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New chief scientists bring total to 10

Four more internationally recognised experts have become chief scientists at Shell. They will deliver on business activities and objectives, and play an important role in driving technical and scientific skills within the organisation.

John Karanikas is the chief scientist for reservoir engineering; Vianney Koelman is the chief scientist for petrophysics; Dirk Smit is the chief scientist for geophysics; and Wolfgang Warnecke is the chief scientist for mobility. They bring the group’s membership to 10.

“A chief scientist functions as an ambassador of Shell technology promoting thought leadership in their specific areas of technology,” said Gerald Schotman, Executive Vice President Innovation and Research and Development, and Chief Technology Officer. “They also play an important role as a role model and mentor for technical and scientific staff, as well as providing consultancy services on specific projects
and technologies.

“Chief scientists will continue to be selected on the basis of their outstanding technical capability relevant to Shell, both in the depth and the breadth of their respective field, and having achieved internal and external recognition for their contributions,” concluded Schotman.

Licensed technology for new Kirkuk refinery in Iraq

Shell Global Solutions International BV has signed three licensing agreements with the state-owned North Refineries Co. in Kirkuk, Iraq. These will provide a process licence and a basic engineering* package for a kerosene hydrotreater, a diesel hydrotreater and a vacuum gasoil hydrocracker. Each agreement includes a licence for Shell proprietary technology and the provision of engineering services.

“The award follows a transparent and competitive bid. We expect these licensed technologies will support us in creating a modern refinery in Kirkuk,” said Deputy Oil Minister Al-Shamma.

“Our agreement demonstrates Shell Global Solutions commitment to Iraq as part of the Shell Group’s long-term strategy We are involved in oil production at Majnoon, we signed an agreement in 2008 to capture and monetise gas being flared in the Southern Iraq fields and we are now entering the downstream sector: a key growth market,” said Süleyman Özmen, Vice President Licensing, Shell Global Solutions International BV.

Athabasca expansion for Shell

In an expansion of its oil sands operation in Canada, Shell has started production at the Jackpine River mine in the Athabasca Oil Sands Project.

Due to come on-stream in 2011, the mine will produce 100,000 barrels a day. Along with the larger Muskeg River mine, it will feed the Scotford upgrader, which produces refined oil products.

“The Jackpine River mine is a tremendous addition to our oil sands portfolio,” said Marvin Odum, Shell Upstream Americas Director and President of Shell Oil Company. “Canada’s oil sands are an important source of energy in a world with increasing energy needs. Shell is committed to developing this resource responsibly and to pursuing opportunities to reduce the impacts of its oil sands operations.”

Reducing NOx emissions in flue gases

Innovative technology designed to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from fluidised catalytic cracking units in refineries is being introduced by Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc., and Praxair, Inc.

Designed to help address rigid regulatory requirements, CONOx technology provides a high-velocity, highly reactive oxygen jet with superior mixing capabilities that enables rapid reactions of carbon monoxide and NOx precursors at typical flue gas temperatures. Shell Global Solutions will be involved in marketing CONOx technology worldwide and will work with Praxair to update and improve the system.

“The CONOx system creates a high-temperature, highly reactive, oxygen-rich stream. The lance can be easily integrated into existing flue gas ductwork with minimal modifications,” said Pankaj Desai, Licensing Manager, Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc.

Ultra-deep-water Brazilian project to expand

Shell is set to develop Phase II of the ultra-deep-water Parque das Conchas offshore fields more than 100 km off the coast of Brazil.

Production from Phase I began in 2009 from nine wells in three fields: Abalone, Ostra, and Argonauta B-West. The output from these fields is already above expectations. Phase II includes seven additional development wells, which will reach depths of 1,100 m.

The whole project is predicted to deliver a total of 300 million barrels of oil equivalent from a facilities production capacity of some 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

Technical expertise is the key in lubes supply

For the fourth year running, Shell Lubricants is the top global lubricants supplier in an annual research study carried out by management consultant Kline & Company.

“Kline’s research shows that despite very challenging market conditions, Shell has continued to outperform the lubricants market as a whole and maintain its global leadership position,” said Chong-Meng Tan, Executive Vice President for Shell B2B and Shell Lubricants.

Even during the economic downturn, Shell Lubricants grew its market share from 12.7% in 2008 to 13.4% in 2009. It also increased its lead over its nearest competitor by 2.5%.

Kline indicated that technological expertise is increasingly an important differentiator for lubricants suppliers. This is a key strength for Shell, as its focus on customers has won the confidence of many who are market leaders in their sectors. For example, in 2010, Hyundai Motor Company renewed its global preferred lubricants supplier agreement with Shell for a further five years. International mining companies such as Anglo American have also extended their contracts with Shell over the last 12 months.

Shell supports clean stove initiative

According to the latest reports from the World Health Organization, 1.9 million premature deaths each year result from respiratory diseases.

 As part of a global initiative to prevent deaths and cut greenhouse gas emissions caused by the smoke from traditional indoor stoves, Shell has pledged $6 million to provide cleaner cooking stoves that require significantly less fuel and reduce emissions.

The donation, staged over three years, backs the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, which aims for an additional 100 million homes to have an efficient cooking stove by 2020.

“Indoor air pollution is one of the most significant energy poverty issues facing the developing world,” said Peter Voser, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Dutch Shell plc. “With three billion people worldwide using open fires or traditional stoves in their homes, this initiative is a step forward in making a huge and tangible difference to their health and environment.”