Shell’s Lobbying, Oslo’s Tariff Cut Could Deliver Blow for Gas Industry

British and Norwegian players came under the spotlight on Monday, as a group of international investors started their trial against the Norwegian government for its decision to cut gas pipeline tariffs, while Royal Dutch Shell was reported as being responsible for watering down European renewable energy targets.

The two news could tarnish the image of the gas industry, both internally and externally. 

SHELL

According to an article published by The Guardian, a Shell lobbyist proposed a key part of the renewables agreement reached in October 2014. The article suggests that, as a result of the pressure, Shell’s narrative became the dominant one in the United Kingdom, and in the European Union.

NORWAY

Also on Monday, investors including Allianz, UBS, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, started their trial against Norway, challenging the Scandinavian country’s reputation as a safe place to do business.

The trial should last until mid-June. The group of investors claim that the government acted in breach of existing contracts, cutting fees on the Gassled natural gas pipeline network.