<P> Downstream operations, which now also includes the chemicals business, generates a third of Shell's profits worldwide and is known for its global network of more than 40,000 petrol stations and its various oil refineries . The downstream business, which in some countries also included oil refining, generally included a retail petrol station network, lubricants manufacture and marketing, industrial fuel and lubricants sales and a host of other product / market sectors such as LPG and bitumen . The practice in Shell was that these businesses were essentially local and that they were best managed by local "operating companies"--often with middle and senior management reinforced by expatriates . </P> <P> Shell has a long history of motorsport sponsorship, most notably Scuderia Ferrari (1951 - 1964, 1966 - 1973 and 1996 - present), BRM (1962 - 1966 and 1968 - 1972), Scuderia Toro Rosso (2007 - 2013 and 2016), McLaren (1967 - 1968 and 1984 - 1994), Lotus (1968 - 1971), Team Penske (2011--present), Hyundai Motorsport (since 2005), AF Corse, Risi Competizione, BMW Motorsport (2015 - present with also Pennzoil) and Dick Johnson Racing (1987 - 2004). It will again become title sponsor for the latter (now rebranded as DJR Team Penske) in 2017 . </P> <P> Shell began drilling for oil in Africa during the 1950s . Shell began production in Nigeria in 1958 . Shell operates in the upstream oil sector in Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Gabon where is the giant Rabi - Kounga oil field, Ghana, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Tunisia; and in the downstream sector in 16 other countries . </P> <P> In Nigeria, Shell told US diplomats that it had placed staff in all the main ministries of the government . </P>

The words royal dutch appearing the full name of which company