Dutch Prosecutor to Sue Shell over Nigerian Licence

The Dutch public prosecutor's office is nearing the conclusion of its investigation into the award of an oil licence in 2011 and is preparing to prosecute Anglo-Dutch Shell, the major said March 1.

Shell and Italian producer Eni won an oil field licence off Nigeria, OPL 245 in a $1.3bn bid that allegedly contained an element of bribery.

Shell said in a stock exchange announcment: "The forthcoming case related to criminal charges directly or indirectly related to the 2011 settlement of disputes over OPL 245 in Nigeria. As appropriate, we will provide updates as this matter progresses."

Shell and Eni, including former employees of both companies, are also being investigated over the same licence in an ongoing case in Milan.