Royal Dutch Shell intends to sell of some its leases in Nigeria’s restive Delta

Shell wants to sell some Nigeria leases

LAGOS, Nigeria — Royal Dutch Shell PLC says it wants to sell off leases it has in three oil plays in Nigeria’s restive Niger Delta.

Shell says its Nigerian unit has reached a deal to sell its 30 percent stake in the leases to Seplat Petroleum Company Ltd.

Shell did not say how much the deal was worth. The company says the deal will require the approval of the Nigerian government and the national oil company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corp.

The company says the lease areas include about 30 wells capable of producing about 50,000 barrels of oil per day, though a pipeline in the area is shut down awaiting repairs from damage it sustained in 2008.

Violence by area militants has cut oil production in the West African nation.