Shell has been saying for some time that its Woodside stake was “non-strategic,” which is a codeword meaning it will be sold. The remaining 4.5% equity stake will probably go as soon as Shell finds a buyer for it.
Paradoxically, Shell tried to acquire Woodside—one of the early LNG developers—in 2001, but the Australian government blocked the deal.
Shell plans to divest roughly $15B of assets during 2014-2015.