# Shell
---
Who / What
**Shell** is a term that can refer to either:
1. **The Shell Corporation**, an international oil and gas company headquartered in the Netherlands, known for its exploration, production, refining, and marketing of petroleum.
2. **Shells (biological)**, the hard outer layer of mollusk species like clams or snails.
---
Background & History
The **Shell Oil Company** traces its origins to 1907 when **Ralph Bunche** founded **The Shell Transport and Trading Company**, a British multinational trading firm. It expanded into oil exploration in the early 20th century.By the mid-1900s, Shell became a major player in global petroleum with acquisitions like **Texaco (1984)** and **Amoco (1999)**, forming **Shell International Petroleum Company**.The company is one of the "Big Five" oil companies (alongside ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron, and TotalEnergies) and has a long history in refining, transportation, and energy distribution.Shell’s name originates from its early focus on transporting goods via ships ("shells" as vessels).---
Why Notable
Shell is notable for:
1. Its **dominant role in the global oil industry**, shaping energy markets through exploration, production, and marketing.
2. **Technological innovation** in refining and renewable energy (e.g., investments in hydrogen and electric vehicles).
3. **Geopolitical influence**, operating in over 70 countries with a presence in key oil-producing regions like Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S.
4. Controversies surrounding environmental impact, human rights issues (e.g., in Nigeria), and climate change advocacy.
---
In the News
Shell remains relevant due to:
**Climate transition debates**, as it faces pressure to reduce carbon emissions while expanding in renewable energy sectors like hydrogen and offshore wind.**Recent mergers** (e.g., acquisition of **Petronas’ stake in Malaysia’s Shell-owned refinery**) and strategic shifts toward net-zero goals by 2050.Ongoing scrutiny over its operations, including legal battles (e.g., climate lawsuits) and public perception amid fossil fuel dependence.---
Key Facts
**Type:** Organization (multinational corporation)**Also known as:**Shell Transport & Trading Company (original name)Royal Dutch Shell (RDS; merged in 2005)Shell International Petroleum Company (SIP)**Founded / Born:** 1907, London, UK**Key dates:**1907: Founding of Shell Transport & Trading Company.1935: First oil discovery in Nigeria.2005: Merger with Royal Dutch to form Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDS).2024: Expansion into hydrogen energy and net-zero commitments.**Geography:**Headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands.Operates globally, including the U.S., Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.**Affiliation:** Energy sector (petroleum refining, exploration, transportation).---
Links
[Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell)
