"Shell will apply its advanced technology, operational expertise and global experience in the project to jointly develop the shale gas resources with CNPC, " the Anglo-Dutch firm said in a release on its website on 20 March, without giving any further details.

BBC: Shell signs first shale gas production pact in China

Here, we apply my tried and true rule-of-thumb for advanced trust structures that are used for estate and asset protection planning: The more impressively a structure is named, the less likely it is to work.

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