Chemicals giant Ineos is expanding its energy operations in the United States, partnering with Shell for new oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. Ineos boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe stated he is prioritising investment across the Atlantic rather than in Europe. Ineos Energy, the conglomerate's energy division, has acquired a 21 per cent interest in a portfolio of assets from a Shell subsidiary. The two companies will jointly invest in exploration and production in the Gulf of Mexico, a body of water US President Donald Trump has controversially referred to as the Gulf of America. This venture includes developing Shell’s Fort Sumter oil and gas discovery, drilling the Sisco exploration well, and identifying another exploration well by 2030. The deal's price was not disclosed. Ineos confirmed this agreement marks a further step in its deliberate shift towards US investment, having committed over $3 billion (£2.2 billion) there.…