The Royal Dutch/Shell Group comprises over 2,000 companies in more than 100 countries. The Royal/Shell Group is the most profitable oil Multinational in the world.  It is the second largest in the private sector, responsible for 5% of the world’s oil and gas production (more than any other private company), and holds both the largest exploration area and the greatest proven reserves.  Shell Research Limited is a research arm of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group, and undertook nuclear research programmes from the 1950’s onwards. Shell Research Limited's  principal research Centre, at Thornton Cheshire, was utilised for its nuclear, military and other research.

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