Royal Dutch Shell Plc  .com Rotating Header Image

Africa

Corporate Accountability 1, Greedy Giants 0

Shell got off scot-free despite strong evidence they were up to their necks in aiding the Nigerian military’s torture and killing spree against environmental protesters.

Posted by John Donovan: 12 June 2024

In a rare twist of fate where the universe temporarily operates on justice, Chiquita Brands was held accountable for its cosy relationship with murderous paramilitaries in Colombia. A Florida jury just slapped the fruit giant with a $38.3 million bill for the deaths of eight people, putting a price tag on human lives lost in Chiquita’s quest for banana empire dominance.

You see, back in the late 90s and early 2000s, Chiquita thought it was a brilliant idea to pay almost $2 million to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), a right-wing death squad. In return, these thugs made sure the land was ripe for banana farming, even if it meant killing and displacing locals. The AUC, a group so charming they got themselves labeled a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S., happily did the dirty work while Chiquita reaped the benefits. Fast forward to 2024, and the families of eight victims have finally been granted a slice of justice. 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 Spills & Thrills: Nigerian Communities Take the Oil Giant to Court

Posted by John Donovan: 10 June 2024

In the latest episode of “How Low Can Shell Go?”, the oil behemoth is gearing up to defend itself against claims from two Nigerian communities and over 13,000 individuals who are fed up with Shell’s toxic spills wrecking their lives.

Next up on the courtroom drama: a case management conference on June 11-12, 2024, at the High Court in London. This little get-together will set the stage for the 2025 trial where the levels of oil contamination in the Bille community and its horrific impacts will be laid bare.

Shell, ever the slippery operator, announced they’re ditching their onshore operations in Nigeria. But don’t be fooled—this isn’t them riding off into the sunset, it’s just complicating the mess they’ve left behind. The lawsuit, led by the tireless folks at law firm Leigh Day, will put Shell’s legal obligations under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter for Human and Peoples’ Rights under the microscope, focusing on the right to a clean environment. Who knew we had to drag an oil giant to court to enforce basic human rights? 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 Digs Deeper: The Quest for More Profits at the Expense of the South Africa Wild Coast

Posted by John Donovan: 10 June 2024

In a shocking display of corporate greed and utter disregard for the environment, Shell, the infamous oil giant known for its ruthless pollution tactics, is hell-bent on drilling for oil and gas off the South Africa Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape.

This week, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) upheld a ruling by the high court in Makhanda, ordering Shell to pause its voracious plans until it has “sufficiently consulted” the communities that will be directly impacted. Because, you know, consulting the locals whose lives you’re about to wreck is apparently an afterthought for Shell.

“It is not in dispute that neither the public was given notice of the decisions or informed of the right to appeal. The failure to do so, which is unexplained on the papers, is subversive of the procedural entitlements of the appellants,” reads the SCA judgment. 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 Seismic Tantrum

Posted by John Donovan: 3 June 2024

Shell’s Seismic Tantrum: Court Smacks Down Oil Giant’s Appeal But Leaves Door Open for Another Round of Environmental Nonsense

Environmental Activists Win Against Shell In Appeal Court

In a classic case of corporate shenanigans, Shell and their cronies at Impact Africa, along with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), just had their appeal smacked down by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). Their aim? To overturn a High Court ruling that halted their oh-so-important seismic survey off the Wild Coast. Why the halt? Apparently, “community participation” was more of a bad joke than a reality.

The SCA dismissed their appeal with costs and pointed out that the so-called community involvement was downright “illusory.” Translation: Shell’s idea of consulting the local communities was about as real as a unicorn. But hold onto your hats, because the court did leave a teeny-tiny crack open for Shell and Impact Africa to make a third attempt to renew their 2014 exploration rights. Of course, this time, they actually have to talk to the people whose lives they’re screwing over. 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 Shocked: High Court Schools Oil Giant on Culture and Climate

Posted by John Donovan: 18 May 2024

Well, well, well, look who’s been schooled by South Africa’s High Court! Our favorite environmental villain, Shell, thought it could waltz onto South Africa’s pristine Wild Coast and dig for fossil fuels. But Indigenous communities weren’t having any of it, and they fought back with some serious legal chops.

In 2021, Shell announced it wanted to blast the south-eastern coast with a 3D seismic survey, all in the name of finding more ways to ruin the planet. This genius idea threatened marine life and local communities, not to mention the climate. But who cares about that when there’s oil to be found, right? 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 wants a quickie divorce from Nigeria

Posted by John Donovan: 14 May 2024

Oh, look who’s tiptoeing out of the Niger Delta with their oil-stained boots and a trail of ecological nightmares! Yes, folks, it’s none other than Shell, the charming oil giant, who after decades of turning lush lands into post-apocalyptic wastelands, now wants a quickie divorce from Nigeria. And guess what? Nigeria’s oil industry regulator is ready to be the accommodating judge who’ll rubber-stamp the paperwork with a fast-track sales approval. How convenient!

Isa Sanusi from Amnesty International couldn’t have put it more poignantly, “With Shell currently seeking regulatory approval for the sale of its business in the Niger Delta, it is essential that it is held fully to account for decades of grievous human rights abuses related to oil spills which have polluted the environment, contaminated drinking water and poisoned agricultural land, fisheries and people.” Hear, hear, Isa! 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 to Bid Farewell to South Africa?

Posted by John Donovan: 5 May 2024

In a plot twist worthy of a soap opera finale, Shell, the oil behemoth with a heart as black as its crude, is reportedly packing its bags and bidding a tearful farewell to South Africa. Because when you’ve spent over a century plundering resources and polluting with abandon, what’s one more continent left in your wake?

According to reports that sound more like the stuff of urban legends than corporate reality, Shell is set to divest its whopping 72% stake in Shell Downstream South Africa. Cue the dramatic music as Shell’s BEE partner, Thebe Investments, watches its dreams of oily riches slip through its fingers like so much spilt petrol. 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 great escape from Nigeria

“After decades of plundering the Niger Delta, Shell wants to tiptoe out the back door, leaving behind a trail of devastation and despair”

Posted by John Donovan: 15 April 2024

In a move that could rival a circus act, Shell is attempting to pass off its Niger Delta business like a hot potato, but not without ruffling a few feathers. A coalition of 40 civil society organizations, led by the one and only Amnesty International, is sounding the alarm bells, demanding that the Nigerian government slam the brakes on this reckless sell-off unless some serious human rights protections are thrown into the mix.

The proposed sale of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to Renaissance Africa Energy has raised more eyebrows than a magician pulling rabbits out of a hat. With the ink barely dry on the deal, concerns about the potential fallout are already swirling faster than a tornado in a teacup. 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.

Supreme Court’s Shell Game: How Big Corporations Dodge Accountability for Human Rights Abuses

Esther Kiobel and her legal team took on the big bad wolf known as Shell, accusing them of all sorts of nasty stuff like torture, killings, and basically being the baddies in Nigeria.

Posted by John Donovan 31 March 2024

A rewrite in layman’s terms of the Kiobel vs Shell case as described in this Oyez legal article accessed on 31 March 2024

Alright folks, let’s break this down in plain English because, let’s face it, the legal mumbo jumbo can make your head spin faster than a politician dodging questions.

So, here’s the deal: Esther Kiobel and her team took on the big bad wolf known as Shell, accusing them of all sorts of nasty stuff like torture, killings, and basically being the baddies in Nigeria. They thought, “Hey, let’s take these guys to court in the good ol’ US of A under the Alien Tort Statute.” 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.

Is it wise for Reuters to accept content sponsorship from Shell?

Posted by John Donovan: 9 March 24

I have always been impressed with the diligence and integrity of Reuters the news agency. That applies to everyone at Reuters with whom I have had contact in the last two decades.

I have supplied Reuters with information from Shell sources used in relation to many Reuters news articles about Shell.

Here is one such article:

Shell critic says oil major targeting his website

I have published numerous articles about organisations controversially sponsored by Shell. Reuters is now added to that list. The above Reuters feature – Sustainable Switch Climate Focus – is sponsored by Shell, the global polluter. 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 Grand Farewell Tour: Leaving More Than Just Memories in the Niger Delta

Posted by John Donovan: 6 Mar 24

In a move that’s as surprising as finding out water is wet, Shell is packing its bags and bidding adieu to Nigeria’s onshore oil and gas scene. But not without a parting gift: a hefty cleanup bill and a landscape that looks more like a villain’s backyard in a post-apocalyptic movie. The grand exit strategy involves handing over the keys to a consortium of five mostly local companies for a modest $2.4 billion, because, you know, why deal with the mess when you can just sell it off? 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 Environmental Armageddon In Nigeria

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any more “WTF,” SOMO drops the bombshell that Shell plans to stick around like a bad smell, financially entangled with the new owners.

Posted by John Donovan: 4 March 2024

In the latest episode of “How to Escape Your Mess Like a Pro,” Shell has decided it’s time to pull the ultimate Houdini act in Nigeria. You won’t believe this, folks, but Shell is trying to vanish from Nigeria faster than you can say “environmental catastrophe,” leaving behind nothing but a cloud of smoke, polluted lands, and bewildered faces. The Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO) isn’t amused and insists that Shell shouldn’t be allowed to pull off this disappearing act until they’ve cleaned up the monumental mess they’ve made. 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 Grand Escape: Ditching the Niger Delta With a Toxic Parting Gift

Will Shell be forced to face the music, or will their toxic legacy be a burden borne by the Niger Delta for generations to come? Only time will tell, but for now, Shell’s exit strategy reads more like a crime thriller than a corporate transition plan.

Posted by John Donovan: 28 Feb 24

Oh, what’s this? Shell, the darling of the fossil fuel world, is attempting the corporate equivalent of dine and dash, but instead of skipping out on a restaurant bill, they’re leaving behind a slightly more problematic souvenir in the Niger Delta: a colossal, toxic mess. In a move that’s about as shocking as finding oil in the delta, Shell is trying to ghost the region with a cheeky $2.4 billion sale of its onshore assets to the Renaissance Africa Energy Company. But here’s the kicker: they’re packing up their oil-stained bags without cleaning up the environmental disaster they’ve lovingly crafted over the decades. 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 at it again? Oil Giant shirking responsibility by selling its assets in the Niger Delta

Shell at it again? Oil Giant shirking responsibility by selling its assets in the Niger Delta

By Andy Rowell and James Marriott

Last month, it was widely reported that another chapter in Shell’s dirty and disastrous eighty-seven-year operations in the Niger Delta was coming to an end, with the company selling its onshore business.

It’s easy to see why Shell wants to untangle itself from its controversial past. For years, the oil giant has tried to hide from its ongoing corporate liability lawsuits. However, it looks like Shell could be up to its old tricks again: trying to avoid legal responsibilities from its devastating Nigerian operations. 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 Dodging Responsibility One Oil Spill at a Time

In the Niger Delta, where Shell’s oil operations have been as welcome as a mosquito at a BBQ…

Posted by John Donovan: 19 Jan 24

In the latest episode of ‘Shell’s Adventures in Nigeria,’ the British multinational energy giant, known for its gentle caress of the environment (cue eye roll), has announced plans to sell off its onshore Nigerian subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). The price tag? A cool $2.4 billion (€2.2 billion). The buyers? Renaissance, a band of Nigerian explorers and an international energy group. But wait, there’s a catch – it’s still waiting for the Nigerian government’s thumbs up. 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 ‘Nigerian Goodbye’: A Legacy of Spills, Lawsuits, and a $2.4 Billion ‘See Ya!’

Posted by John Donovan 16 Jan 24

In a move that’s less ‘farewell’ and more ‘good riddance’, Shell is kissing goodbye to its Nigerian onshore oil and gas operations. After almost a century, Shell is packing up its toys – a sprawling network of wells, pipelines, and the occasional oil spill – and handing them over to a consortium for a cool $2.4 billion. Because when you’ve pioneered an industry with a track record of spills and lawsuits, why not cash in one last time? 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.