Royal Dutch Shell has asked Saudi Aramco for up to $2 billion as part of the breakup of their giant Motiva Enterprises refining joint venture in the United States, the latest stumbling point in a partnership fraught with tension. The payment would be compensation for the Saudi company retaining a larger share of the nearly two decade-old JV. Its split was announced in March and is expected to be completed in October but disagreements over the payment could postpone the final date, sources close to the talks told Reuters. Under the agreement announced in March, Aramco will take control of Motiva’s largest U.S. refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, and retain 26 distribution terminals. That underscored Aramco’s strategy to expand its global refining footprint in order to secure markets for its crude oil and could also be part of its ambitious public offering plan. Shell will become the sole owner […]