QUEST ACHIEVES MAJOR MILESTONE
Transcription
QUEST ACHIEVES MAJOR MILESTONE
ALUMNINEWS PUBLISHED FOR SHELL ALUMNI IN THE AMERICAS | WWW.SHELL.US/ALUMNI MAJOR START-UP IN GULF OF MEXICO Shell begins production from Cardamom development. FOCUS TO WIN Shell delivers on new Unconventionals strategy. DECEMBER 2014 NEW DISCOVERY WELLS Refocused onshore strategy sees sizable discovery in Utica formation. QUEST ACHIEVES MAJOR MILESTONE PAGE 3 SHELL NEWS A WORD FROM OUR EDITORS CONTENTS 2 With the holidays fast approaching, it’s time to get your wish list in order. That includes your wish list for AlumniNews. What are your favorites sections of the magazine? Are we providing enough news on business activities? Do you wish we’d provide more information on certain subjects and less on others? ALUMNINEWS AlumniNews is published for Shell US and Canada. Editors: Design: Natalie Mazey and Jackie Panera Production Centre of Excellence Shell Communications The Hague Writer/copy editor: Shell Human Resources: Susan Diemont-Conwell Susan Bialer Sullivan Torma Communications and Alicia Gomez On the cover Workers pose in front of the soon-to-be world’s first carbon capture and storage project in Canada’s oil sands. HIGHLIGHTS 03 Quest achieves major milestone 03 New discovery wells in Utica While you’re looking through the magazine, we hope you’ll check out important news about our business, including the start-up of our Cardamom development, a new discovery in the Gulf of Mexico and a big milestone for our first carbon capture and storage project in Canada. Also in this issue, we’ve included articles on a CNG uploading station in British Columbia and an update on our Unconventionals portfolio. Plus, we have articles on two alumni who are staying active in retirement. We also hope you will check out the regional section of the magazine for more news of interest, as well as updates on alumni activities. 04 Major start-up in Gulf of Mexico 04 Giving new life to an old TLP 06 Reducing fuel costs 06 Major discovery in Gulf of Mexico 11 AlumniNews survey As always, if you have a recent story idea for our Alumni Features section of the magazine, please drop us a line. Email and address details can be found on the back page. We look forward to hearing from you! 13 Unconventionals business update 13 Third win in Nascar Series 14 Exercising physically, mentally 15 Out of the recliner, onto the course Send us your wishes for AlumniNews by taking a quick survey, found on our website at www.shell.us/alumni. If you prefer to mail us a copy, flip to our survey on page 11. Natalie Mazey and Jackie Panera, Editors AlumniNews magazine Shell’s flagship carbon capture and storage project remains on time, on budget. Refocused onshore strategy sees sizable discovery in Utica formation. Shell begins production from Cardamom development. Auger plays integral role in Cardamom development. Groundbirch Wells team builds first ever CNG loading station in Upstream Americas. Rydberg offers huge resource potential. Tell us what you think and help us customize the magazine. Focus to Win strategy on track. Shell, Penske Racing support strong product development. Ballroom dance keeps alumnus moving. Alumnus passes on love of the game to junior golfers. YOU ASKED. WE DELIVERED. Visit www.shell.us/alumni for everything alumni. Need forms? Want back issues of AlumniNews magazine? Visit our Shell alumni website for helpful links and phone numbers and the latest news on Shell. Also, connect with us by emailing [email protected] to give us feedback and tell us what you’d like to see on the site. GO GREEN Sign up to receive the newsletter electronically by visiting www.shell.us/ alumni. While you’re there, read the latest news and information about Shell. Thank you to those who have already chosen to go green! SHELL NEWS 3 QUEST ACHIEVES MAJOR MILESTONE CCS project remains on time, on budget the equivalent of taking 175,000 North American cars off the road. Shell Canada has fitted the 69th and final module at its Quest oil sands carbon capture and storage (CCS) project north of Edmonton, Alberta. When complete, this will be the world’s first commercialscale CCS project in the Canadian oil sands and is expected to store over 1 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year deep underground. With the installation of the final module, the facilities at the Scotford Upgrader are 70% complete. Construction on the Quest project remains on time and on budget. The project will begin injecting CO2 from Shell’s oil sands operations 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) under the Alberta prairie in 2015. The final module was constructed in Edmonton, which is a growing center for modularization construction techniques that are bringing down costs in the oil sands and providing opportunities for Canadians. Now that all the modules are in place, onsite work continues to connect wires, pipe and control systems. The project is partly funded by the Alberta provincial and Canadian federal governments, and the technology designed to make the project work will be shared with the governments as part of the funding agreement. Once operational, the Quest project will join a handful of commercial-scale CCS projects in operation worldwide. Construction on the 37-mile (60-kilometer) underground pipeline to three previously drilled injection wells is largely complete and on track for mechanical completion this fall. The capture unit was designed using Fluor’s 3rd Gen Modular ExecutionSM innovative proprietary technology, which significantly reduced the plot size of the unit and improved safety by relocating 90% of the field hours to a module yard. Quest CCS is being built by Shell Canada, on behalf of its Athabasca Oil Sands Project partners, Chevron and Marathon, to capture over 1 million tons of CO2 each year from the Scotford Upgrader and inject it deep underground for permanent storage under multiple impermeable rock layers. The CO2 captured would represent up to 35% of the direct emissions from the upgrader, which is Shell CCS projects include shares in an operational facility in Norway that tests capture technology, a gas-fired power plant in the United Kingdom under design and a natural gas liquefaction project in Australia being constructed by partner Chevron. A Shell subsidiary based in Quebec, Cansolv, also provides the capture technology to a CCS project attached to a coal-fired power plant in Saskatchewan, Canada. « NEW DISCOVERY WELLS IN UTICA Shell has announced new discovery wells—Neal and Gee—within the Utica formation in Tioga County, Pennsylvania. The wells were drilled to a total measured depth of approximately 14,500 and 15,500 feet (4,420 and 4,724 meters) with lateral lengths of 3,100 feet (945 meters) at Gee and 4,200 feet (1,280 meters) at Neal, respectively. The results are comparable to the best publically announced so far in the emerging Southeast Ohio Utica dry gas play. “This successful discovery is the result of solid technical work in our onshore business,” says Marvin Odum, director of Upstream Americas. The news underlines Shell’s refocused strategy that involves divesting large U.S. natural gas assets in some plays, while adding assets in other plays to its portfolio. Recently, Shell exited its Pinedale and Haynesville onshore gas assets in exchange for approximately $2.1 billion of cash, adding acreage in the Utica and Marcellus areas. Extending the “sweet spot” The Gee well was drilled over 100 miles to the northeast of the nearest horizontal Utica producer, and had an initial flowback rate of 11.2 million cubic feet (Mmcf) of natural gas per day. Gee has been on production for nearly one year. Shell began production of the Neal well in February, with observed peak flowback rates of 26.5 Mmcf of natural gas per day. The Gee and Neal discovery wells extend the sweet spot of the Utica formation beyond Southeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, where previous discoveries have been located, and into an area where Shell holds a major leasehold position of approximately 430,000 acres. « 4 SHELL NEWS MAJOR START-UP IN GULF OF MEXICO Shell begins production from Cardamom development Production is now underway from the Cardamom development, the second major deepwater facility Shell has brought online in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) this year, following the start-up of Mars B in February. Oil from the Cardamom subsea development (100% Shell) is piped through Shell’s Auger platform. When at full production of 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day (boe/d), Auger’s total production capacity will increase to 130,000 boe/d. “Cardamom is a high-value addition to Shell’s production at the Auger platform and is another example of our excellence in deepwater project delivery,” says Marvin Odum, director of Upstream Americas. “The work to extend the production life of our first deepwater tension-leg platform is impressive and involved advanced exploration and development technology. Our additional opportunities in deepwater mean that this will remain an important, high-return growth area for Shell.” The Cardamom reservoir sits beneath thick layers of salt in rock more than four miles (6.4 kilometers) below the sea floor and went undetected by conventional seismic surveys. Shell used the latest advancements in seismic technology to discover Cardamom in 2010. The Cardamom field is 225 miles (362 kilometers) southwest of New Orleans, Louisiana, in water more than 2,700 feet (820 meters) deep. Other deepwater GOM growth for Shell includes the Mars B (Shell 71.5%) development, which continues to ramp up Even as Shell’s oldest tension-leg platform, Auger still plays a key role in the company’s deepwater Gulf of Mexico program. Cardamom is Auger’s seventh subsea development. production; the ultra-deepwater Stones (Shell 100%, 50,000 boe/d) project, which is under construction; the Appomattox (Shell 80%) project, where front-end engineering and design is progressing; and, in a recent exploration success, a major discovery at its Rydberg (Shell 57.2%) well in the Norphlet play. Shell also discovered oil at its Kaikias (Shell 100%) well in the Mars basin, which will require further appraisal in 2015. Last month, Shell also started oil production from its Bonga North West (Shell 55%, 40,000 boe/d) deepwater development off the coast of Nigeria and recently announced a natural gas discovery at its Marjoram-1 (Shell 85%) deepwater well in Malaysia, where the GumusutKakap (Shell 33%) deepwater platform is also on track for production this year. « GIVING NEW LIFE TO AN OLD TLP Auger plays integral role in Cardamom development Tonya Williams has seen the Auger tension-leg platform (TLP) come full circle during her career—from the cutting-edge development that led the industry into deepwater exploration in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) 20 years ago to today, when first oil from the Cardamom development will make the TLP Shell’s top producer in the GOM. In 1993, two years after she joined the company as a facilities engineer, Williams took part in commissioning activities aboard Auger. When she joined the Auger development team last year as area development lead to ready the platform for Cardamom first oil, Williams admits to being a little disoriented when she stepped on the deck for the first time since 1995, when she worked on the platform as one of its first field engineers. “From the air, as you’re flying to it, the platform looks the same, but when you get aboard, it doesn’t look anything like before. We’ve added things I never imagined to bring on other subsea fields. Today, Auger is a major processing hub for Shell and our partners to get production to the beach,” she says. Auger’s history Cardamom is the seventh subsea tieback to Auger since the TLP began production in 1994. At the time, Auger was heralded as a “gutsy move” for Shell because it expanded exploration far deeper than ever before—at the time, more than twice the depth of the company’s Bullwinkle development of 1,350 feet (411 meters). Floating in 2,720 feet (829 meters) of water, Auger was built to reach reserves originally estimated at 220 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe). Only a year after first production, it drilled the SHELL NEWS discovery well for the Cardamom field, adding another 35 million boe in reserves. Auger is credited for leading Shell—and the industry—into deepwater operations in the GOM. At the time, Shell had discovered more than 10 deepwater fields. Proving to Shell management that the team could finish Auger on time and within budget allowed the company to move ahead with other projects. When Auger began producing on April 15, 1994, its production rates of 10,000 barrels per day caught the attention of the entire energy industry. “Those of us working on the Auger TLP at the time didn’t realize how significant it would be to the industry,” says Charles Tauzin, facilities engineer. “It opened up the industry to understand that deepwater was a horizon that could be successful and profitable.” A blueprint for deepwater Auger set the stage for Shell’s other deepwater developments. Every TLP after Auger was designed as a hub in which Shell could leverage existing infrastructure to access additional opportunities and reduce its environmental footprint. The platform also has served as a training ground for development at Shell for all the other assets that have since been brought online. “On just about every other TLP, you meet someone who got their grounding on Auger,” says Jack Hisaw, systems focal point with the Operational Readiness Group. day the topsides were mated to the hull, the day of Auger’s first oil, when we brought on the first well in the GOM to produce over 30,000 barrels of oil per day, the day we produced 104,000 barrels of oil and the day we produced 400 million cubic feet of gas,” Whiddon answers. But as typical in the life of a field, production rates peak and then decline, and Auger found itself on the downside of its 30-year life expectancy. “Over time, Auger peaked at 90,000 barrels per day, added six subsea tiebacks, then declined to around 25,000 barrels per day. Cardamom was an opportunity to breathe life into this historic asset and ramp it back to peak rates,” says Kurt Shallenberger, former Cardamom project manager and now delivery manager for Project Engineering. The Cardamom development team began looking at ways to improve the basic facility infrastructure on the aging platform. “It’s like restoring an older car that is eight to 10 years old,” says Brian Huber, Cardamom project manager. “You don’t take it all completely apart. You make sure you do the maintenance and updates on the car to keep it running. We added infrastructure, upgraded instrumentation systems and provided additional capability for operators. We also updated facilities to improve the quality of life for people on the platform.” The one constant on Auger One thing that hasn’t changed on Auger is the close-knit culture. “It’s always been like a family. We look out for each other. I always felt that from the very beginning,” Williams says. As one of the first women offshore 20 years ago, Williams was also one of the youngest on the initial Auger project team. “The most experienced and brightest people in Shell were supporting Auger, and it was a privilege to work around people with 20 years experience. “Today, our team ranges from people who joined the project six months ago to those who have been supporting Auger for 25 to 30 years. The diversity of the team is also very visible. You see many women in the organization and on deck. There are seven different nationalities represented on the team. The power of bringing so many people from diverse cultures and backgrounds makes it incredibly interesting to work here. We are united in achieving a common goal. “In general, when we talk about the success of Cardamom, you have to include the Auger story. This project has touched everything we do in UAD. The success is not because of any one person but because a whole team cutting across organizational boundaries has worked in an integrated way for the greater good of the project,” Williams adds. « From the beginning, Auger has always been in construction mode. Shortly after the TLP began producing, it was clear the original facilities needed to be expanded to handle higher-than-anticipated production. Over the past two decades, routine debottlenecking projects and expansion projects have added new production to the platform. When the team ran out of space on the original deck, it started hanging equipment off the side on skids on cantilevered decks. “Change is the normal state for Auger,” says retiree Joe Whiddon, who came to Auger as a mechanic in 1991 and spent 23 of his 33-year Shell career on the platform. What are some of the highlights of the platform’s 20-year history? “The 5 Auger has served as a training ground for employees over the years and is credited with leading Shell—and the industry—into deepwater operations in the GOM. 6 SHELL NEWS REDUCING FUEL COSTS First ever CNG loading station in Upstream Americas When it comes to fueling drilling, hydraulic fracturing and completions operations, it pays to conserve. That’s why Shell Canada is offsetting its diesel fuel use—what cost the Groundbirch Wells group $40,000 per day in 2013—with natural gas extracted from the company’s Groundbirch asset in British Columbia. The gas extracted from the Montney formation in Groundbirch is ideal for use as a fuel because its composition includes a high percentage of methane. To make the natural gas workable as a fuel for engine use, it has to be liquefied or compressed. Based on available infrastructure and installation costs, Shell Canada opted for compressed natural gas (CNG). To create CNG, field gas is first processed at the plant site to remove moisture. The resulting process gas is then piped to the CanGas compressor The project team poses at the completed CNG Loading Station at Sunset 05-03 in Groundbirch. at the plant site and loaded onto trailers designed with long tubes to hold the CNG. The trailers of CNG are hauled to drilling rigs or completions sites where the CNG is used to displace diesel fuel in engines and boilers. The pilot project went live in late 2013, making it the first CNG loading station in Shell Upstream Americas. At full usage, the station will replace over six gallons (24,000 liters) of diesel per day with CNG. While it remains a pilot project for now, the CNG compressor capacity can easily be increased to meet the fuel needs of other Groundbirch teams like Operations and Logistics. « MAJOR DISCOVERY IN GULF OF MEXICO Rydberg offers huge resource potential Shell has announced its third major discovery in the Norphlet play in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Located 75 miles (120 kilometers) offshore in 7,479 feet (2,280 meters) of water, the Rydberg well was drilled to a total depth of 26,371 feet (8,038 meters) and encountered more than 400 feet (122 meters) of net oil pay. While Shell is still completing the full evaluation of the well results, it expects the resource base to be approximately 100 million barrels of oil equivalent. “The Rydberg discovery builds on our leadership position in the Eastern GOM, and its proximity to our other discoveries in the area make Rydberg particularly exciting,” says Mark Shuster, executive vice president, Shell Upstream Americas Exploration. Untapped waters In the late 1990s, Shell geologists asked themselves this question: Could the prolific onshore Norphlet play extend into the deep waters of the GOM? In 2001, Shell acquired its first lease-hold in the region, and now, after more than 10 years of exploration activities, Shell continues to lead the industry in exploring the Norphlet. The drillship Noble Globetrotter I drilled the Rydberg well and is currently repositioning to drill the nearby Gettysburg exploratory well. In recent years, Shell has made a series of major discoveries in this emerging deepwater play. Together, with the Appomattox and Vicksburg discoveries, Rydberg brings the total potential Norphlet discoveries to over 700 million barrels of oil equivalent. Rydberg is the first discovery for the partnership of Shell (operator, interest 57.2%), Ecopetrol America Inc. (28.5%) and Nexen (14.3%), a wholly-owned affiliate of CNOOC Limited. The discovery is within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of the planned Appomattox development and the 2013 Vicksburg discovery (Shell, operator, 75% and Nexen, 25%). Shell and Nexen are following up the Rydberg discovery with an exploratory well at Gettysburg, located in Desoto Canyon Block 398, which is also within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of the planned Appomattox Development. « LE POINT RÉGIONAL Canada 7 SHELL CANADA CONTRIBUE À LA DÉCOUVERTE D’UNE ÉPAVE Deux employés de Shell ont participé à l’expédition du détroit de Victoria au cours de laquelle fut découverte l’une des épaves de l’expédition arctique britannique de 1845-1848 menée par Sir John Franklin. Robert Blaauw, directeur – thème et principes, Arctique et Darrell Martindale, directeur – occasions, technologie de l’environnement étaient à bord du One Ocean Voyager, navire à la recherche du HMS Erebus et du HMS Terror. Deux étudiants commandités par Shell Canada étaient aussi du voyage. l’expédition, sur la recherche des navires de Franklin et sur l’histoire du Canada en Arctique. « L’aventure, l’exploration et le progrès scientifique ont joué un rôle important dans le succès de Shell pendant plus de cent ans, et nous sommes fiers de soutenir le matériel éducatif conçu par la SGRC; matériel qui insufflera le sens de l’aventure et de l’accomplissement aux élèves du Canada. » « La découverte a été confirmée par le véhicule sous-marin télécommandé récemment acquis par Parcs Canada. « Nous sommes ravis de participer à la recherche des navires HMS Erebus et HMS Terror, et nous sommes conscients de leur importance pour l’histoire canadienne », affirme Lorraine Mitchelmore, présidente de Shell au Canada. Shell Canada soutient la création de matériel éducatif par la Société géographique royale du Canada (SGRC). Cette association allait de soi puisque Shell Canada collabore déjà avec Canadian Geographic à un programme éducatif : le Défi scolaire Régime énergétique. La SGRC créera un site Web interactif qui comprendra des cartes et des renseignements sur tous les partenaires et les défis logistiques. Elle tirera parti de son programme éducatif national, le CG Éducation, qui regroupe plus de 11 000 éducateurs. En outre, la SGRC concevra du matériel éducatif et des activités en classe trilingues (anglais, français et inuktitut) sur Robert Blaauw et Darrell Martindale de chez Shell, troisième et quatrième à partir de la gauche, entourés de Caitlyn Baikie et Tyee Fellows, universitaires commandités par Shell. SHELL ET WORLEYPARSONS GAGNENT UN PRIX L’engagement de Shell et de WorleyParsons envers l’environnement a été souligné. Le prix Environmental Management de la catégorie de la restauration et de la remise en état leur a été décerné par l’Environmental Managers Association of British Columbia. Ce prix saluait le travail accompli dans le cadre d’une étude pilote novatrice sur les pratiques durables de remise en état à un puits de gaz abandonné. « Shell est au cœur de la remise en état durable au RoyaumeUni depuis plusieurs années. Récemment, nous avons dû remettre en état un ancien bassin de boue de forage en Alberta en raison de règlements. Nous voulions y appliquer des principes de remise en état durable afin de savoir si cela influencerait nos décisions dans ce domaine », explique Carol Elliot, surintendante de l’équipe désaffectation, abandon et remise en état chez Shell Canada. L’entreprise a engagé WorleyParsons, qui a utilisé son processus d’évaluation EcoNomicsmc pour poursuivre les travaux d’évaluation environnementale des lieux et de l’incidence sur la santé humaine et l’environnement déjà réalisées lors des phases I et II. « L’évaluation EcoNomics nous a permis de tenir compte des communautés touchées par le passage des quelque 1 000 camions lourds qui iraient au site d’enfouissement. Sans oublier les ouvrages de franchissement de cours d’eau et les effets sur la faune », ajoute-t-elle. L’évaluation a aussi aidé à établir un dialogue positif avec de nombreux intervenants clés, dont les organismes de réglementation, les groupes communautaires locaux et les pairs du secteur. « C’est la première fois que nous démontrons que l’on peut concilier la diminution des risques (et des dommages) sociaux et environnementaux et la conformité réglementaire, observe Carol Elliot. Cela ne se limite pas aux puits et aux installations. Dans certains cas, nos efforts de remise en état sont plus risqués que bien des solutions sur place. Le processus d’évaluation EcoNomics de WorleyParsons est un outil supplémentaire pour nous aider à prendre des décisions éclairées qui tiennent compte des besoins des intervenants internes et externes. » « 8 REGIONAL LE POINT RÉGIONAL FOCUS United Canada States SHELL COMMANDITE UN ÉVÉNEMENT DE LA FIERTÉ SARNIA ACCUEILLE SA NOUVELLE DIRECTRICE GÉNÉRALE Karen Miller Des employés de Shell Canada et leurs familles ont montré leur soutien lors de la parade de la Fierté de Calgary. L’acceptation, la visibilité et l’inclusion sont importantes chez Shell. C’est pourquoi l’entreprise a décidé de commanditer la 24e parade de la Fierté de Calgary l’été dernier. Shell Canada était la première société d’énergie à commanditer l’événement cette année. « Il y a 24 ans, les gens assistaient à l’événement la tête recouverte d’un sac de papier, car ils avaient peur d’être reconnus et congédiés », raconte Jenneice Larsen, coprésidente du réseau des lesbiennes, gais, bisexuels et transgenres de Shell. L’événement a pris de l’ampleur, et maintenant 45 000 personnes y assistent. « Nos employés sont essentiels à notre succès, affirme Tim Grant, vice-président ressources humaines, exploitation Canada. Pour qu’un milieu de travail soit positif et productif, nous devons reconnaître, respecter et comprendre la valeur que la diversité ajoute au personnel afin que les gens donnent le meilleur d’eux-mêmes. Promouvoir la diversité et l’inclusion est non seulement bon pour l’entreprise, mais rend le travail de chacun plus agréable. » En tant que commanditaire officiel, Shell avait son kiosque. Parmi les bénévoles se trouvaient des employés du service du recrutement de Shell. Les visiteurs pouvaient gagner des prix et recevaient de l’information sur les emplois chez Shell. « REMERCIER NOS CLIENTS Les clients de stations-service Shell à Surrey, en Colombie-Britannique, et à Winnipeg, au Manitoba, ont récemment reçu une surprise quand l’entreprise y a offert de l’essence gratuite pendant 90 minutes. Cette promotion faisait partie de la journée de reconnaissance des clients. Les clients étaient invités à suivre Shell sur Facebook et Twitter afin de savoir dans quelles villes et à quelles stations l’essence serait gratuite. « C’est important de remercier nos clients, affirme Sydney Kimball, directrice générale – détail. Nous croyons que les clients qui se sentent appréciés sont plus susceptibles de revenir chez Shell. Non seulement cette approche permet à la marque Shell de rayonner, mais elle a un impact direct sur nos bénéfices. » « Le Centre de fabrication de Sarnia (CFS) a récemment accueilli sa nouvelle directrice générale, Karen Miller. Avant d’être affectée au CFS, Karen Miller était directrice – production à Geismar. Les progrès importants accomplis à Geismar ces trois dernières années lui sont dus : elle y a intégré des processus de travail et a amélioré l’efficacité du travail. Avant d’entrer au service de Shell il y a six ans, Karen Miller a occupé plusieurs postes de direction, notamment celui de DG de la raffinerie de Valero, à Houston. « NOUVEAUX PARTENAIRES À SHELBURNE En juin 2014, ConocoPhillips et Suncor Énergie se sont joints à Shell Canada comme partenaires en coentreprise dans le cadre de son projet d’exploration dans le bassin Shelburne. Shell gardera une participation de 50 % dans le projet et en restera l’exploitant. ConocoPhillips et Suncor ont fait l’acquisition d’une participation sans exploitation de 30 % et de 20 %, respectivement. Sous réserve de l’approbation des organismes de réglementation, Shell Canada prévoit commencer à forer deux puits au second semestre de 2015. « LE POINT RÉGIONAL Canada 9 FÉLICITATIONS CLIFFDALE! Le personnel des installations Cliffdale a récemment atteint un jalon important : 25 millions de barils. Depuis l’acquisition de cet actif de Peace River par Shell Canada en 2006, le personnel a travaillé fort pour maximiser la production. Ce lieu de production à froid comprend 34 plateformes d’exploitation et produit actuellement près de 12 000 barils de bitume par jour. Contrairement au complexe de Peace River où l’on utilise la vapeur pour liquéfier le bitume et le pomper à la surface, à Cliffdale, le pétrole est assez liquide pour être extrait sans la vapeur. Ainsi, on y produit plus rapidement et à un moindre coût. En 2011, Cliffdale a entamé un programme de forage en continu afin de maximiser la production de ses concessions. Les mesures intégrées par l’équipe ont non seulement maximisé la production, mais aussi réduit les coûts. Une plus grande portée souterraine et plus de canalisations secondaires par puits vertical ont permis de réduire en moyenne le coût de chaque puits de 50 % (de 2008 à 2011) et d’en augmenter la productivité. En augmentant le nombre de puits par plateforme (jusqu’ à dix puits, alors UNE PREMIÈRE TECHNOLOGIQUE! qu’avant il y en avait entre trois et cinq), la zone perturbée moyenne par puits a été réduite. Pour conserver le gaz produit avec le pétrole, Cliffdale a un réseau qui collecte le gaz directement du gisement durant la production et des réservoirs à partir des plateformes. Ce réseau de pipeline collecte le gaz des plateformes de Cliffdale, le comprime et l’envoie au complexe de Peace River pour utilisation comme combustible. De plus, Shell a une entente avec Genalta Power visant à fournir du gaz pour produire de l’électricité. « RECOMMANDEZ UN ENSEIGNANT ET GAGNEZ UNE CARTE D’ESSENCE Des élèves de Huntsville, en Ontario, ont gagné le prix de 10 000 $ du Défi « éconergisez » votre école. Un navire d’étude sismique dans le port de Halifax. Il est possible d’en savoir plus sur le relevé WAZ et le projet Shelburne dans la vidéo de Shell Canada. Shell Canada et Canadian Geographic sont heureux de lancer à nouveau le Défi scolaire Régime énergétique dans les classes du Canada. Et cette année, les retraités peuvent participer! Ceux qui recommanderont un enseignant seront inscrits au tirage pour gagner une des deux cartes-cadeaux Shell de 100 $. En 2013, Shell a effectué un relevé sismique 3D de type WAZ (vaste angle azimutal) au large de la Nouvelle-Écosse dans le cadre de son projet d’exploration dans le bassin Shelburne. Ce relevé est un jalon important pour Shell Canada. C’était la première fois qu’une telle technique était utilisée en mer au Canada, et l’entreprise a pu recueillir des données sur une superficie de 10 850 km2 en une saison. Le défi a été créé par Shell et Canadian Geographic afin que les élèves canadiens tirent de précieuses leçons sur l’économie de l’énergie. Les élèves cherchent comment diminuer l’empreinte carbone de leur école, puis présentent leur idée ainsi qu’une courte vidéo qui explique leur stratégie afin de récolter des votes du public. Le défi comprend 40 000 $ en prix, dont le grand prix de 10 000 $ pour la mise en œuvre d’un projet énergétique à l’école. Shell Canada a créé une vidéo qui permet de découvrir le relevé WAZ et le projet Shelburne. Elle montre comment Shell Canada a utilisé les dernières technologies d’exploration en eaux profondes pour en apprendre plus sur la subsurface de ses six permis d’exploration et les précautions prises par l’entreprise pour réduire au minimum l’incidence environnementale de cette activité sur la vie marine. Pour visionner la vidéo, visitez le www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnS5OkuFt5M. « Les retraités peuvent envoyer les noms d’enseignants qui pourraient être intéressés par ce projet à l’adresse [email protected]. Veuillez préciser le nom, l’adresse courriel et le numéro de téléphone de l’enseignant ainsi que le nom de son école. Les gagnants seront sélectionnés au hasard parmi les participations admissibles. La période d’inscription se termine le 18 janvier 2015. Le défi commencera le 2 février 2015. Suivez le défi et les classes participantes au : http://energydiet.canadiangeographic.ca/. « 10 LE POINT RÉGIONAL Canada JOHN RHIND PART À LA RETRAITE dans tout le secteur, que nous avons la meilleure équipe. » John Rhind se dit très content de l’équipe de direction qui augmentera encore le rendement du service des sables bitumineux au fil des ans et il a affirmé avoir confiance en sa successeure, Zoe Yujnovich. John Rhind, vice-président – sables bitumineux et coentreprises, a annoncé qu’il partirait à la retraite le 31 mars 2015. Dans une lettre aux employés, John Rhind a dit avoir adoré travailler chez Shell Canada et être fier du progrès que l’entreprise a accompli au cours des sept dernières années. Il se sent privilégié d’avoir pu diriger une équipe qui, à son avis, gérera une part importante de RDS dans le futur. « Cette équipe a fait progresser l’entreprise depuis que j’y travaille, alors je sais qu’elle est entre bonnes mains », affirme-t-il. « « Atteindre le premier quartile en 2013 a été une grande réussite, et j’espère que chacun comprend que nous y avons tous contribué, dit-il. Je suis fier de l’entreprise que je laisse derrière moi et je suis sûr, car je l’ai entendu RENSEIGNEMENTS UTILES Numéros des régimes collectifs de Shell (*Dans le cas des garanties Frais médicaux et Frais dentaires et du CSS Plus des retraités, votre numéro de certificat est 100, auquel s’ajoutent les six derniers chiffres de votre matricule.) Régime Assistance-voyage en cas d’urgence Garantie Frais médicaux/dentaires CSS Plus des retraités Numéro de régime 150113 150113 20573 Demandes de règlement – garanties Frais médicaux/ Frais dentaires et CSS Pour des renseignements sur les demandes de règlement et les options de couverture, communiquez avec la Financière Sun Life au numéro sans frais 1-866-203-4526 (1-800-9-876-5470 de l’extérieur du Canada ou des États-Unis) ou allez à www.masunlife.ca. Assistance-voyage Pour obtenir de l’aide au cours d’un voyage, communiquez avec Europ Assistance USA Inc. Pays Canada et É.-U. Partout ailleurs, composez le DÉPARTS À LA RETRAITE Numéro 1-800-511-4610 202-296-7493 Directives Sans frais Appels à frais virés, s’il y a lieu Coordonnées Pour connaître les avantages sociaux dont vous bénéficiez, apporter des changements ou signaler le décès d’un retraité, d’un conjoint ou d’une personne à charge, communiquez avec le Centre des avantages sociaux de Shell au numéro sans frais au 1-877-550-3539 (1-416-390-2633 de l’extérieur du Canada ou des États-Unis) ou allez à www.mybenefitscentre. com/Shell. (Utilisez le centre de messages. Nom d’utilisateur : six derniers chiffres de votre matricule.) Pour des renseignements concernant vos prestations de retraite, votre relevé T4, votre relevé T4A, l’impôt sur le revenu ou pour toute autre question, communiquez avec le Bureau d’aide RH des Amériques par téléphone, au numéro sans frais 1-800-663-9898 (1-403-691-2900 de l’extérieur du Canada) ou par courriel, à [email protected]. Pour examiner votre couverture au titre de l’assurance-vie ou apporter des changements, allez à www.mybenefitscentre.com/Shell. (Sélectionnez Mes avantages.) Desjardins Sécurité financière (Desjardins) fournit l’assurance sous le numéro de régime 530011. Darcy Alexander Dernier poste occupé : superviseur cadre – puits (1er novembre 2014) Roddie MacIsaac Dernier poste occupé : directeur – révisions (1er février 2015) Byron Smyke Dernier poste occupé : directeur – mise en service et démarrage, Albian (31 août 2014) RETROUVEZ D’AUTRES ANCIENS MEMBRES DU PERSONNEL! Associations de retraités Club de l’Amitié Shell Louis Beaudet 3666 43e avenue Montréal (Québec) H1A 3A9 T : 1-514-642-4305 C : beaudet.louis@ videotron.ca Shell Manitoba Retirees’ Association Jim Rodgers 837 Buckingham Road, Winnipeg (Manitoba) R3R 1C3 T : 1-204-888-9708 C : [email protected] L’O.A.S.I.S. Gaétan Vachon 5489, rue du Menuet, Charny (Québec) G6X 2Z2 T : 1-418-832-4333 C : gaetanvachon99@ videotron.ca Section de Sarnia, en Ontario Audrey Broer T : 1-519-381-4251 C : [email protected] Shell Canada Retirement Association of British Columbia Roger Amiot 14877 – 24th Avenue, Surrey (ColombieBritannique) V4P 1N9 T : 1-604-535-3352 C : [email protected] Shell Oiltimers Club (Alberta) C : [email protected] Shell Ontario Association of Retirees (SOAR) Fred Resch 946 Lawrence Ave. East, Unit #2, PO Box 47634 Don Mills (Ontario) M3C 3S7 T : 1-905-471-1969 C : [email protected] Shell Golden Pecten Club PO Box 502, Pincher Creek (Alberta) T0K 1W0 T : 1-403-627-4741 YOUR FEEDBACK! 11 3rd ANNUAL ALUMNINEWS SURVEY Help us make AlumniNews even better. In the survey below, please check the boxes that apply or fill in the blanks as prompted. To submit your survey via mail, cut out the survey and mail it to Natalie Mazey. To answer the survey online, visit www.shell.us/alumni. Please submit all surveys by January 31, 2015. All data will be collected then for the March 2015 issue of AlumniNews. Do you look forward to receiving AlumniNews magazine? Very much A little Not so much Do you usually read: All of the magazine None of the magazine *If only certain sections, which sections do you read? Only certain sections* __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Do you feel informed about Shell’s business? 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Mail your completed survey to: Shell Oil Company Communications - Natalie Mazey P.O. Box 2463 Houston, Texas 77252-2463 SHELL NEWS 13 UNCONVENTIONALS BUSINESS UPDATE Focus to Win strategy on track In the summer of 2013, Shell announced a Focus to Win strategy in regards to its Upstream Americas (UA) Unconventionals portfolio. A new focused portfolio would include approximately 12 active plays operated at scale in four to six operating theaters, versus the existing 28 plays in 12 theaters. Greg Guidry, executive vice president, UA Unconventionals, recently announced to employees that this plan has been completed, delivering 12 months ahead of target. “Tough choices have been made to put us on the Focus to Win pathway,” Guidry says. “With these latest portfolio moves and the internal alignment on beliefs and strategy now at the highest levels of Shell, we will begin to transition into a business with much more stability.” Guidry outlines the latest portfolio updates: ■■ Shell has signed an agreement with Ultra Petroleum and will be trading Shell’s interest in the Pinedale Anticline for interests in Appalachia, plus over $900 million in cash to Shell. The Ultra trade allows Shell to deepen its very attractive Utica position in Appalachia where there are promising well results and increases the company’s net working interest substantially. The deal represents the first upgrade to Shell’s North American portfolio in nearly two years and is a positive signal of the company’s commitment to making Unconventionals work for Shell. ■■ The company has also signed an agreement to sell its interest in the Magnolia asset to Vine Oil & Gas LP and its partner Blackstone for $1.2 billion in cash. The latest portfolio moves help make Unconventionals a more stable business. ■■ Additionally, Shell completed the sale of its Slippery Rock acreage in western Pennsylvania to Rex Energy. “My primary concern is not the sale of the physical assets—the wells and facilities—but is in regard to our people. Our priority has been, and continues to be, to retain as much of the talent as we can,” Guidry notes. Delivering ahead of target Guidry says that delivery in the first half of 2014 was very strong, with 75% of the earnings improvement in UA’s year-to-date performance due to Unconventionals. “This should feel good, as it’s a much different statistic from this time a year or two ago,” he says. CEO Ben Van Beurden concurs. “Our Unconventionals business delivered a substantial increase in earnings, excluding impairments. We see attractive growth opportunities there, such as natural gas integration and liquids-rich shales.” While operational and financial improve ments are impressive, Guidry notes that Unconventionals has serious work to do to get the company back on a path to achieve Goal Zero. “Although there was some stabilization in July, our TRCF has increased by 20% since the beginning of the year, and we are still seeing a concerning level of high-potential incidents. This is not where we want to be, and I’m confident we can turn it around with a relentless focus on reducing exposure to unmitigated hazards and a genuine care for those around us.” Overall, Guidry is confident in employees’ ability to turn Unconventionals into a special business for Shell. “Can we declare victory? Not yet, but we know what we’re capable of when we work with a shared purpose—and we know where to focus going forward.” « THIRD WIN IN NASCAR SERIES In a battle to the finish against teammate Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 ShellPennzoil Ford Fusion, emerged the victor after a hard-fought battle in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race with Shell technology under the hood. The win at the Bristol Motor Speedway is the third 2014 points race victory for the Shell-Pennzoil team. “Throughout the season, Shell engineers work closely with the Penske Racing team to support strong product development for use both on and off the track,” says Paul Bogers, general manager of Lubricants Technology at Shell Oil. “The knowledge we gain at the track is the cornerstone to developing high-quality products for our customers.” « 14 ALUMNUS FEATURE EXERCISING PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY Ballroom dance keeps alumnus moving Two years ago, when George Vero (’11 Sarnia Manufacturing Centre) and his wife, Marsha, took to the dance floor for a cha-cha during their daughter’s wedding reception, Vero had no idea the floor would not only clear for them, but that the dance would end in a round of applause. “People were amazed that we were dancing like we were. Even as a beginner in ballroom dance, when you get on the dance floor, it blows people away.” Within a month after retiring, Vero and his wife joined the Sarnia Ballroom Dancing Club in Sarnia, Ontario. “I had always wanted to learn ballroom dance, but it’s a big commitment. After retiring, I finally had time.” The couple immersed themselves in lessons, taking classes three days a week—five hours of dancing each week. “After an hour-and-a-half-long class, you’re tired and hurting. When we started, we were 57 years old. You’re moving muscles that you have never moved. I told the instructor that my hips don’t move the way she wanted them to.” The club hosts up to 50 couples during dances. “We need a big floor because couples are moving all across the floor.” And when it comes to the type of floor, club members are admittedly “fussy,” according to Vero. “A gym floor can be hard on your knees. The best floors are suspended hardwood floors that provide shock absorption and are better on your joints.” Learning new dances and steps not only keeps Vero and his wife in shape, but they stay mentally sharp as well. “Dance exercises your mind as well as your body.” Though Vero hopes to advance in his lessons, he has no aspirations to teach ballroom dance. “Teachers have to know both partners’ dance steps. I have a hard enough time learning my own steps!” One aspiration Vero shares with his wife is getting people of all ages interested in ballroom dance. “We want couples to not only take lessons, but get out there and try out their steps at our dances. Ballroom dancing is good for you mentally and physically, and it’s a great deal of fun.” « But after three years, Vero has not only gained flexibility in his hips, but the couple also have lost an astounding 70 pounds of weight between the two of them in just a year and a half. “We realized that we dance a lot better if we’re lighter on our feet,” he muses, adding that the two enrolled in Weight Watchers, as well as adhering to an active dance schedule. Having mastered beginner lessons in the cha-cha, rumba, tango, waltz, quickstep and foxtrot, the two have advanced to an intermediate level. While the smooth, melodious rhythms of the foxtrot and waltz have made them among his favorite dances, the jive is Vero’s most challenging. “I would say that I failed beginner lessons in jive,” he says with a laugh. To remedy this, Vero is taking jive lessons again this fall. In addition to participating in nine-week lessons three times a year and attending dances almost every month, Vero and his wife have become active volunteers in the club. As assistant social directors, the two help to advertise lessons and dances and put in hours of work before and after dances. “We might arrive at a dance at 4 p.m. to help set things up for a couple of hours. After the dance finishes around midnight, we tear down. After we’re through, I’m ready for a glass of wine.” The bartender is a lonely person at dances, according to Vero. “People think that having a drink or two loosens you up, but ballroom dancing requires good balance and coordination. With all the spins and turns, you can run into each other after one drink!” Vero says that the music of the Big Band Era is best for the foxtrot and waltz. “You can’t foxtrot to U2 or AC/DC.” However, many of today’s Latin singers, as well as soloists like Adele, are great for other types of ballroom dance. “Adele’s Skyfall is excellent for the rumba, and Livin’ la Vida Loca by Ricky Martin is fun for the cha-cha.” The smooth, melodious rhythms of the foxtrot and waltz have made them among George Vero’s favorite dances. ALUMNI FEATURES 15 OUT OF THE RECLINER, ONTO THE COURSE Alumnus passes on love of the game to junior golfers has found generous sponsors, including local business DVD Walnut Processing and the Tachi-Yokut Tribe, which has four of its members on the team. Mercer is not only proud of the young golfers’ performance, but is also pleased with their positive attitude and good sportsmanship as well. “A few junior golfers graduated or moved after that first year, and we went from being first to placing next to last in the following year’s tournament. It wasn’t a big deal to the kids though. They took it in stride. I tell them that if they’ve done their very best, I’m proud.” In addition to teaching the students golf, Mercer emphasizes honesty in the game. “Every person signs a code of conduct that outlines our expectations on behavior. In their practice rounds, I’ll see a parent mistakenly write down a lower number. The child will actually correct the parent. ‘No, I actually got a six on that shot, not a five.’ I tell the kids that if you cheat, you cheat yourself. You have to be proud of where you are as a golfer.” George Mercer enjoys coaching and sharing his love of the game with junior golfers on the travel team at Lemoore Municipal Golf Course. For Gerald Mercer (’99 Shell Pipeline), there is nothing more rewarding on the golf course than a smile from a junior golfer. “You see them struggling with a swing, and you know they can do better. I’ll make one small suggestion, and they make the adjustment, turn around to me and grin. I love that.” Mercer has been on the golf course for more than 40 years, and for three of those years, he’s been passing on his knowledge to junior golfers as a volunteer coach for the travel team at the Lemoore Municipal Golf Course in Lemoore, California. In the three years Mercer has served as coach, the team, which includes students from nine to 17 years old, has not only grown from 11 to 25 junior golfers (with 30 kids already signed up for 2015), but has expanded its golfing season. “The original program was six weeks. You can’t teach someone how to golf in six weeks. After winning the championship during my first year as coach, the kids asked if they could continue playing. Today, our season runs from the beginning of March to the end of October.” A longer season, however, translates into more costs—from green fees to range balls to uniforms. “We only charge our junior golfers $37.50 per month, but our costs are much more.” To raise money for the team, Mercer does one of the hardest things for him—knock on people’s doors to solicit sponsorships. “I’ve always been an introvert. Even after doing this for several years, it’s extremely difficult for me to ask for money.” Even amidst a flagging economy, Mercer During the season, Mercer can be found on the course three days a week for practices, arriving two hours early to gather range balls and set up the course. Twice a month, he travels with the junior golfers to tournaments, covering about 1,200 miles each season. Mercer can often be found on the sidelines at high school golf games as well. “As a coach, I can’t see how they’re performing unless I watch them in a tournament environment.” One of his junior golfers was struggling at a high school game, and though Mercer can’t offer advice during the game, he was able to work with her afterwards. “Sometimes when you get under pressure in competition, your swing breaks down. I could see what her flaw was from the sidelines. It was just a glitch in her swing. I worked with her, and in the next tournament, she took 11 strokes off her score.” Many of Mercer’s junior golfers stay with him from season to season, making saying goodbye difficult. “One of my junior golfers who came to me when he was nine years old had to move with his family last year. I had him for three years. We had a special bond. He told his dad that I was the only coach who could fix his swing with one comment. Even now, I miss him. These kids are like my own kids. We’re just like a family.” Though Mercer still gets on the golf course to play, the junior golfers are what keep him moving. “Coaching these kids is my life. I don’t know if I would be alive today were it not for them. There is nothing more rewarding than volunteering to help someone, especially when you’re older and retired. I would encourage all seniors to get out there and share your talents.” « PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Houston, TX Permit NO. 1991 Shell Oil Company Communications - Natalie Mazey P.O. Box 2463 Houston, Texas 77252-2463 STORY IDEAS WELCOME! AlumniNews magazine is looking for recent story ideas for our Alumni Features section! In this part of the magazine, we highlight alumni who are staying active and making a difference in retirement. If you know of someone who would make a great profile for the magazine, please send us his/her phone number and email address, along with a brief description of the story idea. To submit story ideas for the U.S., email [email protected] or mail a letter to Shell Oil Company Communications – Natalie Mazey, P.O. Box 2463, Houston, Texas 77252-2463. To submit story ideas for Canada, email [email protected] or mail a letter to Jackie Panera, Shell Canada Limited, 400 4th Avenue S.W., P.O. Box 100 Station M, Calgary, Alberta T2P 2H5, Canada. LET’S KEEP MOVING TOWARDS CLEANER FUELS. Find out how we’re broadening the worlds energy mix at www.shell.com/letsgo LET’S GO. R05577-Petrol Station Ad for AlumniNews.indd 1 28/01/2014 09:59