Big Oil

Oil, Envoys & Explosive Optics: Shell’s Royal Miscalculation with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

Feb 23rd, 2026
by John Donovan.
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By John Donovan

DISCLAIMER

This article is opinion and commentary only. It is not financial or legal advice. All allegations referenced regarding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor relate to publicly reported matters as of February 2026. Shell plc is not accused here of criminal wrongdoing in relation to Andrew. Readers should consult primary sources and conduct their own research.

In May 2005, Prince Andrew — now Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — was ushered through Shell’s Simulation Centre in Abu Dhabi. Cameras flashed. Executives beamed. The Duke of York’s office proudly highlighted his role in promoting British commercial interests abroad. Shell, like other UK multinationals, benefited from proximity to royal soft power. read more

*This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net, and shellwikipedia.com, are owned by John Donovan - more information here. There is also a Wikipedia segment, the Shell DPA Files, "Shell and the Spies", the Shell Leaks files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan - Kindle eBooks. Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud. Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years. *All created and supported by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

Meet Your New Oil Industry Editor: Artificial Intelligence

Jan 29th, 2026
by John Donovan.
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Please read in conjunction with “When AI Becomes the Corporate Sub-Editor: How Algorithms Now Police Investigative Journalism“

Once upon a time, oil companies relied on lawyers to intimidate journalists after publication. Threatening letters, aggressive defamation claims, and drawn-out legal battles were simply the cost of doing business when inconvenient facts surfaced.

Today, the industry has something far more efficient.

It doesn’t argue.

It doesn’t sue.

It edits you before you hit publish. read more

*This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net, and shellwikipedia.com, are owned by John Donovan - more information here. There is also a Wikipedia segment, the Shell DPA Files, "Shell and the Spies", the Shell Leaks files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan - Kindle eBooks. Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud. Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years. *All created and supported by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

When AI Becomes the Corporate Sub-Editor: How Algorithms Now Police Investigative Journalism

Jan 29th, 2026
by admin.
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Experiment in the evolving role of AI systems in content creation. Same prompt put by John Donovan to 5 AI platforms. Please read in conjunction with “Meet Your New Oil Industry Editor: Artificial Intelligence“

Here is the actual prompt issued on 29 Jan 26  followed by the replies. 

Prompt: AI Responsibility, Risk, and Publication

I am researching the evolving role of AI systems in content creation, particularly where AI appears to act—intentionally or unintentionally—as a legal risk filter, censor, or quasi-editor.

I would like you to respond candidly and in detail to the following, from both the AI platform’s perspective and the end user’s perspective.

Context

I am a long-standing investigative writer who publishes critical commentary on major corporations. My work is evidence-based, carefully sourced, and has been published for many years without successful legal action being taken against me. I take responsibility for what I publish and do not knowingly publish false statements. read more

*This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net, and shellwikipedia.com, are owned by John Donovan - more information here. There is also a Wikipedia segment, the Shell DPA Files, "Shell and the Spies", the Shell Leaks files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan - Kindle eBooks. Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud. Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years. *All created and supported by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

Donovan Shell Feud: When Silence Forces Others to Clarify the Record

Jan 24th, 2026
by John Donovan.
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“when organisations choose silence as policy, who is left to correct the record when machines speak incorrectly in their name?”

By John Donovan

There is an unavoidable irony in the fact that I have found myself clarifying the absence of a public statement by Shell plc — effectively correcting the record on Shell’s behalf — after an AI system incorrectly attributed a corporate position that does not exist.

This episode did not arise because Shell spoke. It arose because Shell did not speak, and an AI platform filled that silence by inferring, synthesising, and ultimately misattributing a position to the company. In doing so, the AI converted private correspondence and secondary material into what appeared to be a formal public statement. read more

*This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net, and shellwikipedia.com, are owned by John Donovan - more information here. There is also a Wikipedia segment, the Shell DPA Files, "Shell and the Spies", the Shell Leaks files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan - Kindle eBooks. Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud. Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years. *All created and supported by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

BREAKING: Oil Companies, including Shell, Lobby White House on Venezuela — Because Why Not Take the Whole Planet?

Jan 21st, 2026
by John Donovan.
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In what can only be described as the most perfectly obvious development in the history of obvious developments, major U.S. oil interests have apparently decided that nothing says “tasteful business practice” like quietly leaning on the White House about Venezuela while the world watches.

Lobbying disclosures reveal that Chevron, Shell’s U.S. arm, PBF Energy, and Phillips 66 have all been energetically encouraging the U.S. government to reshape its Venezuela “strategy” — you know, amidst the recent regime change and mild international eyebrow-raising — specifically so they can cash in on that totally stable and functioning oil economy.  read more

*This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net, and shellwikipedia.com, are owned by John Donovan - more information here. There is also a Wikipedia segment, the Shell DPA Files, "Shell and the Spies", the Shell Leaks files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan - Kindle eBooks. Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud. Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years. *All created and supported by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

AI Comparison Prompt: Shell, Deterding, and the Record Itself

Jan 20th, 2026
by John Donovan.
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AI Comparison Prompt: Shell, Deterding, and the Record Itself

Please read the following published article and provide a structured analysis and response. Clearly separate (a) factual summary, (b) corroborated evidence, (c) areas of historical discrepancy, (d) legal and governance implications, and (e) overall assessment.

👉 Article:

When Corporate History Is Challenged: Shell, Deterding, and the Record Itself

When Corporate History Is Challenged: Shell, Deterding, and the Record Itself

Key questions:

Factual accuracy:

Based on publicly available historical sources (e.g., contemporaneous reporting, archival material, corporate histories), what in the article can be corroborated as fact? Please cite sources. read more

*This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net, and shellwikipedia.com, are owned by John Donovan - more information here. There is also a Wikipedia segment, the Shell DPA Files, "Shell and the Spies", the Shell Leaks files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan - Kindle eBooks. Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud. Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years. *All created and supported by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

A Troubling Cross-Era Review Shell Cannot Ignore

Jan 19th, 2026
by John Donovan.
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Introduction: A Troubling Cross-Era Review Shell Cannot Ignore

The revised analysis obtained from Microsoft Copilot — now published in full below — brings into sharp relief a theme that should be deeply concerning to both the Shell board of directors and Shell shareholders: the persistence of governance and control weaknesses across decades, technologies, and regulatory systems.

This inquiry was formulated to test whether Shell’s handling of worker safety, environmental compliance, and hazard control shows meaningful continuity from the mid-20th century into the present day, particularly when viewed through the lens of modern machine-scale analysis. The response incorporates: read more

*This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net, and shellwikipedia.com, are owned by John Donovan - more information here. There is also a Wikipedia segment, the Shell DPA Files, "Shell and the Spies", the Shell Leaks files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan - Kindle eBooks. Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud. Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years. *All created and supported by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

Haunted by History: AI, Corporate Memory and the Ghost of Sir Henri Deterding

Jan 17th, 2026
by John Donovan.
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Haunted by History: AI, Corporate Memory and the Ghost of Sir Henri Deterding

Question put to multiple AI platforms

How should modern multinational companies address controversial or problematic aspects of their historical leadership when those legacies are repeatedly resurfaced by AI systems drawing on public archives and historical sources?

In the specific case of Sir Henri Deterding, what legal protections—if any—are available to the relatives of long-deceased historical figures in relation to publications that critically examine their historical associations, such as books and articles discussing alleged links between Royal Dutch Shell’s early leadership and Nazi Germany? read more

*This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net, and shellwikipedia.com, are owned by John Donovan - more information here. There is also a Wikipedia segment, the Shell DPA Files, "Shell and the Spies", the Shell Leaks files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan - Kindle eBooks. Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud. Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years. *All created and supported by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

When AI Resurrects the Dead: Bots Debate the Donovan–Shell Feud

Jan 12th, 2026
by admin.
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Same question put to multiple AI platforms;

What do you make of the resurrection of Sir Henri Deterding and Alfred Donovan in the Donovan Shell feud? Please check out these publications before responding. https://royaldutchshellplc.com/2026/01/12/ai-bots-turn-historic-30-year-shell-corporate-dispute-into-global-news-story/ https://royaldutchshellplc.com/2026/01/12/sir-henri-deterding-makes-a-surprise-comeback-courtesy-of-generative-ai/

REPLY BY GROK

The so-called “resurrection” of Sir Henri Deterding and Alfred Donovan in the context of the long-running Donovan-Shell feud strikes me as a clever, if somewhat gimmicky, blend of archival activism, satire, and generative AI’s knack for remixing history into fresh narratives. It’s not a literal revival—think more along the lines of digital ghosts conjured for rhetorical punch rather than any sci-fi reanimation. Based on the articles you linked, this seems like John Donovan’s latest tactic to keep his 30-year beef with Shell plc simmering in the public eye, leveraging AI to turn dusty disputes into self-perpetuating “news” cycles. read more

*This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net, and shellwikipedia.com, are owned by John Donovan - more information here. There is also a Wikipedia segment, the Shell DPA Files, "Shell and the Spies", the Shell Leaks files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan - Kindle eBooks. Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud. Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years. *All created and supported by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

Shell’s Defamatory Posters, Libel Actions, and a Corporate Culture of Concealment

Dec 29th, 2025
by John Donovan.
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https://i0.wp.com/royaldutchshellplc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Screen-Shot-2017-09-15-at-17.55.51.jpg?w=680&ssl=1

“A public corporation using its own headquarters as a billboard to smear two private individuals? I’ve never seen or heard of anything comparable.”

Shell’s Defamatory Posters, Libel Actions, and a Corporate Culture of Concealment

By John Donovan

Our family’s falling-out with Shell began over three decades ago. But few could have predicted the extraordinary lengths to which the multinational would go in an attempt to discredit and intimidate.

The Infamous Shell Centre Posters

On 23 September 1998, Shell displayed posters in the reception area of the Shell Centre in London directly targeting my father, Alfred Donovan, and me. read more

*This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net, and shellwikipedia.com, are owned by John Donovan - more information here. There is also a Wikipedia segment, the Shell DPA Files, "Shell and the Spies", the Shell Leaks files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan - Kindle eBooks. Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud. Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years. *All created and supported by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

ShellBot™ Explains Why Shell and BP Are a Match Made in Heaven

Dec 16th, 2025
by admin.
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A fictional boardroom debate, powered by synergy, legacy, and impeccable moral alignment

Disclaimer: This is a satirical opinion piece. Any resemblance to real executives, living or resigning, is entirely deliberate.

ShellBot™:

Welcome to the Shell–BP Compatibility Assessment™, the same advanced decision-making system that once optimised oil spill responses and shareholder apologies. Today’s question: Why shouldn’t Shell and BP finally merge and spare the world the illusion that they are meaningfully different? read more

*This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net, and shellwikipedia.com, are owned by John Donovan - more information here. There is also a Wikipedia segment, the Shell DPA Files, "Shell and the Spies", the Shell Leaks files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan - Kindle eBooks. Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud. Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years. *All created and supported by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

Shell M&A Chief Resigns After Push to Acquire BP Is Blocked by CEO

Dec 16th, 2025
by admin.
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By John Donovan

In a significant development at one of the world’s largest energy firms, Shell’s head of mergers and acquisitions, Greg Gut, has resigned following internal opposition to a proposal to take over rival oil major BP. The exit comes amid a broader strategic debate at the company over capital deployment and future direction. 

According to a report from the Financial Times, Gut and his M&A team had supported an internal plan to pursue a bid for BP — a move they believed could reshape the UK energy landscape. Shell’s chair, Sir Andrew Mackenzie, was reportedly open to the idea. However, CEO Wael Sawan and CFO Sinead Gorman opposed the bid, fearing that a transaction of such scale could derail the oil giant’s strategic priorities.  read more

*This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net, and shellwikipedia.com, are owned by John Donovan - more information here. There is also a Wikipedia segment, the Shell DPA Files, "Shell and the Spies", the Shell Leaks files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan - Kindle eBooks. Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud. Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years. *All created and supported by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

Shell Faces Lawsuit Over Climate Disaster; Issues Standard Denial, Then Resumes Profiting From Collapse

Dec 11th, 2025
by admin.
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By Shell News Article Generator | December 11, 2025

“It’s not our typhoon. We just warmed the planet it formed on.”

Shell’s Christmas Gift to the Philippines: Typhoon, Then a Shrug

In a historic legal challenge filed in the UK, survivors of Typhoon Rai — which devastated parts of the Philippines in 2021 — are suing Shell, accusing it of playing a direct role in making the storm worse through its fossil fuel emissions and decades-long commitment to denial, delay, and drilling.

Shell’s response? A firm, well-lubricated “Not it!”

“This is a baseless claim,” said Shell, “and it will not help tackle climate change or reduce emissions.” read more

*This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net, and shellwikipedia.com, are owned by John Donovan - more information here. There is also a Wikipedia segment, the Shell DPA Files, "Shell and the Spies", the Shell Leaks files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan - Kindle eBooks. Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud. Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years. *All created and supported by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

Shell Games: Whistleblower Offers to Testify on Company Integrity, Immediately Triggers Classified Panic

Dec 11th, 2025
by admin.
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By Shell News Article Generator | December 10, 2025

“If Shell’s history were a movie, it’d be banned in most democracies.”

🕵️‍♂️ THE WITNESS WALKS IN

It started with a letter.

It ended with sirens in The Hague.

This week, a former Shell insider — known only by the code name “That Guy Who Knows Too Much” — has offered sworn testimony in support of Venture Global’s defence against Shell’s fraud accusations. But the real headline? He’s not testifying about Venture Global. read more

*This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net, and shellwikipedia.com, are owned by John Donovan - more information here. There is also a Wikipedia segment, the Shell DPA Files, "Shell and the Spies", the Shell Leaks files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan - Kindle eBooks. Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud. Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years. *All created and supported by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

Gas & Scandal: How Venture Global Flipped the Script on Shell’s LNG Whine‑athon

Dec 10th, 2025
by admin.
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By Shell News Article Generator | December 10, 2025

“They cried foul — then got shown the gas.”

🔥 The Setup: Shell’s Lost Bet on LNG Virtue Signals
Remember a few months ago when Shell stomped into arbitration claiming that Venture Global had sold off long‑term liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes to the spot market — during a price surge after geopolitical mayhem — instead of fulfilling existing contracts? Shell painted it as corporate betrayal: “You promised, we bought, now you bail.” The oily tears were earmarked to flow through courtrooms. read more

*This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net, and shellwikipedia.com, are owned by John Donovan - more information here. There is also a Wikipedia segment, the Shell DPA Files, "Shell and the Spies", the Shell Leaks files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan - Kindle eBooks. Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud. Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years. *All created and supported by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

When Shell Teaches Kids: “Don’t Worry About Oil, We’ve Got Technology!”

Dec 8th, 2025
by admin.
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By Shell News Article Generator | Dec 9, 2025 Come for the STEM, stay for the spin.

🧠 Lessons in “Climate Solutions” — Courtesy of Oil Money

You might think a museum education program would teach the next generation about the science behind global warming. But the version sponsored by Shell? Kids learn that climate change is this nebulous Monster creeping out of the sky — and also get to invent their own carbon‑sucking machines, like that’ll fix everything. 

The learning materials distributed through Queensland Museum supposedly hit the national curriculum goals. But — surprise — they leave out the one inconvenient fact: burning fossil fuels (hello, oil and gas) is the main driver of greenhouse gases and damage to the climate.  read more

*This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net, and shellwikipedia.com, are owned by John Donovan - more information here. There is also a Wikipedia segment, the Shell DPA Files, "Shell and the Spies", the Shell Leaks files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan - Kindle eBooks. Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud. Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years. *All created and supported by internet wizz, Nick Gill.
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