Shell Strengthens Presence in Coalbed Methane      

Shell China Exploration and Production Company Limited has acquired a 55% equity interest in a coalbed methane venture in Shanxi province and will take over as operator.
   The Ministry of Commerce of China recently approved an agreement for Shell to acquire Verona Development Corporation's majority equity position in a 30-year production sharing contract covering the North Shilou block, an area of 1 015 square kilometers in the eastern part of the Ordos Basin.
   Verona maintains a 5% interest in the venture with China United Coalbed Methane Company (CUCBM) holding the remaining 40% equity.
   The North Shilou block is about 150 kilometers southeast of the Changbei gas field, a joint project between PetroChina and Shell, which is the operator.
   The exploration period of the PSC will end in December 2010. Following this the PSC stipulates five years of development and a 20-year production period.