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Hurricane Katrina

BLOOMBERG: Shell’s Mars Field, Nearby Rigs May Be Shut Till 2006

BLOOMBERG: Shell’s Mars Field, Nearby Rigs May Be Shut Till 2006

FRIDAY 9 SEPT 2005

Sept. 9 (Bloomberg) — Royal Dutch Shell Plc, the biggest oil producer in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico’s deep waters, said output from the Mars field and nearby sites may be shut for the rest of the year because of damage from Hurricane Katrina.

Resuming production from the Mars, Ursa, Mensa and Cognac areas in the Gulf, which account for about 40 percent of its normal supply in the area, may not be “feasible during the fourth quarter, depending on options available for recovery,” according to a statement today from the company, based in The Hague. 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 Game at Gas Stations Pays Big

FROM OUR AUGUST 2005 SHELL NEWS ARCHIVE

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: Shell Game at Gas Stations Pays Big

“On Sept. 1, just three days after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, top executives at Shell Oil’s Texas headquarters took a public stand against gasoline price gouging.”: “That same day, Motiva Enterprises LLC, Shell’s oil refining subsidiary, hiked the wholesale price of gasoline for Shell dealers throughout the Bronx by a whopping 20 cents a gallon, according to company records obtained by the Daily News. Those records show that since the hurricane disaster, Shell has increased its wholesale gasoline price on six separate occasions”

Thursday, September 8, 2005

By Juan Gonzalez

On Sept. 1, just three days after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, top executives at Shell Oil’s Texas headquarters took a public stand against gasoline price gouging.

“We encourage our wholesalers and dealers to . . . practice restraint during these periods,” the press release from Shell said.

The company even urged the public to contact local governments “if you feel a gasoline station is charging a price that is out of line with other stations in your market.” 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.

Storm-hit Gulf energy industry struggles back

AFX Europe (Focus): Storm-hit Gulf energy industry struggles back – UPDATE 2

The 226,000 bpd Motiva/Shell refinery at Norco, La., was still reported down but suffered limited storm damage and may be able to restart as soon as mid-week, the Energy Department said.”

Wednesday Sept 07, 2005

SAN FRANCISCO (AFX) – A week after Hurricane Katrina pounded the Gulf of Mexico there was growing evidence Tuesday that the industry is regaining its footing, with offshore energy production rising and key pipelines again up and running.

Recovery from the storm by the region’s hard-hit refineries also improved, though industry officials warned that up to 5% of the nation’s refining capacity could be out of commission for weeks – perhaps months in the worst cases. 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.

Assessing Damage to Oil Platforms In Gulf of Mexico Proving Difficult

The Wall Street Journal: Assessing Damage to Oil Platforms In Gulf of Mexico Proving Difficult

Posted Tuesday 6 Sept 2005

By STEVE LEVINE
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
September 5, 2005 4:59 p.m.

Efforts to assess damage from Hurricane Katrina to the deep-water Gulf of Mexico platforms has been significantly slowed because helicopters are having troubling refueling at sea, leaving the giant platforms out of reach, said a senior official with a company involved with the damage-assessment and -repair effort.

The situation has been compounded by the destruction of helipads in Venice, La., forcing companies to depart from a back-up facility 150 miles to the west. 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.

Crude Oil Prices Fall to $64.85 a Barrel

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Crude Oil Prices Fall to $64.85 a Barrel

Monday 5 September 2005

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: September 5, 2005

Filed at 6:14 a.m. ET

VIENNA, Austria (AP) — Oil prices fell Monday after industrialized nations agreed to release 60 million barrels of crude from their strategic stockpiles to help avert a severe fuel shortage in the United States.

The U.S. refinery system was struggling to recover from Hurricane Katrina. Two storm-shuttered facilities restarted and flows of crude oil improved enough to allow refineries in the Gulf Coast and Midwest to ramp up production. But four damaged Gulf Coast refiners look likely to remain shut for weeks or even months, taking with them more than 5 percent of U.S. capacity. 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.

Grim Outlook for 4 Gulf Coast Refineries

MSN Money: Grim Outlook for 4 Gulf Coast Refineries

“Motiva Enterprises has begun to restart its 235,000 barrel a day Convent, La., refinery. Motiva is a joint venture of Royal Dutch Shell PLC and state-owned Saudi Arabian Oil Co.

Monday 5 Sept 2005

NEW YORK (AP) – The U.S. refinery system struggled back Sunday from Hurricane Katrina, with two storm-shuttered facilities restarting and flows of crude oil improving enough to allow refineries in the Gulf Coast and Midwest to ramp up production.

But four damaged Gulf Coast refiners look likely to remain shut for weeks or even months, taking with them more than 5 percent of U.S. capacity.

Hurricane Katrina has pinched U.S. fuel supply, causing spot shortages and price spikes throughout the country. The storm shut eight major refineries and caused 12 others to run at reduced rates when their crude-oil supplies were cut. 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 Motiva Urge Americans to Practice Fuel Conservation Following Hurricane Katrina

Yahoo News: Shell and Motiva Urge Americans to Practice Fuel Conservation Following Hurricane Katrina

Monday September 5, 2005

10 Easy Ways to Conserve Fuel

HOUSTON, Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ — In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the nation’s oil and gas companies are working around the clock to bring impacted refineries and distribution terminals on line to maintain a steady supply of gasoline across the U.S. and, in particular, to those areas that sustained the greatest damage. Shell and Motiva are committed to delivering a consistent supply of fuel to motorists across the country, and we are closely managing the process to help achieve that goal. However, we also support recent calls made by President Bush and other national, state and local government officials in asking Americans to practice fuel conservation during the coming weeks. Here are 10 easy tips to help conserve fuel: 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.

Mobile Register, ALABAMA: Shell Oil gears up alternate sources

Mobile Register, ALABAMA: Shell Oil gears up alternate sources

“Shell Oil is ramping up production from natural gas wells around Mobile Bay and along the south Texas coast in an effort to offset major losses from the rich fields off Louisiana, according to company officials.”

Monday, September 05, 2005

By BEN RAINES

Staff Reporter

Shell Oil is ramping up production from natural gas wells around Mobile Bay and along the south Texas coast in an effort to offset major losses from the rich fields off Louisiana, according to company officials.

But given the relatively small sprinkling of rigs off Alabama, and even fewer off the south Texas coast, it’s uncertain whether the effort would significantly ease a tightening supply.

About 89 percent of the Gulf’s daily oil production has been lost, and 79 percent of the natural gas output, according to the U.S. Minerals Management Service. Rigs off Alabama account for about 6 percent of the Gulf of Mexico’s offshore natural gas production, according to the latest statistics released by the U.S. Department of Energy. 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.

Insurers face $40bn claims after Katrina

The Observer: Insurers face $40bn claims after Katrina

“Last week Shell increased prices for unleaded petrol from 90.6p a litre to 93.2p, while diesel prices went from 94.5p to 96.1p. A spokeswoman said that the Anglo-Dutch company, which has made record profits from the soaring crude price this year, has made losses in every quarter on petrol sales.”:

Sunday September 4, 2005

Huge premium hike for British firms · Petrol price to hit £1 a litre this week

Richard Wachman and Oliver Morgan

BRITISH and American insurance industries face claims topping $40 billion following the devastation in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The figure, leaked to The Observer by sources within the Lloyds of London insurance market, is similar to the hit taken by companies following the terrorist attacks in September 2001. As a consequence, businesses face huge hikes in insurance premiums. 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.

£1 litre looms as US oil firms target European fuel supplies

The Sunday Times: £1 litre looms as US oil firms target European fuel supplies

“Aerial photographs of Shell’s Mars platform, which produces 220,000 barrels of crude per day, showed collapsed equipment on its deck.”

Sunday 4 September 2005

By Carl Mortished, International Business Editor

THE economic damage from Hurricane Katrina will soon be felt in Britain with petrol prices possibly soaring as high as £1 per litre.

Flood-damaged American oil companies are expected to turn to European refineries for alternative supplies of road fuel, forcing up the price of petrol and diesel in Britain.

Concern that a tenth of America’s refining capacity lies under water sent the wholesale price of petrol rocketing on the NYMEX futures exchange in New York and yesterday shock waves raced across the Atlantic and buffeted Rotterdam. 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.

Big oil groups prime pumps for £1 a litre

The Sunday Times: Big oil groups prime pumps for £1 a litre

“THE oil giants Royal Dutch Shell and BP are to spend millions upgrading their petrol pumps and station forecourts to allow them to charge higher prices. The companies, which last year reported combined pre-tax profits of £30 billion, are set to raise their prices…”

Sunday September 04, 2005

Dan Box and Dominic Rushe

THE oil giants Royal Dutch Shell and BP are to spend millions upgrading their petrol pumps and station forecourts to allow them to charge higher prices.

The companies, which last year reported combined pre-tax profits of £30 billion, are set to raise their prices, with a litre of unleaded petrol threatening to exceed £1 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Industry sources estimate that up to 70% of the country’s pumps are unable to display figures higher than 99.99p a litre. Retailers said the wholesale price of petrol charged by their suppliers rose last week and more increases are on the way, making £1 a litre inevitable. 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.

The real looters

International Herald Tribune: The real looters

“In the midst of this charity, big oil looted America. The pumps instantly shot past $3 a gallon, with $4 a gallon well in sight. In a thinly disguised attempt to act as if it cared about the people wading in the water, Chevron has pledged $5 million to relief efforts. ExxonMobil and Shell have pledged $2 million apiece. British Petroleum and Citgo have pledged $1 million each.”: “This is nothing next to their wealth.”: “It is not pleasant to see anyone loot a store. But big oil is looting America, and no one is declaring martial law on them.”

Saturday 3 September 2005

Derrick Z. Jackson The Boston Globe

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2005

BOSTON President George W. Bush told the television network ABC on Thursday, “there ought to be zero tolerance of people breaking the law during an emergency such as this, whether it be looting or price-gouging at the gasoline pump or taking advantage of charitable giving or insurance fraud.”

Zero tolerance is meaningless when the White House lets the biggest looters of Hurricane Katrina walk off with billions of dollars. 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 Partners With Houston Food Bank and American Red Cross to Help Victims of Hurricane Katrina

PR Newswire: Shell Partners With Houston Food Bank and American Red Cross to Help Victims of Hurricane Katrina

Posted Saturday 3 Sept 2005

HOUSTON, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ — Shell is partnering with the Houston Food Bank and the American Red Cross to conduct a food drive to provide relief for the tens of thousands of people using Houston as their refuge from the aftermath of Katrina.

“The devastation from Hurricane Katrina is unimaginable. The needs are great, and this food drive will provide a chance for Shell and Houstonians alike, to demonstrate their heartfelt desire to make a difference in these people’s lives,” stated John Hofmeister, President, Shell Oil Company. “Shell wants to help these folks get back on their feet and we are committed to doing that through this food drive and other community initiatives,” Hofmeister continued. 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.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Gas Prices Surge as Supply Drops

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Gas Prices Surge as Supply Drops

“The Mars platform of Royal Dutch Shell – which alone accounts for 15 percent of the gulf’s oil production – is “severely damaged,” the Coast Guard said in a release.”

By JAD MOUAWAD and SIMON ROMERO

Published: September 1, 2005

For the first time since the 1970’s, gasoline lines reappeared yesterday in some corners of the country.

Three days after Hurricane Katrina dealt a devastating blow to the nation’s largest energy hub, the worst-case possibility was quickly becoming a reality: gasoline prices surging well above $3 a gallon, with some consumers complaining of price gouging; service stations in a handful of locations running out of gas; drivers rushing to fill their tanks, only to find themselves waiting in line with others. 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.

Pricing pressure builds as oil majors count the cost of Katrina

Financial Times: Pricing pressure builds as oil majors count the cost of Katrina

“The Mars platform, one of the Gulf’s biggest producers of oil and gas, has sustained some damage, Royal Dutch Shell, the operator, said. But not only production wells have been affected. Exploration rigs, of which there are almost no spares available worldwide because of surging demand from oil companies keen to cash in on the high oil prices, were also within the path of Katrina.”

By Carola Hoyos in London, Sheila McNulty in Houston and Victor,Mallet in Jakarta

Published: August 31 2005

As the oil industry yesterday assessed damage done by Hurricane Katrina to rigs, pipelines and refineries in the Gulf of Mexico, pressure continued to build on oil and gas prices.

“At some point the relentless drumbeat of news driving oil and gas prices higher is sure to stop, but we gave up holding our breath about two years ago,” said Ken Sill, head of CSFB’s oilfield services and equipment research group. “Katrina is just another example of how life interferes with plans and projections in the energy complex – uncertainty remains a constant.” 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 U.S. Capline Oil Pipeline Shut After Hurricane

BLOOMBERG: Shell U.S. Capline Oil Pipeline Shut After Hurricane

“The Capline pipeline transports up to 1.2 million barrels a day of crude oil from the Gulf of Mexico and imported from overseas. It runs more than 650 miles (1,040 kilometers) from St, James, Louisiana to Patoka, Illinois, according to Shell.”

Wednesday 31 August 2005

Aug. 31 (Bloomberg) — Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Europe’s second-biggest oil company, said its Capline crude oil pipeline connected to Gulf of Mexico offshore production was shut because of power failures after Hurricane Katrina swept through the area.

“The Shell-operated Capline Pipeline system did not incur damage from Hurricane Katrina, but is currently down due to multiple pump stations that are without power,” Shell said in a statement on its Web site dated yesterday. 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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