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June, 2011:

Benzene Contamination Fears in Roxana Illinois

Maria Keena June 22, 2011 1:54 AM

ROXANA, IL (KMOX) – Twenty-five years later, the Village of Roxana Illinois is being tested for known Benzene contamination. In 19-86 nearly nine-thousand gallons of Benzene leaked into the ground from a Shell Refinery pipeline. Connoco Phillips now runs the refinery, but Shell is still assuming the responsibility.

Last night,  dozens of residents heard from the Illinois E-P-A and Department of Public Health about the contaminated areas. Property owner and life long resident Dale Carroll says over a year ago, test wells were being drilled around Roxana and it was all very hush, hush. But Carroll is not surprised. In 1986, he owned a building right where the Benzene spill happened and it was not until 19-99 that the City of Roxana terminated Carroll’s lease and bought him out. Since then, the building has been vacant. 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 Boosts UK Retail Presence

LONDON, June 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ —

Shell U.K. Limited today agreed to acquire 254 petrol retail sites in the UK from Rontec Investments LLP (the Snax 24 Consortium) for a total cash consideration of around $400million (£240million), bringing competitively priced quality fuels to more customers across the UK.

“The deal with the Snax 24 Consortium fits Shell’s global Downstream strategy of pursuing opportunities in selected markets where we see prospects for growth,” said Mark Williams, Downstream Director. 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.

Banana labourers sue Shell over pesticide harm

FROM PAGE 23 OF THE I NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED 20 JUNE 2011

By Cahal Milmo
Chief Reporter

Banana labourers in Latin America who claim they were left infertile and crippled by exposure to a dangerous pesticide have filed lawsuits against their former employers and chemical manufacturers, including the British-Dutch oil giant Shell.

In the latest step in their 25-year battle for compensation, 160 former plantation staff from Ecuador, Panama and Costa Rica have lodged the claims in Louisiana in the United States against two of the world’s largest banana producers – Dole and Chiquita – and against Shell’s American subsidiary and the chemical company Dow. 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 UK sentenced over Norfolk gas blast

The damage caused to Bacton Gas Terminal by the explosion

20 June 2011

Energy giant Shell UK Limited has been ordered by Ipswich Crown Court to pay a total of £1.24million in fines and costs over the explosion and fire at its Bacton gas terminal in Norfolk in 2008.

Experts from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said it was only good fortune that no one was killed or seriously injured in the February 28 blast.

The explosion blew the concrete roof off a buffering tank within the plant, hurling concrete and metal debris over a large area and sucking a nearby drain out of the ground. After investigating the incident HSE and Environment Agency (EA) jointly prosecuted the firm over safety, environmental control and pollution-prevention failures at the plant leading to the explosion. 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.

British court fines Shell UK 1.2 million pounds ($2M) over blast in 2008 at coastal terminal

Judge Martin Binning said Monday that workers had warned Shell many times about dangerous conditions at the plant in Bacton, on the Norfolk coast 125 miles (200 km) northeast of London.

By Associated Press, Updated: Monday, June 20, 3:31 PM

LONDON — A British court has fined Shell UK 1.24 million pounds ($2 million) for safety and pollution offenses which led to an explosion at a gas terminal in England.

Judge Martin Binning said Monday that workers had warned Shell many times about dangerous conditions at the plant in Bacton, on the Norfolk coast 125 miles (200 km) northeast of London.

Prosecutor Andrew Marshall said that if the explosion in February 2008 had not occurred during a shift change, it could have killed 10 workers. 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 ordered to pay $2 million for UK gas fire

LONDON | Mon Jun 20, 2011 12:25pm EDT

(Reuters) – A British court ordered Royal Dutch Shell’s UK unit to pay 1.242 million pounds ($2 million) in fines and legal costs for a fire at its Bacton gas terminal in 2008 which cut more than a tenth of UK gas supply.

A leak of highly flammable hydrocarbon liquid caused the explosion and fire at a waste water plant in which nobody was killed or seriously injured only by “good fortune,” according to Britain’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE). 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.

Gas terminal blast: Shell fined £1m plus £240,000 costs

The court heard the company ignored warnings from staff before the explosion

20 June 2011

Shell UK has been fined £1m plus £240,000 costs after an explosion at a gas terminal in Norfolk in 2008.

The company admitted seven safety and pollution offences following the explosion and fire at the Bacton terminal.

Ipswich Crown Court heard the company ignored warnings from staff before the explosion.

The prosecution was brought by the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive.

Shell admitted breaching two Health and Safety Regulations and five areas of environmental legislation, including pollution prevention and control. 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 sponsored conflict and corruption in Nigeria

From pages 12, 13, 14 & 15 of “Royal Dutch Shell and its sustainability troubles” – Background report to the Erratum of Shell’s Annual Report 2010

The report is made on behalf of Milieudefensie (Friends of the Earth Netherlands)
Author: Albert ten Kate: May 2011.

SHELL IN NIGERIA

Shell assesses its contribution to conflict

With regard to conflict in the Niger Delta, Shell often profiles itself as one of the main victims. In July 2009, the company wrote: “We hope people recognise that the employees and contractor staff of [SPDC]…have to carry out their work against a backdrop of crime, violence, threats of kidnap and community actions.” Indeed, the Niger Delta is an extremely difficult environment for any company to operate.

However, one could also assess how Shell’s activities might contribute to conflict. In 2002 and 2003, Shell commissioned such research. The resulting report, released in December 2003, was written by three external conflict resolution experts. The insights in the report drew “heavily on the experiences of more than 200 individuals consulted during its preparation.” Shell had declined to publish the independent report, but it was leaked in June 2004. The report states that “after operating in the Niger Delta for over 50 years, SCIN [Shell company in Nigeria] is an integral part of the regional conflict environment (….) and the manner in which the SCIN operates and its staff behave creates, feeds into, or exacerbates conflict.” 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.

Royal Dutch Shell Signs Pact With CNPC For A Well Manufacturing JV

LONDON (Dow Jones)–Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDSA.LN) and China National Petroleum Company or CNPC, announced Monday a Global Alliance agreement emphasizing their shared intent to pursue mutually beneficial cooperation opportunities internationally as well as in China.

MAIN FACTS:

-The two parties also signed a Shareholders agreement to establish a Well Manufacturing joint venture (50% CNPC and 50% Shell) subject to further corporate and government approvals.

-It is intended that the joint venture will develop an innovative, highly automated Well Manufacturing System that could significantly improve the efficiency of drilling and completing new wells onshore. 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 and Gazprom Neft to Implement Joint Projects

Monday, June 20, 2011

The Chairman of Gazprom Neft Management Committee Alexander Dyukov and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Dutch Shell plc. Peter Voser have today signed Heads of Agreement between OAO Gazprom Neft and Shell Exploration Company (RF) B.V. The signing took place at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Under the agreement, the two companies will assess the potential of creating a joint venture between Gazprom Neft and Shell to pursue joint projects in Western Siberia and other areas inside and outside of Russia to further develop cooperation between the two companies in upstream and downstream. 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 close to working in arctic waters

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, June 17 (UPI) — Shell sees a “clear path” to getting approval to drill in arctic waters off the coast of Alaska as early as July, an executive said.

Warming trends have resulted in less sea ice in arctic waters and exposed areas believed to hold vast reserves of oil and natural gas.

Shell Alaska President Pete Slaiby told the Platts news service that the company was close to getting approved to work on the outer continental shelf in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. 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.

Benzene Leukemia Personal Injury Case Filed Against Shell and BP

The Dysart Law Firm Announces Benzene Leukemia Personal Injury Case Filed Against Shell Oil Company and BP Products North America Over Benzene Pollution Roxana, IL

On June 16, 2011, Scott Monroe, a 20 year old resident of Roxana, Illinois filed a leukemia personal injury lawsuit in the Circuit Court, Third Judicial Circuit, Madison County, Illinois, Scott Monore v. Shell Oil Company et al., Case No. 11-L- 577, against Shell Oil Company, and BP Products North America, Inc, alleging he developed acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) as a result of benzene released into the groundwater, ground, and air in and around his home and the high school, middle school and grade school that he attended in Roxana.

June 18, 2011

According to the Dysart Law Firm, the benzene leukemia personal injury Complaint filed in the Madison County Circuit Court (Case No. 11-L- 577) alleges Mr. Monroe was first diagnosed with AML in April 2010 when he was just 19 years old. The Complaint alleges that as a result of developing AML, Mr. Monroe lost a $180,000 Navy scholarship to the University of Michigan to pursue a degree in nuclear engineering and that his career prospects have otherwise been severely and permanently damaged. The Complaint also alleges that he has a shortened life expectancy, that he has suffered mental anguish, that he has incurred medical bills and will incur medical bills in the future and that he will have to undergo lifelong medical treatment. The Complaint seeks monetary damages against Shell and BP in a reasonable amount in excess of $50,000. 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.

Alleged destruction of agricultural lands with tar sands waste in northern Alberta by Shell and others

Not all tar sands waste ends up in tailings ponds. As described in the attached paper - in Alberta it is spread on arable land. This practise is actually encouraged by the Alberta Government agencies and regulations.

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.

Feds shake up offshore energy inspections

Feds shake up offshore energy inspections; will send teams of inspectors instead of single auditors

Ocean agency’s hiring enables it to alter offshore evaluation process

By JENNIFER A. DLOUHY
HOUSTON CHRONICLE

June 13, 2011, 10:37PM

WASHINGTON — Government inspections of thousands of offshore oil and gas facilities now will involve teams of federal workers rather than just a single auditor under a plan announced Monday.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement said the move was made possible by the agency’s recent hires of new inspectors and the promise of more to come.

“As more inspectors are hired, we will be deploying multidisciplinary inspection teams instead of individual inspectors,” bureau director Michael Bromwich said in a statement. He added that the team-based review would provide “broader oversight to ensure that offshore operators are complying with federal regulations and conducting their operations in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.” 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.

Gazprom Seeks LNG Deals Abroad That May Involve Asset Swaps

By Anna Shiryaevskaya and Caroline Connan – Jun 16, 2011 5:53 PM GMT+0100

OAO Gazprom, Russia’s gas export monopoly, is seeking liquefied natural-gas deals outside of Russia that may involve asset swaps.

“We are looking at new projects,” Deputy Chief Executive Officer Alexander Medvedev said today in an interview at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. “In possible asset swap deals we will be interested to include existing LNG assets that our potential partners have.”

Medvedev declined to identify possible partners, though he said that talks with Royal Dutch Shell Plc include an “LNG element.” 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 ‘ignored safety warnings’ before Bacton explosion

16 June 2011

Shell UK ignored safety warnings from staff before an explosion at a gas terminal in 2008, a court has heard.

The company has admitted seven safety and pollution offences following the explosion and fire at the Bacton terminal in Norfolk.

Shell UK was back at Norwich Crown Court on Thursday for a sentencing hearing expected to last two days.

The prosecution has been brought by the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive.

‘Sleepwalking’

Shell has admitted breaching two Health and Safety Regulations and five areas of environmental legislation, including pollution prevention and control. 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.
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