Iraq expects to sign Shell gas deal within a month
BAGHDAD, Sept 8 (Reuters) – Iraq expects to sign a natural gas deal with Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L: Quote, Profile,Research, Stock Buzz) within a month, the Oil Ministry said on Monday.
Iraq’s cabinet on Sunday approved a preliminary deal between the energy giant and the state-run South Oil Company that covers the venture in southern Basra province.
That followed a proposal by Shell to develop Iraq’s natural gas resources, pumping some gas to local markets and exporting the rest via its southern ports, announced earlier this year.
“Now we have approval from cabinet, the Oil Ministry will invite Shell to ink the gas deal in Baghdad within a month,” Oil Ministry spokesman Asim Jihad told Reuters.
The establishment of a joint venture would take about a year, but Shell would have to start field work without delay as soon as the deal is signed, Jihad said.
Iraq will hold 51 percent of the venture and Shell 49 percent.
Under the terms of the deal, Shell will construct new gas facilities to process gas released as a by-product of crude oil extraction, Jihad said. Shell will buy some of the gas itself.
Iraq, which has the world’s third largest proven oil reserves, has said it wants to focus on development of its southern gas fields and could become a major supplier to Europe. (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Writing by Tim Cocks; Editing by Michael Urquhart)
© Thomson Reuters 2008 All rights reserved
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Royal Dutch Shell conspired directly with Hitler, financed the Nazi Party, was anti-Semitic and sold out its own Dutch Jewish employees to the Nazis. Shell had a close relationship with the Nazis during and after the reign of Sir Henri Deterding, an ardent Nazi, and the founder and decades long leader of the Royal Dutch Shell Group. His burial ceremony, which had all the trappings of a state funeral, was held at his private estate in Mecklenburg, Germany. The spectacle (photographs below) included a funeral procession led by a horse drawn funeral hearse with senior Nazis officials and senior Royal Dutch Shell directors in attendance, Nazi salutes at the graveside, swastika banners on display and wreaths and personal tributes from Adolf Hitler and Reichsmarschall, Hermann Goring. Deterding was an honored associate and supporter of Hitler and a personal friend of Goring.
Deterding was the guest of Hitler during a four day summit meeting at Berchtesgaden. Sir Henri and Hitler both had ambitions on Russian oil fields. Only an honored personal guest would be rewarded with a private four day meeting at Hitler’s mountain top retreat.
IN JULY 2007, MR BILL CAMPBELL (ABOVE, A RETIRED GROUP AUDITOR OF SHELL INTERNATIONAL SENT AN EMAIL TO EVERY UK MP AND MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS: 
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A head-cut image of Alfred Donovan (now deceased) appears courtesy of The Wall Street Journal.
