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February, 2016:

CANCER RATE INVESTIGATED IN VILLAGE NEAR SHELL MOERDIJK PLANT

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By Janene Pieters: FEB 29, 2016

The Public Health Service is launching an investigation into the cancer rate in the Brabant village of Klundert, near the Shell Moerdijk plant. Though there is no hard figures yet, most doctors feel that the cancer rate in the village is unusually high.

“It happens very often here. And that gives us food for fought. We would like to know if our feelings are true”, GP Jula-Louise Vladar said to Omroep Brabant. Vladar diagnosed seven cases of cancer in one week.

The first goal for the statistical investigation is to find out whether there are actually more cases of cancer in the village than in the rest of the Netherlands. If this turns out to be the case, the investigation should show why that is. read more

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Woodside Appoints Former Shell Senior Executive Ann Pickard as Director

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Monday, February 29, 2016

Woodside Petroleum Ltd. announced Monday that its Board has appointed Ann Pickard as a non-executive director effective Feb. 29. Pickard joins Woodside as an independent director.

Woodside Chairman Michael Chaney said that Pickard had significant international business experience.

“The directors are delighted that we have been able to attract a person of Ms Pickard’s background and experience to the company’s Board,” Chaney said.

On Feb. 1 Pickard retired from Royal Dutch Shell plc, where she held numerous positions during her 15-year tenure with the company. Before her retirement from Shell, Pickard served as executive vice president, Arctic and was responsible for Shell’s Arctic exploration efforts. This followed three years as Executive Vice President of Shell’s Exploration and Production business and Country Chair of Shell in Australia, and five years as Executive Vice President, Africa. Pickard joined Shell in 2000 after an 11-year tenure with Mobil prior to its merger with Exxon. read more

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The Allure Of Shale Is Wearing Off

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Screen Shot 2016-02-17 at 08.47.47By Nick CunninghamThu, 25 February 2016

Royal Dutch Shell revealed its plans to downgrade its emphasis on expensive shale operations, although it was not worded in those terms.

The Anglo-Dutch supermajor says that it would fold its “unconventional” unit (i.e. shale) into its broader upstream business. Shell also announced that Mavin Odum, long-time top official from the North American arm of Royal Dutch Shell, will retire after more than three decades at the company.

The two announcements are consistent with Shell’s decision to takeover BG, which was a large bet on LNG and offshore oil plays, particularly in Brazil and Australia. It is also evidence that Shell is deemphasizing its attention and resources on North America, where it has placed several costly bets that have soured. In 2013, Shell cancelled plans to build a $20 billion gas-to-liquids plant in Louisiana. In 2014, Shell sold off shale acreage in Texas, Colorado, and Kansas, according to Reuters, while also divesting itself of Pennsylvania and Louisiana shale gas assets. read more

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Are BP and Royal Dutch Shell Refinery Segments in Trouble?

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By Muhammad Ali Khawar on Feb 26, 2016

The oil and gas companies have been severely hit by a more than 70% crash in crude oil prices over the past one and a half year. Their only saving grace, however, is the high refinery margin. In 2015, the falling revenue of oil giants from the upstream segment — the likes of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), Shell, and BP — was offset by the high margins from the refinery segment.

Bidness Etc here discusses whether in 2016, the energy companies will continue to enjoy the oil refinery boom, or the glut in the downstream segment would weigh down the energy companies’ performance. read more

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Scant hope of an imminent rebound in prices

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The Davos of energy

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By Ed Crooks: February 26, 2016

This week many of the biggest names in the worlds of oil, gas and power were gathered at IHS CeraWeek in Houston, the annual conference that is regularly  – and accurately – described as “the Davos of energy” or  – more questionably – as “the Burning Man of energy”. It should come as no surprise that it was this event that generated most of the week’s big stories.

The star of the show was Ali al-Naimi, Saudi Arabia’s formidable oil minister, who was making his first appearance at the conference since 2009. It might have been expected to be a case of Daniel in the lions’ den. Saudi Arabia is seen by many in the industry as the architect of their troubles, because of Mr Naimi’s refusal to cut production to attempt to support prices. As it turned out, though, he won over the crowd very quickly, delivering a speech that included both a convincing explanation of his strategy, and a few pretty decent jokes. 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.

Malabu deal: The unending controversy over an oil block

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The revocation of Malabu’s licence on July 2, 2001, triggered a string of litigations on OPL 245. The shoddy handling of the aftermath by the Obasanjo administration accounted for the recurring disputes on the oil block.

At a point in 2006, the Obasanjo administration restored the OPL 245 to Malabu Oil and Gas. In an executive summary, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, said: “Exxon-Mobil and Shell were then invited in April 2002 to bid for the same OPL 245 as contractors on a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) despite the existence of subsisting contractual agreements between Malabu and SNUD with respect to OPL 245. 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.

Alaska failure not behind exit – Shell’s outgoing U.S. chief

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Royal Dutch Shell’s (RDSa.L) costly flameout in Alaska last year was “a huge disappointment,” but did not push top North American executive Marvin Odum to exit the company, he said.

Odum made the comments hours after the company announced he would leave next month after 34 years.

“This should not be interpreted as, ‘Alaska didn’t work, so Marvin’s leaving,” Odum, 57, said in an interview.

Instead, he said he decided it was time to move on after heading Shell Oil Co, the Anglo-Dutch company’s U.S arm, since 2008. He later became head of exploration and production operations in the Americas as well. 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 Trinidad sends workers home

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News of the layoffs was reported by Guardian Media Ltd’s television outlet, CNC3, after a memo sent out to staff on Tuesday by Luis Prado, country chairman.

Prado wrote: “For a number of years, we have implemented many measures to try to improve and sustain the plant’s ability to be more competitive in the Caribbean lubricants market. However, after doing a significant regional portfolio review, we have made the difficult decision to close the Point Lisas plant.”

Prado said the decision will affect 50 Shell employees and about 30 contractors. He said the plant will cease operations in June and will be sold as an industrial facility. read more

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Arctic Was a Bet That Didn’t Pay Off, Departing Shell Chief Says

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Jennifer A Dlouhy: Bloomberg.com: 24 FEB 2016

The departing chief of Royal Dutch Shell Plc’s U.S. division, who presided over its failed quest to find crude in Arctic waters off Alaska, said the effort was still a point of pride because it demonstrated the company’s technical expertise.

Marvin Odum, 57, is leaving the company in a reorganization announced Wednesday. He has been with the company for 34 years and held the post atop its U.S. division, Shell Oil Co., since oil prices were at record highs.

The Arctic was “a big bet,” Odum said in a telephone interview Wednesday.  read more

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Shell replaces U.S. chief, splits unconventionals unit

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HOUSTON | BY KRISTEN HAYS AND RON BOUSSO: Wed Feb 24, 2016 3:42pm EST

Royal Dutch Shell’s U.S. head Marvin Odum will step down after the company abandoned a troubled drilling project offshore Alaska, and the global oil company said on Wednesday it will split up its U.S. shale and Canadian oil sands unit.

Stung by a 70 percent slide in crude prices since mid-2014, Shell this month reported its lowest annual income in more than a decade and pledged further cost saving measures.

The Anglo-Dutch company said on Wednesday its shale resources unit would become part of the global upstream business led by Andy Brown, and its Athabasca Oil Sands Project and Scotford Upgrader in Canada would be folded into the global downstream unit, headed by John Abbott. 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.

Another Oil Crash Is Coming, and There May Be No Recovery

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Tom Randall: Bloomberg.com: 24 FEB 2016

It’s time for oil investors to start taking electric cars seriously.

In the next two years, Tesla and Chevy plan to start selling electric cars with a range of more than 200 miles priced in the $30,000 range. Ford is investing billions, Volkswagen is investing billions, and Nissan and BMW are investing billions. Nearly every major carmaker—as well as Apple and Google—is working on the next generation of plug-in cars.

This is a problem for oil markets. OPEC still contends that electric vehicles will make up just 1 percent of global car sales in 2040. Exxon’s forecast is similarly dismissive.  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’s U.S. Chief Leaving in Leadership Shuffle

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The president of Royal Dutch Shell Plc’s U.S. division is leaving the company as part of a reorganization announced Wednesday, and Executive Vice President Bruce Culpepper was named as his successor.

Marvin Odum, 57, has been with the company for 34 years and held the post at its U.S. division, Shell Oil Co., since oil prices were at record highs. He also was in charge during Shell’s failed Arctic drilling bid. Culpepper, who will become the U.S. country chairman and the president of Shell Oil on April 1, has been overseeing human resources in the Americas.

“Marvin has had a long and distinguished Shell career and I’m grateful to him for the central role he’s played in the company’s success,” said Ben van Beurden, chief executive officer of Royal Dutch Shell, in a news release Wednesday. “He leaves our important businesses in the Americas well positioned for the next phase of their development.” 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 announces senior staff and organisational changes in North America

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24-Feb-2016

Royal Dutch Shell (Shell) today announced that after a 34-year career with the company, Unconventional Resources Director and U.S. Country Chair, Marvin Odum, will leave Shell at the end of March, 2016.

Concurrent with Marvin’s departure, and in a move that will simplify Shell’s structure, the Athabasca Oil Sands Project and the Scotford Upgrader in Canada will join the global Downstream organisation under Downstream Director, John Abbott; and the Shale Resources business will join the global Upstream organisation under Upstream Director, Andy Brown. As a result of these changes, The Unconventional Resources Directorate will cease to exist. 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 says U.S. Country Chair, Marvin Odum, to leave Shell

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Feb 24 Shell

* Royal Dutch Shell (Shell) today announced that after a 34-year career with the company, unconventional resources director and U.S. Country chair, Marvin Odum, will leave Shell at the end of March, 2016. 

* As a result of these changes, the unconventional resources directorate will cease to exist

* Marvin Odum will be replaced as U.S. Country chair and President of Shell Oil Company by Bruce Culpepper

* Athabasca oil sands project and Scotford upgrader in Canada will join global downstream organisation under downstream director, John Abbott read more

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OPEC’s Freeze Backfires

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The punchline? The joke’s on OPEC.

There are several glaring problems inherent to the freeze, whereby members of OPEC and other large producers such as Russia are supposed to not raise their oil output from current levels, not least that they are already producing too much oil for the market to absorb.

But there is a more subtle effect that actually works against the likes of Saudi Arabia: The freeze raises hope. In particular, it raises hope in the otherwise largely despondent world of energy financing.

Monday night, before those oil ministers iced the freeze, Cabot Oil & Gas, a U.S. exploration and production company, announced it had sold an upsized offering of new shares that should ultimately raise roughly $1 billion. read more

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For Exxon and Shell, Age of Ultramajors Comes at the Wrong Time

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As oil and gas prices have tumbled, Exxon and Shell have been forced to retreat. With oil barely above $30 a barrel, they’re cutting spending, including some costly, high-risk mega-projects. Photographer: George Osodi/Bloomberg

By Javier Blas: Bloomberg.com: 24 FEB 2016

Despite their size, both companies suffering with cheap oil

Exxon and Shell cutting spending as fast as everyone else

Screen Shot 2016-02-24 at 07.54.19This may not be the best time to be bigger than big.

The $64 billion tie-up of Royal Dutch Shell Plc with BG Group Plc and the steady growth of Exxon Mobil Corp. are creating a new league of two: the ultramajors. Executives at smaller companies are even starting to joke that Chevron Corp., Total SA, BP Plc, ConocoPhillips and ENI SpA are merely the mid-cap sector of Big Oil. read more

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Bulgaria signs deal with Shell for deepwater oil and gas exploration

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Screen Shot 2016-02-17 at 08.47.47Markets | Tuesday Feb 23, 2016 

Bulgaria sealed a deal with Royal Dutch Shell on Tuesday to explore for oil and gas in an offshore block in the Black Sea in a bid to end its almost total dependence on Russian natural gas.

Shell won a tender for a five-year permit for deepwater exploration at the 1-14 Silistar block that covers 7,000 square km in September and pledged to invest 18.6 million euros ($20.5 million) in seismic surveys.

“The licence that we have been awarded today allows us to evaluate the potential for oil and gas in offshore Bulgaria. This process can be quite a long process and with much uncertainty,” said Eileen Wilkinson, regional director at Shell International Exploration and Production, after the signing. 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.

Oil and gas investment ‘collapsing’ despite cost-cutting

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23 FEB 2016

Investment in new offshore oil and gas projects is collapsing despite cost-cutting efforts, according to a report.

Industry Body Oil and Gas UK said that less than £1bn was expected to be spent on new projects this year, compared to a typical £8bn per year in the last five years.

Its new 2016 activity survey said this was despite costs dropping.

Oil and Gas UK said exploration remained at an all-time low with no sign of improving.

The survey said the industry’s drive to improve efficiency, reduce operating costs and increase production has had “marked success”. 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.

Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Begins Probe Of $2b Malabu Oil Scandal

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BY THE NATIONFEB 22, 2016

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has initiated a discreet probe into the $2 billion Malabu Oil deal to ascertain whether the country was short-changed.

The agency may interact with those who were parties to the agreement including five former ministers, an ex-Group Managing Director of NNPC and top officials of the Department of Petroleum Resources.

Already, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello (SAN), has written to the EFCC on how the deal was struck with Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited (SNUD). 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.

Bayelsa communities vow to shut down Shell’s operations

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By Samuel Oyadongha: 22 FEB 2016

YENAGOA—TWELVE aggrieved oil producing communities in Bayelsa State have threatened to shut down operations of Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, over the company’s handling of its relationship with the host communities.

In a communique after a meeting attended by all the Community Development Committee, CDC, Chairmen and other stakeholders of the EA field host communities, the communities accused SPDC of defaulting on the implementation of General Memorandum of Understanding, GMoU, entered into with the communities.

The host communities also threatened to stage a protest against the oil company, alleging that the company failed to sign surveillance contracts and reduce the contracts duration period from 12 months to nine. read more

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Job cuts put Shell’s Perth HQ move in shade

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Insiders expect a couple of hundred positions to be cut once Shell merges its Australian corporate function with BG’s presence, which is centred on the QGC division in Queensland.

Shell chief executive Ben van Beurden, who will attend the LNG18 conference in Perth in April, has flagged 2800 post-takeover job cuts worldwide.

“Today we will see the birth of what will be undoubtedly the best company in our industry,” Mr van Beurden said on Monday, when the takeover was completed.

Shell spokesman Paul Zennaro yesterday declined to comment on the number and timing of cuts in Australia, where the enlarged Anglo-Dutch giant has a workforce of 2500 to 3000. 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.

Concern over increasing frequency of Corrib Gas Flaring

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By John Donovan

A gas flaring event is the burning off of flammable gas released by pressure relief valves as a protection and safety measure during unplanned over-pressuring of plant equipment.

The attached authentic Shell document lists over 260 gas flaring events that have already taken place at the new Bellanaboy Bridge Gas Terminal.

It is noticeable that the unplanned events appear to be increasing, rather than declining e.g. 58 gas flaring events were recorded in just 9 days in January 2016.  read more

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Dividends On A Knife-Edge: Royal Dutch Shell And BG Group

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Extracts from an article by Nigel Kelly: 19 FEB 2016

Summary

RDS acquired BG Group on February 15, 2016.

The BG shares have been delisted.

RDS/BG now yields over 7.5%.

$60B is required Annually to cover Capex, Debt, Dividend and other Cash Commitments.

Its Cashflow from Operations is only $30B.

Background

Royal Dutch Shell completed its acquisition of BG Group on Feb 15th 2016. The full year 2015 results for both companies have been released in recent weeks. I wanted to review the full years earnings reports and assess the dividend safety for the combined entity. read more

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Shell’s credit rating cut from AA to AA- following £36bn takeover of gas giant BG Group

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By RUPERT STEINER FOR THE DAILY MAIL19 February 2016

Royal Dutch Shell has seen its credit rating slashed following its £36billion takeover of gas giant BG Group.

The credit score of the FTSE 100 oil company – a barometer of its financial strength – was lowered by Fitch from AA to AA-.

Ratings agency Fitch said its outlook on Shell was ‘negative’ in a sign a further cut could follow.

Shell used some of its cash reserves to fund the takeover of BG. Following the completion of the mega-deal on Monday, Shell plans to sell £20billion of assets in the next three years.

However, Fitch warned it downgraded its view on the company because Shell (down 26.5p to 1560.5p) had ‘materially missed the targeted level’ of sell-offs so far.  read more

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Fitch downgrades Shell on BG takeover

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by Veselin ValchevFriday, 19 Feb 2016

Credit ratings agency Fitch downgraded Royal Dutch Shell Plc (LON:RDSA) by one notch to “AA-“, with a negative outlook, in response to the successful completion of the costly BG Group merger. The agency considers that adding BG’s business to the group has “deteriorated” Shell’s financial profile.

The £36bn takeover included a £13bn cash component, which Shell covered with resources at hand. The Anglo-Dutch oil major said in its Q4 results earlier this month that it had $31.75bn in cash or cash equivalents in reserve at the end of 2015.

Shell plans to restore its balance sheet strength with an ambitious $30bn disposals programme, in addition to cutting billions in capex and opex from the combined group’s spending, while further synergies from the merger are projected to save up to $3bn per year. 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.

Russia Saudi pact

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By Ed Crooks: February 19, 2016

This week the story of the oil price crash took a genuinely unexpected turn with the conditional agreement from Saudi Arabia and Russia that they would not increase their production, provided other countries made the same commitment. It was the first real co-operation between Opec and non-Opec countries for 15 years, and although its true significance is probably rather less than that makes it sound, the pact nevertheless provided grist for extensive interpretation. 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.

Members of Congress call for investigation of Shell over climate change

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Ivan Penn: 18 FEB 2016

A Southern California congressman and two other representatives are calling for an investigation of Shell Oil over whether it deceived the public on climate change at the same time it was preparing its business operations for rising sea levels. 

In a Feb. 17 letter to U.S. Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch, the three members of Congress said growing evidence suggests there may have been “a conspiracy between Shell, Exxon Mobil and potentially other companies in the fossil fuel industry.”

U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) sent the letter along with Rep. Peter Welch of Vermont and Rep. Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania, both Democrats.

Their letter cites an investigation published by the Los Angeles Times that reported that in 1989 Shell Oil announced it was redesigning a long-term, $3-billion natural gas platform in the North Sea to deal with rising sea levels from global warming. Despite this and other incidents, the congressmen noted, “Shell apparently decided to fund climate deniers.” 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.

Prisoners draw corporate evil-doers who should be in jail but aren’t

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By Katie Herzog on 18 Feb 2016

Jeff Greenspan and Andrew Tider created Captured, a project that commissions illustrated portraits of CEOs who aren’t in prison but should be — drawn by actual prisoners.

“Corporations frequently commit crimes any average person would be imprisoned for,” write Greenspan and Tider. “These corporate crimes devastate our environment, economy, and society, yet the companies committing them often get away with only paying a settlement. These payouts do little damage to a corporation’s bottom line and are practically baked into their budgets.” 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.

Corrib Gas: local residents query intense flaring at Ballinaboy

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Lorna Siggins: 18 FEB 2016

The Government is seeking tenders to monitor the Corrib gas pipeline on behalf of the Department of Energy.

The monitoring will require spot checks of the high pressure pipeline carrying gas from the Corrib field to an inland refinery and its shore valve, according to details published this week on the eTenders website.

The contract is initially for two years only, and will involve weekly reports to the department and answering any queries that the public may have about the project. 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.

Nigeria’s revenue woes worsen as major trouble hit Forcados, oil lifting suspended

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Emmanuel Mayah: 18 FEB 2016

Nigeria’s crude oil export operation has suffered a serious setback following a major crack-up of a giant underwater pipeline at the Forcados export terminal.

Following the incident, crude oil lifting h‎as now been suspended at that platform, officials said.

The pipeline, described as a big artery in the nation’s oil production was said to have suffered a huge rupture under circumstances that are at the moment still hazy.

Nigeria is already bleeding from the impact of low oil prices, with revenue dipping month after month. 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.

NAM, the Dutch Gas joint venture by Shell and Exxon investigate impact of earthquakes triggered by Groningen Gas Field activity

Screen Shot 2016-02-18 at 16.31.41By John Donovan

Rough translation of a Dutch article published 18 February 2015 by NAMplatform

NAM asks your opinion on safety and damage in Groningen

What are the social impacts of earthquakes in the region over the Groningen gas field? NAM commissioned a survey by Royal Haskoning DHV, who recorded their findings in a report.

NAM would like to present these findings to residents in the region to better connect with the wishes and needs of residents.

The inventory of the social impact of earthquakes with eight different themes addressed, including the themes of loss and safety. 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.

Dubious Corporate Legacy of Sir Mark Moody-Stuart

Screen Shot 2016-02-18 at 14.41.35By John Donovan

Interesting to read that seven years after the departure of Sir Mark Moody-Stuart (right) as chairman of the mining giant Anglo American, the company is in difficulties.

See Dow Jones news article: Anglo American to Downsize Further After Steep Loss.

Apparently the troubled company is in the throes of “an aggressive restructuring.”

Reminiscent in some respects of the state of affairs at Shell during and after the tenure of Sir Mark as Group Chairman.

The Wall Street Journal reported in November 2004 “How Shell’s Move To Revamp Culture Ended in Scandal. read more

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Shell Sees Opportunity In Brazil

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Screen Shot 2016-02-17 at 08.47.47By Dex Dunford: Wed, 17 February 2016

Hot on the heels of their $52-billion takeover of BG Group going into effect last month, Shell appears poised to make big moves in Brazil.

Already the second largest oil and gas producer in Brazil, Shell has set its sights even higher. The only thing that stands in its way is state-owned Petrobras.

Ben van Beurden, CEO of Royal Dutch Shell, made his feelings on the matter very clear this week when he said that Petrobras should cede some of its drilling rights to private firms. 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 Begins Repaying Debts to Iran

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By BENOIT FAUCON: Feb. 17, 2016 

Royal Dutch Shell PLC said Wednesday it had started the process of repaying $2 billion in oil-related debts owed to Iran, easing a key hurdle to doing business there now that western sanctions have been lifted.

“Following the lifting of applicable EU and U.S. sanctions, we can confirm that the process for paying Shell’s outstanding debt to [state-run National Iranian Oil Co.] has started,” the Shell spokesman said.

FULL ARTICLE

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$717M expansion at Shell plant in Geismar, Louisiana

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– Associated Press – Wednesday, February 17, 2016

GEISMAR, La. (AP) – Shell Chemical LP is starting a $717 million expansion at its plant in Geismar (GYS-mar).

Shell officials and Gov. John Bel Edwards say it will create 1,500 construction jobs and add 20 permanent jobs when it opens in 2018. Salaries for the permanent jobs average $104,000 a year.

About 650 people already work at the plant.

Officials say the expansion will make the 800-acre complex the world’s largest producer of a group of chemicals used to make various consumer and industrial products, including packaging plastics, synthetic lubricants, drilling fluids and household detergents.

Officials say the expansion will bring total production capacity to 425,000 tons of alpha olefins (OH-luh-finz) a year. read more

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Shell leapfrogs Total as UK’s biggest producer after BG merger

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Written by Mark Lammey – 16/02/2016

Shell leapfrogged Total to become the UK’s biggest net oil and gas producer after completing its £47billion takeover of BG Group.

The “mega-merger” was approved by shareholders from both companies last month and went through yesterday.

It creates a firm with a net output of 200,000 barrels of oil equivalent (boe) per day in the UK alone.

A company’s net, or equity output is the amount it produces based on the size of its share in an oil or gas field. read more

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Brazil’s Petro Rio says Shell backs out of Campos Basin deal

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SAO PAULO: Tue Feb 16, 2016

Brazilian oil and gas company Petro Rio SA PRIO3.SA said on Tuesday that Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) had canceled an agreement to sell offshore assets in the Campos Basin for an undisclosed sum.

Europe’s largest oil company, which gained approval last month to take over BG Group BG.L, had agreed in January 2015 to sell its 80 percent stake in the Bijupirá and Salema fields, along with a drill ship, to Petro Rio, known then as HRT.

(Reporting by Gustavo Bonato and Brad Haynes; Editing by David Goodman) read more

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Shell hails benefits of £36bn BG takeover

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The mega-deal – creating the biggest trader of liquefied natural gas – came into force after shareholders waved through the tie-up at the end of January.

Chief executive Ben van Beurden said it marked an “important moment for Shell”, which would bolster its cash flow and “significantly boost” its reserves and production.

The impact of the deal – coupled with the low oil price – will lead to 10,000 job losses, with Shell already cutting 7,500 staff, while a further 2,500 positions are expected to be lost now the deal is complete. Shell also looks set to offload $30bn of assets. read more

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Job losses loom as Shell completes BG takeover

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While the majority of the 2800 job losses are likely to be in the pair’s London head offices, Shell’s local Perth headquarters and BG’s Brisbane corporate offices are expected to take a substantial hit.

Matt Chambers: FEBRUARY 16, 2016

With the $90 billion takeover of BG Group finally complete, Royal Dutch Shell will restructure its Australian business, resulting in job losses, probably running into the hundreds, in Brisbane and Perth.

The oil major says no decisions have been made on numbers of job cuts that will be made locally, despite in December saying 2800 jobs would go worldwide as a result of the biggest oil takeover in more than a decade.

Shell Australia chairman Andrew Smith says there has been no change to the logic of the deal, which will see Shell take control of the $US20bn Queensland Curtis LNG project, the first of three big LNG projects to export from Gladstone. read more

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Shell Passes Chevron To Become No. 2 Oil Giant

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Screen Shot 2016-01-26 at 08.12.50Tuesday 16 February 2016

London-listed Royal Dutch Shell has overtaken California-based Chevron to become the world’s second biggest non-state owned oil company.

The move comes after Shell completed the acquisition of BG Group which nudges its value to £133bn – now in excess of Chevron £112bn market capitalisation.

The £36bn acquisition of BG group by the Anglo dutch company was completed on February 15 having first been mooted in April 2015.

The deal – the industry’s biggest this decade – comes against a backdrop of falling oil prices. read more

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Deal with BG helps Shell play its part in transforming the energy market

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Ben van Beurden: February 16, 2016

Yesterday saw the birth of a new player in the global energy industry. In the middle of some of the toughest market conditions seen in decades, the joining together of Shell and BG creates a company of extraordinary strengths, a combination greater than the sum of our parts. I feel privileged to be part of this historic, transformative moment.

FULL ARTICLE

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North Sea has a big future, says Shell after BG takeover

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Screen Shot 2016-01-20 at 08.29.05Robin Pagnamenta James Hider Energy Editor: February 16, 2016

Royal Dutch Shell reiterated its confidence in the North Sea oil industry yesterday as it sealed a £35 billion acquisition of its rival BG Group and promised a rapid boost in output from Brazil.

Writing exclusively for The Times on the first day after completing the merger, Ben van Beurden, Shell’s chief executive, promised to retain many of BG’s existing assets in the North Sea, where high costs and plunging oil prices have fuelled deep unease about job losses and future investment… read more

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Shell Oil CEO Says Petrobras Should Step Aside In Brazil

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Ben van Beurden, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Dutch Shell, said in Brazil on Feb. 15 that the government should allow for more foreign investment in the country’s lucrative off-shore oil fields without having to partner with beleaguered oil major Petrobras.

By Contributor: Kenneth Rapoza: 15 Feb 2016

Brazil’s government-owned oil giant, Petrobras, should cede some of its drilling rights to foreign firms, Royal Dutch Shell Oil CEO Ben van Beurden was quoted saying in Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper on Monday.

The Shell Oil man is arguing for greater private investment in Brazil’s precious off-shore oil fields in the Atlantic Ocean, rather than current rules that require 50% ownership by Petrobras. In theory, such a move would entice private oil firms to explore for more oil and keep it for themselves, rather than having to share half of it with Petrobras. That wouldn’t eliminate government royalties, of course, but it would give foreign firms like Shell the incentive to explore and develop deep water oil fields on their own. 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 expects its Brazil output to quadruple by 2020: CEO

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RIO DE JANEIRO | BY JEB BLOUNT AND MARTA NOGUEIRA: Mon Feb 15, 2016

Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L), Europe’s largest oil company, expects to make robust investments in Brazil’s offshore resources, hoping to quadruple oil and gas output there by the end of the decade, its chief executive officer said on Monday.

CEO Ben van Beurden spoke in Brazil shortly after Shell’s $52 billion takeover of BG Group Plc BG.L, approved in late January, took effect.

Thanks to BG’s large portfolio of assets in Brazil and Shell’s decision to buy 20 percent of the giant Libra offshore project in 2013, Brazil will be a key area for the Anglo-Dutch company as it focuses on liquefied natural gas and deepwater oil production, van Beurden said. read more

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Face-off over Malabu Shell/Eni oil bloc scam

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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja: 10 FEB 2016

A letter written to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, directing him to forward the case file to him, has not been complied with two weeks after it was served on him.

President Muhammadu Buhari began the process in retrieving the licence by revisiting the issues around the controversial oil bloc which has bogged other past governments enmeshed in its illegal transfer to a new ownership. read more

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SHELL/NIGERIAN CORRUPTION

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BY PREMIUM TIMESFEB 08, 2016

On Thursday, January 28, Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), received a letter.

The two-paragraph letter from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice made only one request from the anti-graft chief. Signed by Muhammad Diri, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, the letter asked Mr. Magu to forward “the case diary in respect of an investigation into” the OPL 245 Malabu scandal. 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/NIGERIAN CORRUPTION

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By Editor on February 12, 2016

FORMER interface manager of Shell Production Development Company (SPDC), Chief Chidi Adebanya, is not being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for any offence, his lawyers have said.

The declaration is a blunt rebuttal of news report that he (Adebanya) was to be arraigned for alleged N7 billion tax evasion.

In a statement, his lawyer, Okey Obikeze, described the report as “false and mendacious.” He was reacting to a news story published in The Guardian on Monday, February 1, 2016. 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 pursues transition plan after sealing $53 billion BG deal

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LONDO | BY RON BOUSSO: Monday Feb 15, 2016

Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) on Monday sealed the $53 billion (36 billion pounds) acquisition of British rival BG Group to form the world’s top liquefied natural gas company, even as slumping oil prices cast a shadow on the upcoming years of transition.

The success or otherwise of the complex merger will define the legacy of Shell Chief Executive Ben van Beurden, seeking to transform Shell into a more specialized group focused on the rapidly growing LNG market and deepwater oil production. read more

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Shell completes BG takeover

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Written by Niamh Forrest – 15/02/2016

Shell has completed its $68.2billion merger with BG Group which will now be delisted from the London Stock Exchange.

The oil major said it follows the sanction of scheme at a hearing held four days ago and the delivery of the court order to the Registrar of Companies today.

Shell well issued 1,523,804,425 Shell A shares and 3,745,486,731 Shell B shares.

Chief executive Ben Van Beurden said: “This is an important moment for Shell.

“It significantly boosts our reserves and production and will bring a large injection to our cash flow. read more

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Oil majors’ business model under increasing pressure

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Ed Crooks in New York and Chris Adams in London: 14 FEB 2016

Gorgon, a massive liquefied natural gas project off the north-west coast of Australia, is one of the wonders of the modern age. Its $54bn price tag makes it — in nominal terms at least — one of the most expensive engineering projects ever completed. It could also be a monument to a fading era, the last hurrah of Big Oil. In this view of the world, the price crash has been like an asteroid strike: agile shale producers can survive, but the lumbering dinosaurs of big oil are doomed. 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.