And might also serve to inform investors in Royal Dutch Shell what the full costs may be of continuing to pursue its snafu-prone Alaskan drilling campaign.

FORBES: Exxon's 'New' $14 Billion Field Was Discovered 30 Years Ago. What Took So Long?

Shell published a summary of the report's final version on Monday, along with the news of Ms Boynton stepping down. (Shell says it was asked by American regulators not to reveal the full report, raising speculation that the Department of Justice may be planning criminal prosecutions).

ECONOMIST: Another head rolls in the boardroom | The