Due to an unexpected shutdown of a critical manufacturing unit at Shell’s Clyde Refinery in Sydney, Shell premium fuels have been unavailable since early this year. Shell Australia Chairman, Russell Caplan, said: “Shell is pleased that we are now able to resume supply of Shell V-Power, Shell Unleaded 95, and Shell Premium Unleaded petrols to our retailers in NSW and the ACT.” Mr Caplan said major engineering work on the $150 million upgrade of Clyde Refinery is well advanced, with more than 600 extra engineers and technical staff on site. “Work has been proceeding around the clock and, while it won’t be complete until the end of June, we have begun working with our retailers to re-stock over 250 Shell-branded service stations in NSW and ACT.” Given the extended period these stores have been out of stock, tanks and pump equipment at each Coles Express site will also be tested to ensure that they are in good working order before fuel is available for sale. “Shell has been supplying the Australian market for over 100 years, and is recognised as a leader in fuels innovation and development,” Mr Caplan said. “The upgrade to the Clyde Refinery will ensure Shell continues to supply Australian motorists with a choice of high quality fuels well into the future. “We sincerely regret the inconvenience this supply disruption has caused, and we thank customers for their patience and continued support during this period.” -Ends- Notes to editors: Background on the unexpected shutdown of a critical manufacturing unit at Shell’s Clyde Refinery in Sydney: Shell customers in NSW and ACT have been unable to buy Shell V-Power, Shell Unleaded 95 and Shell Premium Unleaded Petrol (PULP) since early 2008. This was due to an unexpected shutdown of the Catalytic Cracking Unit (‘the cracker’) at Shell’s Clyde Refinery in Sydney in mid January. The cracker, used to convert heavy crude oil residue into various fuel components, is critical to the operation of the Refinery. This shutdown severely reduced Shell’s ability to produce fuel. Recognising the cracker unit was close to the end of its working life, Shell had planned for some time to replace the unit during maintenance scheduled for the end of March. The unplanned shutdown of the cracker meant that normal preparations for the maintenance period, such as stockpiling fuel and changing the crude diet of the Refinery, had not taken place. As the cracker replacement required hundreds of highly specialized engineers and technical staff the bulk of this work could not be brought forward to January. Background on Shell in Australia: Shell Australia owns and operates refineries in Geelong (Vic) and Clyde (NSW). Clyde Refinery has a capacity of around 85,000 barrels per day, with Geelong’s capacity around 115,000 barrels per day. Shell is the third largest petroleum refiner in Australia. Shell is not a retailer of fuel in Australia but is a fuel wholesaler to Coles Express, owner dealers operating Shell-branded service stations, and to other retailers and resellers in the market. It sets its wholesale prices based on Singapore posted prices, and publishes its terminal gate prices twice a week on its Web site (www.shell.com.au). From its origins in Australia over 100 years ago, Shell is now one of Australia’s largest energy producers, employing approximately 3,000 staff. Shell supplies fuel and lubricants to commercial customers, and retailers who have contact with more than 300,000 motorists every day. Shell has consistently been a leader in catering to a changing fuel market in Australia, through strong local and international R&D programs, and technical partnerships with market leaders such as Ferrari. For further information contact:
CLAIRE WILKINSON, Senior Media Advisor, Shell Australia Ltd, Mobile: 0417 007 344, Email:  claire.wilkinson@shell.com, Tel: 03 8823 4070
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