The Royal Dutch/Shell group said today that it is in talks with a number of prospective buyers for its retail and commercial businesses both north and south of the border.
The company owns around 50 petrol stations in the Republic, and supplies a total network of 160 service stations north and south. Its Irish operations also include supply and distribution assets, commercial fuels, lubricants and marine businesses.
It said it hopes to make a decision in the coming weeks. The move is in line with the Shell Group's strategy of 'more upstream and profitable downstream'.
Shell's involvement in the Corrib gas exploration project, off the Co Mayo coast, will not be affected in any sale. Its aviation, bitumen and chemicals businesses are also not affected.
'For reasons of commercial confidentiality, we are not able to disclose these parties, or to discuss this matter in more detail at this time,' commented Dr Frank Bergin, Shell's Director in Ireland.
'If we do decide to proceed with a sale, it would be Shell's intention to sell the business as a going concern,' he added.
