In Brief:Shell settles US case with sale

Royal Dutch Shell is to sell Shell Oil's polypropylene assets to Union Carbide or other approved buyers as part of a settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission.

The agreement settles charges that a $6bn joint venture between Shell and Montedison, the world's largest polypropylene producers, could reduce competition and cut US export sales.

Shell Petroleum is also inviting offers for Hocol and Homcol, two companies that hold exploration and production interests in Colombia.