Shell’s CEO Ben van Beurden bows to Russian Leader Putin: Good Friday, 18 April 2014

Yesterday the Dutch newspaper Financieele Dagblad published a truly devastating article Shell gas leaks, fires and accidents about Shell playing fast and loose with the health and lives of its employees. Today there is mass coverage of the outrage over the £17m pay package awarded to Shell CEO Ben van Beurden. The revulsion also has to be seen against the damaging litigation engulfing the energy giant, including OPL 245 corruption charges and a related raid on Shell HQ involving BvB and his then CFO, Simon Henry. Both were embarrassed by a wiretapped conversation between them discussing obstructing the investigation and the revelation by BvB that Shell had hired hapless former MI6 “people” who had been cavalier with Shell’s OPL 245 secrets. Why is Shell rewarding such behaviour, which is completely at odds with Shell’s claimed business principles?  

Shell chief’s pay doubles to 143 times average UK employee’s

The chief executive of oil-company Shell saw his pay more than double last year to more than €20m (£17m). Ben van Beurden’s total salary in 2017, which was approximately €9m, prompted a shareholder revolt. The raise comes as the company increased its annual profits by almost $10bn and is largely down to long-term incentives kicking in. Dutchman Mr van Beurden’s pay is now 143 times larger than the average Shell employee in the UK. read more

Mark Robinson

Last week, Royal Dutch Shell (RDSB) revealed that it is facing charges in the Netherlands relating to corruption allegations surrounding a Nigerian oil bloc called OPL 245. Shell and Italian major ENI SpA (ENI.IM) acquired the licence in 2011 for around $1.3bn (£992m), but it’s alleged that a significant proportion of the monies was destined for use as kickbacks for politicians and officials, with former Nigerian oil minister Dan Etete – a convicted money launderer – acting as the principal intermediary. Although the funds were paid to the Nigerian government, it’s claimed that they found their way into the coffers of Malabu Oil and Gas — a company linked to Mr Etete. read more

By Kelly Gilblom, Sergio Di Pasquale and Chiara Albanese: 6 March 2019, 16:24 GMT

Richard Granier-Deferre testified in Milan Wednesday

Shell, Eni accused of participating in corrupt 2011 oil deal

A retired Swiss oil executive who previously said he had knowledge of illicit dealings over a Nigerian oil block involving Royal Dutch Shell Plc and Eni SpA reversed his statements at a trial in Milan Wednesday.

“I’ve never had contact with Shell,” ex-executive Richard Granier-Deferre said. “I’ve never had relations with people from Eni in my entire career.”

The trial centers on Oil Prospecting License 245, offshore Nigeria, which has snowballed into one of the largest scandals over alleged corruption in the industry’s history. Italian prosecutors are arguing that when Shell and Eni paid more than $1 billion to settle legal disputes over the block and acquire rights to develop it, much of that payment went into bribes and kickbacks. On Friday, Shell said it is also facing criminal charges in its home country of The Netherlands over the block. read more

By John Donovan

Printed below are extracts from Shell’s Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016 relating to the OPL 245 corruption scandal. Shell confirmed that authorities “in various countries” are investigating its investment in Nigerian Oil Block OPL 245. 

Page 15

Authorities in various countries are investigating our investment in Nigerian oil block OPL 245 and the 2011 settlement of litigation pertaining to that block. On January 27, 2017, the Nigeria Federal High Court issued an Interim Order of Attachment for oil block OPL 245, pending the conclusion of the investigation. Shell has applied to discharge this order on constitutional and procedural grounds. On February 14, 2017, we received notice of the request of indictment from the Italian prosecution office in Milan with respect to this matter. read more

The Ogoni Case is Sufficient Reason to Fight Injustice in Our World

The case and painful experiences of the Ogoni people signal the dangers faced by peoples all over our world and represent real threats to nationalities who seek peace, freedom and justice for their peoples.

In some cases, as with the Ogoni, those who seek justice for their people’s face real persecution even from those who should protect them. The Ogoni case may represent the most outstanding case of state-sponsored persecution against a fight for social justice. It is however commendable that even in the face of death, the Ogoni people have resiliently stood for their demand for justice. read more

The Dutch Public Prosecution believes Shell should be prosecuted because the company could have prevented the accident. ‘If Shell had taken all the measures, such an explosion could not have happened. By acting in this way, they have put workers and people in the environment at risk, ‘reports a spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service. The criminal case against Shell is scheduled at the court session in Den Bosch on 14 and 16 May 2019.

Printed below is an English translation of an article published today by the Dutch Financial Times, Financieele Dagblad.

Shell also in court because of an explosion at Moerdijk

By Bert van Dijk and Vasco van der Boon

Shell is not only under fire from the authorities because of possible bribery in Nigeria, but also because of an explosion in June 2014 at Shell Moerdijk. The Public Prosecutor has summoned Shell Dutch Chemical for this explosion. This is reported by the Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) in response to questions from the FD.

Except for the explosion, Shell will also be brought to justice for the temporary excessive emissions of the toxic substance ethylene oxide in 2015 and 2016.

Nigeria

Earlier Friday it was announced that the OM is preparing a criminal case against Shell for corruption in Nigeria. That criminal investigation into Shell has not yet been completed, but according to the current investigation, according to the Public Prosecution Service, there are already prosecutable offences. ‘We will continue’, according to the spokesman on the Nigeria issue. “Only the way in which is not yet clear.” The investigation could result in a settlement or a criminal case. read more

The investigation into corruption by Shell in Nigeria has not yet been completed, but according to the current investigation, according to the Public Prosecution Service, there are already prosecutable offences.

Printed below is an English translation of an article published today by the Dutch Financial Times, Financieele Dagblad.

Public Prosecution Service is taking Shell’s attention

Bert van Dijk and Vasco van der Boon

The Dutch State will prosecute Shell in two separate cases. The oil and gas multinational is under fire from the Public Prosecution Service (OM) because of possible bribery in Nigeria in 2011 and because of an explosion in June 2014 at Shell Moerdijk. The Public Prosecution Service has announced this on Friday.

Shell has already been summoned for the explosion in Moerdijk. Shell is also being taken to court for a leak of the toxic substance ethylene oxide.

Corruption in Nigeria

The investigation into corruption by Shell in Nigeria has not yet been completed, but according to the current investigation, according to the Public Prosecution Service, there are already prosecutable offences. read more

Shell is being charged with a major explosion at the Moerdijk plant in 2014. Apart from the explosion, the oil and gas company was also summoned for the leakage of the toxic ethylene oxide from November 2015 to January 2016 in the same industrial area. The Public Prosecutor confirmed that Friday.

English translation of a Dutch article published by ncr.nl

Prosecuting Shell after Moerdijk explosions

Erik van der Walle: March 2, 2019

Shell is being charged with a major explosion at the Moerdijk plant in 2014. Apart from the explosion, the oil and gas company was also summoned for the leakage of the toxic ethylene oxide from November 2015 to January 2016 in the same industrial area. The Public Prosecutor confirmed that Friday.

On June 3, 2014 a reactor of the factory in Moerdijk exploded and other explosions and a fire followed by an unexpected reaction between substances. Due to the calamity, two people were injured. The damage went into the millions. The Dutch Safety Board concluded that the company did not pay enough attention to the risks. read more

Between November 2015 and January 2016, 380 kilos of the carcinogenic substance ethylene oxide went into the air every day. Justice now states that Shell has not taken enough measures to prevent such accidents: “By acting in this way they have put workers and people in the environment in danger,” according to the Public Prosecution Service.

English translation of an article published in Dutch by nrc.nl earlier today

Justice summons Shell for explosion and leakage in Moerdijk

In 2014, two people were injured in a fire. Two years later, a Shell plant leaked carcinogens.

Maartje Geels: 1 March 2019

The fire in 2014 at a Shell complex on an industrial estate in Moerdijk was then seen in Rotterdam. Photo GinoPress / ANP

The Public Prosecution Service (OM) is suing Shell for an explosion and a leak at a complex of the oil and gas company in Moerdijk. This confirms justice Friday in response to reports from Het FD. Earlier on Friday, it was also announced that Shell is being prosecuted for corruption in Nigeria. read more

Justice invaded the Shell headquarters in The Hague three years ago. Last March, Shell itself filed a report against the Australian former director Peter Robinson, who may have been guilty of corruption in Nigeria. However, that case is about another oilfield.

English translation of an article published today in Dutch by nrc.nl

‘Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) starts a criminal case against Shell for bribery in Nigeria’

It is a $ 1.3 billion oil deal from 2011, according to Shell. Some of that money would have ended up with high officials.

Steven Musch: March 1, 2019 at 9:58

The Dutch Public Prosecution Service is going to prosecute oil company Shell for illegal activities in Nigeria, reports the oil company on its website.

The Public Prosecution confirms this but does not yet want to say whether and when a summons is issued.

The company has been informed by the judicial authorities that they are working on criminal prosecution and that the investigation has almost been completed. read more

In September 2017, four foreign NGOs filed a declaration in the Netherlands against Shell, Van Beurden and three (former) directors. According to lawyer Barbara van Straaten of the law firm Prakken d’Oliveira, this declaration was added to the current investigation by the Public Prosecution Service.: Almost a year ago, Shell itself filed a statement against former director Peter Robinson. According to the group, the Australian would have been guilty of corruption in Nigeria. Robinson is one of the four former Shell employees who stand trial in Milan. Justice in the US and stock market watchdog SEC were also informed.

English translation of a Dutch article published today by ncr.nl

The question is: did Shell know that the money ended up with the politicians?

Corruption The bulk of the purchase price for the Nigerian oil field OPL 245 ended up in the pockets of politicians. Justice thinks it has enough evidence to prosecute Shell.

Hester van SantenErik van der Walle: 1 March 2019 at 1:00

Shell is being prosecuted in the Netherlands because of possible corruption in Nigeria. The oil and gas company announced on Friday morning that it has been informed about this by the Public Prosecution Service (OM). According to a spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service, “offences” have been committed and there is “enough to prosecute”. The spokesman states that the investigation has almost been completed. read more

Printed below is an English translation of an article published today by the Dutch Financial Times, Financieele Dagblad.

Shell enters green methanol project in Botle

Hans Verbraeken: 1 March 2019

Shell is going to co-invest in the planned construction of a green methanol plant in the Botlek in Rotterdam. The construction costs amount to more than € 200 million.

Methanol can serve as a fuel or as a raw material for making chemistry products. The oil and gas company will be the fifth participant in the consortium that has been active for one and a half years. Shell will also become a customer of green methanol as fuel.

The participation of Shell gives the other four companies in the consortium ‘extra trust’ in the project. ‘Shell has also looked and thinks it’s a great project,’ says the spokesman for the consortium, Marco Waas, director R & DI and Technology at Nouryon, one of the other four participants. Nouryon is the former chemical branch of AkzoNobel, which was sold last year. Waas is chairman of the Waste-to-Chemicals consortium. read more

Royal Dutch Shell PLC RDSB is facing prosecution in the Netherlands related to a 2011 settlement of disputes over a Nigerian oil bloc called OPL 245, the company said Friday.

The oil giant said it has been informed that the Dutch Public Prosecutor’s Office is preparing to prosecute the company for criminal charges directly or indirectly related to the 2011 Nigeria settlement. The prosecutor is nearing the conclusion of an investigation on the matter, the company said.

Shell and Italian rival ENI SpA (ENI.MI) acquired the Nigerian license in 2011. read more

By Amanda Jordan
1 March 2019, 07:33 GMT

Anglo-Dutch oil giant Royal Dutch Shell Plc said it’s facing potential prosecution in the Netherlands over a license in Nigeria.

“We have been informed by the Dutch Public Prosecutor’s Office that they are nearing the conclusion of their investigation and are preparing to prosecute,” The Hague-based Shell said Friday. The case is related to the 2011 settlement of disputes over Oil Prospecting License 245 in the Gulf of Guinea.

Nigeria is already suing Shell, Eni SpA and other companies for more than $1 billion over the 2011 deal that the government says was tainted by corruption. That suit, filed in December in London, alleges that money the companies paid to acquire the exploration license was diverted to bribes and kickbacks. The transaction is also the subject of a separate criminal trial in Milan. read more

MARCH 1, 2019 / 7:22 AM

March 1 (Reuters) – Royal Dutch Shell Plc said on Friday it was informed by the Dutch Public Prosecutor’s Office that they were preparing to prosecute the oil major for criminal charges related to its 2011 purchase of a Nigerian oilfield.

Italy’s Eni SpA and Shell bought the OPL 245 offshore field for about $1.3 billion in a deal that spawned one of the industry’s largest corruption scandals. It is alleged that about $1.1 billion of the total was siphoned to agents and middlemen. read more

Esther Kiobel poses with a picture of her late husband, one of nine men executed by Nigeria’s military government after a peaceful uprising against Shell in 1995. Photograph: Amnesty International

By John Donovan

I heard from a major news organisation that Esther Kiobel brought up my name several times during an interview at the Dutch court hearing yesterday, kindly expressing her thanks for my help.

Esther approached me after the US Supreme Court decision that thwarted on jurisdiction grounds her attempts to sue Shell in the USA for complicity in the murder of her husband, Dr Barinem Kiobel. It took over a decade of litigation to arrive at that decision. read more