Emissions to air

Commitment

“Shell chemicals companies are committed to achieving continuous environmental performance improvements.”

Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) performance update

We have almost reached our 2007 target to reduce emissions by 30% compared to 2002 levels, largely due to a switch to low sulphur fuels at our Berre facility in France. No significant further reductions are planned in 2007 so the targeted five year reduction may be narrowly missed.

2007 target: a 30% reduction in unit emissions from 2002 levels

Progress to date: a 29% reduction in unit emissions compared to 2002

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) performance update

The 2007 target of a 30% reduction in NOx emissions has already been met. No further major projects are planned for 2007.

Both absolute and unit emissions have been updated for emission factors to enable an assessment of real improvements in emission reduction (as opposed to apparent improvements as a result of changes in emission factors).

2007 target: a 30% reduction in unit emissions from 2002 levels

Progress to date: a 36% reduction in unit emissions compared to 2002

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) performance update

A steady reduction in VOC unit emissions has been achieved over the past five years, resulting from an increased emphasis on fugitive emission monitoring programmes, leak detection and repair programmes, as well as improved processes. The 2007 target of a 9% reduction in VOC emissions has already been well exceeded.

A significant reduction of some 1,100 tonnes of VOC emissions in 2006 resulted from a campaign at Berre to reduce fugitive emissions.

2007 target: a 9% reduction in unit emissions from 2002 levels

Progress to date: a 36% reduction in unit emissions compared to 2002

Benzene and Butadiene performance update

Significant reductions have been made in emissions of these two key priority chemicals over the past five years. These have resulted from an emphasis on the installation of control technologies, leak and repair programmes and better process control.

A significant reduction occurred in 2006, following the installation of a vapour recovery unit and implementation of a comprehensive leakage programme at Berre. Decreases also occurred at Norco with respect to 2005 as there were fewer episodic releases resulting from hurricanes. The 2007 target has already been well exceeded.

2007 target: a 35% reduction in unit emissions from 2002 levels

Progress to date: a 56% reduction in unit emissions compared to 2002

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) performance update

Total CO₂ emissions have increased slightly from 2001 levels, due to a regulatory-driven change in reporting methods at the Berre complex in France, plus the acquisition of the Yabucoa refinery in Puerto Rico. For the past four years, however, unit emissions have remained steady.

Chloroflurocarbons (CFCs), halons and trichloroethane (TCE) performance update

Emissions of CFCs, halons and TCE have shown a general downward trend in recent years, down to a level of zero in 2006. A leak at a research and technology centre accounted for the increase in 2002, while a malfunction in a fire suppression system controller at the same location caused a release of halons in 2004.

Target: to continue to reduce emissions and to phase out use in-line with the Shell Group policy.