There's life in CB Energy BriefsThursday, 12 November 2015 IN...

There's life in CB

Energy BriefsThursday, 12 November 2015


IN TODAY’S Energy Briefs:Costello linked to for Shell-BG deal; Argentinian court orders Chevron disclosure; Gas2Grid appeals French decision; Tamaska’s shortfall; Sun movements; Namibia permit renewed; Azonto increase; Pan Pac on the hunt; and National Grid for sale.





Royal Dutch Shell




Shell’s struggle to obtain approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for its $98 billion takeover of BG Group, which has the regulator concerned over the impact on east coast CSG markets, has drawn in an unexpected player: former Australian treasurer Peter Costello.




The Australian Financial Review this morning reported that the man who put the kybosh on Shell’s attempt for control of Woodside Petroleum in 2001, because it was not in the national interest, is now an advisor to Shell at a time it is attempting to dominate the Queensland CSG fields.




Melbourne-based boutique advisory outfit ECG Financial, where Costello is a founder, has been working for Shell for the past four years, and while it is not directly involved in the merger deal, it is an advisor to Shell Australia chair Andrew Smith, providing corporate and communications advice.




Shell is lobbying Canberra for permission to get the BG deal over the line. It also needs Chinese approval.