Shell calls ‘Force-Majeure’ on Ukraine project

Shell calls ‘Force-Majeure’ on Ukraine project

Jun 11th, 2015 

by John Donovan. 

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Shell calls ‘Force-Majeure’ on Ukraine project

Sources familiar with the situation said Ukraine’s government received a “Notice of Withdrawal” from Shell on a project that they had hoped could raise up to $10bn of investment and further diversify gas imports away from Russia, Roman Olearchyk reports from Kiev.

Shell said it “has been prevented from performing its commitments under Yuzivska [a production sharing agreement] for an extensive period of time due to Force-Majeure, i.e. circumstances beyond Shell’s control.” Due to the said events, project implementation conditions have been materially changed. Therefore, we have begun discussions with the Ukrainian government and our partner Nadra Yuzivska LLC on the way forward with the PSA, pursuant to its terms.

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Posted in: Gas, Oil, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Russia, Shell, Ukraine.
Tagged: Gas · Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Russia · Shell · Ukraine

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Seattle protesters plan kayak blockade to stop Shell rig departure

Seattle protesters plan kayak blockade to stop Shell rig departure

Jun 11th, 2015 

by John Donovan. 

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Seattle protesters plan kayak blockade to stop Shell rig departure

June 10, 2015 7:49AM ET Updated 5:30PM ET

by Renee Lewis

Seattle activists opposed to Arctic drilling have vowed to launch a kayak blockade to prevent the departure of Shell’s drilling rig, and said they have hundreds of protesters standing to hit the water as soon as the Polar Pioneer departs.

“Our effort is to create as large a flotilla as we can to make it impossible for them to get permission to leave,” Bill Moyer, executive director of the Backbone Campaign, an environmental justice organization, told Al Jazeera on Wednesday.

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Posted in: Alaska, Arctic, Chukchi Sea, Climate Change, Environment, Greenpeace,Litigation, Oil, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell, United States.
Tagged: Alaska · Arctic Ocean · Chukchi Sea · Litigation · Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Shell

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First vessel in Shell Arctic drilling fleet arrives in Alaska

First vessel in Shell Arctic drilling fleet arrives in Alaska

Jun 11th, 2015 

by John Donovan. 

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First vessel in Shell Arctic drilling fleet arrives in Alaska

Abby Hancock, Reporter,ahancock@ktuu.com: 10 June 2015

ANCHORAGE — The first rig that is part of Royal Dutch Shell’s drilling fleet that will be used to explore Alaska waters for oil and gas reserves this summer arrived Wednesday in Dutch Harbor.

The Arctic Challenger, an oil spill containment barge that is one of at least 25 support vessels bound for the Chukchi Sea, is in the Aleutian community and will be followed by the other vessels in the coming weeks, Shell spokeswoman Megan Baldino said.

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Posted in: Alaska, Arctic, Chukchi Sea, Environment, Greenpeace, Gulf of Alaska, Oil Spill, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell, United States.
Tagged: Alaska · Arctic Ocean · Chukchi Sea · Oil · Royal Dutch Shell Plc

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Oil companies reach $345 million settlement with Quebec train crash victims

Oil companies reach $345 million settlement with Quebec train crash victims

Jun 11th, 2015 

by John Donovan. 

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Victoria Young; 11 June 2015

A group of oil companies has come to an agreement with victims of the 2013 oil train derailment in Quebec, Canada.

The train had been carrying 7.7 million litres of crude oil when it crashed, resulting in a massive spill and an explosion that killed 47 people.

Royal Dutch Shell, Marathon Oil Corp, Conoco Phillips and Irving Oil were all named by The Wall Street Journal as contributing. It is not clear how much each company will contribute.

It has been reported the settlement was reached in bankruptcy court to avoid costly and lengthy court processes.

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Posted in: Conoco Phillips, Litigation, Oil, Royal Dutch Shell Plc.
Tagged: ConocoPhillips · Litigation · Oil · Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Shell

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Stand with working people by voting "No” on Fast Track.

FRIEND, I want to make sure you saw the message I sent yesterday. Congress is going to vote on Fast Track before the weekend. And we have to stop it so it doesn't take away our jobs, wages and our ability to make sure international trade deals work for everybody, not just corporations and the 1%. Call your representative now and ask her or him to stand with working people by voting "No” on Fast Track. - Celeste FRIEND, We’re hearing the U.S. House will vote on Fast Track before the weekend. So this is an all-hands-on-deck moment. Because our elected officials have heard from us, we’ve been able to slow them down from passing Fast Track and bad trade deals. And it looks like over the next two days we might be able to bring this to a screeching halt. But that can only happen if you call your lawmakers now and tell them to vote “no” on Fast Track. Click here now to call your representative and tell her or him to vote “NO” on Fast Track. Or call them directly at 855-712-8441. Some lawmakers didn’t think we’d put up a fight when they started working to pass Fast Track. They thought this would be easy. Activists like you have made it a real battle. What you’ve done is truly amazing. But we aren’t over the finish line quite yet. Our democracy and the livelihood of working families across the country depend on us finishing what we’ve started. Congress needs to know that we will not stand by and let the 1% trade away our democracy for their gains in profit. We may be the underdogs but, if we act now, stopping Fast Track is a real possibility. Call your representative right now and tell her or him to vote “NO” on Fast Track when it comes up for a vote. In Solidarity, Celeste -- Celeste Drake Trade and Globalization Policy Specialist, AFL-CIO

The TRUTH will set you FREE.

You're tired of Middle Class America getting hosed

Disco Inferno Dear FRIEND: "Burn up the phones" - what is that, some new cyberterrorism threat? A wild new "app"? Nope; it's what happens when you, and like-minded others, exercise your right to be heard. It's time to burn up the phones on Capitol Hill. The Powers That Be have set a vote on the horrific "Fast Track" bill tomorrow. (I would call it "execrable," but I'm not exactly sure what that means.) If you care about anything, anything at all, then please pick up the phone, call (202) 224-3121, ask for your Congressman, and register your disapproval. Say this: "Vote NO on Fast Track." If you feel that your talk needs to be pointed, then here are your talking points: (1) Our trade debt stands at eleven trillion dollars ($11,000,000,000,000.00). That's more than $35,000 for every human being in America - including you. "Fast Track" would pave the way for new trade bills that would increase that. How are we ever going to pay that money back? (2) Fast Track applies to whatever the Executive Branch calls a trade agreement, even if it has nothing to do with trade. (3) Fast Track unconstitutionally restricts Congress from holding hearings, conducting investigations, debating a bill and offering amendments - basically, its job. In fact, it could restrict each House Member to only 83 seconds of debate. (4) No other bills get this special treatment - not bills on taxes, or Social Security, or defense, or transportation, or healthcare. Nothing. (5) Fast Track applies to trade bills that the Executive Branch hasn't even released to the public. (6) None of the "standards" that Fast Track sets for trade agreements is enforceable - not one single standard. Or you can just say that you're tired of Middle Class America getting hosed. I sure am. If you have a Democratic Congressman who "gets it" on Fast Track, then you can call one of these undecideds instead: Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) - (202) 225-3341 Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA) - (202) 225-2040 Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) - (202) 225-2861 Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) - (202) 225-2645 Rep. John Carney (D-DE) - (202) 225-4165 Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) - (202) 225-8020 Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) - (202) 225-3236 Try flattery - there's plenty of that in Washington, D.C. "Sir or Ma'am, if you vote against Fast Track, your courage and leadership will ring in dulcet tones for generations to come. You will become a legend, not only in your own mind, but in the minds of every living human being, and fetuses too. Vote against Fast Track, and when you walk amongst your people, as they glance downward in respect, they will sing your praises: basses, baritones, tenors, contraltos, sopranos and even falsettos. They will shower you with flowers - not only mere annuals or biennials, but perennials that will bloom in the same manner as your overwhelming renown. You will be beloved and worshipped by considerably more than 50.1% of the electorate. If you vote against Fast Track, then everyone - and I mean everyone - will like the cut of your jib." Look, it's showtime. Make the call. Let's try to inject some democracy into the plutocracy. Courage, Rep. Alan Grayson

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Let the Debate Begin!

Let the Debate Begin!

		Friend, As the field of Republican presidential candidates grows, their calls for deep cuts to our treasured Social Security system are only growing louder. Last week, Jeb Bush became the latest Republican presidential hopeful to call for raising the retirement age. He joins a cast of candidates who want to means test, privatize, and make across the board cuts to our earned benefits. This despite the fact that 79% of likely voters--Democrats, Repbulicans and Independents--support expanding our earned benefits! We are up against candidates who throw around the word “bankrupt” as if Social Security didn’t have a surplus of $2.8 trillion, built up over decades by contributions from working Americans. In a recent interview with Rachel Maddow, Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) suggested a revolutionary idea for the presidential primary: Let Democratic candidates debate these Republicans. Let Senator Sanders show the American people the stark contrasts between Republican proposals of deep cuts for retirees, veterans, children and disabled workers versus the ideas of Social Security champions who want to expand, not cut Social Security. Click here to watch Bernie Sanders’ interview with Rachel Maddow and donate to Social Security Works today!

The field of presidential candidates who want to slash our Social Security benefits continues to grow. This despite the fact that 79% of likely voters – Democrats, Republicans and Independents – support expanding our hard earned Social Security benefits.

Please support Social Security Works today and ensure that the American people understand the stark differences between the candidates; those who want to cut and private Social Security versus those who want to expand and strengthen the program for generations to come.

Support Social Security Works today!

If you prefer to donate by check, please click here:http://www.socialsecurityworks.org/donate-by-check/

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Our medicine could kill millions because big pharma companies like Pfizer want to make a quick profit.

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is buying antibiotics from dirty factories in China that breed killer "superbugs" -- risking the lives of millions. It's time this stopped. Drug companies must put public health above their corporate profits. Sign the petition Friend, We take medicine to get healthy. But now, our medicine could kill millions because big pharma companies like Pfizer want to make a quick profit. The story is this: Pfizer and other pharmaceutical giants source antibiotics from dirty, dangerous factories in China. These factories dump raw antibiotic waste straight into the environment. That creates a perfect breeding ground for antibiotic resistant "superbugs" -- which spread globally. These superbugs have been called a "catastrophic threat" to public health, and could kill millions. That's the revelation of a new SumOfUs report, which exposes big pharma's murky supply chain for the first time. We need to speak up now to get this to stop, and to put public health above corporate profits.  Sign the petition to demand that Pfizer stops buying antibiotics from polluting factories driving the rise of killer superbugs. Months of behind-the-scenes digging into big pharma's secretive operations has revealed these links for the first time. Pfizer and others are putting their profits ahead of our health, by buying cheap antibiotics from dangerous factories with a string of serious environmental and safety violations. These factories are dumping raw antibiotic waste straight into rivers and waterways, in breach of even China's lax environmental regulations, and creating the perfect breeding ground for antibiotic-resistant superbugs. As these superbugs spread globally, the World Health Organization is already sounding the alarm. The UK's Chief Medical Officer has called antibiotic resistance a "catastrophic threat" that could set modern health care back 200 years, and kill millions globally. The spread of superbugs means that infectious diseases like gonorrhoea and pneumonia could become untreatable, and we could return to an era when a simple cut could kill. Overprescription of antibiotics and widespread use in factory farms are two of the known culprits behind antibiotic resistance. But pollution generated by the massive antibiotics production industry is an overlooked hidden killer. By dumping antibiotic waste into the environment, these factories create huge breeding grounds for superbugs. Concentrations of antibiotics in polluted waterways can be as high as in the bloodstream of someone on a full strength dose of antibiotics. And these are the factories that Pfizer, McKesson, Teva and other Western pharma giants are buying from. This isn't just a problem for China or for Pfizer customers. Modern air travel and trade mean that the rapid spread of infectious diseases is the new reality. Infectious superbugs that thrive in the waste dumped by these polluting factories in China quickly find their way into the bodies of children, adults and the elderly around the world, with fatal consequences. The reason this happens is simple -- Pfizer and other big pharmaceutical corporations make more money by relying on cheap, mass-produced antibiotics without strong environmental and safety procedures in place. And until now, no one has known. If we can change that, by generating a global outcry, we can get big pharma to stop buying from these dangerous factories. Click here to tell Pfizer to stop fueling the rise of killer superbugs, and take immediate action to clean up its supply chain. This is a waste pipe from one of the factories producing antibiotics for Western pharma corporations.   Seeing this, it's no surprise that big pharma works hard to keep their supply chain out of public view. The industry has a shocking lack of transparency given that our lives are at stake with the drugs they produce. But through painstaking work connecting the dots on the ground in China, SumOfUs' report documents hard links between Western pharma corporations and the dirtiest antibiotic factories in China. Pfizer has sourced antibiotics for human and animal use from NCPC, one of the Chinese company accused of discharging pharmaceutical waste into the environment and numerous other serious manufacturing deficiencies that put lives at risk. It's not the first time SumOfUs has helped produce groundbreaking reporting to expose corporate misconduct. Last year, SumOfUs helped produce an investigative report that showed that big garden stores were selling "bee-friendly" plants pre-treated with bee-killing pesticides! Since then, both of the companies have committed to phase out these pesticides from their stores. Bottom line: Shining public attention on dangerous corporate practices can really work.  That's why we need to speak up now and demand better. Sign the petition to demand that Pfizer stops buying antibiotics from polluting factories driving the rise of killer superbugs. Thanks for all you do, Paul, Carys, Katherine, and the rest of us More information: Bad Medicine: How the pharmaceutical industry is contributing to the global rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs, SumOfUs report, 10 June 2015 Indian Woman Being Treated in U.S. for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis, New York Times, 9 June 2015 Watch Antibiotic Resistance Surge in One Stunning Chart, Bloomberg Business, 10 June 2015 Chief Medical Officer: Resistance to antibiotics risks health 'catastrophe', Independent, 11 March 2013 SumOfUs is a worldwide movement of people like you, working together to hold corporations accountable for their actions and forge a new, sustainable path for our global economy. Please help keep SumOfUs strong by chipping in $3.

The TRUTH will set you FREE.