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Factsheets
Key facts and figures
Shell Chemicals defined
Shell Chemicals is the term used to refer to the various Shell companies that carry out the chemicals operations of the Shell Group. With a collective multi-billion dollar annual turnover and significant investments in manufacturing assets around the world - both direct and through joint ventures - we number among the largest petrochemical operations in the world.
Financial data
| Q1 2012 | Q4 2011 | Q1 2011 | % change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downstream CCS earnings (USD million) | 1,319 | (244) | 1,170 | +13 |
Downstream CCS earnings excluding identified items | 1,121 | (278) | 1,653 | -32 |
| Chemicals CCS earnings (USD million) | 499 | 380 | 485 | +3 |
| Chemicals sales volumes (thousand tonnes) | 4,679 | 4,440 | 5,010 | -7 |
First quarter Downstream earnings excluding identified items were $1,121 million compared with $1,653 million in the first quarter 2011. Identified items were a net gain of $198 million, mainly reflecting gains related to divestments. Earnings for the first quarter 2011 included a net charge of $483 million.
Downstream earnings excluding identified items decreased compared with the first quarter 2011. Earnings benefited from the Raízen joint venture in Brazil and lower operating expenses. These items were more than offset by lower realised refining margins, reflecting the weaker global refining environment, and lower marketing contributions mainly as a result of a reduced portfolio following divestments. Chemicals earnings were in line with the first quarter 2011.
Oil products sales volumes decreased by 3% compared with the same period a year ago, mainly as a result of portfolio divestments. Excluding the impact of divestments and the effects of the formation of the Raízen joint venture, totalling some 190 thousand b/d, sales volumes were in line with the same period last year.
Chemicals sales volumes decreased by 7% compared with the same quarter last year, mainly due to reductions in European capacity and rationalisation of the contract portfolio. Chemicals manufacturing plant availability increased to 94% compared with 92% in the first quarter 2011.
Refinery intake volumes decreased by 8% compared with the first quarter 2011. Excluding portfolio impacts, refinery intake volumes were 1% lower than in the same period a year ago. Refinery availability increased to 94% compared with 92% in the first quarter 2011.
Employee numbers
Shell chemicals companies staff total 8,500 worldwide. The majority of these support our manufacturing operations. This does not include joint venture employees.
Chemicals Leadership Team | |
| Name | Job title |
|---|---|
| Ben van Beurden | Executive Vice President Chemicals |
| Iain Lo | Vice President New Business Development and Ventures |
| Sven Royall | Vice President Global Intermediates |
| Helena Shen | Vice President Human Resources |
| Brian Davis | Vice President Global Base Chemicals |
| Nigel Hobson | Vice President Operations and HSSE |
| Cindy Gaddis | Vice President Finance |
| Clive Grant | Lead Counsel Shell Chemicals |
| Alexander Farina | General Manager Chemicals Strategy |
Key manufacturing sites
Listed below are our principal manufacturing facilities. For a complete listing of locations at which chemicals products are made, return to the factsheets index and select the 'manufacturing locations' factsheet.
| Americas | Canada | Scotford |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Deer Park, Texas | |
| Geismar, Louisiana | ||
| Norco, Louisiana | ||
| Mobile, Alabama | ||
| Asia Pacific/Middle East | Singapore | Jurong Island/Pulau Bukom |
| Europe/Africa | The Netherlands | Moerdijk |
| Pernis | ||
| United Kingdom | Stanlow |
Key technology centres | ||
| Americas | USA | Westhollow, Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Asia Pacific | India | Bangalore, Karnataka |
| Europe | The Netherlands | Amsterdam |
Principal joint ventures
Saudi Arabia Petrochemical Company (SADAF)
Ellba BV and ELLBA Eastern (Pte) Ltd
Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore (PCS)
The Polyolefin Company Pte Ltd (TPC)
CNOOC and Shell Petrochemicals Company Limited (CSPCL)
Infineum International Limited
