Shell has invested over $7 billion in Saudi Arabia alone, an investment facilitated by its partners and affiliates that mainly concentrates on the Kingdom's downstream operations.

"These include one of Shell's flagship refineries, Saudi Aramco and Shell Refinery (Sasref), one of the largest refineries in the Middle East and in the top 20 refineries in the world," according to Ansingh, quoted in the firm's corporate publication, Shell in the Middle East.

Sasref is a 50-50 joint venture with Saudi Aramco that operates under a technical agreement with Shell.

Another Shell investment is Saudi Petrochemical Company, (Sadaf), a 50-50 joint venture with the Kingdom's largest investment arm, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic).

One of the Middle East's largest petrochemical complexes, it produces a wide range of petrochemical products which are exported all over the world.

Both Sadaf and Sasref boast a Saudisation level of over 90 per cent.

"In the Kingdom, Shell has more than 30 per cent of the total lubricants market, including the automotive, aviation, marine and industrial lubricants sectors.

"However, where the Shell brand is really visible is in the automotive market, where Shell has over 50 per cent market share."

Ansingh claims that the Shell brand is well recognised worldwide as a leading lubricant brand, occupying the number one spot in Saudi Arabia.

The relaunched premium product, Shell Super Plus Motor Oil in new plastic packaging was reportedly acclaimed as a great success.

"Our penetration of the Saudi lubricants market comes as a result of the two efficient, well-run joint ventures which we have in the Kingdom," he says.

These are Riyadh-based AI Jomaih and Shell Lubricating Oil Company Ltd (Josloc), responsible for the manufacture and distribution of Shell-branded lubricants in Saudi Arabian Markets and Jeddah-based Shell Lubricants Company Ltd, (Saslubco), responsible for the manufacture and distribution of Shell-branded lubricants in the west of the Kingdom.

"Josloc is a 50-50 joint venture with Sheikh Mohamed AI Jomaih, and is a reflection of the enduring relationship Shell has had with the Al Jomaih family in the Kingdom for more than 50 years.

"Saslubco (...) is a joint venture with Shaikh Mohamed Ashmawi and his family with whom Shell has had a long and fruitful relationship spanning more than 60 years and three generations, with a third generation member currently working for Shell's fifth joint venture in the Kingdom, Pasco (Peninsular Aviations Services Company Limited)," says Ansingh.

The latter is a joint venture between Shell and BP, each of which has a 25 per cent shareholding, and Shaikh Ashmawi's company, Saudi Arabian Markets Ltd.

"Shell has a portfolio of activities in the Kingdom which have been, and are, highly profitable for Shell and also, I believe, for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Shell brings to the table its worldwide expertise, technological know-how, experience and financial strength, whilst the Kingdom brings both its substantial human and natural resources," he concludes.