Within 24 hours, Shell found itself on opposite sides of the risk ledger: Kazakhstan resumed enforcement of a huge disputed environmental penalty while the Shell-led LNG Canada venture committed billions to doubling its export capacity.
Shell has just provided an unusually vivid illustration of the risks and rewards inherent in operating one of the world’s largest energy portfolios.
On one side of the globe, Kazakhstan has restarted proceedings aimed at collecting a 2.3 trillion tenge—approximately US$5.2 billion—fine from the international consortium operating the giant Kashagan oil field.
This is an in-person event if something of interest. Ticket details are here:
Shell Singapore has been formally charged over two oil pollution incidents at its Pulau Bukom refinery, including allegations that the company failed to report the discharges to Singapore authorities without delay.
In a move that has left the entire public relations industry gasping for air (and possibly a stiff drink), Shell has once again turned to the wizards of spin at MSQ Partners. The London-based group, which joined Shell’s global agency roster back in 2022 and has been gamely polishing the oil major’s image ever since, now faces what industry insiders are calling “the Mount Everest of reputation management – if Everest were made of crude oil, blood, and decades of awkward court documents.”
The following is understood to be an internal document circulated to new starters on MSQ’s Shell business. We cannot verify its authenticity, but we also cannot stop laughing.
