Shell completes global Gas-To-Liquid (GTL) base oil supply chain with new Middle East hub

Facility located near Dubai represents Shell’s fourth and newest GTL base oil storage hub

14 JANUARY, 2014 - Shell recently opened a Gas-To-Liquid (GTL) base oil hub in Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates (UAE): the first delivery of GTL base oil was made in late December 2014. Base oil is a key component in finished oils and GTL base oil specifically enables the development of premium oils for engines, as well as in speciality products, including process oils and transformer fluids.

This new facility in Jebel Ali is Shell’s fourth GTL base oil storage hub alongside its existing hubs located in Houston, Hamburg and Hong Kong. The new addition completes the full global reach and coverage of Shell’s supply of GTL base oil. The hub will cater to customers in the Middle East and to certain markets beyond such as India and Pakistan.

Dennis Cheong, Shell Vice President Supply Chain, stated “Shell Lubricants has a strong and dependable global supply chain producing high quality products and providing consistent delivery to our customers: these GTL base oil hubs are an integral part of this. Shell is the only company with a dependable supply of GTL base oil. This new hub accomplishes the full integration of our transportation and storage of GTL base oil globally. This is a clear demonstration of where Shell’s integration and innovation add value for Shell’s customers.”

The GTL base oil is made in the Middle East at the Pearl GTL plant in Qatar, a partnership between Qatar Petroleum and Shell. The plant is the world’s largest source of GTL products. The hub will cater to customers in the Middle East and to certain markets beyond such as Egypt, India, Pakistan and South Africa.
Sheikh Thani Al Thani, Deputy General Manager for Qatar Shell stated, “GTL products represent a pioneering innovation to increase the supply of highly-demanded liquid hydrocarbons.  They offer significant advantages in many applications as they are virtually sulphur free, colourless and odourless. These attributes of GTL-based products make them very attractive to help meet the growing requirements of consumers and we are extremely proud to be at the leading edge of innovation that produces these and future superior products.”

Speaking on the opening Mounir Bouaziz, Country Chairman Dubai and Northern Emirates, VP Commercial, stated “We are extremely proud to inaugurate this Shell Gas-to-Liquids base oil hub in the UAE. The decision to create a hub in the UAE demonstrates Shell’s ongoing commitment to the region, and illustrates the growing demand for premium lubricants. The hub will cater to customers across the Middle East and reinforces Shell’s vision to be the most innovative energy company by providing cutting edge products, including motor oils made from natural gas.”

Shell is the leading international oil company, providing worldwide access to this latest innovation in motor, transformer and process oils. This is underpinned by Shell’s robust and bespoke supply chain. Shell’s motor oils made from natural gas (Pennzoil Platinum and Shell Helix Ultra made with PurePlus Technology) are now available in over 95 markets around the world, including within the Middle East region.