BRIEF-Shell agrees sale of downstream businesses in Australia to Vitol for about A$2.9 bln

Feb 21 (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell PLC RDSa.L :

* Shell agrees sale of downstream businesses in Australia to Vitol

* Shell-total transaction value of approximately A$2.9 billion (US$2.6 billion)

* Sale covers shell's geelong refinery and 870-site retail business - along with its bulk fuels, bitumen, chemicals and part of its lubricants businesses in Australia

* Shell's upstream operations in Australia, in which it will continue to invest, are not impacted by this announcement

* Shell-binding agreement to sell its Australia downstream businesses (excluding aviation) to Vitol

* The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in 2014

* Source text:( Href="Link">http://r.reuters.com/ryq96v)

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