Shell Trinidad through the years - 1913-2013

SHELL TRINIDADTHROUGH THE YEARS1913-2013NASSER KHAN

SHELL TRINIDADTHROUGH THE YEARSCELEBRATING 100 YEARS1913-2013

ISBN 978-976-95170-8-0Published October 2013

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted without the permission of the author. All rights reserved by Nasser Khan, the author, who is responsible for all the contents of this book.

■ Covers designed by Johann Mahabir and Safari Publications Company Ltd.

■ Edited by Adrian Camps-Campins and Aleesha R. Khan.

■ Inside Design and Layout by Safari Publications Company Limited, Trinidad, West Indies.

■ Printed by Eniath’s Printing Company Limited, Trinidad, West Indies.

06 Shell Trinidad through the years 1913-2013

The government of Trinidad and Tobago through the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs wishes to express its sincere congratulations to Shell Trinidad Limited on its 100 Year Anniversary, 1913-2013, as well as its appreciation for their sterling contribution to the development of Trinidad and Tobago. Such a landmark is of historical importance and must not go unnoticed in terms of its significance.

Shell Global is arguably the largest company in the world and to have had an uninterrupted presence here in Trinidad and Tobago since 1913 speaks volumes in terms of the natural resources that our island has had and continues to offer.

The energy industry has been and continues to be a blessing to the development of our twin island nation and Shell Trinidad has played, in no small part, a foundational role in our rise to become the economic hub of the Caribbean region.

The Energy sector continues to be the pivot upon which Trinidad and Tobago is developed. In this regard our Ministry and the government of Trinidad and Tobago are committed to working closely with Shell Trinidad Limited for the benefit of the citizens of our beloved nation.

Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs

FOREWORDS

07Shell Trinidad through the years 1913-2013

This Centennial book is dedicated to the employees, past and present, in Trinidad and Tobago. Their dedication and hard work over the last hundred years is a testament to the spirit of Trinidad and Shell.

As we celebrate our Centennial Anniversary, we reflect upon Shell’s history and involvement in every phase of upstream and downstream development in Trinidad. Our involvement in the country has had many facets, and we are proud to be part of the fond memories of many people in different parts of this beautiful land. Reaching 100 years of uninterrupted presence is a testament to our relationship with the government, regulators, clients and the community, who have made this important milestone possible.

Trinidad and Tobago is a country with significant hydrocarbon potential which will continue to be key to the country´s economic growth and to the prosperity of its people. We at Shell believe that we can be part of the collective effort to continue developing those resources in a sustainable manner. We are proud of our contributions here and look forward to our continued and growing presence in Trinidad’s energy sector.

On behalf of Shell Trinidad and our employees, we thank all Trinbagonians for making Trinidad such a wonderful place to work and live. We are part of the history here, and the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago can trust that we will continue to contribute together to achieve their aspirations.

Luis Prado,Country Chairman of Shell Trinidad Limited & Shell Venezuela

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Introduction

Welcome to Trinidad & Tobago

Committed to HSSE (Health, Safety, Security, Environment) Standards

Timelines & Milestones: Shell Trinidad Limited, 1913-2013

The Point Fortin era, where it all began, and grew from

By the Mid-1960’s

Offshore Exploration

Challenges

Oil & Gasoline: Fuelling a Nation

Lubricants

TABLE OF CONTENTS

70

73

76

78

82

86

88

100

101

Public Service, Community & Infrastructural Development

Education

Environment

Sport

Culture

The Beginning of a New Era, 1974, as Government purchases assets of Shell Trinidad Ltd.

Twenty years at Pt. Lisas (1993-2013)...Shell Trinidad Ltd today

The Next 100 Years

References and Acknowledgements


Surrounded by acres of unbroken bush stands the Inniss well, in which oil was found during September 1956. It was the first discovery of oil in the extreme south-west region of the Ortoire area.



Many companies have come to Trinidad and Tobago but not many have stayed or have made as significant a contribution as Shell Trinidad Ltd has done over the past 100 years since it started operations in Point Fortin back in 1913. “Like a drop of rain in an ocean, like a drop in the sea”... the refrain of a popular calypso, aptly describes Trinidad’s physical space on the planet. That this tiny dot in the ocean continues to play its part on the global scene is due largely to the pioneering efforts of Shell Trinidad Limited over the past century.

It is through the pages of this commemorative book that we pay tribute to Shell Trinidad Limited through a comprehensive journey of words and pictures of the period 1913-2013…researched, written and produced to provide a permanent repository of 100 years of memories and milestones.

Many of the economic and other benefits that we as a nation enjoy, such as the

01. INTRODUCTION

relatively low fuel and energy prices, are in no small measure due to the significant part that Shell Trinidad Limited has played in the thriving oil and gas sector that exists today.

The resources from which this research has been gleaned consisted of many documents, books, brochures, magazines, newspapers and interviews. The West Indiana section of the Alma Jordan Library at The University of the West Indies, (UWI), St Augustine, Trinidad is a treasure trove of research material from which most of the information from the period 1913-1974 was obtained. From copies of newspapers and in-house magazines, UBOTimes, UBOTOPICS and Shell Trinidad Topics, to a number of other specific “Shell Trinidad” magazines and chapters and articles in other publications; they are all there at the institution of higher learning. Digitization of some of these items is suggested as deterioration is beginning to set in.

In addition to the various reference sources used in the research for this book which are listed on page 101, insightful and informative conversations were held with current and past Shell Trinidad Limited staff members including Eric De Verteuil, Jalal Hosein, Hugh Howard, Ram Maraj, Nigel Martin, Luis Prado, Kathleen Ragoobarsingh, Harold Ragoonanan, Darryl Ramsaywak, ex-President Maxwell Richards and Antoinette Stagg.

We trust that you will find this an enjoyable and informative read.

Nasser KhanResearcher - Author

TOBAGO

TRINIDAD

Pt. Lisas

Crown Point

Penal

Mayaro


LOCATION:

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is comprised of two islands at the southern-most end of the Caribbean archipelago. Trinidad – the larger of the two islands – has an area of 4,828 sq km (1,864 sq miles) and is situated 10 km (7 miles) from the

east coast of Venezuela. Its capital city is Port of Spain.

Tobago is 32 km (20 miles) off the north-east coast of Trinidad and has an area of 300 sq km (116 sq miles). Its principal administrative centre is Scarborough, situated in the southern region of the island. The islands are a 3 hour and 19 minute flight from Miami, 4 1/2 hours from New York and 58 minutes from Caracas.

The combined population of the twin islands is 1.3 million.

HISTORY:

Before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1498 the islands were inhabited by Amerindian tribes mainly the Caribs

and the Arawaks. These indigenous people were no match for the Europeans but many aspects of Amerindian culture were preserved, and many towns, rivers and boroughs still carry Amerindian names today. Trinidad remained under Spanish rule until the British captured it in 1797.

02. WELCOME TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO



During the colonial period, Trinidad’s economy relied on large sugar and cocoa plantations. The French, Dutch, and British forces fought over possession of Tobago and the island changed hands 22 times. Tobago was finally ceded to Great Britain in 1814. Trinidad and Tobago became a single colony in 1889. The direction of the Trinidad economy began to change in the 1850s with the discovery of oil, and the commercialization of the petroleum industry during the early 20th century. Trinidad and Tobago achieved full Independence in 1962 and later joined the Commonwealth, becoming a Republic in 1976.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO TODAY:

Trinidad & Tobago boasts a diverse cultural and religious background made up of various ethnicities including African, Indian, Caucasian, Chinese, Syrian, Lebanese and mixed race. The main religious faiths are Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam.

Trinidad and Tobago is famous for its pre-Lenten Carnival celebration, which attracts many visitors annually and is the birthplace of calypso and steelpan, the only acoustic musical instrument invented during the 20th

century. Other indigenous art forms include soca (which evolved from calypso), parang (Venezuelan-influenced Christmas music), chutney music and pichakaree (musical forms which blend the music of the Caribbean and India), and the famous limbo dance.

Trinidad and Tobago claims two Nobel Prize-winning authors, V. S. Naipaul and St. Lucian-born Derek Walcott. Designer Peter Minshall is renowned not only for his carnival costumes, but also for his role in the opening ceremonies of the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics, the 1994 Football World Cup, the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics and the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics, for which he won an Emmy Award. Trinidad and Tobago also boasts two former Miss Universe titles: Janelle Commissiong (1977) and Wendy Fitzwilliam (1998); one Miss World title: Giselle Laronde (1986); and more recently, in 2011, one winner of the popular American reality television series “Project Runway” winner, fashion designer Anya Ayoung-Chee.

Some sports are a high priority in this country, especially cricket and football (soccer). The Trinidad and Tobago “Soca Warriors” team qualified for and participated in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the smallest country ever to do so. The West Indies Cricket Team includes nationals of Trinidad and Tobago, who participate in the Cricket World Cup. Brian Lara is a world famous cricketer, one of the best ever. The country has also had Olympic gold medal winners in sprinter Hasely Crawford and javelin thrower Keshorn Walcott.

The tropical climate encourages outdoor activities including yachting, sports-fishing, windsurfing, scuba diving and golf. Several facilities are available to accommodate these high energy pastimes.

As a multi-religious country, Trinidad and Tobago celebrates many religious holidays as well as other national holidays.Citizens enjoy free primary, secondary and tertiary education


up to undergraduate level with private fee-paying options available. Post-secondary and tertiary education providers include: The University of the West Indies (UWI), The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), distance-learning tertiary level institutions, colleges and vocational/technical training schools.

Backed by over 100 years of success in the energy sector and a proven track record of Foreign Direct Investment, Trinidad and Tobago is the leading Caribbean producer of oil and gas and has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international businesses with one of the highest growth rates and per capita incomes in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Currently the largest Caribbean exporter to the USA, the country continuously improves its access to regional and international markets through strong trade relations with the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, CARICOM and Europe.

Trinidad and Tobago maintains one of the most favorable economic climates in the Caribbean region, marked by low inflation, steady upward growth, a stable economy, low unemployment, and a well-organized, locally-regulated financial system. The country has a strong and stable financial sector, and claims the title of “the financial center of the Caribbean”.


03. COMMITTED TO HSSE (HEALTH, SAFETY, SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENT)

The hallmark of Shell Trinidad Limited has been to ensure that Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) standards always parallel or exceed the ongoing new and improved methods of production and operating practices.

From the starting point of full compliance with legislative requirements, it is the policy of Shell companies to conduct their business and activities in such a way as to take foremost account of the health and safety of its employees and others and to give proper regard to the conservation of the environment. Shell companies pursue a policy of continuous improvement in the measures taken to protect the health, safety, security and environment of those who may be directly or indirectly affected by their activities.

Shell Trinidad is committed to achieving and maintaining the highest in these standards, which will stand up to scrutiny with the very best in the world.

Main Office, Point Fortin - 1913.

A typical drilling rig in the Point Fortin field.

Our aerial photograph of the new 2-mile Tanker Loading Jetty at Point Fortin, at which two ocean-going tankers can be loaded simultaneously alongside the berths on either side of the T-head. Tankers commenced using the berthing facilities in March 1961. To the right can be seen the old wooden oil jetty.

Main Office, Point Fortin - 1936 - 1958.

New Administrative Building, built in 1958.

A Drilling Crew of 1950, making up a tool joint.


PICTURES OF YESTERYEAR


04. TIMELINES & MILESTONES: SHELL TRINIDAD LIMITED, 1913-2013

Who would have thought that a British Transport and Trading company owned by the Samuel family, eventually named The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, on account of their earlier trading with the Middle East and the Orient, in everything from rice to exotic sea shells, would be the reason for what is today one of the best known corporate symbols in the world?

It was the historic merger in 1907 with the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, for whom the Samuels transported oil, which led to the formation of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies, universally recognized by its unique scalloped shell logo. The shell logo has evolved since 1900 from a basic mussel shell to a more sophisticated adaptation of a scalloped shell which it is today.

100 years ago, in 1913, the United British Oilfields of Trinidad Limited (UBOT) the forerunner to Shell Trinidad Limited, officially began its operations in Trinidad & Tobago.

That UBOT/Shell Trinidad grew and developed to become a fully integrated oil company, engaged in exploration, production, refining and marketing of petrochemical products is traced through the following timelines and milestones.

Essentially there have been three distinct eras that define the presence of Shell in Trinidad & Tobago:

1. UBOT/Shell Trinidad Ltd: 1913 to 1974 (crude oil production, refining and fuel and gasoline sales; lubricants/imported sales)…pre-Government purchase of its assets

2. Shell Trinidad Ltd: 1974-1993 (marketing/sales of chemicals and lubricants).

3. Shell Trinidad Ltd: 1993-2013 (manufacturing and marketing/sales of lubricants).


United British Oilfields of Trinidad Limited (UBOT) takes over the operation of the exploration and production company, Trinidad Oilfields Limited.

UBOT concentrates on establishing itself as an oil producing company. Staff numbers increased to almost 600 employees.

UBOT acquires the then small refinery that had been in operation for a few years at Point Fortin to begin its own refining.

Arrangement made with the Royal Dutch-Shell group for capital injection and the Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Company Limited takes over the management of UBOT, leading to the intensification of drilling operations.

New jetty built at Point Fortin. UBOT forms a joint company with Trin-idad Leaseholds Limited (TLL) to market their respective products in Trinidad and Tobago, an arrangement that lasted until 1960.

Production reaches 1 million barrels of crude oil per annum.

Extension of the refinery commenced together with the building of a new jetty and other facilities and increased tankage.

New refinery on stream with capacity reaching 15,000 barrels per day by 1938.

The following is a summary of the evolution of Shell’s century of operation and service thus far:

1913 1913-1919 1919

1928 1929 1930

1931 1932 1933


Shallow oil-producing sands were encountered at Penal in 1936, east of Point Fortin, marking the discovery of a new and important field, although it was not until 1938, when the pipeline from Penal to Point Fortin came into use, that production began in earnest. New life was infused into the Point Fortin area by new discovery wells.

Shell-Leaseholds Distributing Company Limited was formed by Trinidad Leaseholds Limited and UBOT for the marketing of “Shell” and “Regent” products in Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad Northern Areas Limited-TNA (UK registered) was jointly formed by UBOT and Trinidad Leaseholds Limited (Regent) to explore for oil. Later, D’Arcy Exploration Company (BP) also joined the venture as one-third partner.

Geological survey work was carried out in the Cedros and Penal areas. Although subsequent drilling in the Cedros areas was unsuccessful, and the lease was finally given up, the work in Penal set the foundation for a very important field. Explora-tion licences over a large area of Central Trinidad were also secured, and survey work commenced. Oil discoveries at Penal led to the building of a pipeline to the refinery at Point Fortin, some 25 miles away.

World War II. Trinidad was an important source of aviation fuel for the fighter planes of Britain’s Royal Air Force during the war years. The Second World War would propel Trinidad and Toba-go onto the world stage (‘flying on Trinidad oil’, as it was termed back then) and history records that the high octane aviation fuel oils out of Shell Trinidad Limited’s downstream industries would greatly aid the UK in its war effort. Fuel was also supplied to the British Navy’s ships that were involved in the conflict.

New distillation unit completed, further increasing the refinery’s capacity. The bitumen plant was expanded and upgraded which supplied the product for the American bases that were built in Trinidad in the war years.

1934-1939/Pre-war years.

1936

1936

1938

19401939-1945


At Penal older and deeper sand (oil and gas) discovery led to a successful search in the declining Barrackpore field and a revival of operations there.

Following the oil finds in earlier decades in Point Fortin, Parrylands, Penal and Siparia, there were discoveries in Ortoire and the Gulf of Paria/Soldado Field which reversed the decline in production. Further drills led to oil finds at Balata East, Cat’s Hill and Inniss, the latter being the last onshore find.

Shell Trinidad Limited provided advice and technical service to Shell Antilles and Guianas Limited (S.A.G.L.) and Societè Anonyme Foncière des Antilles Française (S.A.F.A.F), two separate companies which marketed the various brands of Shell products and provided aircraft refueling services at airports in the Lesser Antilles and Guianas. The early history involved a joint marketing arrangement with Regent (Texaco) both in the Guianas/Lesser Antilles and in Trinidad that lasted until the end of 1959. Late in 1959, a new Shell com-pany was formed, Shell Antilles and Guianas Limited (“SAGL”), to operate in those territories.

Soldado Field, 14 miles offshore, west of Point Fortin, became a major producer.

UBOT changed its name to Shell Trinidad Limited to identify and brand it as part of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group and management was transferred to Trinidad. Also the name of the joint marketing company run in conjunction with the Trinidad Oil Company was changed from Shell Leaseholds Distributing Company Limited to Shell and Regent Distributors (Trinidad) Limited.

1941-1946 1950’s

1950’s

1954-1959 1956


TNA/Shell (Trinidad Northern Areas and offshore exploration with BP, Texaco and Tesoro).

Further refinery enhancements. Total capacity around 70,000 barrels per day with the Point Fortin virtually an export refinery. With effect from January 1, 1960, the joint mar-keting organization operation was terminated and the market partitioned, to be replaced by separate organisations. In Trinidad, Shell products were now handled by a Market-ing Division of Shell Trinidad Limited, on a standalone basis.

Platformer unit opened at Point Fortin refinery to produce high octane aviation and motor spirit, followed by a hydrogenation unit to make high quality kerosene and jet fuels.

1960

1952-1974

1964

New administrative building completed at Point Fortin.

1958

The minority shareholding company in Shell Trinidad Limited was acquired and the company became wholly owned by Shell Petroleum Company Limited.

1961

Friday 30th April marked the 500th publication of the in-house newspaper “Shell Topics” which began as a weekly newsletter for employees back on January 6th 1956.

1971


The Trinidad and Tobago Government purchased the assets of Shell Trinidad Limited (including the Point Fortin refinery, Sea Lots lubricants blending plant and 86 gas stations) and the company was renamed Trinidad and Tobago Oil Company, TRINTOC. A new company, Shell Chemicals and Services (East Caribbean) Ltd, was formed in Trini-dad to provide services for other Shell companies in the region and market chemical products in T&T.

At the time of purchase of Shell Trinidad Ltd by the government in 1974, approximately 50 employees were retained by Shell Chemicals and Services (Eastern Caribbean) Limited located at Salvatori Building in Port of Spain. This operation was moved to Barbados in 1979 with a smaller staff being retained in Trinidad to service/market agricultural and industrial chemicals at Phillips Street, Port of Spain. Further scale-downs saw the staffing needs reduced to a handful of employees engaged in supplying the needs of Shell products to the local market via direct shipment to customers. By this time the office was located at the Aranguez Plaza, outside of Port of Spain. By the late 1980s, due to the increased demand for auto lubricants, the staff count was back up to about 20 to market these products.

1974 1974-1980’s

Manufacturing plant built at Pt Lisas to manufacture lubricants (later chemicals also but this was discontinued), supplying local, Central America and the rest of the Caribbean. Distributed by Shell and Laughlin and De Gannes up to 2009 when FT Farfan became the macro distributor.

1993

10 Year Anniversary celebrations of Pt Lisas lubricants manufacturing plant.

2003

20 Year Anniversary of Pt Lisas lubri-cants manufacturing plant.

2013

Shell Trinidad Limited’s 100 Year Anniversary in Trinidad and Tobago.

2013


Company letterheads, then to now.




Shell Gas Station, San Fernando.

Shell Gas Station, Point Fortin.


05. THE POINT FORTIN ERA, WHERE IT ALL BEGAN...AND GREW

The South Western peninsula of Trinidad from the outset exhibited many locations of hydrocarbons, the likes of mud volcanoes, oil seepages, gas vents and our famous asphalt/Pitch Lake at La Brea, from which British explorer Walter Raleigh is said to have used the bituminous substance to caulk his ships.

Before the advent of UBOT/Shell Trinidad Ltd and its development into a booming oil town in Trinidad’s south west peninsula, Point Fortin was but a small village in the bushes.

Imagine the landscape, especially of the southern “oil areas” after the turn of the 20th century, out of which the oil industry was born: an undeveloped land with vast unexplored forested areas, no roads, and an unskilled labor force (except for farmers), disease-plagued (malaria and yellow fever), and virtually non-existent amenities.

But development is not without its challenges. Oil camps had to

Main Office - Point Fortin - 1913 A typical drilling rig in the Point Fortin field.


Main office, Point Fortin 1936-1958


be established with foreign workers imported which led to the early stratification of top management, middle management and labourers. This last group was largely the driving force behind the formation of the labour movement and the defining labour protests of 1937.

Shell Trinidad Limited was no doubt the reason for the social and economic development of Point Fortin from the early 1900s. Its activities in Point Fortin led to the growth in its population, the provision of ancillary business activities and communication links with the rest of the island. The company established and expanded its operations in the area and by 1917 had proven itself to be a successful oil company. It had several productive oil wells, a refinery, and other industrial plants had been set up to process oil and oil products. Warehouses and tanks were established for storage purposes; a railway was built to transport goods and materials in Point Fortin; a paved road was built to

facilitate the marketing of oil products in Trinidad; and a jetty was built to allow tankers to transport oil and oil products to overseas markets. All this in what was soon to become a bustling ‘oil’ town.

In addition to its primary business functions Shell, embraced its responsibility towards the development of the communities in which it operated. In Trinidad and Tobago, in addition to the development of Point Fortin, Shell Trinidad Limited contributed to just about every sphere of activity. Point Fortin essentially grew from a tiny village with only a few huts to a town of 30,000 between 1913 and 1960, appropriately coined, “the town that oil built.”

Aerial photograph of the new 2 mile Tanker Loading Jetty at Point Fortin, at which 2 ocean going tankers can be loaded simultaneously alongside the berths on either side of the T-head. Tankers commenced using the berthing facility in March, 1961. To the right can be seen the old wooden jetty.


The age of cars, boats and planes, all of which needed fuel, boosted Trinidad’s fledgling oil industry especially when Britain’s Royal Navy switched from coal to oil as its fuel. Given this impetus, Trinidad and Tobago became the British Empire’s largest oil producer by the 1920s, UBOT/Shell being no small part of this supply stream.

From the early 1860s in Trinidad, the early efforts of oil pioneers such as Walter Darwent, an American Civil Engineer, Randolph Rust, an Englishman who became an oil prospector, along with Trinidadian businessman, John Lee Lum and a British engineer, A. Beeby-Thompson, led to increasing interest in the areas of Guapo/Point Fortin and Parrylands by many companies including Trinidad Oilfields United. The concerted efforts of these pioneers led to the construction of a small refinery and a wooded pier at what is today the town of Point Fortin. In 1929, UBOT, under the management of the Anglo Saxon Petroleum Company/Royal Dutch Shell Group, began larger scale development with intensified drilling, building a new jetty and by 1933, a major refinery expansion. By 1936, new oil fields, twenty five miles away in Penal led to pipelines being built to the Point Fortin refinery with Penal becoming a pleasant company residential area.

In later years as Shell moved further eastwards in search of more oil, they built their own 2 ½mile long road connecting Point Fortin with the Southern Main Road.

With the influx of workers came the ancillary businesses such as the Chinese shopkeepers who set up shops, groceries, eating places, bars and laundries, all visible signs of a growing village. Kim Far Restaurant was for many years a landmark on the Main Road as were Pei Ping and Chang groceries and the Alfred Chow store.

By the mid 1930s, in addition to the refinery expansion, construction of a new jetty, new power stations, distillation plants, workshops, tanks, a warehouse, offices and houses were all underway. Economic activity including private housing began to flourish. In time came new schools, banks, supermarkets, bars, a cinema, government offices, hospitals, a company airstrip, electricity service and many more signs of progress.


The successful operations of UBOT encouraged more people to migrate to Point Fortin in search of employment with the company. With that came the need for housing, social and recreational facilities. On the social and health side, club houses were built in the housing areas of Clifton Hill, Mahaica, Techier, Penal and Rio Claro and a hospital was established at Point Fortin.

As the population of the township grew, UBOT recognized the need to set up social institutions in the area and, as such, was instrumental in the establishment of medical, religious and educational institutions. The company also provided a dispensary and a maternity hospital for its employees and their families.

The history of Point Fortin therefore in the period 1900 to 1930s was inextricably interwoven with the development of the oil industry by UBOT, Shell Trinidad Limited’s forerunner. The refinery at Point Fortin was modernized in the early 1960s to include the production of high octane gas, kerosene and jet fuel. By the mid 1960s the refinery yielded primarily semi-refined products such as naphtha, gas oil and fuel oil components which were exported for further processing and blending. Around this time the company also sought to expand to the making of finished products and set up the appropriate facilities to produce high octane aviation and motor gasoline components, high quality kerosene and jet fuels. In 1960 to keep pace with the growth, a 2 mile long reinforced concrete jetty was built, capable of handling larger tankers as well as bunkers and larger coastal vessels.

The age of oil made an impact on Trinidad long before it did in many places in the Caribbean and beyond. And it all happened in Point Fortin. Trinidad’s coastal steamers, for example, were converted to oil, so too the power stations. Oil fuel drove the water works. The British Navy used oil from


Trinidad. As a result the entire southern half of the island was improved and from Guayaguayare in the west to the Cedros peninsula in the east, roads and bridges were built. Oil was used to fight mosquitoes in their breeding places, and kerosene/pitch oil replaced coconut oil for lighting in the countryside. Cars and motorbuses began to make their appearance.

Although people migrated to Point Fortin from all over the

country, the population in 1931 was still small. There were very few houses, no schools or recreational and other facilities. As a result Trinidadians who went to work in Point Fortin didn’t take their families with them. However, this changed when the company decided to attract and retain workers by developing the area as it became established. This encouraged families to settle, and coupled with a growth in the commercial sector, brought about such facilities as a post office, police station as well as governmental agencies. Employment by the mid-1960s had reached approximately 4,000 and growing.

You may wonder how people got in and out of Point Fortin. Since there was no public road transportation, the only means of conveyance open to the public between Point Fortin

and the outside world was by the Gulf Coastal Steamer. This was a Government operated service, which traveled between San Fernando and Icacos four days each week, calling at intermediate Gulf Ports. Its schedule was arranged so that it would connect with the railway passenger service at San Fernando.

When the company decided to step out eastward, there were

Shell’s Point Fortin Refinery and environs, including the ocean, the industrial area, the housing areas and the Trades School.


only two Government roads over which materials could be transported, but not heavy materials because of weak timber bridges. To use these roads even for light transport meant traveling from Point Fortin along the Guapo/Cap-de-Ville Road all the way to the Cedros/Erin Junction and continuing through the Southern Main Road east to the Parrylands Junction. To avoid these additional eight miles, the company immediately set about constructing a road which ran right across the three estates and Crown Lands, linking the Guapo/Cap-de-Ville Road in Point Fortin with the Southern Main Road at Paynter’s Hill. This road became known as the Main Road, and was the only proper road in Point Fortin for many years.

Very soon wells were being drilled at Parrylands and with the progressive expansion of the company’s operations, Point Fortin showed a significant change. Most noticeable was the industrial lay out to the west, in close proximity to the sea. And while not by any means as imposing, a village was in the making not far from the company’s industrial compound.

The village grew, and expanded tremendously. It is interesting to recall several of the names given to the residential areas by the residents themselves. Each little district bore its own name, with some adding the word “village”. The names recorded in the early days were: New Lands, Tank Farm, Clifton Hill, Frisco, Up the Line, and others since forgotten. Clifton Hill is the only one, which has retained its original name, perhaps because of its association with the estate, also of the same name. Other residential areas also developed such as Mahaica, Techier Village and Egypt Village.

During the global depression of 1929 and the years that immediately followed, everything stood still. Even essential company operations were sometimes deferred. This dark period saw the shutting in of the producing wells in the Point Fortin field, and closing down of the field as a production area. Naturally

Shell Trinidad’s Apache aircraft flying over the southern coast of Trinidad. The plane was used to fly personnel between Point Fortin, Penal and Ortoire, the company’s three main operating areas, and Port of Spain, the capital city, some distance away. This mode of transport led to a lot of time saved and efficiencies.

Main Road, Point Fortin, 1960.


the village of Point Fortin felt the impact of this depression.

Changes in capital holdings brought automatic changes in policy, and with it changes in administration and personnel. It was not until late 1931 that Point Fortin again saw visible signs of economic progress. It was then that preliminary preparations were made for the expansion of the refinery and the construction of a new jetty. These two projects, which took approximately two years to complete, resulted in a significant change in the development and progress of the village.

During the construction of the new processing plant and its subsidiary plants, electric power station, etc. in the refinery area, much labour was used. Because of the need to provide skilled and qualified personnel, due to the vast increase in the amount of plant and machinery which were being constructed, the company embarked on a training programme. Electricians, mechanics, welders, turners and fitters were now receiving specialized training in order to become more involved in the operation and maintenance of the refinery.


This upsurge in the company’s activities created further demand for housing. More company houses were built in Mahaica and Techier, providing accommodation to the influx hundreds of workers and their families. These houses were supplied with electricity gas and potable water, facilities which at the time were provided only in the more modern towns, the likes of the capital city of Port of Spain and were a huge improvement over the barrack yard system, which existed in the early days.

There was also a technical school for apprentices. Students for this school were drawn from all parts of the country. This was formerly the Shell Trade School, until it was handed over to the Government with the Ministry of Education as the administrator.

Sports teams of Point Fortin have always been exceptional. For years the first class football team won the coveted trophy presented by the Trinidad Football Association, emblematic of football supremacy in the Island.

Point Fortin became a port of entry. The Point Fortin Jetty, the longest in the West Indies, now had berthing facilities for large ocean-going vessels, including oil tankers. Occasionally a cargo vessel carrying merchandise would call to discharge cargo consigned to the company and merchants in the village.

The latest manifestations of progress in this modern age was the magnificent office building erected by Shell Trinidad Limited in 1958 to house its administrative and technical staff. The building, a modern four-storied structure, stood majestically overlooking the refinery and shops areas, and dwarfed every other building within a large radius. This was a tribute to the stability of the oil industry, and a tangible expression of confidence by the management of Shell Trinidad Limited in the economic potential of Point Fortin.

The country’s independence from Britain in 1962 would find the “Shell Trinidad Limited” oil town of Point Fortin a beacon of hope for the future.




New Administrative Building built in 1958



From its early years establishing itself first as UBOT and then as Shell Trinidad Limited by the mid 1960s, the company had grown and developed into a fully integrated oil company, engaged in all aspects of the business: exploration, production, refining, and marketing of oil and chemical products. It had become an independent company within the framework of the Royal Dutch/Shell group and had its Board of Directors and its management resident in Trinidad and Tobago. Among the ten members of the Board were four Trinidadians, three of whom held senior management positions.

Its average production from its land concessions at Point Fortin, Penal and Ortoire, and from its one-third share in the marine operations amounted to an average of 27,000 barrels per day in 1965.

In addition to crude oil the company also produced natural gas. Shell’s total production of natural gas was approximately 50 million cu. ft. per day, 75% of which was utilised through sales to third parties, for the company’s own use in the refinery, and for primary and secondary oil production purposes. Shell Trinidad Limited had become the major supplier of natural gas to various industries in Trinidad. Long-term contracts were held with the Trinidad & Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC), Federation Chemicals Limited (Fedchem) and Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL). A 41 mile long 16-inch diameter line owned by the Trinidad & Tobago Electricity Commission conveyed gas from Penal to Port of Spain. Most of the gas sold to third parties was from Penal.

By the mid 1960s refining at Point Fortin evolved from a simple crude topping unit of 5,000 barrels per day, to two distillation units with a total capacity of 60,000 barrels per day. A high vacuum distillation plant was later added for the manufacture of bitumen, as were treating plants for the extraction of petroleum acids.

Up to 1963, the refinery had yielded primarily semi-refined products such as naphta, gas oil and fuel oil components, which were exported for further processing and blending. To keep pace with global competition, an 80-ton a day platformer was constructed in 1963 at a cost of TT$5 million. In addition, a kerosene hydro-treater and hydrogenation unit, costing another TT$5 million, was constructed in 1964. From this unit, high quality kerosene and jet fuels were produced. The hydrogenation unit was the first of its kind in the Royal Dutch/Shell Group.

In the 1960s and into the 1970s, Shell gas stations (numbering 86 by 1974, 3 of which were located in Tobago) catered to the needs of the motoring public, in every part of Trinidad and Tobago. A full range of automotive products and the most modern facilities for lubrication and servicing of all types of motor vehicles were available at most of these stations.

Shell Trinidad’s aviation service provided aircraft refueling facilities at Piarco International Airport in Trinidad and also at Crown Point Airport in Tobago.

The company also operated a marine bunkering service in Port of Spain and at Point Fortin. In Port of Spain harbour deliveries were made by the company’s three bunkering vessels, while at Point Fortin ships were serviced over a modern oil berth. World-wide Shell marine contracts in respect of lubricants were also serviced at the main ports in Trinidad.

There was also a growing business for Shell chemicals of a wide variety – insecticides, weedicides, fertilizers and industrial chemicals which were supplied to agricultural and industrial interests and also retailed to the householder in small packages. A research unit of Shell Research Limited was established at St. Augustine in Trinidad, which tested new formulations of agricultural chemicals under tropical conditions.

06. BY THE MID-1960’S

Production Station No. 6 at Penal, the main take-off point for natural gas supply to T. & T..E.C. in Port of Spain for use as fuel, and to Federation Chemicals Ltd. at Point Lisas, for use as feedstock for the Ammonia Plant.


By the mid 1960s, Shell Trinidad had become involved in activities, upstream and downstream, related to crude oil, partly refined oil, oil products, catalyst chemicals, solvents and additives, lubricating oils, greases, motor lubrication oils, aviation fuel, motor petrol, diesoline (diesel gasoline), diesel oil, insecticides, weedicides, fertilizers and industrial chemicals The company had recruitment and training programmes designed to offer maximum opportunity to nationals of Trinidad and Tobago to fill the highest positions in the company. To this end, detailed career development programmes were maintained which used the resources of training and job experience of both Shell Trinidad Limited and the company’s associates overseas.

The company’s training programmes, which ranged from trade

apprenticeships to senior management courses with Shell International Petroleum Company in London were expanded to introduce an extensive series of middle management and methods planning courses, amongst others, in the Port of Spain training centre. Concurrently, the development of management skills and technical knowledge was fostered by the interchange of staff with associated overseas Shell companies – such interchanges also provided the experience of working under different conditions desirable for the attainment of senior management posts in an international industry.

To maintain sound and equitable employment policies and practices, the company provided competitive wages and working conditions which were periodically negotiated with the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) through the process of


A general view of the Platformer/Hydrotreater refinery complex which was officially opened by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Eric Williams.

Aerial photography of part of 2-mile long all concrete tanker loading jetty at Point Fortin. Two ocean-going tankers can be loaded simultaneously along-side the berths on either side of the T-head.


Sea Lots Jetty, Port of Spain, 1973.

Distillation unit at Point Fortin.


Shell herbicide and insecticide

collective bargaining. The company also maintained a vigorous safety programme, a modern hospital and industrial clinic and other health and welfare facilities. Social clubs and recreational facilities were provided in all areas of the company’s operations and the aided self-help housing programme in which Shell was a pioneer was replaced by a more comprehensive housing aid scheme to facilitate all levels of personnel to construct and own their homes. Credit Unions were actively supported and encouraged with a view to encouraging thrift and promoting capital formation and a modern contributory pension scheme was developed.

Shell Trinidad Limited also embarked upon an agricultural project in Point Fortin designed to diversify the economy and to provide additional opportunity for employment. During the 1960s the company continued to contribute to a wide variety of economic, educational, sporting and other activities. At the national level it

participated in the Prime Minister’s Best Village Programmes, with a secondary school at Penal, a library at Point Fortin and a Youth Centre in Port of Spain. In the field of education, Shell Trinidad had a Chair at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad, and made substantial financial contributions to “The Friends of the University” fund and to the building development projects of other educational organisations. The company also provided university scholarships to deserving candidates. In the field of sports, Shell Trinidad sponsored the Caribbean Regional Cricket Tournament (the Shell Shield) which commenced in 1966 and continued until 1987. The company also had a British Lawn Tennis professional who coached promising young players.


Shaded areas showing oil drilling areas

Shell Trinidad Ltd.




07. OFFSHORE EXPLORATION


In 1936 Trinidad Northern Areas Limited (TNA), one third of which was owned by Shell Trinidad, embarked upon the search for offshore oil. Unsuccessful, it was not until 1951 when drilling re-started, this time in the Gulf of Paria some 14 miles west off the coast of Point Fortin that the Soldado Fields, from 1955-1965, proved to be rich in reserves of oil and gas. Production peaked in 1964 but then went into decline.




08. CHALLENGES

The realities of terrain, access and drilling had their challenges. Labour and economic challenges followed as they did in every growing economy.

By the 1920s and 1930s, labour unrest and falling oil prices saw a decline in the oil economy and its attendant fallout including layoffs and resignations. By the 1940s however, with the end of the depression there was a turnaround with more cost effective measures, better working conditions, labour union agreements, as well as more efficient production methods. The 1930s, the time of the Great Depression, saw the rise of the labour movement in Trinidad and Tobago led by trade union leaders such as Tubal Uriah Butler and Adrian Cola Rienzi resulting in the historic protest of June 19th 1937. The challenge to maintain sound and equitable employment policies and procedures as well as to provide a good level of wages and working conditions, had to be periodically negotiated with the Oilfield Workers’ Trade Union.

Providing the continuous supply of crude oil and natural gas needed to keep its refinery at capacity to meet the growing demands for the wide variety of oil and gas-based products was always a challenge.

The shortage of technically qualified Trinidadians meant that the recruitment efforts had to be extended to the U.K., Canada, the United States. and other areas where Trinidadians had migrated to work or study. University scholarships were also awarded in engineering and other fields as potential future sources of expertise and to assist in expanding the national resources of technically qualified personnel.

The 1950s saw a decline in oil production. Although offshore oil had been discovered in the Soldado Field, the cost of production of offshore oil was several times that of onshore, which meant that Shell had to significantly increase its authorized capital by


Challenge of terrain


1960. Continued rising costs prompted the company to seek ways to cut costs without hampering the economic well being of Point Fortin and by extension, the nation. In this regard Shell was able to streamline its operations without upsetting the economic life of Point Fortin.

Faced with competition, Shell Trinidad Limited changed its product pattern by moving to the manufacture of finished products of higher quality.

During the early 1960s, Shell gave increasing attention to secondary recovery techniques as a means of arresting the normal decline in its land production from its existing wells, as well as to improve the production position of the company. Experiments on the use of new secondary recovery techniques

by steam injection began in 1962 and increasing emphasis was placed on these new techniques. Yet another challenge was that of competition, a result of the plentiful supply of low cost crude from the Middle East and Africa and the construction of new refineries in Europe and the United Kingdom. Competition for Shell’s export products greatly increased in traditional markets and became a significant factor in the decline of product prices.

Profitable growth requires high levels of financial investment in land and marine exploration while rising to and exceeding

the challenges of combining cost effectiveness and high standards of improved safety and environmental performance.

But diminishing returns seemed to be the order of the day in the early 1970s and along with the prevailing nationalization momentum saw the beginning of negotiations with the Trinidad and Tobago government to acquire the assets of Shell Trinidad. These negotiations continued into 1974 when a purchase price was finally agreed to following rounds of complex negotiations.


09. OIL & GASOLINE: FUELLING A NATION

Over the past century, Trinidad and Tobago’s oil industry has been the basis of the country’s prosperity and has been the mainstay of its economy in terms of both trade and revenue.

From one barrel of oil, a little less than one half was used to produce approximately 19.5 gallons of gasoline while the remainder produced propane gas, solvents, diesel fuel, motor oil, lubricants, insecticides, fertilizers, gasoline etc.

For decades Shell met a large portion of Trinidad and Tobago’s fuel needs. During the 61 ‘onshore’ years from 1913-1974 it is estimated that close to 213 million barrels of oil were produced while ‘offshore’ production via Shell’s one third share in the Soldado Field operation yielded approximately 90 million barrels of oil over an 18-year period up to 1974.

In the 1960s, more Shell Gas Stations were opened to serve the increasing demand (there were Gas Stations since the 1930s) in Trinidad and Tobago and by 1974 there were 86 such stations across the country, including three in Tobago.

Shell Trinidad Limited became the major gas supplier of natural gas found in Penal to industries in Trinidad and had long term contracts to supply the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Company (T&TEC), Federation Chemicals Ltd (Fedchem) and Trinidad Cement Ltd (TCL).

Though fuel, oil, gas and diesel oil, kerosene and lubricating oils were in demand, gasoline formed the bulk of sales. By the 1950s and 60s, Shell Trinidad commanded a significant portion of gasoline sales in Trinidad and Tobago.

Shell Trinidad Aviation Services provided aviation fuel for aircraft at Piarco Airport in Trinidad and at the Crown Point Airport, Tobago.

Trinidad was an important source of aviation fuel for the fighter planes of the British Royal Air Force during the war years 1939-1945. The Second World War would propel Trinidad and Tobago onto the world stage (‘flying on Trinidad oil’, as it was termed back then) and history records that the high octane aviation fuel oils out of Shell Trinidad Limited downstream industries would greatly aid the United Kingdom in its war effort. Fuel was also supplied to the Navy’s ships that were involved in the conflict.


Port of Spain Gas Station, 1973



Another aerial view of Shell’s Point Fortin Refinery with the then new office building prominently shown

1970 advertisement


Cross Crossing Service Station, San Fernando, in 1935.

And in 1970.



10. LUBRICANTS

Shell Trinidad’s Lubricants/Lube Oil Blending Plant at Point Lisas Industrial Estate on the west coast of Trinidad, is a highly modernized state-of-the-art plant which produces a full range of Shell Lubricants including automotive, industrial and marine oils. These products are available in bulk, intermediate bulk containers, drums, pails and small packs.

Shell Trinidad Limited is involved in the production and marketing of these lubricants in Trinidad and Tobago which are sold in the local market and are exported to the Caribbean and Central America region and also supplied to International customers.

Currently 3.3 million liters of lubricants per month are produced at Pt Lisas for motor cars and other motorized vehicles as well as for industrial machinery.

FT Farfan Limited is the local company contracted as the macro distributor for the full range of Shell Lubricant products which includes all industrial, marine and automotive lubricants such as greases, hydraulic fluids, compressor, bearing and turbine oils. These products are used in a diverse range of industries such as oil and gas, petrochemical, commercial transport, heavy and light manufacturing, agriculture even food processing.

The Shell brand contains many outstanding global sub-brands such as Helix gasoline engine oils and Rimula diesel engine oils


Shell Trinidad Ltd. Products


Some of Shell Trinidad Limited’s Products




Go Shell!



11. PUBLIC SERVICE, COMMUNITY AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Shell Trinidad Limited has been and continues to be an important corporate citizen in Trinidad and Tobago, expressing its Corporate Social Responsibility in every sphere of life toward sustainable development. Major social investments have been made in the areas of infrastructure which accompanied oil finds, the environment, education, agriculture, medicine and health, science, housing, sport, art, culture, and community development.

With the oil finds eastward of Point Fortin, such as at Cat’s Hill

and Balata (see map on page 47), Shell built better access roads extending from the main roads which finally extended to Rio Claro (some 15 miles long) where employees and their families were accommodated at a newly built camp.

Shell has always maintained a vigorous health programme, from a modern hospital and industrial clinic to other health and welfare facilities. The Shell Hospital was established at Point Fortin, complete with operating theatre, X-Ray, physiotherapy and


dental units. Today Shell Trinidad Limited is actively involved with the dissemination of information related to AIDS awareness and cancer and with the upgrade of the blood bank.

Communities developed around social clubs and recreational facilities which were provided in all areas of the company’s operations as well as the aided self-help housing programme and later a more comprehensive housing aid scheme to assist all levels of personnel. In the areas of housing and other facilities,

in the 1950s and 60s, at Point Fortin and Penal, close to 800 houses were built along with bachelors’ quarters, pavilions/club houses and grounds, e.g. Clifton Hill , Mahaica, Techier Village, Penal and Rio Claro, comparable with some of the best around the island. The housing and general building thrust led to a flourishing brick and tile industry as well as lumber, labour, masonry, carpentry, electrical and a host of other ancillary services.


In 1962 for the country’s Independence from Britain, Shell donated lands in Point Fortin for churches, a day nursery and money and lands for a community centre. In the 1960s the company began to release land for agricultural purposes, (e.g. 2,000 acres for food production and animal husbandry), funding alternative employment for people solely dependent on the oil industry. Agricultural programs were designed to help develop home food production and save on imports and therefore create a healthier balance of trade. In 2013, assistance was given to acquire plants for the green house at the Esperanza School in Pt Lisas.

Separate chapters are devoted to the areas of the education, environment, sport and culture.


12. EDUCATION

The fact that a Trinidadian, Theodore (Ted) Manuel Figueira was able to rise from “office boy” in the 1950s to become the Managing Director of Shell in the 1970s is testament to the opportunities given to employees to develop their education and talents at Shell. The same applied to many others including Maxwell Richards, former President of Trinidad and Tobago, Barry Barnes who eventually became Minister of Petroleum & Mines and Basharat Ali who until 2012 was a member of the Senate.

Maxwell Richards started in 1950 as a technical staff trainee directly out of high school and for 18 months was exposed to all aspects of the refinery before being one of the first two employees awarded a scholarship, to pursue the Bachelor and Master of Technical Science/Chemical Engineering degrees at the University of Manchester in England. He returned to work at the refinery and held various positions such as Chief Chemist and Plant Supervisor before heading off again on another Shell scholarship, this time to pursue his Phd in Chemical Engineering Science at Cambridge University until 1963. Upon his return he again held senior positions at the Point Fortin refinery before eventually leaving to enter the world of academia at the University of the West Indies.

Barry Barnes, who joined the company in 1953, earned his Shell scholarship to attend England’s Loughborough College where he obtained a B.Sc in Mechanical Engineering. Prior to leaving he took part in Shell’s Regional Technical Training Program.

Basharat Ali was also awarded a scholarship and studied Chemical Engineering at Manchester College of Science and Technology (UMIST) where he graduated in 1957. That year, he returned to Trinidad and completed further training at the Shell Refinery at Point Fortin.

At the 10th anniversary of Shell Trinidad Limited’s Pt Lisas lubricating oil blending plant in 2003, the then Minister of Energy stated that “Shell has continued to develop local energy professionals who are in demand worldwide and I offer commendations for your continued commitment to the transfer of know-how and technology to locals…..if you are to chronicle the history of Shell you would not only get a glimpse into the development of the petroleum sector, but an insight into the beginnings of some of this country’s most talented energy professionals. When Shell sold its operations in 1974 it left behind a cadre of well-trained local professionals in a wide range of fields within the energy sector, owing to its well established apprenticeship programs.”

The early development of the oil industry meant the need for skilled craftsmen, previously mentioned. Training programs were instituted to ensure a steady flow of skilled workers. Given the relative underdeveloped nature of the island in the earlier part of UBOT/Shell’s existence, it followed that they needed facilities for training their craftsmen and operations hence the setting up of the Trade School to train apprentices for jobs such as electricians, mechanics, welders, turners and fitters.

Research forms the foundation of Shell’s business, with new products and processes at the forefront of technological development. There is a lab at the Lube Oil Blending Plant at Pt Lisas, Trinidad.

Shell Trinidad Limited has sponsored a variety of projects as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility in the field of education. Such projects included ‘Pan and Panmen’, a 1959 publication by Austin Simmonds, produced by Shell Trinidad Limited and the 1973 children’s book “Shell Book of Trinidad Stories” to commemorate the country’s 11th Independence Anniversary. Another project was the funding of a book entitled “Flowering Trees of Trinidad & Tobago” in 2011 commemorating the 45th


anniversary of the wetland habitat Wild Fowl Trust which is located at Pointe-a-Pierre.

Recent projects include the grants given to the ARROW Foundation to help improve literacy skills at the Melville Memorial Primary School. Shell also contributes to the upkeep of the Esperanza school, its adopted school in the Pt Lisas Industrial Estate.


Country Chairman Luis Prado presents cheque to A.R.R.O.W.’s Christopher Bonterre, Cornelia Bonterre and Nyila Warner


13. ENVIRONMENT

An environmental impact assessment study was carried out in compliance with the Shell Group policy guidelines, to ensure environmentally acceptable construction and operation of the Lubricating Oil Blending Plant at Pt Lisas. Standards were determined, procedures established and monitoring equipment installed to ensure that the standards and statutory requirements were met and maintained.

Shell has established standards internationally to maintain a healthy environment. For example, all small packs (1L and 4L containers) including closures and labels are made of 100 percent high density polyethylene and are therefore recyclable.

The following steps have been taken at the plant to preserve the environment:

■ A state of the art interceptor capable of controlling effluent oil content in eater has been installed

■ All oil storage and transfer areas are drained to the interceptor ■ The company has in place a spillage control Programme and a Waste Oil Disposal Plan

■ Equipment has been installed to monitor ground water and soil conditions at regular intervals.

■ Contractors and suppliers are contractually obligated to meet Shell’s Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Standards.

In terms of waste lubricants from garages, Shell Trinidad Limited ensures that the company plays its part in responsible collection of waste oil generated after usage of their products. To that end, there are companies enlisted for this purpose.

The Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust, now in its 47th year is an environmental organization which protects a wetland habitat encompassing two lakes and approximately 30 hectares of land. Shell is committed to the preservation of this area and contributes

financially on an annual basis.

In further efforts to maintain environmentally-friendly communities committed to ‘going green’, Shell Trinidad Limited contributed towards Servol’s Junior Life, Pre-school and Day Care Centre, located at Freeport in central Trinidad which was officially opened in June 2013.


Shell management team of Sharon Dipsingh, left, Kennedy Saunders, Victoria Singh, Nigel Martin (background), Kathy Ragoobarsingh, and Ramona De Bique look through The Wild Fowl Trust’s publication, Some Flowering Trees of Trinidad and Tobago, Values and Linkages...sponsored by Shell Trinidad Ltd (June 2011).

Country Chairman Luis Prado and a member of Servol’s staff interact with some of the children at Servol’s Junior Life, Pre-school and Day Care Centre, located at Freeport in central Trinidad (June 2013)


14. SPORT

Point Fortin, as it developed, became known as one of the premier sporting towns in the country as a result of the establishment of various sporting and recreational facilities in the area. The Shell Sports Club of Point Fortin, inaugurated as the UBAA (United British Athletic Association) in the 1930s, was a force to be reckoned with in a number of sports, especially football (soccer), but also in cricket, tennis, basketball, netball, golf, swimming and athletics.

Shell has had a long and illustrious association with the sport of football. The team was fondly referred to as U-Boots (a play on UBOT) in the early days of their rise to prominence on the field of play. Competing in the Southern Amateur Football League as well as the F.A. Trophy and the Gooden-Chisolm Cup competitions, the UBOT football team (later the Shell team) won many titles, 18 in the latter two competitions between 1936 and 1974, as well as eight runner-up titles.

Shell Trinidad Limited has continued its association with the sport donating footballs and training wear to the national team prior to their historic World Cup bid in 2006 and more recently donating T-shirts to an under-15 tournament.

It was the creation of the Mahaica Oval by UBOT/Shell in 1936 that afforded players the opportunity to hone their skills in football and cricket at the most modern facilities in the country at the time. The Oval was also outfitted later with basketball and tennis courts and even floodlights. Many of the nation’s top footballers have come out of Point Fortin including Warren Archibald, Steve David and Leroy De Leon, all of whom have made a name for themselves in the sport locally, regionally and internationally.

For 10 years from its inauguration in 1989, Shell Trinidad Limited sponsored the Shell Caribbean Cup for football which Trinidad and Tobago won six years during that period. The

Caribbean Cup is the championship tournament for teams in the region that are members of the Caribbean Football Union.

Even more popular later on was the sport of cricket with the “Shell Shield” becoming the symbol of cricket supremacy in the region. In fact today so many years later it is still referred to as the Shell Shield having been the most coveted sporting title while Shell Trinidad Limited was the sponsor from 1966 to 1987. Trinidad and Tobago captured the title in 1970, 1971, 1976 and 1985.

Not to be outdone, the Shell Trinidad Ladies’ Cricket Team registered the first lien on the “Dunlop-Shell Ladies’ Windball Cricket Trophy in 1973.

Shell Community Grants have been provided to local clubs and recipients during recent years. Under this social development initiative many community clubs have received their financial grants to develop the sport of cricket

Another significant sporting gesture on the part of Shell Trinidad Limited during its pre-1974 era was the establishment of the Shell Sports Club at Rio Claro in 1962.

Today the company maintains a Corporate box at the Queen’s Park Oval, the world famous sporting facility in Woodbrook on the outskirts of Port of Spain.


In this photograph Mr. M. C. ‘Joey’ Carew (2nd from right) poses with (r-l) Dr. the Rt. Hon. Eric Williams, Prime Minister, H.E. Solomon Hochoy, Governor-General of Trinidad and Tobago and Mr. Terrence J. Gerald, Managing Director, Shell Trinidad Limited after receiving the Shell Shield, 1971.

1992, Minister of Sport Jean Pierre presents the Shell Caribbean Cup of football to Trinidad & Tobago’s winning captain Clayton Morris




15. CULTURE

The steel pan musical instrument, or collectively, the steel band, is the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago and was invented right here on our island.

The oil industry and war time 1930s Trinidad would come together to take the innate rhythm of Trinidadians to another level of musical expression. The appearance of the large oil drums in the oil industry, some salvaged after being discarded due to wear and tear, would form the basis of the evolution of the only acoustic musical instrument invented in the twentieth century, the steel pan. UBOT/Shell Trinidad Limited no doubt would likely have been one of the suppliers of the “drums”, used in the making of the steel pans, albeit indirectly since Shell’s health and safety rules dictated that the drums could only be used for its products.

Given its deep involvement in all aspects of life in Trinidad and Tobago, it was only a matter of time before Shell Trinidad became intimately involved in the Steel pan by sponsoring a steel band. One of the original and most famous of steel bands, the “Invaders” became the Shell Invaders Steelband/Shell Invaders Steel Orchestra in 1960, the name adopted as a result of an arrangement made between the members of the Steelband and the Marketing Division of Shell Trinidad Limited, announced in the daily Trinidad Guardian Newspaper on 8th February 1960 under the title “Invaders Steelband Takes On a New Name.”

This was a harmonious relationship that lasted until 1973, just before the acquisition of Shell Trinidad Limited by the government in 1974.

At contracted performances and engagements as well as company functions, the steelpan players wore the Shell logo on their uniforms with the steel pans similarly emblazoned. The Shell Invaders Steelband provided lively entertainment at company functions. They also participated in the world famous

annual carnival celebrations, becoming a popular group for masqueraders and the public alike.

Tobago All Stars became Shell’s third sponsored steelband in 1972 following Shell Invaders in 1960 and Shell Sun Valley in 1971.

Most recently, in 2013, Shell Trinidad Limited was a proud associate sponsor of the film ‘Derek Walcott, Poetry is an island’, a feature documentary film about Trinidadian-St Lucian Nobel laureate, poet, playwright, and visual artist, Derek Walcott.


In the yard outside British Paints factory in Port-of-Spain, hundreds of drums of solvents and resins lie ready for use. Most of the solvents used are supplied by Shell and among the resins is ‘Epikote’, a comparatively new Shell product which gives the paint an extremely high resistance to wear and corrosion. (1959)




16. THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA, 1974, AS GOVERNMENT PURCHASES ASSETS OF SHELL TRINIDAD LTD.

The prevailing nationalization momentum of the early 1970s in the country was a major factor in the government-initiated round of negotiations to acquire the assets of Shell Trinidad Limited, including its refinery at Point Fortin, its 84 gas stations and its lube blending plant in Sea Lots. These negotiations were concluded in 1974 when a purchase price was finally hammered out.

This signaled the beginning of a new era, the marketing of Shell products via a newly formed company, Shell Chemicals and Services (East Caribbean) Limited. In addition to its marketing of Shell’s chemical products in Trinidad & Tobago, this company also provided services for other Shell companies in the region, thus ensuring a continued and uninterrupted presence.

The following is an excerpt from the announcement by the Government at the time through its Ministry of Petroleum and Mines:

On 20th August, 1974, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the Shell Group settled the terms and conditions of an agreement to buy and to sell the shares of Shell Trinidad Limited, a company registered in the United Kingdom, and wholly owned within the Group.

All shares of Shell Trinidad Ltd were bought by the Trinidad & Tobago government following rounds of tough negotiations. This followed the policy towards more local ownership. Shell Trinidad Limited, however, stayed on as a Marketing entity in the role as a buyer and seller of Shell lubricants and chemicals.The Agreement covered the following:-

■ The purchase of the Company’s land reserves estimated at

21.4 million Barrels which now produces approximately 7,000 barrels per day. The Company also produces, approximately 50 MNCF of gas for sale to industry and for use in its reservoirs and in the refinery.

■ One third share of Trinmar’s production from the Soldado fields in the Gulf of Paria amounting to approximately 17,000 barrels of crude oil daily (marine)

■ The refinery at Point Fortin with a capacity of approximately 100,000 Barrels per day and a productive capability for bitumen, fuel oils, middle distillates and motor and aviation gasoline.

■ A 3½ % share in the East Coast Consortium for which Government was paid a bonus of $3.1 mn. in 1971

■ The domestic marketing operations for motor gasoline amounting to almost 15% of the local market and for lubricating oils and other products.

■ Shell’s proprietary knowledge and patent rights for various refinery processes.

■ Other matters agreed to by the parties included the purchase from the Shell Group of specialized additives for aviation and motor fuels and for lubricating oils for aircraft and marine use.

■ The consideration for the purchase and sale of the shares of Shell Trinidad Limited was agreed at $93.6 mn. of which 75% was to be paid before the vesting day of 30th August 1974 and the remainder to be paid in two installments on 28th February and 31st August, 1975 at 7% after taxes.

The last issue of SHELL TOPICS on August 29th 1974 had a farewell feature splashed across its cover by then Managing Director Paul Bates. In it he notes “I think it is fair to say that if this Company leaves any legacy to the country of Trinidad and Tobago it is that of a well trained efficient group of people”.



17. TWENTY YEARS AT PT. LISAS (1993-2013)… SHELL TRINIDAD LTD. TODAY

In 2013, Shell Trinidad Limited also commemorates the 20th anniversary of its Lube Oil Blending Plant. For its 10th anniversary back in 2003, a gala celebratory function was held to mark the milestone.

There are two senior management teams, the Country Coordination and Downstream Coordination Teams which are made up as follows:

Country Coordination Team: Luis Prado, Country Chairman, and in alpha order, Nigel Martin, Financial Controller; Gerard Mitchell, Regional Operations Lead; Ajith Murthy, Principal Customer Account Manager; Nirupa Oudit, Principal Service Manager; Kathleen Ragoobarsingh, Human Resource Manager; Darryl Ramsaywak, Plant Manager; Tat Chuen Wong, Manager ALNG Governance.

Downstream Coordination Team: Luis Prado, Country Chairman; Ramona De Bique, Customer Service Manager; Nalini Maharaj-Chatoor, Marine Account Manager; Nigel Martin, Financial Controller; Kathleen Ragoobarsingh, Human Resource Manager; Darryl Ramsaywak, Plant Manager; Victoria Singh, Distributor Account Manager; Vikash Supersad, Supply Planning Manager, North Latin America.

The Plant at Pt Lisas forms an integral part of Shell Trinidad’s operations and is staffed by some 60 employees. The blending process at the Plant is fully computer-controlled. There is no manual intervention until the final stages of loading, testing and dispatch to the holding vessels or filling lines. The plant has a laboratory on site with state of the art equipment for ensuring that the highest quality product is produced at all times. The raw materials of base oils and the various additives as well as packaging materials are constantly monitored against strict product specifications.

Zero tolerance of infringements of safety and health practices means a boost in productivity. At Shell Trinidad Limited there has been an increased focus on safety standards and a culture of safety and best practice pervades throughout the organization. Shell Global Solutions provides technical services to Petrotrin locally in both downstream and upstream operations and motor sport sectors. It is also proud of its winning technical partnership with the car racing Ferrari Formula 1 Team which provides the ultimate test track for its fuels and motor oil lubricants such as Helix.

The following is an excerpt from Nicholas Shorthose’s address, Chairman, Shell Trinidad Ltd, at the 10th anniversary celebration in 2003:

We recognize that despite globalization, all customers must be served locally. Each country has its own distinct character, and business is about more than a transaction, it is about relationships. Shell has had a relationship with Trinidad since 1913 when a Shell owned subsidiary, United British Oilfields of Trinidad (UBOT) started oil exploration activities. Since those early days Shell has been involved in exploration, production, refining, marketing and retailing of oil products in this country. We have had at one point some 4,000 employees in Trinidad. At that time, we had E&P activities, refining, lubricants blending, retail stations, chemicals business. In fact, Trinidad served as the head office for our Regional business in the Caribbean. Even now, Shell continues to actively seek new opportunities in Trinidad in the E&P business, in the downstream Gas business, in the Aviation fuelling business and in the fuels retailing business. Today however, our principal business in Trinidad is our lubricants blending plant located on the Point Lisas Industrial Estate. There we manufacture finished lubricating oils for customers throughout the Caribbean and Central America. That blending plant has now been in successful operation for 10 years, giving us the


reason for our celebrations tonight.

The Employee Consultative Association (ECA) of Trinidad and Tobago at its 50th Anniversary Awards ceremony in 2009 awarded Shell Trinidad Limited one of its top awards as Champion Employer for that year, a testament to the company’s commitment to fair and equitable employment practices.


Shell Trinidad Limited’s Administrative Building at Pt Lisas



Lube Oil Blending Plant at Pt Lisas.



Bulk direct container filling for export

Dr. Hamid Farabi, delivering the Opening Prayer at the Official Opening of the Shell LOBP on April 19th, 1993. Seated left to right are: Mr. Denzil Crooke - Brand Manager, SLCL; Mr. Jalal Hosein - Marketing Director, SLCL; Prime Minister, The Hon. Patrick Manning; Mr. Eli Santiago - Managing Director, SLCL; Mr. Tim Faithfull - Western Hemisphere Area Co-ordinator SLCL; Mr. Kiriti Bhattacharya, Project Manager, SLCL.



Packaging line

Blending area

THE

SH

ELL LUBE OIL BLENDING PLANT


2003, 10th Year Anniversary newspaper supplement


Members of staff, March 2013, with then President of Trinidad and Tobago, George Maxwell Richards



18. THE NEXT 100 YEARS

The successes of Shell Trinidad Limited in the past 100 years have no doubt been due to the dedicated and diligent hard work of many employees under the astute direction of the successive Managing Directors and Country Managers. As the current Country Manager Luis Prado has stated in his Foreword, that had it not been for the sterling contributions of every employee of Shell Trinidad Limited, past and present, the celebration of this momentous milestone would not have been possible.

The following are some of the names of the Managing Directors/Country Managers over the years: W. M. V. Ash, W. E. Madden, G. L. Reid, W. M. Moore, Geoffrey Chandler, Terence J. Gerald, Paul R. G. Bates, Theodore (Ted) M. Figueira, Sherman Sadaphal, Andrew Hepher, Alexis Garzon, Gordon Witt, Jalal Hosein, Andrew Hart and Gerard Mitchell.

No doubt Shell Trinidad Limited’s 20-year-old Pt Lisas Lube Oil Blending Plant will continue to grow based on its successes and strong market position locally and beyond.

What does the future hold? Trinidad and Tobago has the potential to be a continuing base for gas-related business opportunities. To that end Shell has engaged in negotiations and has made strides toward becoming a significant player in this area of the energy sector. Royal Dutch Shell’s position as a world leader in liquefied natural gas (LNG) will be strengthened by its impending purchase (subject to regulatory approvals) of Repsol’s LNG assets inclusive of its stake in Point Fortin-based Atlantic LNG.

Exciting times lie ahead as Shell Trinidad Limited enters its second century in Trinidad and Tobago.


19. REFERENCES & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

■ UBOTOPICS and SHELL TOPICS, Shell Trinidad’s in-house magazine (1956-1974) ■ InvesTT Limited (Welcome to Trinidad & Tobago chapter) ■ Karen Eccles & Keeno Gonzales, UWI Library, West Indiana Section, St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago ■ Wendy Moodie-Wight & Videsh Ramsahai, Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs, Port of Spain, Trinidad ■ Conversations and interviews with current and past Shell Trinidad Limited staff members among them, Eric De Verteuil, Jalal Hosein, Hugh Howard, Ram Maraj, Nigel Martin, Luis Prado, Kathleen Ragoobarsingh, Harold Ragoonanan, Darryl Ramsaywak, ex-President Maxwell Richards, and Antoinette Stagg.

■ History of Oil in Trinidad, W.F. Penny & J. Lonsdale, 1955 ■ Oil Pioneer, Arthur Beeby-Thompson, 1961 ■ History of Point Fortin , C. B. Mathison, 1962 ■ Shell Trinidad Limited, STL, 1966 ■ The Origins, Growth and Development of the Oil industry in Trinidad and its Impact on the Economy, 1957-65, Vernon C. Mulchasingh, 1967

■ Point Fortin and Deep South Times, 1970 ■ The Book of Trinidad, Gerrard Besson, 1986 ■ The History of Point Fortin 1900 to the 1930s, Addita Mohammed, 1991 ■ A History of Trinidad Oil, George E. Higgins, 1996 ■ A Century in Oil, Stephen Howarth, 1997 ■ A History of Royal Dutch Shell, Stephen Howarth and others, 2007 ■ Trinidad and Tobago, Celebrating a Century of Commercial Oil Production, FIRST/Ministry of Energy, 2009 ■ Dr. Jeanine Remy’s research on the Invaders Steel Band, 2013; Steelband photo courtesy Earl La Pierre ■ FT Farfan Ltd: current products photos ■ Current photos (Point Lisas Lube Oil Blending Plant) by Russel Dos Ramos, Dos Imagery ■ Gerrard Wilson, Photograph of Shell Helix racing car ■ Conversations with cousins Leonore Dorsett, whose father worked at Shell at Point Fortin, and Margaret Lee, whose parents operated the Kim Far Chinese Restaurant in Point Fortin

Every effort was made to contact the holders of copyright materials. In some instances direct extracts were used from the resource materials. I trust that the overall value of this publication will prevail. My sincere apologies to any persons or sources inadvertently omitted.

The Author


OTHER PUBLICATIONS BY THE AUTHOR

■ Sonny Ramadhin, Commemorating his distinguished career, 2004 ■ It’s A Funny Game, 2007 ■ The World Cup, 2007 ■ Know the Game, 2007 ■ The Cricket Match, 2007 ■ Fruits of Trinidad and Tobago Chart, 2010 ■ Vegetables, Root Crops and Herbs of Trinidad and Tobago Chart, 2010 ■ Fruits of Barbados Chart, 2011 ■ Vegetables, Root Crops and Herbs of Barbados Chart, 2011 ■ Fruits of St. Vincent Chart, 2012 ■ Vegetables, Root Crops and Herbs of St. Vincent Chart, 2012 ■ Fruits of St. Lucia Chart, 2012 ■ Vegetables, Root Crops and Herbs of St. Lucia Chart, 2012 ■ Profiles: Heroes, Pioneers & Role Models of Trinidad and Tobago, 2012

Documents

Shell Trinidad through the years - 1913-2013