According to the FT, Shell is preparing to dispose of its 50 per cent stake in a Louisiana gasfield to Blackstone for $1.2bn, as the oil and gas group retreats from one of its souring investments in North America. Private equity group, Blackstone, is named as the likely purchaser. The article contains reference to the "fix or divest" policy of Royal Dutch Shell CEO, Ben van Beurden in relation to Shell's under performing North American upstream business.