28th Apr 2006 14:01
Motiva Announces Progress on Refinery Expansion ProjectRoyal Dutch Shell plc today welcomed the below announcement by MotivaEnterprises LLC that it has made significant progress toward expanding refiningcapacity in the United States. A Final investment decision has not yet beentaken on this project:Motiva Announces Progress on Refinery Expansion Project325,000-barrel-per-day expansion would enhance supplies of gasoline, diesel andaviation fuel in United StatesHouston - April 28, 2006 - Motiva Enterprises LLC announced today that it hasmade significant progress toward expanding refining capacity in the UnitedStates. The company has completed initial project scoping and process designfor the potential expansion. Results indicate that a 325,000-barrel-per-daycrude throughput increase at the Motiva Port Arthur Refinery in Texas would bethe best, most logical choice. The project would make the Port Arthur Refinerythe largest in the country.The potential expansion would bring much needed supplies of transportationfuels to the U.S. market - particularly the Eastern and Southern regions of thecountry where Motiva facilities are located. While the proposed expansion wouldnotably increase refining capacity, modern design and technology would minimizeassociated emissions. Motiva would utilize advanced technology in all newinstallations and replace existing systems to significantly lower emissionsfrom refinery operations on a per barrel basis.Saudi Refining Inc. and Shell Oil Company, joint owners of the U.S.-basedMotiva, still need to finalize certain details relative to the project. Pendingnecessary regulatory approvals, Motiva would expect to initiate finalengineering later in 2006 and begin construction in 2007. The new capacitywould be projected to come online in 2010."We are confident that the market fundamentals will support an expansion of ourU.S. refining capacity. Adding 325,000 barrels-per-day of refining capacitywould be the equivalent of building a new refinery in the United States," saidWilliam B. Welte, Motiva President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are takingdeliberate steps to strengthen our nation's ability to meet future demand forgasoline, diesel and aviation fuels."Motiva continues to identify opportunities to expand refining capacity at allthree of its Gulf Coast refineries located at Port Arthur, and at Convent andNorco in Louisiana.Motiva Enterprises LLC owns and operates refineries capable of refiningapproximately 780,000 barrels per day, a distribution system includingownership interests in 42 product terminals, and a marketing network thatsupports approximately 9,000 Shell-branded gasoline stations in the Eastern andSouthern United States. More information is available at http://motivaenterprises.com.Contact - Investor RelationsUK: Gerard Paulides +44 20 7934 6287Continental Europe: Tjerk Huysinga +31 70 377 3996USA: Harold Hatchett: +1 212 218 3112Contact - Media RelationsUK and International: +44 20 7934 6238/2914/2713/3453The Netherlands: +31 70 377 8750This document contains forward-looking statements concerning the financialcondition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell. Allstatements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed tobe, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements offuture expectations that are based on management's current expectations andassumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that couldcause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from thoseexpressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include,among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Royal DutchShell to market risks and statements expressing management's expectations,beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. Theseforward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrasessuch as ``anticipate'', ``believe'', ``could'', ``estimate'', ``expect'',``intend'', ``may'', ``plan'', ``objectives'', ``outlook'', ``probably'',``project'', ``will'', ``seek'', ``target'', ``risks'', ``goals'', ``should''and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affectthe future operations of Royal Dutch Shell and could cause those results todiffer materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statementsincluded in this Report, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuationsin crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for the Group's products;(c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserveestimates; (f) loss of market and industry competition; (g) environmental andphysical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitablepotential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation andcompletion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developingcountries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative,fiscal and regulatory developments including potential litigation andregulatory effects arising from recategorisation of reserves; (k) economic andfinancial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) politicalrisks, project delay or advancement, approvals and cost estimates; and (m)changes in trading conditions. All forward-looking statements contained in thisReport are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statementscontained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place unduereliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaksonly as of the date of this Report. Neither Royal Dutch Shell nor any of itssubsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise anyforward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events orother information. In light of these risks, results could differ materiallyfrom those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statementscontained in this Report.Please refer to the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31,2005 for a description of certain important factors, risks and uncertaintiesthat may affect the Company's businesses.ENDROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLCRelated Shares:
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