On November 4, 2010, the Commission instituted cease and desist proceedings against Royal Dutch Shell (Shell) and Shell International Exploration and Production (SIEP). The Commission alleged that Shell and SIEP had violated provisions for the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), specifically that SIEP, on behalf of Shell, authorized payments to Nigerian customs officials in exchange for preferential treatment. As a result of the payments, Shell profited by $14M. None of the illegal payments were properly recorded in Shell's books and records, and there were no internal controls in place to prevent these violations. As a result of the Commission's proceedings, Shell has settled with the Commission and both Shell and SIEP agree to pay $18M to the US Treasury.

On November 4, 2010, the SEC instituted settled cease-and-desist proceedings against Royal Dutch Shell plc ("Shell"), an oil company headquartered in the Netherlands, and its indirect subsidiary called Shell International Exploration and Production, Inc. ("SIEP"). The SEC alleges that, from 2002 to 2005, Shell and SIEP violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by using a customs broker to make payments from to officials at Nigerian Customs Service in order to obtain preferential customs treatment related to a project in Nigeria. Without admitting or denying the SEC's allegations, Shell and SIEP agreed to a cease-and-desist order and will pay disgorgement and prejudgment interest of $18,149,459. In related criminal proceedings brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, Shell Nigerian Exploration and Production Co. Ltd. will pay a criminal fine of $30 million.