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Shell reduces its Arctic drilling ambitions as delays continue

By Laura J. Nelson: August 1, 2012, 4:45 a.m.

Shell has reduced the number of exploratory offshore Arctic wells it plans to drill this year as construction delays continue on a containment barge that must be finished first, the company says.

Weather is also a factor: Shell engineers had hoped to begin drilling in early August, before ice forms in the fall. Arctic drilling is controversial: The bitter cold could hinder cleanup of any spill.

The company had hoped to finish five exploratory wells this year, but now will attempt two: one in the Beaufort Sea northeast of Alaska, and one in the Chukchi Sea between Alaska and Siberia, officials said Tuesday. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell’s Arctic oil spill containment vessel plagued by delays

By Kim Murphy July 19, 2012, 8:30 p.m.

SEATTLE–The vessel designated to act as a crucial oil spill containment system in Arctic waters has obtained Coast Guard  approval to meet less rigorous weather standards than originally proposed. But, less than two weeks before drilling off Alaska’s northern coast is due to begin, a series of troubling construction delays have left the Arctic Challenger without federal certification.

The certification issue is the most serious Shell must confront if it is to successfully launch a exploratory drilling program, the first in Arctic waters in two decades, in which it already has invested $4 billion. With a tight weather window before the onset of ice in the fall, Shell engineers had hoped to begin drilling during the first week of August. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Arctic oil: Shell seeks last-minute break on air pollution permit

By Kim MurphyJuly 13, 2012, 5:53 p.m.

SEATTLE — Only weeks before it is set to begin drilling exploratory oil wells in the Alaskan Arctic, Shell has asked the Environmental Protection Agency for a last-minute revision in its air emissions permits, conceding it has not been able to meet all of the rigorous standards required for the main generator on the drill bit for its Chukchi Sea drilling rig, the Discoverer.

In a filing with the EPA, the company said it was still able to meet overall ambient air quality and annual emissions standards. But it said it was having trouble meeting the requirements for nitrogen oxide and ammonia, despite having spent at least $30 million trying to outfit the diesel generators that will run the drilling equipment on the leased vessel with state-of-the-art technology previously untested on an offshore drilling rig. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

LA Times Editorial: Shell’s Arctic gamble

The plan by Shell Alaska to drill for oil in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas poses considerable risks. …what does seem clear is that neither Shell nor the government has taken the necessary steps to assure the public that a catastrophe can be avoided…

July 11, 2012

The proposal by Shell Alaska to drill for oil in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas of the Arctic sounded from the start like a dangerous environmental prospect in a particularly fragile ecosystem. The weather provides only a brief window of opportunity for oil exploration before winter ice makes it too hazardous. Booms and skimmers, the traditional methods of containing an oil spill on the water’s surface, are much less effective in those choppy, ice-flecked seas, and the usual emergency support — equipment, docks and Coast Guard vessels — are far away. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Arctic drilling: Groups challenge Shell oil spill response plans

By Kim Murphy: July 9, 2012, 6:41 p.m.

SEATTLE — In an effort to hold oil companies to a higher standard in the Arctic Ocean, a coalition of conservation groups announced Monday that  they are suing to challenge the federal government’s approval of oil spill cleanup plans for Shell Alaska’s upcoming operations in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas.

The lawsuit, which is being filed in U.S. District Court in Anchorage, seeks to invoke the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, a tough law passed in the wake of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. That law sets a high bar for offshore oil and gas operations — a bar that Shell officials say they are already meeting for exploratory drilling scheduled to get underway in August. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell settles with Nigerian tribe

The Ogoni claim victory over the oil giant, although the company insists the $15.5-million award is a humanitarian gesture.

June 13, 2009

After 13 years of litigation, Royal Dutch Shell has agreed to settle with plaintiffs who accused the oil giant of complicity in human rights abuses in Nigeria, the most infamous of which was the execution of prominent playwright, author and environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa. A member of the Ogoni tribe, Saro-Wiwa was a vocal critic of Shell and the brutal military government of Gen. Sani Abacha. His eloquence brought international attention to Shell’s questionable environmental practices in the Niger River delta and the government’s lax regulation of environmental laws. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell News Archive Monday 28 November 2005

Shell News Archive Monday 28 November 2005

Forbes/AFX News Limited: Shell starts production at massive new Nigerian field UPDATE: “Development of the Bonga field was hit by long delays and cost overruns, but Shell now hopes to rapidly reach peak capacity and boost the west African country’s total oil production by 10 pct.”: Monday 28 November 2005: READ

 

BBC NEWS: Shell’s new Nigerian field on tap: Anglo-Dutch giant Shell says it has begun pumping oil from a huge new field off the Nigerian coast, boosting the country’s total production by 10%.”: “However, delays and cost overruns mean the development cost $3.6bn (£2.1bn), up from original estimates of $2.7bn.”: Monday 28 November 2005: READ read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Sunday Business Post (Ireland): State to pay Shell’s €40k bill

Sunday Business Post (Ireland): State to pay Shell’s €40k bill

“The state faces a Garda bill of almost €40,000 for round-the-clock surveillance at the Shell Corrib gas terminal sites in Co Mayo over the past seven weeks. Deadlock over the onshore gas pipeline continues this week. Five farmers jailed for obstructing Shell access to their lands are spending their 61st day in Cloverhill prison today.”

Sunday 28 August 2005

By Niamh Connolly

The state faces a Garda bill of almost €40,000 for round-the-clock surveillance at the Shell Corrib gas terminal sites in Co Mayo over the past seven weeks.

Deadlock over the onshore gas pipeline continues this week. Five farmers jailed for obstructing Shell access to their lands are spending their 61st day in Cloverhill prison today.

Eight gardai from the western region have been drafted in to provide 24-hour duty at the four gates into Shell’s gas refinery and pipeline sites at Bellanaboy and Rossport. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Los Angeles Times: Judge Allows Shell Holder Suit to Continue

Los Angeles Times: Judge Allows Shell Holder Suit to Continue

“A federal judge has allowed a stock fraud lawsuit against Royal Dutch Shell to continue…”: “The U.S. Department of Justice has also launched a criminal investigation, according to the opinion by U.S. Chief District Judge John W. Bissell.”

Tuesday 16 August 2005

By JEFFREY GOLD, AP Business Writer

NEWARK, N.J. — A federal judge has allowed a stock fraud lawsuit against Royal Dutch Shell to continue, finding that the shareholders had “adequately” shown reason for the court to examine their allegations concerning the company’s restatements of its oil reserves.

The class-action lawsuit questions whether the company’s statements on its reserves, an important measure of future performance, purposely omitted or twisted important facts. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell News Archive Tuesday 7 December, 2004

Shell News Archive Tuesday 7 December, 2004

Yahoo! News: Shell to invest millions to open foreign petrol stations in India: “Vikram Singh Mehta, Chairman of the Shell Group of Companies in India, said the firm plans to open 2,000 outlets selling gasoline and diesel under the Shell brand name”: “Mehta said Shell was the largest foreign investor in India, with a stake so far of 850 million dollars.” (ShellNews.net) 7 Dec 04

ArabicNews.com: Shell invests in billions of dollars in the Qatari gas: “The British-Dutch Royal Dutch Shell group announced determination to spend $6 billion for establishing a factory to transform gas into a liquid fuel in Qatar. The group’s executive director Jeroen van der Veer did not specify any time for these investments upon announcing this project in a press conference organized by “Business Week” magazine in Paris.” (ShellNews.net) 7 Dec 04 read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell News Archive Saturday 27 November, 2004

Shell News Archive Saturday 27 November, 2004

Daily Telegraph: Barrel count delays Shell’s annual report: “Shell, the energy giant struggling to restore its credibility after its reserves debacle, has been forced to delay the publication of its 2004 annual reports because of lingering uncertainty over how much “proven” barrels of oil and gas it has got.”: “Since January, the number of reclassified proven barrels has risen as the company has checked and rechecked its reserves.” (ShellNews.net) 27 Nov 04

Yahoo! Finance: Shell postpones AGM: “Sorting out the mess of its reserves scandal has forced oil giant to Shell to postpone its AGM for two months”: “The release of the details of the proposed plan to amalgamate the UK and Dutch sides of the business under one board will also be delayed as they have to be included in the 2004 statements” (ShellNews.net) Posted 27 Nov 04 read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Los Angeles Times: Shell Increases 2004 Spending in Europe

Los Angeles Times: Shell Increases 2004 Spending in Europe

“The alleged role of individuals in the scandal remains under investigation by the SEC, and Shell also faces a separate probe by the U.S. Justice Department.”

By Associated Press

25 August 04

LONDON — Royal Dutch/Shell Group on Wednesday announced a $150 million increase in the amount of money it will spend in 2004 on exploration and production in Europe, bringing the total to $1.8 billion.

In addition to Italy, Ireland, Germany and Austria, Shell’s European region includes the North Sea, which is made up of Britain, Denmark, Netherlands and Norway. Despite recent concerns in the oil industry of declining production in the North Sea, Shell said it remains a strategic heartland for the company. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Los Angeles Times: Shell May Postpone Closing of Refinery

Los Angeles Times: Shell May Postpone Closing of Refinery

“The Federal Trade Commission is investigating Shell’s closure plan.”

By Elizabeth Douglass, Times Staff Writer

13 August 04

In what would be a victory for California motorists, Shell Oil Co. is considering postponing the Oct. 1 shutdown of its Bakersfield refinery to allow more time for talks with potential buyers, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The move would come as part of an accord between Shell and state Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer, who has been pressuring Shell to keep the plant open or find a buyer for it, this person said. It wasn’t clear how long of a postponement Shell was considering. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Los Angeles Times: U.S. Adding to Its Oil Reserve

Los Angeles Times: U.S. Adding to Its Oil Reserve

Bush administration Friday awarded contracts to ChevronTexaco Corp. and Royal Dutch/Shell Group’s Shell Oil to replenish the U.S. emergency petroleum reserve” (ShellNews.net)

From Times Wire Services

7 August 04

The Bush administration Friday awarded contracts to ChevronTexaco Corp. and Royal Dutch/Shell Group’s Shell Oil to replenish the U.S. emergency petroleum reserve, despite record high crude prices and strong oil demand.

Oil prices hit record highs Friday, climbing close to $45 before settling back down, after a renewed threat to Russian oil major Yukos added to the strain on world supplies.

The price of crude for September delivery ended in New York at $43.95 a barrel, down 46 cents from Thursday’s record close of $44.41. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Los Angeles Times: CALIFORNIA Refinery Expert Is at Odds With Shell

Los Angeles Times: CALIFORNIA Refinery Expert Is at Odds With Shell

“The proposed closure of the refinery has generated outrage among politicians and consumers”

By Elizabeth Douglass, Times Staff Writer

July 24, 2004

Shell Oil Co.’s Bakersfield refinery is financially sound and an attractive asset for potential buyers, and the company’s decision to close it “flies in the face of common sense,” a consultant hired by the state said Friday.

Industry expert Malcolm Turner, retained by Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer to provide an objective opinion on the refinery’s outlook, said his consulting firm disagreed with Shell’s reasons for planning to shut down the facility Oct. 1. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

LA Times: SEC Weighs Requiring Certified Reserves: ‘scandal at Shell oil’

LA Times: SEC Weighs Requiring Certified Reserves: ‘scandal at Shell oil’

‘overstatement of its proven reserves and “inappropriate” accounting in other business areas resulted in profits being inflated by $432 million.’

By Associated Press

Posted 21 July 04

WASHINGTON — Following scandal at Shell oil, federal regulators are considering requiring outside auditors to review and certify energy companies’ oil and gas reserves, documents show.

A memorandum from two officials of the Securities and Exchange Commission to its chairman, William Donaldson, indicates that the move being considered would mandate that outside auditors review and certify oil and gas reserves the way they do now for companies’ finances. read more

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