EXHIBIT 99.1 TEXACO AND SHELL ANNOUNCE ------------------------- SIGNING OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON ----------------------------------------- EUROPEAN MARKETING & MANUFACTURING VENTURE ------------------------------------------ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1998 - ------------------------------------------------------ LONDON, U.K., September 3rd - Texaco and Shell Europe Oil Products today announced the signing of a non-binding Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with the intention of establishing an alliance for their European oil products marketing and manufacturing activities. This MOU culminates talks that began in 1997. The proposed venture would draw upon the combined strengths of Shell and Texaco, with the aim of improving shareholder returns and value for customers in the highly competitive European market. The proposed venture would market using both the Shell and Texaco brands. The two companies will now undertake detailed discussions with the goal of finalising agreement on the formation of a new joint venture as soon as possible. Subject to final definitive agreements, regulatory reviews and staff consultation procedures, the new venture could be operational by mid-1999. Under the terms of the MOU, Shell companies will have an interest of 88% and Texaco 12% of the new venture, with certain governance matters requiring joint agreement. The proposed alliance would not involve the companies' other activities in Europe or their LPG, coolants, international aviation and marine products businesses. The new venture would be in addition to the Shell-Texaco joint ventures in the United States. - xxx - (This press release contains projections and other forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These projections and statements reflect Texaco's current views with respect to future revenues. No assurances can be given, however, that these projections will be achieved, and actual results could differ materially from those projected as a result of certain factors, such as market conditions and other factors included in Texaco's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.) Note to Editors: The attached fact sheet outlines significant details of the assets anticipated to be included in the proposed joint venture. For more information contact: Texaco: New York Public Relations Kelly McAndrew 001 914 253 6295 Chris Gidez 001 914 253 4042 London Press Office Paul Bray 0171 719 4452 Rachel Moore 0171 719 4459 or 4477 Shell: London Press Office Eric Nickson 0171 934 4488 Additional Texaco information is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.texaco.com - --------------------- FACT SHEET: PROPOSED SHELL/TEXACO EUROPEAN MARKETING & MANUFACTURING ALLIANCE (Note: All Numbers as of end 1997) EMPLOYEES (including subsidiaries) SHELL TEXACO 25,000 4,300 REFINERIES (figures in brackets are: % equity interest and capacity - ------------------------------------------------------------------- in 1,000 barrels per day) - ------------------------- SHELL TEXACO ----- ------ Stanlow, UK (100%, 260) Pembroke, United Kingdom (100% 190) Shell Haven, UK (100%, 92) Eastham, UK (50%, 20) Pernis, Netherlands (100%, 374) Rotterdam, The Netherlands (35%, 140) Godorf, Germany (100%, 170) Harburg, Germany (100%, 102) Petit-Couronne, France (100%, 141) Berre-l-Etang, France (100%, 127) Vendenheim, France (65%, 80) Fredericia, Denmark (100%, 70) Gothenburg, Sweden (100%, 81) Cressier, Switzerland (100%, 60) Sola, Norway (100%, 53) Mersin, Turkey (27%, 100 - for sale) Pantano di Grano (20%, 85) Litvinov, Czech Republic (16%, 110) Kralupy, Czech Republic (16%, 68) MARKETING (BY COUNTRY) - Branded outlets - ---------------------------------------- COUNTRY SHELL TEXACO ------- ----- ------ Austria 431 Belgium/Luxembourg 448 483 Central and Eastern Europe 365 19 Poland Denmark 276 (See notes, below) Finland 434 France 1,406 Germany 1,715 Greece 780 373 Italy 1,759 Rep. Of Ireland 340 432 Netherlands 800 557 Norway 449 (See notes, below) Portugal 250 Spain 285 55 Sweden 602 Switzerland 547 Turkey 608 (for sale) United Kingdom 1,459 1,065 (Excluding 382 Gulf sites acquired Dec. 8, 1997) ------ ----- TOTAL: 12,954 2,984 NOTE: Hydro-Texaco Holdings is a joint venture of Texaco and Norsk Hydro, formed in December 1994, that sells petroleum products in Norway, Denmark and the Baltic states. Altogether, Hydro Texaco operates approximately 990 branded sites. LUBES PLANTS - ------------ SHELL TEXACO ----- ------ 13 3 TERMINALS SHELL (including refinery terminals) TEXACO ------------------------------------ ------ 78 - 100% owned 11 - 100% owned 255 - JVs, Equity interest or throughput 23 - JVs, Equity interest or throughput