals.

Barclays and ABN on Tuesday outlined a framework of objectives they aim to reach agreement on, including using the Dutch Central Bank as lead regulator and having a UK board and governance and management structures. read more

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International Herald Tribune: U.S. tightens financial squeeze on Iran

But sanctions aimed at energy projects could anger Europe

By Steven R. Weisman Published: March 20, 2007

WASHINGTON: For all of the U.S. efforts to apply economic and political pressure on Iran over its nuclear program, Washington has never used a potentially potent tool in its arsenal — penalties on foreign companies that assist Iran in producing oil and natural gas.

That may be about to change. The United States has quietly been warning energy companies, including Royal Dutch Shell, Repsol and SKS, as well as the governments of China, India, Pakistan and Malaysia, that sanctions are possible if they pursue energy deals with Iran. read more

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RIA Novosti: Project operator offers environmental plan to fix Sakhalin II

18:19 | 20/ 03/ 2007 

MOSCOW, March 20 (RIA Novosti) – Sakhalin Energy that operates the Sakhalin II oil and gas project off Russia’s Pacific Coast has submitted a plan of measures to remedy environmental damage caused by the project, the natural resources ministry said Tuesday.

The ambitious project, formerly led by Anglo-Dutch oil major Shell, was subjected to months of intense pressure last year from Russian authorities, who accused it of causing serious environmental damage to Sakhalin Island, including deforestation, toxic waste dumping and soil erosion. read more

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Bloomberg: Russia Receives Sakhalin Environmental Plan From Shell, Gazprom

By Lucian Kim

March 20 (Bloomberg) — Russia’s Natural Resources Ministry received a plan from Royal Dutch Shell Plc and OAO Gazprom to remedy environmental violations at their Sakhalin-2 venture.

Most of the measures to fix the problems will be realized by the end of next year, the ministry said in an e-mailed statement today.

Natural Resources Minister Yuriy Trutnev is satisfied that project operator Sakhalin Energy presented such a “concrete and complete” plan so quickly, according to the statement. The ministry will give its appraisal of the plan “within a month.” read more

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Bloomberg: Senate May Extend Botched Drilling Leases in Return for Fees

By Jim Efstathiou Jr.

March 20 (Bloomberg) — Energy companies with Gulf of Mexico drilling leases that omit royalties should get incentives in exchange for starting to make payments, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein said.

The leases, issued in 1998 and 1998 by the U.S. Minerals Management Service, lack terms included other years that require royalty payments when oil and natural gas prices rise. The omission, which the inspector general for the U.S. Interior Department found to be a mistake, might cost up to $10 billion, according to the Government Accountability Office. read more

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Bloomberg: Shell Canada Investor Jarislowsky to Accept Royal Dutch Offer

By Sonja Franklin

March 20 (Bloomberg) — Jarislowsky Fraser Ltd., the investment adviser that controls about 29.5 million Shell Canada Ltd. shares, said it will tender its stock in a takeover by Royal Dutch Shell Plc rather than fight the deal in court.

The Montreal money manager will tender its shares of Calgary-based Shell Canada starting today at the offer price of C$45 ($38.68) apiece, said Len Racioppo, the firm’s president. Royal Dutch Shell, based in The Hague, on March 17 said it had already won over most minority shareholders. read more

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Decision day looms for 399 former Shell employees suing Shell Malaysia for unlawful deduction from retirement fund

399 reasons for Shell Management to hang their heads in shame

399 REASONS FOR SHELL MANAGEMENT TO HANG THEIR HEADS IN SHAME

For better quality photograph and related news links go to…

http://www.shellnews.net/Week%20One%2006/shellnewsnet-399-reasons-why-jon-chadwick-8-january-2006.htm

The above photograph was taken in 2004 immediately after a Malaysian High Court ruled in favour of 399 former Shell employees known as “Team A” in a class action lawsuit. The Judge ruled Shell had acted “unlawfully” in making deductions from employee retirement pension funds. read more

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

The Calgary Herald: Oilpatch CEOs’ salaries rising but increases losing some energy

EXTRACT: Shell Canada Ltd., chief executive Clive Mather’s salary rose about nine per cent to $978,750 and his bonus increased about six per cent to $800,000. He also received 330,000 options.

THE ARTICLE

Bonuses, options trimmed as companies show mixed results
Lisa Schmidt, The Calgary Herald
Published: Tuesday, March 20, 2007

CALGARY – CEO salaries and bonuses in the oilpatch continued to rise in 2006, but there are signs the pay parade is starting to slow.

Many top executives of Canada’s largest energy companies have been receiving unprecedented compensation packages over the past couple of years as oil and natural gas prices soared, leading to big increases in cash flows, profits and market value. read more

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NIEUWS/FINANCIEEL/ARTIKEL: Herkströter and Breukink

HFD – 20 maart 2007 11:30 

Persbericht ING – voordrachten RvC
AMSTERDAM (FD.nl/Betten) – Hier volgt een persbericht uitgegeven door ING:

Henk Breukink, Peter Elverding and Piet Hoogendoorn nominated as members of the Supervisory Board of ING Group

ING Group will propose to the 2007 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) the appointment of three new members to the Supervisory Board: Henk Breukink (1950, Dutch) Peter Elverding (1948, Dutch) and Piet Hoogendoorn (1945, Dutch). The AGM will be held on Tuesday, 24 April 2007. read more

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

The Calgary Herald: Royal Dutch to take reins in the oilsands: Changes likely after takeover of Shell Canada

Jeroen van der Veer, Royal Dutch Shell CEO

(Royal Dutch Shell CEO Jeroen van der Veer says the buyout of Shell Canada will further strengthen his company’s position in Canada — as well as its presence in the oilsands.
Pierre Verdy, Getty Images)

Lisa Schmidt, Calgary Herald; with files from Reuters
Published: Tuesday, March 20, 2007

After winning over a majority of minority shareholders late last week with its $8.7-billion bid, Royal Dutch Shell PLC plans to take full control of its Canadian subsidiary.

And once the deal is complete, the Anglo-Dutch energy giant is expected to move to integrate Shell Canada’s operations in North America, especially its upgrading and refining businesses. read more

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Lloyds List: Chevron to plough $50bn into oil and gas projects

US group eyes over 30 medium and long term sites, writes Martyn Wingrove,
Published: Mar 20, 2007

CHEVRON is planning to develop more than 30 new oil and gas projects over the next five years to increase production and add new proven reserves.

The California-based group could be investing at least $30bn and some estimates suggest that up to $50bn is likely to be ploughed into projects, mostly in the Gulf of Mexico, West Africa, Australasia and the Caspian regions.

There are deepwater oil and onshore liquefied natural gas plants within its medium-term development portfolio and more could be added through an extensive exploration and appraisal campaign continuing this year. read more

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AFX CNF: Polski Koncern Nft. – Orlen Deutschland Shell Agreement

Published: Mar 20, 2007

RNS Number:2639T Polski Koncern Naftowy Orlen S.A. 19 March 2007 Regulatory announcement no 17/2007 dated 19 March 2007 ORLEN Deutschland signs wholesale agreement with Shell Deutschland Oil Polski Koncern Naftowy ORLEN S.A. (“PKN ORLEN”), Central Europe’s largest downstream oil company, announces that on 19 March 2007 ORLEN Deutschland AG signed a wholesale agreement with Shell Deutschland Oil GmbH, Hamburg for the sale of fuels to ORLEN Deutschland AG fuel stations in Germany. 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.

Financial Times: Safety record is put in spotlight: ’37 died while working for Royal Dutch Shell’

By Ed Crooks
Published: March 20 2007 02:00 | Last updated: March 20 2007 02:00

Any doubts about how safety-conscious the oil and gas industry is are quickly dispelled by a visit to any BG Group office. There, a five-point stair safety code urges people to hold the handrail, avoid using a mobile phone or BlackBerry, take one step at a time, walk not run, and not to let objects obscure their vision.

Such codes may seem trivial but they are part of a culture that has developed in an industry where accidents are frequent and sometimes catastrophic. read more

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Financial Times: Observer: Hardened vets

Published: March 20 2007 02:00 | Last updated: March 20 2007 02:00

If Rijkman Groenink, ABN Amro’s embattled chief executive, is seeking tactical advice on how to handle activist investors, he does not have far to look. Rob van den Bergh, who was ousted as chief executive of business information group VNU in a shareholder revolt, sits on ABN’s supervisory board, while Jan Kalff, Groenink’s predecessor at ABN, is chairman of Stork, the industrial conglomerate that is also the target of break-up demands. read more

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

The Moscow Times: Gazprom, Yukos and A Mystery Company

Tuesday, March 20, 2007. Issue 3618. Page 1.

By Miriam Elder
Staff Writer 
Grigory Sysoyev / Itar-Tass 

The company has no web site, no publicly listed phone number, and a history of murky deals. Yet it runs the country’s largest independent electricity supplier, owns the country’s most popular tabloid, and is headed by one of Russia’s richest men.

The story of ESN Group runs deep. Headed by flamboyant multimillionaire Grigory Beryozkin, the company has fostered close, yet foggy, ties with state-run Gazprom as it grows into a major ¬investment vehicle. read more

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The Wall Street Journal: Can Giuliani’s Name Turn Buzz Into Money?

EXTRACT: In the summer of 2005, Mr. Oxford says, he traveled to London with Mr. Giuliani to meet top executives of what is now Royal Dutch Shell PLC. Mr. Oxford says the firm could not have scored the high-level meeting without Mr. Giuliani: “Leaders around the world admire Rudy and want to talk to him.” The meeting didn’t bring in any new business, but Mr. Oxford says he believes that Bracewell solidified its stature with the energy company. The company confirmed the meeting but declined to elaborate. read more

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

The Guardian: Kremlin may force BP to share oil venture

· Local partners in TNK-BP could sell 50% to state
· Russia already pushing for sale of troubled gas project

Terry Macalister in Moscow
Tuesday March 20, 2007

BP has warned western investors that it could soon be forced to share control of its highly profitable Russian joint venture, TNK-BP, with a Kremlin-controlled energy group such as Gazprom or Rosneft.

The change could come after the end of a “lock-in” period in December when its local private partners, the Alfa and Access/Renova groups, can sell their 50% stake in Russia’s third largest oil producer. The other half is owned by BP. read more

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

The Guardian: Kremlinoilogy

Tuesday 20 March 2007

One part of BP’s empire has not been overwhelmed by the company’s sea of troubles over the past 12 months. The joint venture in Russia, TNK-BP, has continued to gush profits and improve production volumes. True, the Kovykta gas project in Siberia has met problems from local environmental agencies but there has been nothing to compare with Shell’s headache at Sakhalin.

In short, TNK-BP seemed to be an example of how Lord Browne, the chief executive, having been burnt the first time by Russian oligarchs, got it right at the second attempt. He invested directly in a Russian company and avoided fancy footwork such as production-sharing agreements; TNK-BP is a straightforward joint venture in which BP has 50%. 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.

Daily Telegraph: Business comment: Banking sector stirs. . . and Barclays has its work cut out

EXTRACT: The recent history of Anglo-Dutch mergers is not great – Unilever, Royal Dutch Shell and Corus have not always inspired confidence.

By Damian Reece
Last Updated: 3:20am GMT 20/03/2007

Barclays may well be an extremely good fit for ABN Amro but that doesn’t mean it’s going to win what looks set to turn into an auction for the struggling Dutch banking giant.

It’s clear why John Varley, the Barclays chief executive, is keen to do a deal and the fact that the Barclays share price was nudged only slightly down yesterday suggests the market is happy to give him and his team a chance. There are overlaps that can be eliminated and costs saved to boost profitability. ABN delivers a mid-west US business and operations in emerging markets such as Brazil. As a whole the ABN assets are good but could be made great by more competent management as part of a bigger, more integrated global bank. 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.

Daily Telegraph: BP attacked over ‘unsafe culture’

By Russell Hotten, Industry Editor
Last Updated: 3:20am GMT 20/03/2007

Oil company BP operated an unsafe culture at a Texas refinery where 15 died in an explosion and management should have spotted the warning signs years ago, according to a damning report being published today.
  
The US Chemical Safety Board (CSB), which spent two years investigating the blast in March 2005, says that cost-cutting at the plant in Houston was a contributory factor because ageing equipment needed upgrading.

The report is the most critical so far into the Texas City refinery explosion, which also severely injured 180 people and led to an avalanche of writs against BP. Full details of the report will be released in the US later today, although CSB chairman Carolyn Merritt has already indicated some of its conclusions. read more

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Montreal Gazette: Privatization of Shell may signal change

Flow of bitumen out of calgary. But no shift in business strategy: analysts

DINA O’MEARA, CP
Published: Tuesday, March 20, 2007

The $8.7-billion privatization of Shell Canada planned by parent company Royal Dutch Shell PLC could signal a change in bitumen flow out of Alberta, but not a change in business strategy for the oilsands giant, analysts said yesterday.

Major shifts in company assets and policies are probably unlikely as the Dutch-based energy giant already has had a controlling interest in Shell Canada for years, said analyst Tom Ebbern, with Tristone Capital Inc. 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.