SHELL has been blamed for polluting water supplies through drilling operations at its producing Sirikit oilfield onshore Thailand. The Anglo-Dutch giant denies it is responsible for the high level of heavy metals in the vicinity. Thai Shell is being blamed by villagers in Lan Krabue district, in Kamphaeng Phet province, for the high levels of manganese, chlorine and cadmium in their water that have allegedly caused illness among children.