Shell to halt activities in Syria

December 02, 2011 | Government & Regulations

Shell_logo

A spokeswoman says Royal Dutch Shell PLC has instructed its several dozen employees in Syria to halt work after being required to do so by the European Union.

Shell is a minority partner in Syria’s state-owned Al Furat Petroleum Company, which the EU blacklisted Friday due to the country’s deadly crackdown on protesters.

Al Furat produces 13,000 barrels of oil per day — a significant player in the Syrian market, but representing less than half of 1 percent of Shell’s daily global production.

The Shell spokeswoman declined to give her name or further details, saying the company plans a statement.

In August, Shell rejected requests from Dutch parliament to stop its Syrian operations, saying it would hurt the Syrian people more than its government.