Shell’s resiliency and growth plan tested

摘要

London—“Grow to simplify” is Shell’s mantra for its merger with BG, a deal which Shell CEO Ben van Beurden expects to complete in the first quarter of 2016, on the basis of 70% equity and 30% cash, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. Growth for Shell will be delivered by the acquisition of BG’s assets; it is the simplification part that has more bearing on the likely fall-out. The sharp drop in the oil price since summer 2014 has already put in train a process of rationalization and cost cutting at the Anglo-Dutch major.