Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with Shell plc regarding environmental standards to uphold upon its return to onshore operations in the Niger Delta; and whether the Government has sought assurances that those operations will meet or exceed relevant Nigerian, UK and international standards.

We continue to raise with Shell, including at Ministerial level, the importance of action to address the risks of pollution from oil production in the Niger Delta, in line with international standards. The regulation of companies within Nigeria and the governance framework for the oil and gas sectors are, however, matters for the Government of Nigeria. The UK therefore encourages a coordinated effort between the Nigerian Government, oil and gas companies, and local communities to bring an end to all forms of oil contamination in Nigeria.

The Gulf of Guinea remains an important global energy-producing region, and the UK is committed to supporting Nigeria to realise its energy transition ambitions.