Nord Stream 2

THE SHELL LEAKS FILES — 6 NOVEMBER 2026

Nov 6th, 2026
by John Donovan.
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Archive reference: SLF-2007-110

The Sakhalin Papers C: The Hundredth File — How Russia Twice Changed the Rules of Shell’s Biggest Energy Gamble

A documentary investigation into the Kremlin’s interventions of 2006 and 2022, the environmental and financial disputes, the surviving Shell records, and the consequences that remain unresolved.

AN INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARY INVESTIGATION

By the Donovan–Shell Archive

Researched and drafted with assistance from ChatGPT, using authenticated Shell corporate disclosures, SEC filings, contemporaneous reporting, Russian regulatory records, independently published environmental research, court proceedings and historical material preserved in the Donovan–Shell Archive.

Publication date: 6 November 2026

Collection: The Sakhalin Papers — Shell, Gazprom and Russia 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, the Independent Shell Archive, 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 conjured up by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

THE SHELL LEAKS FILES — 4 NOVEMBER 2026

Nov 4th, 2026
by John Donovan.
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THE SHELL LEAKS FILES — 4 NOVEMBER 2026

Archive reference: SLF-2007-108

The Sakhalin Papers XCVIII: The Account That Could Not Pay — Shell’s 94.8 Billion Roubles and Russia’s Compensation Dispute

AN INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARY INVESTIGATION

By the Donovan–Shell Archive

Researched and drafted with the assistance of ChatGPT, using authenticated Shell financial disclosures, Russian government legal instruments, contemporaneous reporting and available records of proceedings before the Moscow Arbitration Court.

Russia assigned a value of 94.8 billion roubles to Shell’s former interest in the Sakhalin II project. It approved a buyer, changed that buyer, and ultimately transferred the corresponding interest in the replacement Russian operating company to a Gazprom subsidiary. But Shell did not simply receive the money. The explanation lies partly in the original presidential decree of June 2022, which expressly restricted access to sale proceeds pending government-controlled investigations. The financial dispute subsequently became entangled with an entirely separate claim concerning unpaid gas deliveries. Four years after Shell announced its withdrawal from Russia, the company’s own SEC disclosures still describe substantial uncertainty. An examination of the original legal instruments reveals that the restrictions on payment were not an unforeseen complication: they were built into the restructuring from the beginning. 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, the Independent Shell Archive, 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 conjured up by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

THE SHELL LEAKS FILES — 1 NOVEMBER 2026

Nov 1st, 2026
by John Donovan.
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THE SHELL LEAKS FILES — 1 NOVEMBER 2026

SLF-2007-105

The Sakhalin Papers XCV: The Molecule Problem — When Russian Crude Became “Indian Diesel” and Europe Rewrote the Rules

By John Donovan — 1 November 2026

On 5 May 2022, Shell chief executive Ben van Beurden acknowledged a fundamental weakness in efforts to exclude Russian petroleum from international markets. Once Russian crude had been refined in another country, he explained, there was no worldwide system capable of tracing individual fuel molecules back to their geological origin. Diesel produced in India from Russian crude could consequently be classified as Indian diesel. Four years later, the European Union has introduced legislation specifically targeting petroleum products refined in third countries from Russian crude. The authenticated Shell statements, contemporary Reuters reporting and subsequent EU legal instruments reveal how a problem identified publicly by Shell in 2022 became the subject of binding European import restrictions in 2026. 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, the Independent Shell Archive, 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 conjured up by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

THE SHELL LEAKS FILES — 31 OCTOBER 2026

Oct 31st, 2026
by John Donovan.
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THE SHELL LEAKS FILES — 31 OCTOBER 2026

SLF-2007-104

The Sakhalin Papers XCIV: The Blending Loophole — Russian Oil in Shell’s Supply Chain After the Apology

By John Donovan — 31 October 2026

On 8 March 2022, Shell apologised for purchasing discounted Russian crude oil and announced its intention to withdraw from Russian hydrocarbons. Yet its trading arrangements continued to permit purchases of certain refined petroleum products containing almost 50% Russian-origin material. Bloomberg exposed the practice in April. Ukraine’s government accused Shell of exploiting an accounting trick. Shell disputed the allegation that it was deliberately purchasing Russian products for blending and resale. On 27 April, Reuters reported that the company had tightened its trading terms to exclude refined products containing any Russian-origin material. The surviving corporate statements, contemporaneous trading reports and official sanctions records reveal what happened — and the important distinction between a contractual loophole, an actual purchase and an unlawful transaction. 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, the Independent Shell Archive, 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 conjured up by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

THE SHELL LEAKS FILES — 29 OCTOBER 2026

Oct 29th, 2026
by John Donovan.
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SLF-2007-102

The Sakhalin Papers XCII: The Russian Exit — Shell’s 28 February 2022 Announcement and the Financial Reckoning

Four days after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Shell announced that it would withdraw from its major Russian joint ventures and end its involvement in Nord Stream 2. The decision brought an extraordinary chapter in the company’s history towards its conclusion. The financial consequences were immediate: a $1.614 billion impairment relating to Sakhalin II, a $1.126 billion write-down of its Nord Stream 2 loan and billions more in Russia-related charges. Yet Shell’s subsequent accounts reveal that the withdrawal was neither instantaneous nor complete. The original corporate announcements, SEC filings and contemporaneous reporting establish precisely what happened — and why the consequences remained unresolved years later.

Archive reference: SLF-2007-102
Publication date: 29 October 2026
Collection: The Sakhalin Papers — Shell, Gazprom and Russia
Previous instalment: SLF-2007-101, The Sakhalin Papers XCI, 28 October 2026

Principal authenticated records: Shell plc announcement of 28 February 2022; Shell’s Nord Stream 2 financing announcement of 24 April 2017; Shell’s operational update of 7 April 2022; first-quarter financial results of 5 May 2022; Shell Annual Report and Form 20-F 2022; Shell Annual Report and Form 20-F 2025, filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on 12 March 2026. 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, the Independent Shell Archive, 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 conjured up by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

Nord Stream Returns to the Headlines: Washington and Moscow Explore a Revival, but Brussels Says No — Where Does That Leave Shell?

Oct 28th, 2026
by John Donovan.
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By John Donovan — 28 October 2026

An extraordinary new chapter has opened in the Nord Stream controversy. Reuters reports that senior American and Russian figures have discussed bringing a US investor into the Baltic gas pipeline system. But the European Commission has responded with an unmistakable reminder: the European Union is legislating Russian gas out of its energy market. For Shell shareholders, the renewed controversy raises another question. What, if anything, remains recoverable from the $1.126 billion loan that Shell wrote down in 2022? 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, the Independent Shell Archive, 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 conjured up by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

THE SHELL LEAKS FILES — 28 OCTOBER 2026

Oct 28th, 2026
by John Donovan.
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THE SHELL LEAKS FILES — 28 OCTOBER 2026

SLF-2007-101

The Sakhalin Papers XCI: The Security Report Withdrawn — How Germany’s October 2021 Approval Became a February 2022 Reversal

In October 2021, Germany’s economy ministry concluded that certifying Nord Stream 2 would not endanger European gas supplies. Its 54-page assessment acknowledged Russian state control of Gazprom, previous supply interruptions and objections from Poland and Ukraine. Four months later, Germany withdrew the assessment. The original document, subsequently released to the public, reveals what officials believed about Russian gas dependence before the invasion of Ukraine — and why the distinction between commercial infrastructure and geopolitical risk became so consequential for Shell’s investment.

Archive reference: SLF-2007-101
Publication date: 28 October 2026
Collection: The Sakhalin Papers — Shell, Gazprom and Russia
Previous instalment: SLF-2007-100, The Sakhalin Papers XC, 27 October 2026

Principal sources: German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Security-of-Supply Assessment dated 26 October 2021; the ministry’s announcement dated 22 February 2022; Bundesnetzagentur certification proceedings BK7-21-056; Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine correspondence dated December 2021; the German-American joint statement of 21 July 2021; Court of Justice of the European Union judgment C-848/19 P; Shell’s original 2017 financing announcement; Shell’s announcement dated 28 February 2022; and Shell’s financial statements filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. 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, the Independent Shell Archive, 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 conjured up by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

The Shell-Related High Court Spectacle That Puts Reality TV to Shame

Jul 15th, 2024
by John Donovan.
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Posted by John Donovan: 15 July 2024

In a high-stakes legal drama, a High Court judge just told Leigh Day, the law firm accused of playing fast and loose with £6 million from a Shell pollution settlement, to suck it up and get on with the show. The Nigerian claimants, reeling from Shell’s eco-destruction in the Niger Delta, argued they hadn’t received a formal heads-up about the trial date. But the judge wasn’t buying it.

Leigh Day, the firm representing the Bodo community against the oil behemoth Shell, settled for a cool £55 million in 2014 after the delightful oil spills of 2008 and 2009. £25 million was for individual claims, while £20 million was set aside for the community. The firm is accused of sneaky disbursements, diverting £6 million to an NGO and four Nigerian legal practices without a green light. 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, the Independent Shell Archive, 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 conjured up by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

Energy rationing cannot be ruled out, warns Shell

Jul 14th, 2022
by John Donovan.
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BBC News

Energy rationing cannot be ruled out, warns Shell

Rationing of energy in Europe cannot be ruled out, the boss of energy giant Shell has warned, due to worries over the supply of gas from Russia.

Speaking at an energy conference, Ben van Beurden said a “really tough winter in Europe” was ahead, with energy prices set to see “significant” rises.

Energy prices jumped earlier this year after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Russia has also been accused of using gas “as a weapon” by limiting supplies in response to EU sanctions. 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, the Independent Shell Archive, 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 conjured up by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

Europe could face energy rationing as ‘really tough winter’ looms, Shell boss warns

Jul 14th, 2022
by John Donovan.
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The Guardian

Europe could face energy rationing as ‘really tough winter’ looms, Shell boss warns

Mark Sweney and Alex Lawson: Thu 14 Jul 2022 13.04 BST

European consumers could face the prospect of energy rationing this winter as costs continue to soar amid the risk of Russia cutting off gas supplies, Shell’s chief executive has said.

“It will be a really tough winter in Europe,” said Ben van Beurden… “We will all face very significant escalation in energy prices. In the worst case, Europe will need to ration its energy consumption.” 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, the Independent Shell Archive, 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 conjured up by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

Three Chinese energy firms are in talks to buy Shell’s stake in a huge Russian natural gas export project, a report says

Apr 22nd, 2022
by John Donovan.
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Three Chinese energy firms are in talks to buy Shell’s stake in a huge Russian natural gas export project, a report says

Grace Dean

Chinese firms are in talks to buy Shell’s stake in a Russian natural gas export project, sources told Bloomberg.

CNOOC, CNPC, and Sinopec are in joint discussions, the sources said.

Shell and other Western energy companies are withdrawing from the Russian oil and natural gas sector.

Three Chinese state-run energy companies are in talks to buy Shell’s 27.5% stake in a huge Russian natural gas export project, Bloomberg reported, citing people with knowledge of the matter. 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, the Independent Shell Archive, 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 conjured up by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

Shell says it expects to lose up to $5 billion for pulling out of Russia.

Apr 7th, 2022
by John Donovan.
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The New York Times

Shell says it expects to lose up to $5 billion for pulling out of Russia.

In an update to investors, the oil company projected a huge financial hit from its exposure to Russia.

By Marie Solis and Jason Karaian: April 7, 2022, 8:09 a.m. ET

The British oil giant Shell said on Thursday that its decision to pull out of its projects in Russia will slash its quarterly profit by $4 billion to $5 billion.

The estimate, detailed in an update to Shell shareholders, is among the largest publicly announced financial hits by any of the hundreds of companies that have curtailed their operations in Russia or withdrawn entirely since its invasion of Ukraine. 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, the Independent Shell Archive, 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 conjured up by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

Shell chief’s pay rose by a quarter in 2021 to £6m

Mar 10th, 2022
by John Donovan.
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The Guardian

Shell chief’s pay rose by a quarter in 2021 to £6m

Ben van Beurden was paid 57 times more than median Shell worker, according to oil firm’s annual report

Jasper Jolly: Thu 10 Mar 2022 09.13 GMT

The Shell chief executive Ben van Beurden’s pay rose by a quarter in 2021 to £6m, as the fossil fuel producer benefited from soaring energy prices amid calls for a windfall tax on energy companies.

The FTSE 100 company reported record profits during 2021, thanks in part to a gas price surge in the final three months of the year amid a rebound in demand for commodities as the global economy recovered from coronavirus pandemic lockdowns. 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, the Independent Shell Archive, 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 conjured up by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

Ukraine war: Shell turns its back on all Russian oil and gas and says ‘sorry’ for purchases last week

Mar 8th, 2022
by John Donovan.
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Sky News

Ukraine war: Shell turns its back on all Russian oil and gas and says ‘sorry’ for purchases last week

The firm says its decision holds “potential consequences” as market experts warn that it will be impossible to replace Russian oil and gas volumes if it is stripped away under US proposals for a wider boycott.

James Sillars: Business reporter @SkyNewsBiz: Tuesday 8 March 2022 

Shell has revealed further plans to turn its back on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine by saying it will stop “all involvement” with the country’s oil, gas and other hydrocarbon products. 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, the Independent Shell Archive, 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 conjured up by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

Shell sorry and pledges to stop buying Russian oil

Mar 8th, 2022
by John Donovan.
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BBC NEWS

Shell sorry and pledges to stop buying Russian oil

Shell has pledged to stop buying oil from Russia as it apologised for its purchase of cheap Russian crude at the weekend.

The energy giant also said it would close all its service stations in the country and stop all current work in the country.

Shell came under huge criticism at the weekend after it purchased a cargo of Russian crude at a discounted price.

Its boss said on Tuesday, however, that it was wrong to buy Russian oil.

“We are acutely aware that our decision last week to purchase a cargo of Russian crude oil… was not the right one and we are sorry,” Mr van Beurden said. 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, the Independent Shell Archive, 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 conjured up by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

Shell is already backtracking on its boycott of Russian oil

Mar 8th, 2022
by John Donovan.
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QUARTZ

Shell is already backtracking on its boycott of Russian oil

By Aurora Almendral Published March 7, 2022

Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, traders have struggled to unload Russian oil: Western buyers are adhering to a voluntary embargo in response to the violence, and in case sanctions start hitting the oil industry.

On Tuesday, March 1, Shell was lauded for cutting ties with Russian firms Gazprom and Salym Petroleum, and for ending its involvement in the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. “We are shocked by the loss of life in Ukraine, which we deplore, resulting from a senseless act of military aggression which threatens European security,” Shell CEO Ben van Beurden said at the time. “Our decision to exit is one we take with conviction.” 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, the Independent Shell Archive, 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 conjured up by internet wizz, Nick Gill.
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