They discussed new technologies, current issues, future opportunities and trends in the marketplace in relation to fuel conservation, energy efficiency and fewer carbon emissions.
Damien Home, the senior greenhouse gas advisor for Shell Australia, reported that the global demand for energy is increasing and the stresses on the environment are creating new challenges for the mining and extractive industries.
?The Australian Government?s carbon pricing mechanism scheduled to commence in mid-2012 means industry will need to rethink its operations,? Mr Home said. ?We are working with our customers to assist them to manage this transition.?
To achieve this, he added that Shell was focusing its efforts on four pillars: natural gas, biofuels, carbon capture and energy efficiency in operations.
Attendees at the seminars were informed that Shell?s main contribution to reducing carbon emissions in transport fuels is to supply low carbon fuels such as biodiesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG) and Shell Diesel Extra with Shell?s fuel economy formula.
Darren Barwick, a technical mining team leader at Shell Australia, reported that Shell is now investing in biofuels made from Brazilian sugar cane ethanol and last year launched Shell Diesel Extra to assist its customers to get the most out of fuel savings. The testing of Shell Diesel Extra has indicated that an operation can achieve up to three per cent of fuel savings over the lifetime of a vehicle, depending on the application, the current products being used, the condition of the equipment and maintenance practices.
Joe Galdes, a product application specialist for mining lubricants at Shell, described how an Australian mining company that upgraded to Shell Omala S4 GX, ?a synthetic industry gear oil, to help cure overheating mill drives, lengthen oil life and improve efficiency? had reported a saving of $74,000 per year. Another company that switched to Shell Malleus Grease GL 500 estimated it had saved $2.5 million over the life of eight machines.
?Having an excellent working relationship with this customer, we were able to identify an operational opportunity, recommend a premium product and conduct a trial which produced very convincing results,? Mr Galdes explained.
Craig James, Shell Australia?s sales and marketing general manager, forecast that Shell would spend over $30 billion in Australia over the next five years, with the local investment underpinning the company?s next phase of LNG growth. These investments would include plans to build a new diesel storage facility at its Mackay fuel terminal in Queensland?s far north and the redevelopment of Woodside?s fuel supply facilities at King Bay Supply Base, near Dampier, in WA.
?Shell has been a technology pioneer for more than 100 years and through working with our own staff and partners, will continue to develop innovative solutions for our customers that meet the challenges and opportunities of the new energy future,? Mr James said.
Source: Shell Australia