Shell plc is one of the world’s largest integrated energy companies, with operations spanning oil, natural gas, chemicals, lubricants, and low-carbon energy sectors. Headquartered in London, United Kingdom, the company serves millions of customers daily through service stations, commercial enterprises, industrial facilities, and energy solutions across more than 70 countries. Shell is widely recognised for its iconic yellow and red “Pecten” shell logo, which remains one of the most identifiable corporate symbols globally.1

• Company Name: Shell plc
• Founded: 1907 (via merger of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and The Shell Transport and Trading Company)
• Origins: 1833 (Marcus Samuel’s London import business)
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom
• Industry: Energy, Oil & Gas, Chemicals, Renewable Energy
• Type: Public company
• Stock Listings: London Stock Exchange (LSE), Euronext Amsterdam, New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
• Operations: More than 70 countries
• Customers: Millions of retail and business customers worldwide
• Employees: Tens of thousands globally

Early Beginnings (1833–1897)

The origins of Shell date back to 1833, when Marcus Samuel, a merchant based in London, expanded his family business by importing decorative seashells from Asia. The popularity of these shells later inspired the company’s name.

Samuel’s sons subsequently entered the petroleum trade, transporting kerosene from Asia to Europe. In 1892, they commissioned the Murex, the first oil tanker designed to safely transit the Suez Canal while carrying bulk oil. This innovation revolutionised international oil transportation.1

Formation of Shell Transport

In 1897, the enterprise was formally established as The Shell Transport and Trading Company. The firm rapidly expanded its activities to include oil transportation, refining, fuel distribution, and international trading. The Shell name was derived directly from the family’s earlier seashell import business.1

Merger with Royal Dutch (1907)

In 1907, Shell Transport merged with the Netherlands-based Royal Dutch Petroleum Company to form the Royal Dutch Shell Group. This union combined Dutch oil production capabilities with British transportation and marketing networks, creating one of the largest oil companies in the world.1

Modern Corporate Structure

In 2022, the company simplified its corporate structure. Royal Dutch Shell plc was renamed Shell plc, the headquarters were fully consolidated in London, and the “Royal Dutch” designation was removed. These changes reflected a streamlined legal and organisational framework.1

Shell operates as an integrated energy company with activities covering the entire energy value chain.

Upstream

Upstream operations focus on the exploration and production of crude oil, natural gas, deep-water resources, and offshore drilling assets.

Integrated Gas

Shell ranks among the world’s largest producers and traders of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), natural gas, and Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) products.

Downstream

Downstream activities encompass fuel refining, retail fuel stations, lubricants, chemicals, aviation fuel, marine fuel, bitumen, and various industrial products.

Chemicals

The company manufactures plastics, chemical feedstocks, industrial chemicals, solvents, and specialty products.

Low-Carbon Energy

Shell has expanded its portfolio to include electric vehicle (EV) charging, renewable power generation, hydrogen, biofuels, carbon capture and storage, and energy trading. The company describes its strategy as providing oil, gas, and lower-carbon energy sources to support the evolving global energy system.2

Shell offers a diverse range of energy and industrial products.

Fuels

• Shell V-Power
• Regular gasoline
• Diesel
• Premium diesel
• Aviation fuel
• Marine fuel

Lubricants

As one of the world’s largest lubricant suppliers, Shell markets several prominent product lines:

• Shell Helix
• Shell Rimula
• Shell Advance
• Shell Tellus
• Shell Omala

Chemicals

Chemical products serve the automotive, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and electronics sectors.

Shell operates thousands of fuel stations worldwide. Typical services offered at these locations include fuel dispensing, convenience stores, car washes, EV charging at selected sites, coffee shops, and fleet services. Many stations also feature partnerships with third-party retailers and food outlets.

The Shell logo, known as the Pecten, is modelled after a scallop shell.

Evolution

• 1900: First logo introduced, depicting a black-and-white mussel shell.
• 1904: Scallop design adopted.
• Early history: Red and yellow colour scheme established.

This red-and-yellow branding has evolved into one of the most recognised corporate identities globally.1

Shell has invested in renewable electricity, hydrogen, biofuels, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and EV charging infrastructure. Concurrently, it remains a major producer of oil and natural gas. Its climate strategy has been subject to public debate, legal challenges, and scrutiny from investors and environmental groups.3

Shell maintains operations across Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia. Its customer base includes individual motorists, airlines, shipping companies, manufacturers, governments, and commercial fleets.

• Shell V-Power
• Shell FuelSave
• Shell Helix
• Shell Advance
• Shell Rimula
• Shell Tellus
• Shell Recharge

Shell states that its business is guided by principles including safety, integrity, respect for people, sustainability, innovation, operational excellence, and customer focus.2

• The company originated as a seashell import business before entering the oil trade.1
• The Murex was the first oil tanker to carry bulk oil through the Suez Canal, transforming global oil transport logistics.1
• The Shell logo is among the world’s most recognisable corporate symbols and has been in use for over a century.1
• Shell is consistently ranked among the world’s largest energy companies by revenue.

Shell plc is a multinational energy company with roots dating back to 1833. From its origins as a London-based seashell importer, it grew into a global enterprise spanning oil and gas exploration, refining, chemicals, lubricants, fuel retail, and low-carbon energy technologies. Its distinctive Pecten logo, extensive service station network, and long operational history have established Shell as one of the most recognisable and influential brands in the global energy industry.

1. Our history | Shell Global
2. What we do
3. The Reason Fossil Fuel Companies Are Finally Reckoning With Climate Change