Royal Dutch Shell plc, simply known as Shell, is a multinational operating in the oil, energy and petrochemical industries. Together with BP, ExxonMobil and Total is one of the world's four main private players in the oil and natural gas sector. Above all, he dedicates himself to the entire chain of petroleum products, from exploration to retail. Its petrochemical activities are centered in the Shell Chemicals subsidiary, but there is also a sector dedicated to renewable energy.
The company operates in over 140 countries around the world, but its main market is the United States of America, where the Shell Oil Company subsidiary, based in Houston, Texas, operates. The world headquarters are located in The Hague, in the Netherlands.
In 2004 revenues, amounting to $ 268 billion, made it the fourth largest company in the world by revenue, while profits of $ 18.18 billion made it the second most profitable company in the world in terms of gross profit.