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About Shell

Shell is a global group of energy and petrochemical companies employing 87,000 people in more than 70 countries. Our aim is to help meet the energy needs of society in ways that are economically, environmentally and socially responsible.

Overview of our Upstream and Downstream activities resulting in gas for cooking, heating, electrical power; fuels and lubricants for transport and chemical products for plastics, coatings, detergents. (graph)

Upstream

Upstream consists of two organisations, Upstream International and Upstream Americas. Upstream searches for and recovers crude oil and natural gas, operates the infrastructure to deliver oil and gas to market, liquefies and transports natural gas, converts gas to liquid products, and extracts bitumen from oil sands for conversion into synthetic crude oil. It often works in joint ventures, including with national oil companies. Our wind power activities are part of Upstream.

Downstream

Downstream manufactures, supplies and markets oil products and chemicals worldwide. Manufacturing and Supply & Distribution includes refineries, chemical plants, and the supply and distribution of feedstocks and products. Retail and Commercial sell a range of products including fuels and lubricants. Chemicals markets petrochemicals for industrial consumers. Downstream trades hydrocarbons and other energy-related products. It also includes our activities in biofuels.

Projects & Technology

Projects & Technology manages the delivery of Shell’s major projects and drives its research and innovation programme to create technology solutions. It provides technical services and technology capability to Upstream and Downstream.