Shell comments on dismissal of Dutch investigation into OPL 245

Shell plc today made the following statement after the Dutch Public Prosecutor’s office announced it had dismissed its investigation into bribery allegations related to Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245 in Nigeria.

“We welcome today’s decision, which marks an end to the criminal investigation in The Netherlands. It follows the Milan Public Prosecutor’s appeal withdrawal earlier this week, which ended all criminal proceedings and confirmed the Milan Tribunal’s decision to acquit Shell and four of our former employees in March 2021.

“The Milan Public Prosecutor acknowledged that there was no evidence of a corrupt agreement or corrupt payments, that this case should end because it has no foundations, and that the defendants have the right to see the end of criminal proceedings, having endured seven years of suffering.

“Today’s dismissal underscores what we have long maintained – that there was no case to answer for Shell or its former employees regarding the 2011 OPL 245 settlement, and that this case should have never been brought.”

Notes to editors:

• The Tribunal of Milan in Italy acquitted Shell and four of its former employees of charges related to the OPL 245 block in Nigeria on March 17, 2021. The Milan Public Prosecutor then withdrew its appeal against Shell and its former employees on July 19, 2022. Additional background on the proceedings can be found here.