Mr Greer's exhortations that his staff should lead me, follow me or get out of my way bore a striking resemblance to a famous speech given by the American general George Patton to troops during the Second World War. Widely ridiculed, Mr Greer, every inch the grizzled oilman, resigned.
October 3rd, 2008:
Business big shot: David Greer of Regal Petroleum
Regal shares soar on Shell bid reports
Despite denials from Regal yesterday that it had received an approach, some shareholders are convinced that the company is in play.
Shell-to-Sea cry foul play as Facebook page deleted
Shell to Sea, the campaign group opposed to the construction of the controversial Corrib gas pipeline in the west of Ireland, has reacted with dismay after its Facebook account was suspended yesterday.
Mystery and speculation once again engulf Regal Petroleum
It is understood that a letter proposing such a deal is in existence but there are doubts as to its status.
Email from “A Very Concerned Deferred Shell Pensioner”
3 October 2008
Dear Alfred,
Im surprised that there is not yet some information on your site regarding the proposed changes to Shell Pension Terms. Whilst Netherland unions are protesting against increased pension age and employee contributions, the UK has been strangely quiet. Of course many Shell UK offshore assets have been sold-off and the asset workforce sold-out but still though is it no noise or no voice that prevents representation against Shell pension cuts in the UK?
Shell proposes from 1/1/2009 to establish a new section to their pension scheme for new employees/new pension joiners. This new section offers less attractive terms than those currently existing.
Regal Petroleum denies $1.2bn Shell offer
In a formal statement released this morning, Regal said they had not received an offer. But the denial did not convince the market that a bid offer is out of the question, as Regal shares were holding their early gains by late morning.
Regal Petroleum Jumps on Reports Shell to Bid $1.2 Billion
Shell spokeswoman Olga Gorodilina declined to comment on the report.
Regal says no bid approach from Shell
A Regal spokesman said the Daily Telegraph report that the company had received a letter proposing a 300 pence per share bid was not true. "We have seen no such letter," the spokesman said, citing comments he had just received from Chief Executive David Greer.
Shell asked for named inspector not to hear appeal
An Bord Pleanála has also confirmed to The Irish Times that it received the request in writing from Shell EP Ireland's agents. It has not assigned the named inspector, Kevin Moore, to the case, but emphasises that this decision was not influenced by Shell.
Pentagon Hands Iraq Oil Deal to Shell
From a "news conference in Baghdad's heavily guarded Green Zone," the Times quoted Linda Cook, the executive director of the Shell's gas and power unit, as saying, "We are ready to establish a presence."
Regal approach could be worth £680m
The moves come as Shell, Europe's largest energy group, was said by one person familiar with the company to have made an approach about a possible bid valuing Regal at $1.2bn (£680m).
Shell plots $1.2bn Regal takeover bid
Royal Dutch Shell, Europe's largest energy company, has proposed a $1.2bn (£600m) takeover of Regal Petroleum, the oil and gas explorer trying to recover from a controversial past under former chief executive Frank Timis.