A History of Shell

History of Shell in New Zealand - Manufacturing and Marketing

History of Shell in New Zealand - Exploration & Production

The Shell Group - In the beginning

The Shell Group - The post war period

History of the Shell 'Pecten'

Shell began its long association with New Zealand on the 7th of August 1912. New Zealand was one of the first markets outside Europe to see the Shell brand.

During the early days, Shell's main products, motor gasoline, kerosine, and lubricants, were brought into New Zealand in tins encased in wooden boxes.

In 1926, Shell opened New Zealand's first bulk distribution installation at Miramar, Wellington. Later that year the country's first bulk cargo of motor gasoline was pumped ashore from the Shell flagship tanker Murex.

The Shell Company of New Zealand Limited was incorporated in 1927 and the Gollin agency amicably terminated. Facilities steadily expanded and a technical department, laboratory and lubricants blending plant opened in Wellington.

When the post-Depression economy began to recover, Shell took over marketing Big Tree petrol from A S Paterson and Company. In 1955 a New Zealand Board of Directors was appointed, and Shell Oil New Zealand Limited was incorporated in June 1959.

Also in the late 1950's plans for the Marsden Point oil refinery were announced, bitumen plants were opened in Auckland and Lyttelton, and a bulk distribution installation was built at Seaview.

This has since been replaced by the state-of-the-art Hutt City joint venture operation, which is also located at the Seaview instillation.

Since the 1930s, Shell's chemicals business in New Zealand has steadily grown to be one of the largest chemical operations in the country, involving a wide range of sophisticated products in the petrochemical and surfactant (detergent) fields. In 1963, Shell constructed the first stainless steal chemical pipeline and tankage facilities at Seaview to supply bulk chemical products to industry.

In the 1970s Shell acquired a shareholding in Robert Chemicals Limited, the largest New Zealand manufacturer and marketer of detergent intermediate products. In 1966 this operation was integrated with Shell's mainstream chemicals business.

Shell has been extensively involved in the search for oil and gas in New Zealand since the 1930's. In 1955, Shell entered into a joint venture agreement to conduct exploration programmes on and offshore in Taranaki.

The results of this amalgamation of interests was a Shell-managed operating company, now Shell Todd Oil Services (STOS).In 1959 New Zealand's first commercial onshore gas field was discovered at Kapuni.

Exploration moved offshore in 1968 with the discovery of the Maui gas field. The Maui field was at that time one of the largest offshore gas fields in the world.

In 1993 crude oil reserves were discovered below the Maui gas field and new technology developed internationally by Shell enabled oil production from this field to commence in 1996.

Learn more about about Shell New Zealand's Exploration & Production business.

In 1833 Marcus Samuel opened a small shop in London, selling sea shells to Victorian natural history enthusiasts. It soon became a thriving import-export business. On a visit to the Caspian Sea coast, Marcus's son recognised a huge opportunity to export oil for lamps and cooking to the Far East. He commissioned the first special oil tanker in 1892, and subsequently delivered 4,000 tonnes of Russian kerosene to Singapore and Bangkok.

Meanwhile, the company Royal Dutch had been formed in the Netherlands to develop oil fields in Asia. By 1896 it had its own tanker fleet to compete with the British.

In time, it became obvious that the competing Dutch and British companies would do better working together. In 1907, the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of companies was created to incorporate their operations worldwide.

Throughout the early twentieth century, the Group expanded with acquisitions in Europe, Africa and the Americas. These were exciting times for the oil industry, as the mass production of cars had opened up a vast new market.

The First World War years saw many of Shell’s operations closed down or confiscated; but others were added or expanded, particularly in North America.

In 1919, Alcock and Brown made the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic - powered by Shell fuel. Shell Aviation Services was established that same year.

The 1920s and 1930s were expansion years, with Shell businesses in new regions and new industry sectors; Shell's first foray into chemicals began in 1929.

During the Second World War, Shell once again

lost businesses, tankers and properties, but supported the Allied Governments with fuel supplies and chemical production.

Following the Second World War, an enormous effort began to replace and expand Shell's facilities for production, transport and refining to meet the new pressures on demand.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Shell's oil output and sales increased dramatically, to the point where Shell supplied almost one-seventh of the world's oil products. This period was also important for the development of natural gas as an alternative source of energy.

In the 1970s, Shell made major oil & gas discoveries in the North Sea, just off the coast of Scotland. At the same time, an economic recession combined with a steep rise in the price of crude oil had a serious impact on the oil business.

People turned to natural gas. By the end of the decade, gas accounted for about 15% of Europe's energy consumption, with Shell and its partners supplying about half. Liquified natural gas (LNG) - which Shell helped to pioneer - also performed well. Meanwhile, Shell was developing its long term interests in coal and metals.

In the 1980s, Shell companies installed advanced technology, launched new products and services, and explored solutions to environmental concerns. Shell began to sell unleaded petrol, and subsequently gained a worldwide leadership position.

With the 1990s came lower oil prices, and a concentration on Shell's core businesses - mainly oil, gas and chemicals. By mid-decade, Shell had started to look ahead to the new millennium and what would be required of energy companies.

As a result, fundamental changes have occurred and continue to be made in the Group. Sustainable development practices are gradually being integrated throughout the Shell business. These, and a commitment to people, the planet and profits will help Shell retain a competitive advantage.

Shell has been a successful energy company for over 100 years - and aims to carry on being a successful energy company well into the next century.

Learn about the 100 year history behind Shell's emblem - the Pecten.