Shell says its Nigeria asset sale not affected by court ruling

Source: Reuters/Toby Melville

Bamidele Odugbesan, spokesman for Shell in Nigeria, said the 16 June Supreme Court ruling was in response to an appeal launched by Shell against a contempt ruling linked to the dispute with the Niger Delta community. The lawyer for the community said the ruling, which was made public on Monday, barred Shell from disposing its assets as ordered by a lower court in March.

"The Supreme Court ruling on 16 June was with respect to the contempt proceedings and not related to (the) onshore portfolio review," Odugbesan said.

Shell has invited bids for its onshore assets. Odugbesan did not say how many bids had been received.

Eighty-eight communities in Rivers state were awarded $1.95bn compensation for an oil spill they blamed on Shell and which damaged their farms and waterways. Shell denies causing the spill.

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Shell waiting for hearing

The community sought and was granted a court order blocking Shell from disposing its assets. The company was also ordered to put the $1.95bn into an account nominated by the court until the legal dispute was settled. Shell appealed both rulings and is waiting for a hearing, said Odugbesan.

The company, the most significant international oil major operating in Nigeria, has faced a string of court cases in the past over oil spills.

Shell wants to sell its stake in Nigeria's onshore fields, where it has been active since the 1930s, as part of a global drive to reduce its carbon emissions.