More than a century of innovation

The P&T organisation upholds Shell’s 120-year tradition of technical excellence and pioneering spirit. Industry observers have recognised our more recent efforts to make a difference at the cutting-edge of technology. Shell is regularly placed at the top of the Patent Scorecard for energy and environmental companies, and a 2014 Fortune survey named Shell among the top 10 most innovative companies in the world.

Shell’s technology timeline

TechnologyHistorical achievementLatest achievement

Shipping

Oil tankers safe enough for the Suez Canal

Conceptual design for new
LNG carriers

Wells

Core sampling and analysis

Automated drilling

Refining

Extraction of aromatics from kerosene

High-throughput robotic
testing of new catalysts

Gas to liquids (GTL)

Conversion of synthesis gas into liquids

Pearl – the largest GTL
plant in the world

Fuels and lubricants

High-octane aviation fuels

Shell V-Power petrol
and Helix motor oils

Petrochemicals

Catalytic hydration
of ethylene to ethanol

OMEGA process for
ethylene glycol manufacture

Offshore engineering

Submersible drilling rig in the
Gulf of Mexico (12 metres depth)

Floating facility in the Gulf of
Mexico (2,900 metres depth)

Liquefied natural gas (LNG)

Commercialisation
of LNG technology

Prelude floating LNG facility

Enhanced recovery

Surfactants for
enhanced recovery of oil

Nitrogen for enhanced
recovery of gas

Seismic imaging

Data rendered in 3D

Data rendered in
time-lapse 3D

Field optimisation

Smart wells

Fibre-optic sensing