Update: In January 2022, the company changed its name to Shell plc from Royal Dutch Shell plc.
Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. and Shell Transport & Trading Co. were merged into a single parent company, Royal Dutch Shell PLC, and its stock began trading July 20.
Shareholders approved the unification formally combining the former Royal Dutch/Shell Group's British and Dutch parent companies under a single board and a single executive (OGJ Online, Oct. 28, 2004).
Investors had said the old structure hindered transparency and financial accountability.
Criticism escalated after Royal Dutch/Shell announced a series of reductions in its proved reserves estimates. The company reclassified reserves five times in a little over a year (OGJ Online, Feb. 4, 2005).
