The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell), has completed the assignment of its 30% interest in Oil Mining Lease 24 (OML24) and related facilities in the Eastern Niger Delta to Newcross Exploration and Production Limited (Newcross). Total cash proceeds for Shell amount to some $600 million.

This divestment is part of the strategic review of SPDC’s onshore portfolio and is in line with the Federal Government of Nigeria’s aim of developing Nigerian companies in the country’s upstream oil and gas business.

Shell has been in Nigeria for more than 50 years and remains committed to keeping a long-term presence there, both onshore and offshore. Through SPDC and its other Nigerian companies, Shell responsibly produces the oil and gas needed to fuel the economic and industrial growth that generates wealth for the nation and jobs for Nigerians.

OML24 covers an area of some 430 square kilometres and includes the Awoba, Awoba Northwest and Ekulama fields and related facilities. The divested infrastructure includes three oil flow-stations and three gas processing plants, in addition to various oil and gas pipelines. The divested fields produced on average around 13,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (100%) during the first half of 2014.

Total E&P Nigeria Limited (10%) and Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (5%) have also assigned their interests in the lease, ultimately giving Newcross a 45% interest.

All approvals have been received from the relevant authorities of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

About SPD

SPDC is the operator of a joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (55%), SPDC (30%), Total E&P Nigeria Limited (10%) and Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (5%). Newcross Exploration and Production Limited is a wholly owned Nigerian company.

About Royal Dutch Shell plc

Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 70 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied natural gas and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects.

About Newcross Petroleum Limited

Newcross Petroleum Limited (NPL), is an emerging indigenous oil and gas exploration and production company based in Nigeria. With primary focus in the upstream sector of the industry, the organization has a good understanding of the African operating environment which it has developed from its current operations in Sub-saharan Africa, and its activity in the Niger Delta Petroleum Province.