Shell pays $25-million for more Alberta leases

Royal Dutch Shell PLC has paid $25-million for additional oil sands leases, according to results of a biweekly sale of exploration rights released by the province of Alberta yesterday. The money comes on top of about $566-million Shell has already spent this year for oil sands territory. The results of the latest biweekly land sales have pushed Alberta's total take this year to $3.08-billion. The former annual record of $2.26-billion, set in 2005, was eclipsed in July. RDSA (London) rose 1 pence to £17.23 ($36.67).