Sustainability at the heart of Shell business

Sustainable development is a crucial factor to consider when meeting the high growth in energy demand worldwide, delegates at the Britain in Kuwait Conference and Exhibition heard today in a presentation by Dr. Ken Taylor, Sustainable Development Advisor for Shell Exploration and Production and former Chairman of Kuwait Shell.

Building on the recently published 'Shell Sustainability Report 2005', Dr. Taylor said, 'For Shell, meeting the energy challenge means producing the extra energy needed for economic growth in environmentally and socially responsible ways.'

'This includes managing the environmental impact of oil and gas exploration and production as well as developing alternative energy resources and ensuring skills and knowledge transfer wherever we operate,' he added.

Recent developments in Kuwait include the provision of technical support in Kuwait's refineries to help improve reliability and energy efficiency, as well as using the latest Shell technology to improve air emissions by removing sulphur.

'Shell has many long-term partnerships with national oil companies, and our aim is to develop and expand these relationships by focusing on people development and protection of the environment as much as sound technology application and business practice,' Dr Taylor said.

Recent initiatives by Kuwait Shell include a workshop and seminar on oil shipping safety standards and road safety awareness, as well as supporting a wildlife campaign by Kuwait's Environment Public Authority to increase awareness of biodiversity and the protection of wildlife among high school students.

'We are honoured to be able to look back on a continuous relationship with Kuwait that dates back to the 1940s, and look forward to continue working with Kuwait to help meet the energy challenges faced by the oil sector worldwide by sharing knowledge and the latest technologies”, said Dr. Taylor.

“The Shell Sustainablility Report, 2005” outlines many of Shell's recent contributions to meeting the energy challenge and reducing environmental impact, such as making fossil fuels less carbon intensive, managing CO2 emissions and developing alternative energy resources.

Dr. Ken Taylor (left), Sustainable Development Advisor for Shell Exploration and Production and former Chairman of Kuwait Shell, speaking at the Britain in Kuwait Conference and Exhibition on 21 May. To his right: Sheikh Nawaf Soud Al-Sabah, Deputy Managing Director Legal Affairs, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation; and Dr. Tim Marchant, President (BP) Kuwait.