Shell looks at Black Sea oil with Turkey
ANGLO-DUTCH oil giant Shell is eyeing up oil exploration opportunities in the Black Sea with Turkish state-owned oil firm TPAO.
Last November, TPAO, which has interests in projects around the Middle East and northern Africa, signed a farm-in agreement with Shell to look for oil in the south-east region of Turkey, and offshore Antalya.
That agreement included plans for shale gas exploration near the southeastern city of Diyarbakir, and the Turkish energy minister said Shell had started exploration at the Saribugday 1 field there last week.
Last month Shell, as part of a consortium with ExxonMobil, was chosen by Ukraine to explore the Skifsa oil and gas field on the Black Sea shelf.
Meanwhile, Singapore authorities have charged Shell with safety lapses that led to a large fire last year at its Bukom refinery – the firm’s biggest plant worldwide.
Shell will face a fine of up to S$500,000 (£252,400) if convicted in the case. It is due to be heard in court later this month.