I'm an expert in the field of corporate structures and market dynamics, with a keen interest in the oil and gas industry. It's a pleasure to provide you with a detailed answer on the ownership of BP and Shell.

BP, formerly known as British Petroleum, is a multinational oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is one of the world's seven oil and gas "supermajors," which are the dominant entities in the industry. BP operates in more than 80 countries and is involved in every aspect of the oil and gas industry, from exploration and production to refining, marketing, and transportation.

Shell, on the other hand, is a multinational oil and gas company that is part of the Royal Dutch Shell Group, which is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, and has its registered office in London, United Kingdom. Shell is also one of the "supermajors" and operates in over 70 countries. It is involved in a wide range of activities, including exploration and production, refining, distribution, and marketing.

Now, to address the question of whether BP and Shell are owned by the same company, the answer is no. They are two separate entities with distinct ownership structures and corporate histories. However, there is a historical connection between the two companies that is worth noting.

As you mentioned, since 1932, the products of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group and the British Petroleum Group have been marketed in the UK through the agency of Shell-Mex and B.P. Ltd. This arrangement was known as "brand streaming," which was a form of joint marketing to leverage the strengths of both companies in the UK market. This does not imply ownership but rather a strategic partnership in marketing and distribution.

It is important to understand that while BP and Shell have collaborated in various capacities over the years, they remain separate companies with their own boards of directors, shareholders, and corporate strategies. They compete with each other in many areas of the oil and gas industry and also partner on certain projects where mutual interests align.

In terms of ownership, both companies are publicly traded and have a diverse group of shareholders. BP's shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange, while Shell's shares are traded on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. The ownership of both companies is spread across institutional investors, individual shareholders, and other entities.

In conclusion, while BP and Shell have a history of collaboration and share a common market in the UK through brand streaming, they are not owned by the same company. They are independent entities with their own corporate identities and are not under the control of a single parent company.

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Since 1932 the products of the Companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group and of The British Petroleum Group have been marketed in the UK through the agency of Shell-Mex and B.P. Ltd. ... It is now proposed to extend this 'brand streaming' progressively to cover all products and all market sectors.read more >>