By Tom Bergin
Feb 9 (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell Plc is pushing ahead
with aims to grow in the Middle East, despite a tough climate
for investment due to lower oil prices and a climate that will
force it to cut some support roles in Dubai.
Raoul Restucci, Shell's head of exploration and production
for the Middle East, told Reuters that between 40 and 50 roles
may be relocated from Dubai to centres in Glasgow, Krakow and
Kuala Lumpur.
"We are looking at streamlining some of the support services
in our Dubai regional office," he said.
However, this will not impact Shell's efforts to grow its
oil and gas production business in the region.
"We have very significant operations across region and there
is no retrenchment," he said in a telephone interview from
Dubai.
"We've got our teams still working at Kuwait options, still
working at Iran options. It's a tough environment but we're
still working," he said.
Earlier, some employees posted comments on Shell protest
website royaldutchshellplc.com saying up to half the jobs at the
Dubai operation could go. Dubai is a regional centre for Shell,
with more than 600 staff, Restucci said.
The roles to be cut are mainly in human resources and
financial services, Restucci said.
In late January, Shell's overall exploration boss Malcolm
Brinded sent an email to staff urging sharp spending cuts, to
respond to the $100/barrel drop in crude prices since July.
(Editing by Andrew Macdonald)
