So the world’s biggest company now has a tech center in Cambridge…
Will Royal Dutch Shell fly a pirates flag on the Shell TechWorks office as fair warning to any entrepreneurs foolish enough to disclose confidential new technology and business ideas to Shell – in my experience the worlds leader predator of intellectual property?
By Scott Kirsner, Globe Columnist
Without making much of a splash, the largest corporation in the world set up shop in Cambridge last year. Royal Dutch Shell — with an astonishing $481 billion in revenue and 87,000 employees — opened up its first Shell TechWorksinnovation office in Kendall Square last year. The objective, according to a company web page, is to “work with local entrepreneurs, investors, companies, scientists, partners and suppliers to help speed up the deployment of new technologies in Shell’s business.”
COMMENT RECEIVED
Now why would Shell be setting up a research center just down the road from Schlumberger’s own research center in Cambridge, Mass.??
COMMENT BY JOHN DONOVAN
Will Royal Dutch Shell fly a pirates flag on the Shell TechWorks office as fair warning to any entrepreneurs foolish enough to disclose confidential new technology and business ideas to Shell – in my experience the worlds leader predator of intellectual property?
Sinister Events In Ireland
OSSL and their allegations of Police corruption by Shell in relation to the Corrib Gas Project seems to have become entangled is an extraordinary situation involving the Irish Police Force (The Garda) and the authority responsible for independently investigating such allegations, the Garda Siochána Ombudsman Commission. In November Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan issued an astonishing warning of ‘mass assassinations’ if the Ombudsman gain access to certain classified files. The latest bombshell development is news that the Police Ombudsman hired a British security company to investigate if it had been placed under electronic surveillance (by the police?)
by John Donovan
OSSL and their allegations of Police corruption by Shell in relation to the Corrib Gas Project seems to have become entangled is an extraordinary situation involving the Irish Police Force (The Garda) and the authority responsible for independently investigating such allegations, the Garda Siochána Ombudsman Commission.
In November Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan issued an astonishing warning of ‘mass assassinations‘ if the Ombudsman gain access to certain classified files.
The latest bombshell development is news that the Police Ombudsman hired a British security company to investigate if it had been placed under electronic surveillance (by the police?).
There is a suggestion that the Irish police were behind the covert surveillance of the body responsible for independent oversight of policing in Ireland.
The reports were originally published in The Sunday Times, which said “GSOC’s emails, wi-fi, and phone systems had been hacked into and bugged by an unknown external body, agency or group.”
For several months, by coincidence or otherwise, the Ombudsman has been investigating very serious allegations made by OSSL, a whistleblowing contractor that distributed “sweeteners” to various parties in Ireland on behalf of Shell EP Ireland, including land owners and the police. One thirsty senior Irish police officer helped unload a van load of free alcohol. Shell also gave case loads of free wine to members of the Irish news media.
The Irish police had already carried out two internal investigations and as a result of the second one, the file was referred to the Ombudsman for investigation.
I trust that the Ombudsman office has obtained from Shell the results of their two internal investigations, along with all the evidence assembled by Shell.
Directors of OSSL confronted then Royal Dutch Shell Plc Chief Executive, Peter Voser, at the 2013 AGM last May, who in response instigated a second investigation by Shell and promised to find a resolution. I provided the AGM admittance passes for OSSL and will do so again on Tuesday 20 May, so that they can have a public chat with his replacement, Mr. Ben van Beurden at the 2014 AGM. It is likely to be an interesting explosive event this year, given a series of shock developments at Shell culminating in a major crisis and a profits warning.
The Irish police have also investigated death threats allegedly made against Shell Corrib employees who leaked extensive information to me.
OSSL has made public a delayed invoice it submitted to Shell for a major consignment of the free booze brought in across the border. Although Shell has cast aspersions on the content of the invoice, it has not alleged that it is fake.
Consequently it seems to me that the Ombudsman investigation must end with either a finding that OSSL allegations are well founded, in which case Shell is guilty of corruption, or that charges must be brought against OSSL directors for fraud, forgery and perjury in respect of the witness statements provided.
In the meantime, OSSL continues its campaign demanding payment by Shell, while Shell is busy distributing more sweeteners in Ireland, on this occasion legitimately, in the form of a scholarship programme.
THE INVOICE
Royal Dutch Shell Prelude Safety Debate
OFFSHORE EXPERT: “Having read this Prelude document a few times to take it all in, it seems to me that the main issue is how do you design for a 10,000 year event?” COMMENT: “I am not an expert and would only say that so-called 10,000 year weather events seem to be occurring annually at the moment. If Noah was still around, and residing in Southern England, he might well be looking for his carpentry tools.”
COMMENT FROM A RETIRED SHELL OFFSHORE MANAGER
John,
Regarding recent discussions on this website about Shell Prelude FLNG project, information available via this link provides useful input.
The 28 page section of a 75 page Shell document gives a description of the development and goes into great detail, providing answers to most of the issues raised by a fellow Shell Retiree.
Having read this Prelude document a few times to take it all in, it seems to me that the main issue is how do you design for a 10,000 year event?
The many issues raised with respect to cyclonic activity, waves, wind and the ability to weather vane are answered. There are two thrusters located near the stern with a total power of 6 megawatts or 8,000 HP. More than ample to ensure the heading of the facility is optimum at all times. Other issues with respect to Green house gas emissions during operations and other environmental are dealt with in detail.
Lloyds Register have been active by drawing up rules for the construction of such large hulls. A presentation given by Lloyds to the Industry is available via this link who also make reference to a hull design for a 10,000 year event. The end result will be akin to a “brick nettie”
Perhaps my fellow Shell retiree would be interested in this?
Where Shell have a proven track record of questionable Competence is centred around the Operations of facilities where a plethora of shortcomings continues to be demonstrated to all and sundry, not only locally but on a global scale.
COMMENT BY JOHN DONOVAN
Many thanks. The further information about Prelude is helpful and no doubt will be taken into account by Bill Campbell, retired HSE Group Auditor for Shell International, who I am hoping will provide his opinion for publication. I am not an expert and would only say that so-called 10,000 year weather events seem to be occurring annually at the moment. If Noah was still around, and residing in Southern England, he might well be looking for his carpentry tools. The flooding has been described by PM David Cameron as of biblical proportion.
COMMENT FROM “RELIEVED,” ANOTHER FORMER SHELL EMPLOYEE
Personally, I think the real issue with the Prelude is long term maintenance. RDS has shown a predisposition to get cheap when equipment begins to wear out. We have seen this in the North Sea and elsewhere. However, fixed platforms usually don’t sink. There is a good chance RDS can put the Prelude on the bottom if they play their ‘Touch F** All’ games with maintenance on this vessel.
COMMENT BY “WASHINGTON OBSERVER”
For all you Prelude fans out there I have a bit of sobering information. The reason the US Navy does not built aircraft carriers any larger than they do is because they don’t know how to do it. The issues for the Navy are dynamics, i.e., shock and vibration, and long term hull maintenance. Hulls have a service life that is fatigue related. The harder you work a ship the shorter the hull life. If the US Navy doesn’t know how to built mega-ships what makes Shell think a South Korean shipbuilder and consultants know how ????
FURTHER COMMENT BY “RELIEVED”
Read the most recent comments about the Prelude. The comments about ‘rogue’ waves was interesting. I don’t know what the data for SE Asia are, but I do know that rogue waves in excess of 35 meters have been documented in the North Sea. There is plenty of data available from some of the oil/gas production platforms located there. I also know the US Navy has compiled data about rogue waves for various locations about the world. Someone might try contacting the US Office of Naval Research or the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Admin. to see if that data is available.
Arrow postponement confirmed
Wed, 12 February 2014
Royal Dutch Shell has postponed its final investment decision on the proposed Arrow LNG Project in Queensland, with Chief Executive Ben van Beurden citing the ‘economics and inflation risks on these proposals’ for the company’s decision.
Mr van Beurden also stated that the company is not expecting any major final investment decisions in Asia Pacific LNG in 2014.
Big Oil’s troubles
Big Oil’s troubles will lead to the next huge advance in energy technology
They spent too much
And they discovered that their technology was inferior
Survival and industry culture will trigger a big leap
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