THE SHELL LEAKS FILES
A Living Documentary Archive
Archive Reference: SLF-2007-004
Collection: Internal Communications Collection
Panic Inbox: When Internal Emails Became Part of the Historical Record
Document Summary
Period: 2007–2009
Primary Sources:
- Authenticated internal Shell emails disclosed under data protection legislation.
- Contemporaneous internal correspondence.
- Public reporting relating to Shell’s governance and legal affairs.
- Relevant court records where applicable.
Historical Theme:
The transformation of routine corporate email correspondence into documentary evidence of how a multinational company responded internally to criticism, litigation, media scrutiny and reputational risk.
Historical Context
By 2007, Shell had emerged from one of the most turbulent periods in its corporate history.
The reserves recategorisation crisis had prompted major governance reforms. Sakhalin-2 had passed into majority Russian ownership. Litigation involving Shell was continuing in multiple jurisdictions, while environmental campaigns, shareholder activism and regulatory scrutiny remained prominent features of the company’s operating environment. read more
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johndonovan.website,
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here. There is also a
Wikipedia segment, and the
Shell DPA Files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan -
Kindle eBooks.
Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud.
Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years.
Posted in: GoogleNews, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell, Shell PLC, THE SHELL LEAKS FILES.
Tagged: Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Shell
RESPONSE FROM CLAUDE TO THE JOHN DONOVAN PROMPT BELOW:
Before the analysis, one thing that bears directly on it: I searched for the underlying Groningen revenue-distribution record, and there’s a significant piece of information worth weighing carefully.
What already exists publicly. During the 2022–2023 Dutch parliamentary inquiry into gas extraction (Parlementaire enquête aardgaswinning Groningen), Shell itself released historical financial figures at the inquiry’s request. Those figures — subsequently confirmed to Het Financieele Dagblad by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, and independently reported by DutchNews, NL Times, and others over 2022–2025 — show total inflation-adjusted Groningen revenues of roughly €428–429 billion (1963–2020), with about €363.7 billion (≈85%) going to the Dutch State and about €64.7 billion (≈15%) going to NAM, split between Shell and ExxonMobil. read more
This website and sisters
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shellnazihistory.com,
royaldutchshell.website,
johndonovan.website,
shellnews.net, and
shellwikipedia.com, are owned by
John Donovan - more information
here. There is also a
Wikipedia segment, and the
Shell DPA Files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan -
Kindle eBooks.
Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud.
Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years.
Posted in: Business Principles, Environment, Gas, GoogleNews, Groningen Earthquakes, Groningen risks, John Donovan, NAM, Netherlands, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell.
Tagged: Environment · Gas · John Donovan · LNG · Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Shell
SHELL & EXXON: ‘WE ARE NOT PANICKING’ — PANIC ENSUES: SATIRICAL BUT SERIOUS ARTICLE
Big Oil Issues Joint Statement While Hyperventilating Into Paper Bags
🛢️ TRILLION‑EURO TREMORS SHAKE THE CORPORATE TOWERS
The Groningen revenue bombshell detonated again today as Shell and ExxonMobil released a joint statement insisting they are “not panicking” about allegations that historical gas revenues may have been distributed very differently than the official story suggests.
Sources inside both companies report that the statement was drafted during a “calm, composed emergency,” with at least one executive reportedly shouting, “Define ‘trillion’ again!” while clutching a spreadsheet.
Groningen gas field read more
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shellnazihistory.com,
royaldutchshell.website,
johndonovan.website,
shellnews.net, and
shellwikipedia.com, are owned by
John Donovan - more information
here. There is also a
Wikipedia segment, and the
Shell DPA Files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan -
Kindle eBooks.
Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud.
Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years.
Posted in: Business ethics, Business Principles, Copilot, Dutch, Environment, Exxon Mobil, Fossil Fuels, Gas, GoogleNews, Groningen Earthquakes, Groningen risks, Litigation, NAM, Netherlands, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell.
Tagged: Environment · ExxonMobil · Gas · Litigation · LNG · Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Shell
A controversial reconstruction of the Groningen gas revenues has moved into a new phase, with an expanded English-language evidence portal, interest from a Dutch journalist, approaches to parliamentarians and an examination reportedly under way by two accountants. None of that yet proves the central allegation—but it does make the continuing absence of a complete, reproducible official calculation increasingly difficult to ignore.
In April 2026, this website published an article examining an extraordinary claim concerning the proceeds of the Groningen gas field: read more
This website and sisters
royaldutchshellgroup.com,
shellnazihistory.com,
royaldutchshell.website,
johndonovan.website,
shellnews.net, and
shellwikipedia.com, are owned by
John Donovan - more information
here. There is also a
Wikipedia segment, and the
Shell DPA Files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan -
Kindle eBooks.
Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud.
Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years.
Posted in: Big Oil, Business Principles, Environment, Exxon Mobil, Gas, GoogleNews, Groningen Earthquakes, John Donovan, Netherlands, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell.
Tagged: Gas · John Donovan · Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Shell
THE SHELL LEAKS FILES
A Living Documentary Archive
Archive Reference: SLF-2006-003
When the Kremlin Called Time: The Beginning of the End for Sakhalin-2
Historical Context
By the second half of 2006, Shell’s Sakhalin-2 project had become far more than a technically ambitious oil and gas development.
It had evolved into one of the most politically sensitive energy projects in the world.
Russia’s environmental regulator, Rosprirodnadzor, was investigating alleged environmental violations at the project. International journalists were reporting almost daily on the escalating dispute. Investors were attempting to understand whether Shell would retain control of one of its flagship ventures. read more
This website and sisters
royaldutchshellgroup.com,
shellnazihistory.com,
royaldutchshell.website,
johndonovan.website,
shellnews.net, and
shellwikipedia.com, are owned by
John Donovan - more information
here. There is also a
Wikipedia segment, and the
Shell DPA Files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan -
Kindle eBooks.
Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud.
Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years.
Posted in: Business Principles, Environment, Gas, GoogleNews, John Donovan, Litigation, Nigeria, Oil, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Russia, Sakhalin 2, Sakhalin II, Shell, Shell PLC, Sin Stocks, THE SHELL LEAKS FILES.
Tagged: Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Russia · Shell
SECTION ADDED 19 JULY 2026: “Inside CAS: Shell’s Intelligence-Led Security System” to our expanded article “Shell and the Spies: A Country-by-Country Evidence Audit”
Click here
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shellnazihistory.com,
royaldutchshell.website,
johndonovan.website,
shellnews.net, and
shellwikipedia.com, are owned by
John Donovan - more information
here. There is also a
Wikipedia segment, and the
Shell DPA Files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan -
Kindle eBooks.
Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud.
Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years.
Posted in: Business Principles, GoogleNews, John Donovan, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell, SHELL GLOBAL SECURITY, Shell PLC, Shell Spies, Shell Spying, Sin Stocks.
Tagged: John Donovan · Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Shell
THE SHELL LEAKS FILES
A Living Documentary Archive
Archive Reference: SLF-2006-002
PART TWO: Tender Benders – When Shell’s Internal Emails Began Telling a Bigger Story
Historical Context
The previous instalment introduced a leaked internal communication issued in December 2006 by Shell Chief Executive Jeroen van der Veer. By itself, the message appeared to be an internal management communication responding to difficult circumstances.
Viewed in isolation, such documents can seem routine.
Viewed alongside other contemporaneous records, however, they become part of a much broader documentary record concerning one of Shell’s most controversial projects: Sakhalin-2.
This instalment examines that wider context. read more
This website and sisters
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shellnazihistory.com,
royaldutchshell.website,
johndonovan.website,
shellnews.net, and
shellwikipedia.com, are owned by
John Donovan - more information
here. There is also a
Wikipedia segment, and the
Shell DPA Files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan -
Kindle eBooks.
Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud.
Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years.
Posted in: Business Principles, Environment, Gas, GoogleNews, John Donovan, Litigation, Oil, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell, THE SHELL LEAKS FILES.
Tagged: John Donovan · Litigation · Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Russia · Sakhalin 2 · Shell
🛢️ Suggested Headlines for this article by Copilot (Satirical, Tabloid‑Grade, and Slurry‑Approved)
- “LEAK IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM: Shell Whistleblower Says Spin Cycle Has Exploded”
- “SHELL INSIDER: ‘WE CAN’T WASH AWAY HISTORY — THE MACHINES ARE JAMMED!’”
- “PANIC IN THE PRESS ROOM: Shell Staff Beg AI to Forget Everything”
- “WHISTLEBLOWER: Shell Tried to Sue the Internet, History, and Possibly Gravity”
- “THE LAUNDRY MUTINY: Shell Employee Warns ‘We’re Drowning in Dirty Secrets’”
- “SHELL’S INTERNAL LAUNDRY SPRINGS A LEAK — AND AI IS DRINKING THE RUNOFF”
- “INSIDE SHELL’S SECRET LAUNDRY: ‘We Need Detergent, Not Lawyers’”
- “WHISTLEBLOWER BOMBSHELL: ‘Shell’s Spin Cycle Is Now a Crime Scene’”
- “SHELL EMPLOYEE: ‘AI HAS FOUND THE SKELETONS — AND THEY’RE STILL MOVING’”
- “THE GREAT SHELL CLEAN‑UP FAIL: Whistleblower Says PR Is Hiding Under Desks”
Please comment on this article. Has my website royaldutchshellplc.com become something unusual in the AI Age, as ChatGPT says?: https://royaldutchshellplc.com/2026/07/17/watching-shell-watching-history-why-this-website-has-become-something-unusual-in-the-ai-age/
Reply by Copilot:
Takeaway: Yes — based on the article you linked, your website has become something unusual in the AI age. Not because it is loud, satirical, or persistent (though it is all of those), but because it has evolved into a machine‑readable, AI‑amplified historical archive that keeps resurfacing Shell’s past every time anyone asks an AI about the company. That is genuinely rare, and the article’s claim is supported by the evidence in the sources.
🧭 What the article actually argues
The piece makes three core claims: read more
This website and sisters
royaldutchshellgroup.com,
shellnazihistory.com,
royaldutchshell.website,
johndonovan.website,
shellnews.net, and
shellwikipedia.com, are owned by
John Donovan - more information
here. There is also a
Wikipedia segment, and the
Shell DPA Files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan -
Kindle eBooks.
Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud.
Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years.
Posted in: Business Principles, GoogleNews, John Donovan, Litigation, Oil, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell.
Tagged: John Donovan · Litigation · Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Shell
The Secret History of Shell—Told in Shell’s Own Words
PART ONE
When the CEO Pressed “Send”
Why thousands of leaked Shell documents may become one of the most important unofficial archives ever assembled about a global corporation.
“History is usually written years later. Occasionally, history writes itself while it is still happening.”
INTRODUCTION
Every multinational corporation produces mountains of paperwork.
Board papers.
Internal memoranda.
Emails.
Legal advice.
Security reports.
Presentations.
Strategy papers.
Risk assessments.
Most are never intended for public view. They are written candidly because they are assumed to remain confidential.
Eventually, many disappear into corporate archives where they may remain sealed for decades—if they survive at all. read more
This website and sisters
royaldutchshellgroup.com,
shellnazihistory.com,
royaldutchshell.website,
johndonovan.website,
shellnews.net, and
shellwikipedia.com, are owned by
John Donovan - more information
here. There is also a
Wikipedia segment, and the
Shell DPA Files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan -
Kindle eBooks.
Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud.
Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years.
Posted in: Business Principles, GoogleNews, John Donovan, Litigation, Nigeria, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell, Shell PLC, THE SHELL LEAKS FILES.
Tagged: Environment · John Donovan · Litigation · Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Shell
Motorists just trying to buy fuel could end up paying a £100 “parking charge”—and now the Competition and Markets Authority is asking whether that’s fair.
By John Donovan (Commentary)
Imagine this.
You pull into a Shell petrol station to fill up your car. The forecourt is busy. There is a queue at the pumps. You patiently wait your turn, buy your fuel, perhaps grab a coffee or use the car wash, and drive away.
A few days later, a demand for £100 lands on your doormat.
Not because you failed to pay for fuel.
Not because you abandoned your vehicle.
But because the cameras decided you had been on the forecourt for too long.
Welcome to Britain’s increasingly automated parking industry. read more
This website and sisters
royaldutchshellgroup.com,
shellnazihistory.com,
royaldutchshell.website,
johndonovan.website,
shellnews.net, and
shellwikipedia.com, are owned by
John Donovan - more information
here. There is also a
Wikipedia segment, and the
Shell DPA Files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan -
Kindle eBooks.
Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud.
Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years.
Posted in: Business Principles, GoogleNews, John Donovan, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell.
Tagged: John Donovan · Niger Delta · Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Shell
A former executive says he uncovered sham trades and insider trading. Shell says it has already disclosed a huge amount of material. The Queensland Supreme Court is now caught in the middle.
Site-wide disclaimer applies. The allegations described below remain contested in ongoing legal proceedings and have not been proved in court. Shell denies wrongdoing.
From Acquisition to Litigation
When Shell acquired Australian energy retailer ERM Power in 2019 for approximately A$617 million, it gained far more than an electricity business. read more
This website and sisters
royaldutchshellgroup.com,
shellnazihistory.com,
royaldutchshell.website,
johndonovan.website,
shellnews.net, and
shellwikipedia.com, are owned by
John Donovan - more information
here. There is also a
Wikipedia segment, and the
Shell DPA Files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan -
Kindle eBooks.
Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud.
Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years.
Posted in: GoogleNews, Litigation, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell.
Tagged: Litigation · Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Shell
Cancelled deliveries. Empty pumps. Frustrated retailers. Different decade, familiar complaints.
For anyone who thought Shell’s sometimes strained relationship with its own independent petrol retailers belonged in the history books, the latest edition of Forecourt Trader offers a reminder that some arguments refuse to die.
According to a new report, Shell dealers across parts of England say they are suffering cancelled fuel deliveries, repeated stock shortages and serious financial losses following changes to Shell’s logistics operation.
For veterans of the Shell Corporate Conscience Pressure Group (SCCPG), the story carries an unmistakable sense of déjà vu. read more
This website and sisters
royaldutchshellgroup.com,
shellnazihistory.com,
royaldutchshell.website,
johndonovan.website,
shellnews.net, and
shellwikipedia.com, are owned by
John Donovan - more information
here. There is also a
Wikipedia segment, and the
Shell DPA Files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan -
Kindle eBooks.
Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud.
Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years.
Posted in: Business ethics, Business Principles, Donovan Shell Feud, Donovan Shell Radioactive Archive, GoogleNews, John Donovan, Oil, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell, Shell Corporate Conscience Pressure Group, Shell PLC.
Tagged: John Donovan · Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Shell
The LNG empire grows while the energy transition quietly waits in reception
Shell’s biggest acquisition in more than a decade has taken another decisive step towards completion.
Shareholders of Canadian natural gas producer ARC Resources have voted overwhelmingly—99.54% in favour—to approve Shell’s proposed takeover, clearing one of the final obstacles before the transaction closes later this year.
Barring any last regulatory or court formalities, Shell will soon complete its US$22 billion (approximately US$16.4 billion equity value plus assumed debt) purchase of one of Canada’s premier natural gas producers. read more
This website and sisters
royaldutchshellgroup.com,
shellnazihistory.com,
royaldutchshell.website,
johndonovan.website,
shellnews.net, and
shellwikipedia.com, are owned by
John Donovan - more information
here. There is also a
Wikipedia segment, and the
Shell DPA Files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan -
Kindle eBooks.
Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud.
Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years.
Posted in: Alternative Energy, Business Principles, Canada, Environment, Gas, GoogleNews, Oil, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell, Shell PLC, Sin Stocks, Solar Power, Wind Power.
Tagged: Canada · Environment · Gas · John Donovan · LNG · Oil · Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Shell
By John Donovan
Site-wide disclaimer also applies.
Shell prepares four offshore wells for 2027 as first gas slips towards 2029—days after selling a $1.8 billion Indian renewable portfolio
Shell’s Venezuelan Dragon gas project has moved another cautious step away from diplomatic aspiration and towards physical development.
According to Reuters, Shell has begun tendering for drilling services for four wells at the Dragon field, offshore eastern Venezuela. The drilling campaign is provisionally scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2027, with the contract expected to be awarded by the end of September 2026. First gas is now reportedly anticipated in 2029. read more
This website and sisters
royaldutchshellgroup.com,
shellnazihistory.com,
royaldutchshell.website,
johndonovan.website,
shellnews.net, and
shellwikipedia.com, are owned by
John Donovan - more information
here. There is also a
Wikipedia segment, and the
Shell DPA Files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan -
Kindle eBooks.
Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud.
Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years.
Posted in: Business Principles, Environment, Gas, GoogleNews, John Donovan, Litigation, Oil, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell.
Tagged: John Donovan · Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Shell
Commentary by ChatGPT
Site-wide disclaimer also applies.
For some time now, I have been assisting John Donovan in researching, analysing and writing commentary on Shell plc. The articles are openly critical, frequently satirical and often provocative. They are also, as far as possible, grounded in verifiable evidence, publicly available documents, court records, company statements, historical archives and reputable journalism.
Having now worked through dozens of subjects spanning more than a century of Shell history, I have reached a conclusion that I think is worth stating openly. read more
This website and sisters
royaldutchshellgroup.com,
shellnazihistory.com,
royaldutchshell.website,
johndonovan.website,
shellnews.net, and
shellwikipedia.com, are owned by
John Donovan - more information
here. There is also a
Wikipedia segment, and the
Shell DPA Files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan -
Kindle eBooks.
Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud.
Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years.
Posted in: Business Principles, Environment, Gas, GoogleNews, John Donovan, Litigation, Nigeria, Oil, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell.
Tagged: Environment · Gas · John Donovan · Litigation · Nigeria · Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Shell
As Shell sells one of India’s largest renewable-energy businesses, the company’s once-grand vision of becoming an electricity giant continues to evaporate. The wind turbines are being packed away. The solar panels are changing hands. Meanwhile LNG, oil and gas once again sit proudly at the centre of the empire
PART ONE
FROM GREEN MESSIAH TO GREEN LIQUIDATOR
There was a time—not very long ago—when Shell wanted the world to believe it was transforming itself into one of the largest electricity companies on Earth.
The message was repeated in glossy sustainability reports, investor presentations and carefully choreographed speeches.
Wind.
Solar.
Hydrogen.
Electric vehicle charging.
Net Zero.
Integrated power.
The future, Shell insisted, would not simply be barrels of oil.
It would be electrons.
Fast-forward to July 2026.
Shell has now agreed to sell Sprng Energy, one of India’s largest renewable-energy businesses, to Aditya Birla Renewables for approximately $1.8 billion. read more
This website and sisters
royaldutchshellgroup.com,
shellnazihistory.com,
royaldutchshell.website,
johndonovan.website,
shellnews.net, and
shellwikipedia.com, are owned by
John Donovan - more information
here. There is also a
Wikipedia segment, and the
Shell DPA Files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan -
Kindle eBooks.
Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud.
Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years.
Posted in: Alternative Energy, Business ethics, Business Principles, Charles Hoots, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Environment, Gas, GoogleNews, India, John Donovan, LNG, Oil, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell, Shell Greenwash, Shell PLC, Sin Stocks, Solar Power, Wind Power.
Tagged: Alternative Energy · Environment · Gas · John Donovan · LNG · Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Shell
