Shell Petroleum NV, a subsidiary of Shell Plc, has completed the previously-announced acquisition of European renewable natural gas (RNG) producer Nature Energy Biogas and now owns 100% of its shares, Shell announced in a Feb. 20 press release.

Nature Energy is the largest producer of RNG in Europe and has a portfolio of operating plants, feedstock supply and infrastructure and renewable natural gas plant technology. This acquisition backs Shell’s plan of building a global integrated RNG value chain and low-carbon offerings across multiple sectors.

Nature Energy’s first biogas plant was established in Denmark in 2015, growing to the current 14 operating plants with 2022 production of approximately 6.5 million MMBtu/year, or 3,000 boe/d.

The acquisition of Nature Energy will add to Shell’s already established RNG business in North America, which has an operational site and three more under construction, the company said. The deal also adds 30 new plant projects in Europe and North America to Shell’s RNG portfolio, with more than a third in medium to late development stages and is expected to deliver 9.2 million MMBtu/year, or 4,400 boe/d by 2030.

Shell’s energy transition plan involves scope 1, 2 and 3 targets, including net-zero carbon emissions from operations by 2050, as well as net-zero from the end use of all energy products sold. Nature Energy’s portfolio will add new volumes to Shell’s RNG trading portfolio in Europe and support the company’s transition from LNG to bioLNG, according to the company

The transaction will be absorbed into Shell’s 2023 capital range of $23 billion to $27 billion. Nature Energy will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shell under its existing brand.