Royal Dutch Shell plc (ADR) (RDS.A) Found Its Shale Pearl in China

After more than 100 years later, Royal Dutch Shell plc (ADR) (NYSE:RDS.A) hasn’t lost interest in its Asian partner, as can be inferred from an interview on CNBC with Simon Henry, the CFO of the company. The leading petroleum and oil company announced it’s interest in shale gases in the inland China and will taking advantage of many projects already in the ongoing phase. It’s also possible that products attained from the cooperation with local firms will head towards the exporting sector.

Royal Dutch Shell plc (ADR) (NYSE:RDS.A) was established in 1907 after Royal Dutch and Shell Transport merged, and has been on the Chinese soil since 1894 by parts and since 1903 under the joint marketing company The Asiatic Petroleum Company (APC). It’s expansion was rapid through the years, thus by the beginning of World War II, the company was already present in 20 provinces with about 1,000 outlets and 50 subsidiaries.

Currently, the company operates about 700 filling stations, 12 bitumen, and 2 asphalt production bases in China. Also, it invested $4.1 billion in Nanhai petrochemicals joint venture with China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) in 2006. Earlier this year, Royal Dutch Shell plc (ADR) (NYSE:RDS.A) opened its first research center in China, establishing the Shanghai facility as the company’s third unit dedicated to lubricants and oils. However, their intentions cannot be summarized by the short listing presented above. The company still plans exploring new territories and opportunities.

“We are seeking to invest more and focus here, in China, investing in shale gas opportunities in Sichuan province in addition to gas we already produce further north and also exploring in the gas or oil with CNOOC offshore in the Pearl river delta […],” said Simon Henry.

Royal Dutch Shell plc (ADR) (NYSE:RDS.A)’s stock price had a good run this year, but it’s facing some difficulties getting back on its feet. It sells at little more than $77.5 and doesn’t look to be close to a rebound. However, it might slowly crawl back up. With a market capitalization close to $260 billion, Royal Dutch Shell plc (ADR) (NYSE:RDS.A) will have to come up with a whole set on new features. Possibly, the price for oil will jump back again, giving the company a temporary boost. Hopefully, political turmoil will not impact its plans substantially.

Disclosure: none