- Reuters
- Monday November 3 2008
*Shell seeks to capitalise on weak oil services climate
*Says companies may do deals in return for secure contracts
By Tom Bergin
ABU DHABI, Nov 3 (Reuters) – Oil major Royal Dutch Shell Plc said it may take advantage of the weaker climate for oil services companies to try and lock in lower costs, adding to signs the balance of power has shifted back toward the oil majors.
The companies which operate drilling rigs and build pipelines and petrochemical complexes have been among the biggest beneficiaries of the surge in oil prices in recent years as oil producers were forced to spent more to raise output.
However, the credit crunch and the collapse in oil prices from a record above $147/barrel in July to under $70 has hammered shares in the services sector as analysts predict demand may now slow and the fattening of margins may end.
Malcolm Brinded, who runs the oil and gas production unit at Shell, which invests more in developing oil and gas fields than any other listed oil company, said the weaker climate for service companies could be good for his company.
“You have to look at opportunities that may be around in this cycle,” told Reuters in an interview at the sidelines of an industry conference on Monday.
“Contractors who are interested in longer term contracts may be willing to discuss a different basis for those contracts. They may be interested in having more security of contracts”.
(Reporting by Simon Webb; Writing by Tom Bergin; Editing by Victoria Bryan)
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.
