Press Release

Shell's South Texas Expansion Final

19/01/2006

Shell Exploration & Production Company (Shell) closed a like-kind exchange agreement with Total E&P USA, Inc to acquire operated interests in three South Texas natural gas fields and additional interests in a fourth field operated by Shell.

With current net production of 107 million cubic feet equivalent per day (18.4 kboe/d), these fields are a significant addition to the portfolio bringing Shell's net South Texas gas production to 300 million cubic feet equivalent per day (51.7 kboe/d).� These additional fields not only increase Shell's production in the Rio Grande Valley, they also offer additional opportunity for natural gas exploration and growth.

�

In November 2005, Shell announced the agreement with Total E&P USA to exchange its 17 percent non-operated interest in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico Tahiti field.

�

"This exchange provided an opportunity to immediately grow our south Texas operations and moves us closer to realizing our strategy to build our North American natural gas position," said said Marvin E. Odum, Executive Vice President Shell Exploration & Production, who heads the Americas.� "We have operated in south Texas for more than five decades, and these new fields provide an opportunity to leverage that expertise."