Since Mr. Kaepernick's parents moved last year, Sammy has gotten a larger yard to roam in although the family did write their telephone number on his shell in case he got out again.

WSJ: Colin Kaepernick, 49ers Super Bowl Quarterback, Has a Slow Sidekick -- Sammy the Tortoise

This comes on the heels of a number of other setbacks for Shell this year.

FORBES: After Mishaps, Shell Dials Back Arctic Oil-Drilling Plans

Shell, Mattel and a number of other major multinationals are now experimenting with innovative third-party auditing processes.

ECONOMIST: Letters

Shell has announced investments in a number of projects including a deep-water project in Nigeria and an oil recovery project in Oman.

BBC: Royal Dutch Shell chief executive Peter Voser to retire

The National Ballistics Intelligence Service, which tracks guns through bullets and shell casings, reckons that the total number of illegal firearms in the country is no more than 30, 000-40, 000, and the number in active use is far lower.

ECONOMIST: Firearms are going out of style

Europe, however, could continue to see a decline in the number of systems sold as hospitals are still reluctant to shell out a big amount on these systems amid the economic slowdown.

FORBES: Intuitive Surgical Earnings Preview: What We Are Watching

To that end, it announced a number of partnerships with big consumer brands, including InterContinental Hotel Group, Bass Pro Shops and Shell Oil.

WSJ: Global growth boosts MasterCard 4Q net income

Being quick on your feet can a serious advantage in the oil business, and at number four in the world, Total is able to move faster than Exxon Mobil, BP or Shell, some analysts say.

BBC: Total is currently the world's fourth biggest oil company