CASE STUDY - Shell

Question 1

How many barrels of oil does Shell produce per day?

Answer 1

3.7 million barrels!

Question 2

Shell is a vertically integrated company - What does this mean?

Answer 2

They operate on all levels of the supply chain from extraction to refining to the end sale.

Question 3

Give a fact to show TNCs as a tech leader

Answer 3

Shell = first company to purchase and use a computer in the Netherlands.

Question 4

What was Shell’s reported profit in 2023?

Answer 4

$28.2bn
Down from 2022 total.

Question 5

Give 2 positive impacts of Shell in Nigeria

Answer 5

Nigeria has control over energy sources due to TNC/Government joint ventures.

Source of employment - crucial in growing population.

Question 6

Give 3 negative impacts of Shell in Nigeria

Answer 6

Lots of wealth leaked due to the ‘resource curse’.

Bunkering - oil theft.

TNC could choose to leave - threaten jobs and energy security!

Question 7

What evidence suggests an unsustainable future?

Answer 7

Flaring - burning of gasses - environmental concerns.

oil spills destroy wetlands.

Question 8

Negative impacts on human welfare? (2x)

Answer 8

tribal groups miss out on socio-economic benefits increasing social inequalities.

local farm land, water supplies, atmosphere polluted.

Question 9

How much did Shell have to compensate the Ogoni people?

Answer 9

£55 million - environmental problems persist.

Question 10

Why has violence erupted?

Answer 10

Locals + aggressive native groups unhappy with Shell’s environmental impacts + wealth over human welfare.
Pipelines broken, staff attacked…

Question 11

Why have tensions of late decreased?

Answer 11

Government pardon on the MEND group (a network of militias attacking oil fields.)