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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.
Our goal/operating model
Shell chemicals companies aspire to be top performers in the petrochemicals sector. Activities are underpinned by an operating model that defines a core intent to deliver bulk petrochemicals... to large industrial customers... through standardised global processes... at the lowest possible total cost. At the heart of that model is a commitment to contribute to sustainable development.
Financial data
| Q3 2009 | Q2 2009 | Q3 2008 | % change Q3 2009 to Q3 2008 | Nine months 2009 | Nine months 2008 | % change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,292 | (275) | 2,419 | -47 | Downstream CCS earnings (USD million) | 2,020 | 4,748 | -57 |
| 251 | 1,539 | (2,543) | Estimated CCS adjustment | 1,986 | 2,540 | ||
| 1,543 | 1,264 | (123) | Downstream earnings | 4,006 | 7,288 | -45 | |
| 129 | (18) | 116 | 11 | Chemicals CCS earnings | 37 | 175 | -79 |
| 4,723 | 4,459 | 4,989 | -5 | Chemicals sales volumes(thousand tonnes) | 13,476 | 15,844 | -15 |
Third quarter Downstream CCS earnings were $1,292 million compared to $2,419 million in the third quarter 2008. Earnings included net gains of $536 million related to the estimated fair value accounting of commodity derivatives and tax credits, which were partly offset by charges related to asset impairments and restructuring provisions. Earnings for the third quarter 2008 included a gain of $445 million.
Downstream CCS earnings compared to the third quarter 2008 reflected substantially lower realised refining margins and lower refinery plant intake volumes, and lower marketing and chemicals margins which were partly offset by lower costs.
Chemicals CCS earnings compared to the third quarter 2008 reflected improved income from equity accounted investments and lower realised chemicals margins.
Chemicals sales volumes decreased by 5% compared to the same quarter last year. Chemicals manufacturing plant availability increased to 95%, some 9% higher than in the third quarter 2008, which was impacted by hurricanes in the USA.
Full year results for 2008
Full year Chemicals segment results were a loss of $405 million, reflecting the result of chemicals net realised inventory effects due to declining commodity prices in the second half of 2008, compared to earnings of $2,051 million in 2007.
Full year Chemicals CCS segment earnings were $156 million compared to $1,682 million in 2007. Earnings included a net charge of $210 million related to identified items, compared to a net charge of $28 million in 2007.
CCS earnings compared to full year 2007 reflected lower income from equity-accounted investments, lower realised margins, reduced sales volumes and higher operating costs.
Sales volumes decreased by 10% compared to full year 2007, mainly as a result of reduced global demand.
Chemicals manufacturing plant availability was 94%, some 1% higher than in 2007.
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 |
| Graham van't Hoff | Vice President Global Base Chemicals |
| Nigel Hobson | Vice President Operations and HSSE |
| Doug Alexander | Vice President Finance |
| Clive Grant | Lead Counsel Shell Chemicals |
| Bill Rothwell | Vice President Innovation and Chemicals Technology |
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 |
| 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)
Sabina Petrochemicals LLC
Infineum International Limited
