Shell unwilling to move on $2bn ethylene plant

New doubts have arisen about the scale and future of Saudi Arabia's ambitious petrochemical plans. Shell Oil of the United States has indicated that talks on its joint venture with the Saudis for an ethylene complex at Jubail have stalled. Issues which have to be settled before an agreement is reached include oil entitlements, gas prices, marketing and progress on a parallel oil-export refinery scheme.