25/03/2004

Shell signs deal to re-enter Libya

Shell has signed a strategic deal with Libya's state-owned oil company to re-enter the Libyian oil exploration market.

The landmark agreement between Shell and the National Oil Corporation of Libya coincided with a visit today to Tripoli by British Prime Minister Tony Bair who met with Libyan leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

Signed in Tripoli by Abdalla S El Badri, Chairman of the Management Committee of the National Oil Corporation, and Malcolm Brinded, Chief Executive Officer of Shell Exploration & Production and Shell Gas & Power the "preliminary understanding" will see further negotiations on specific "upstream" projects including onshore exploration, and the development of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities.

Mr Brinded said: “I am delighted by the warm invitation to Shell from the Libyan National Oil Corporation to participate in the country’s oil and gas industry. I look forward to our cooperation becoming a cornerstone in a renewed trade relationship between the UK and Libya.

"Today’s landmark agreement provides a roadmap for future developments, which would involve Shell contributing to the efforts to enhance the country’s production capabilities, and particularly its LNG export capacity.”

Shell will continue negotiations on specific projects in Libya during the course of 2004.

Shell has been under severe pressure lately as reserves have been downgraded and shares have fallen on the revised statement of reserves.

The Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies was active in the Libyan market from the 1950s until 1974, though exploration continued until the late 1980s.

(SP)

Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

07 February 2006
BP profits record on high oil prices
BP has reported a 25% increase in profits for the year mainly due to the rise in crude oil prices. The oil giant reported a receord replacement cost profit for the year was $19.3 billion (£11.0bn) compared with $15.4billion (£8.7bn) in 2004.
24 March 2004
'Brenda' North Sea oil find 'significant', says oil company
A Canadian-based oil exploration firm have announced that test drilling at 'Brenda' in the North Sea has revealed a "significant" find. Analysis of the flow from the Paleocene Forties sandstone in the Outer Moray Forth during production testing operations produced no water or sand during the test period, said Oilexco.
10 June 2002
UK manufacturing goods price rise
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have said that goods manufactured in the UK fetched slightly higher prices in May. The ONS said the price of goods leaving factory gates rose by 0.3% in May thanks to increases in tobacco, petroleum and other manufactured goods prices, however the annual rate fell to just 0.1%.
01 March 2011
Corrib Gas Line Approved In Dáil's Last Gasp
A highly controversial document of consent has been signed on the last day of the term in office of the last Minister for Energy.
02 August 2001
Shell posts record $7.4 bn profit for first half of year
Royal Dutch/Shell has announced record £7.4 billion (£5.2 billion) profits for the first half of the year, the figures revealing a jump in profits of 15 per cent on last year’s results.