Shell plc was established in April 1907 through the merger of the Netherlands-based Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and the United Kingdom's "Shell" Transport and Trading Company. Arranged by Calouste Gulbenkian, this merger created a powerful competitor to America's Standard Oil. By 1920, the combined entity had grown to become the largest oil producer in the world, expanding its operations into the chemicals industry by 1929.
During the mid-20th century, Shell was recognized as one of the "Seven Sisters" that dominated the global petroleum industry. The company pioneered key advancements in energy transport, partnering in the world's first commercial sea transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 1964. It also diversified its portfolio through acquisitions, such as the mining company Billiton in 1970, though it later divested from mining to refocus on its core energy business.
Today, Shell is a vertically integrated energy giant active in exploration, refining, power generation, and marketing across more than 90 countries. Headquartered in London, the company manages a vast network of service stations and major subsidiary brands, including Pennzoil, Quaker State, and Jiffy Lube. It also holds a significant stake in the Brazilian energy venture Raízen, maintaining its position as a leading force in the global energy sector.
