The Australian: Australia Critical to Shell-BG Group Merger

Australia will be a prime focus for Shell as it integrates its $91 billion BG Group takeover, expected to be finalised next year, and cuts 2800 jobs from the pair’s combined global workforce.

Merger documents released yesterday by the oil major show it is hunkering down for a prolonged oil-price downturn and is taking further measures to cut costs and reduce spending.

While the majority of job ­losses are likely to be in the pair’s London head offices, Shell’s local Perth headquarters and BG’s Brisbane corporate offices are also expected to be in the firing line.

“The combined group’s future prospects will, in part, be dependent upon the combined group’s ability to integrate the Shell Group and the BG Group successfully and completely,” Shell said in a merger circular. MORE