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December 9th, 2014:

Donovan Verdict on Shell/Noble Arctic Crimes

Screen Shot 2014-05-28 at 00.53.01By John Donovan

People who are as familiar with Shell as I am, will know that Noble Drilling has stepped forward on commercial grounds to take the blame for the reckless screw-up that was actually directed by Shell, partly to evade tax.

This was why Lawrence of Alaska (David Lawrence, the Shell VP supposedly responsible for Shell’s Arctic shambles) was fired at the time. He was himself a fall guy for his boss, Marvin Odum, the President of Shell Oil Company.

Noble Drilling obviously wants to keep Shell as a client and has therefore been willing to soak up the  criminal record, with attendant reputational fallout and multimillion dollar fines. 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.

Greenpeace Verdict On Shell/Noble Arctic Crimes

Screen Shot 2014-10-20 at 15.57.16Greenpeace Arctic campaigner, Ian Duff, has issued the following statement:

“Shell has proven time and again it can’t be trusted to manage its contractors safely. That Shell engaged Noble Drilling, a company now guilty of eight felonies, is the clearest indicator yet. Letting Shell back into such a precious and risky environment as the Arctic would be sheer madness, yet that’s what Shell wants to do next summer. Surely now President Obama has to think twice about approving Shell’s next venture in the Arctic, which the government’s own scientists say has a 75% chance of causing a large spill. 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.

U.S. Justice Department Chilling Verdict on Shell Arctic Drilling Company

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Screen Shot 2014-10-31 at 17.18.55Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs

Monday, December 8, 2014

Drilling Company Charged with Environmental and Maritime Crimes in Alaska

Noble Drilling (U.S.) LLC was charged with environmental and maritime crimes for operating the drill ship Noble Discoverer and the drilling unit Kulluk in violation of federal law in Alaska in 2012, the Department of Justice announced.

Under the terms of a plea agreement filed in federal court today, Noble will plead guilty to eight felony offenses, pay $12.2 million dollars in fines and community service payments, implement a comprehensive Environmental Compliance Plan, and will be placed on probation for four years. In addition, Noble’s parent corporation, Noble Corporation plc, headquartered in London, England, will implement an Environmental Management System for all Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs) owned or operated by Noble Corporation plc and its direct and indirect subsidiaries worldwide. 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.

BP loses latest US oil spill appeal

Screen Shot 2014-12-04 at 20.54.03The Supreme Court’s rejection of this appeal by BP is the latest in a series of setbacks for the oil firm. BP is trying to limit payments over the environmental disaster, which claimed the lives of 11 people and became the largest US offshore oil spill in history. The settlement agreement has no cap…

BBC News article published 8 December 2014: BP loses latest US oil spill appeal

The US Supreme Court has rejected oil giant BP’s legal challenge to a compensation deal over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

It means BP will have to make the payments that stem from the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig.

BP argued that the deal meant it could fall prey to inflated or bogus compensation claims.

BP agreed to the compensation deal in 2012, but argues it has been misinterpreted.

Shares in BP fell 1.7% in London on Monday.

BP asked the Supreme Court to consider whether people and businesses seeking payments under the settlement included individuals who had not actually suffered any injury as a result of the oil spill. 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.

Shell contractor faces $12.2M in environmental crime fines

Screen Shot 2014-10-31 at 17.18.55The drilling operator of Shell’s ill-fated drill rig that ran aground south of Kodiak Island will plead guilty to eight felony offenses and has agreed to pay $12.2 million in fines and community service payments stemming from environmental and safety violations aboard its vessels, the U.S. Department of Justice said Monday.

Alaska Dispatch News article published 8 Dec 2014

The drilling operator of Shell’s ill-fated drill rig that ran aground south of Kodiak Island will plead guilty to eight felony offenses and has agreed to pay $12.2 million in fines and community service payments stemming from environmental and safety violations aboard its vessels, the U.S. Department of Justice said Monday.

Noble Drilling LLC, operator of the drill ship Noble Discoverer and drilling operator of the Kulluk — which broke free from a tow during bad weather and ran aground on Dec. 31, 2012 — also will receive four years of probation and must implement a Comprehensive Environmental Compliance plan for violating federal environmental and maritime law in 2012, according to a release from Karen Loeffler, U.S. Attorney for Alaska. 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.

Royal Dutch Shell BP Plc

Screen Shot 2014-10-28 at 12.29.57What’s next for Royal Dutch Shell? Is a multi-billion merger with BP just around the corner?

Article by Alessandro Pasetti published by The Motley Fool 8 Dec 2014

What’s next for Royal Dutch Shell? Is a multi-billion merger with BP just around the corner? Takeover rumours in the oil industry often emerge when oil prices weaken, and this time is no different. A Shell/BP tie-up would have to be financed by Shell equity, and is unclear why BP shareholders would want to hold Shell stock right now, unless a big premium were offered. Regulatory hurdles won’t be easy to overcome, which heightens execution risk. If Shell risks a multi-billion takeover, its shareholders could be the ultimate losers at a time margins are strained, the cost of extracting oil and gas is on its way up, and a few projects are pushed back or cancelled. 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.

Shell’s Return to Iran?

Screen Shot 2014-10-30 at 09.22.43Iranian officials have said that Royal Dutch Shell, British Petroleum, France’s Total and Russia’s Lukoil had expressed interest in investing in Iran when the sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear program are eased. 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.

What’s New: Shell Blames Thieves for Recent Oil Spills in Nigeria

Screen Shot 2014-10-30 at 09.22.43In November, Amnesty International released court documents that it said showed Shell knew its pipeline at Bodo was shoddy. Shell denies the claim.

Article by Chris Stein published by The Voice of America: 08 December 2014

ACCRA, GHANA—A recent oil spill in Nigeria sent about 3,800 barrels gushing out of a pipeline and into the swamps of the oil-producing Niger Delta. Royal Dutch Shell, whose Nigerian subsidiary manages the ruptured pipeline, says the spill was caused by oil theft, which is a chronic problem for oil producers in Nigeria.

Local communities blame Shell for some of the spills that have fouled the Delta. The people of Bodo, a community that suffered two spills in 2008, are suing the company in a London court. In November, Amnesty International released court documents that it said showed Shell knew its pipeline at Bodo was shoddy. Shell denies the claim. 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.

False Advertising Class Action Against Shell Oil

Screen Shot 2014-10-30 at 09.22.43The United States District Court for the District of Oregon recently denied a motion to dismiss a putative nationwide class action brought against Shell Oil for alleged breach of contract, false advertising and an array of state consumer protection allegations.

Article by David O. Klein of Klein Moynihan Turco LLP  published by mondaq: 8 December 2014

False Advertising Class Action Against Shell Oil Fueled By Federal Court

The United States District Court for the District of Oregon recently denied a motion to dismiss a putative nationwide class action brought against Shell Oil for alleged breach of contract, false advertising and an array of state consumer protection allegations.

In the action captioned Kearney v. Equilon Enterprises, LLC d/b/a Shell Oil Products US, 14CV254, Shell Oil moved to dismiss the putative class action complaint. While the court dismissed several state law statutory claims, the court refused to dismiss plaintiffs’ nationwide breach of contract claim. 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.

Shell, Eni, and the $533 million paid out in Nigerian bribes

Screen Shot 2014-09-11 at 23.20.44In October 2014 the media reported that Italian prosecutors were alleging that half of the $1.1 billion paid for an oil producing lease (OPL) by Eni and Royal Dutch Shell had gone on bribes to Nigerian politicians, intermediaries and others.

Extracts from an article by Babajide Oladipo Ogundipe: 8 December 2014

In October 2014 the media reported that Italian prosecutors were alleging that half of the $1.1 billion paid for an oil producing lease (OPL) by Eni and Royal Dutch Shell had gone on bribes to Nigerian politicians, intermediaries and others. Reuters reported that Italian prosecutors had placed Eni’s former and current chief executive officers under investigation for alleged international corruption and had requested their UK counterparts to assist in freezing suspect assets. The prosecutors alleged that at least $533 million had been paid out to Nigerian officials and others as part of the scheme. The two individuals under investigation, along with Eni, denied any wrongdoing 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.

Will Shell Transform Mexico’s Oil Production?

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Will Royal Dutch Shell plc (RDS.A) Transform Mexico’s Oil Production?

Bidness Etc looks at how Shell’s expertise and experience could help revolutionize Mexico’s energy sector

By: MICHEAL KAUFMAN

Published: Dec 8, 2014 at 3:55 pm EST

Ever since Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto revoked the ban on foreign investment in the country’s energy sector, Mexico’s state-owned oil company, Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), has seen competition popping up after having enjoyed a 76-year-long monopoly.

One major oil giant that is optimistic about future projects in Mexico is Royal Dutch Shell plc. (ADR) (NYSE:RDS.A). Shell has been involved in oil exploration and production on the US side of the Gulf of Mexico for over 30 years and is among the top producers there. Currently, the company is operating at the Perdido Fold area on the Gulf of Mexico. 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.

Update on OSSL Shell Scandal

Screen Shot 2014-12-04 at 23.00.33By John Donovan

At the weekend I published an article under the headline: “Irish Police reopen and expand investigation into Shell corruption case?”

A question mark was placed at the end of the headline to denote a degree of uncertainty. 

This is my take on the actual situation according to information I have received today.

After pointing out that a recent Garda Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) investigation found no evidence of the alcohol supplied to Garda officers by OSSL on behalf of Shell and stating that the matter is closed, the Irish Justice Minister, Frances Fitzgerald, grudgingly invited OSSL to contact the GSOC with any evidence to support various related allegations. 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.