Shell plans to cut one-third of stations. (Global Report on North America).(Royal Dutch-Shell...

United Stations -- Royal Dutch/Shell Group said it will cut 30 percent of its United States gasoline stations by June 2004, or 6,000 stations, about double the number it had previously planned to reduce.

The Anglo-Dutch oil concern said the aggressive station reduction would increase its chances to improve profitability. Shell, which bought part of Texaco Inc.'s interest last year in two refining and marketing ventures, has vowed to turn around its United States refining and marketing business, the lowest-performing part of its global portfolio. In the United States, Sh