ANACORTES, WA --- Within 24 hours after the kickoff of the 2011 Skagit County United Way Campaign, 6 volunteers from Puget Sound Refinery showed us how much they “dig” United Way.   

This team of volunteers arrived at the Anacortes Senior Center on a beautiful sunny friday morning, donning bright yellow Shell T-shirts.  A list of landscape cleanup projects ranging from weed pulling, raking, shrub trimming, digging and installing a new garden area awaited them. Once volunteers received a short safety briefing, they put on their gloves, gathered their shovels, rakes, and trimmers and began their work to beautify the Senior Center grounds. 

“Projects like this are great for our local community and we have fun doing them” said Jody Barnett, External Affairs Coordinator for Shell.  “Days of Caring is a great way to bring volunteers together with leaders and clients at United Way service agencies.”

Fundraising is also critical to the work accomplished each year by United Way.  As a Pacesetter in this years’ fundraising campaign, Puget Sound Refinery has set the bar high with its pledge of $200,000.00.  “Even with the current economic climate I know we can do it,” said Barnett.  “Our employees have always had a history of supporting the local community both by volunteer efforts and financial contributions.”

For more information about the United Way or to make a donation, go to: http://www.unitedwayskagit.org/

ANACORTES, WA - The economic vitality of our community depends on those who can give providing a safety net for those less fortunate. Right now, many companies are cutting back, laying off, and going out of business. Many Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, and when that paycheck stops, they find themselves needing help with the everyday basics while they look for work.

Maybe you know a senior in your neighborhood who depends on Meals on Wheels. When we help to provide the basic needs of early learning, food, shelter and emergency services to people who are struggling financially, we are helping our friends, neighbors, and colleagues – not just strangers. Puget Sound Refinery and it's employees broke another record last year during our United Way Campaign, raising over $208,000.00 for United Way of Skagit County. 

Today, Shell Puget Sound Refinery employees once again attended the United Way Campaign kick-off breakfast, and made a $200,000.00 pacesetter pledge for the 2011 fundraising campaign.  You can make a difference too, with a donation of just $1 a week! 

More than 30 non-profits are partners agencies with United Way of Skagit County, providing services which create sustainable, positive change in people's lives.   To learn more about United Way of Skagit County, or make a donation go to: http://www.unitedwayskagit.org/

   Live United! 

ANACORTES, WA – Sept 1, 2011 -- Shell Puget Sound Refinery will undergo a large-scale maintenance activity from late September through early November. Within the industry these activities are called "turnarounds." During a turnaround some production units are taken out of service for upgrades, repairs, and preventive maintenance. Fuel production will continue but at a reduced rate while the work is being done. Additional fuel supplies will be shipped into the area so product availability will not be impacted.

The number of contract employees are significantly increased during the time of this maintenance activity; in this case approximately 1900 contract workers a day will be involved at the peak of activity. Many of them come from the local area and work for local contractors who will provide most of the services. Residents may notice some increased traffic and an increase in business at local restaurants and motels.

Additionally, this maintenance event may cause some additional noise and flaring. The refinery has taken steps to reduce the impact of the turnaround on the surrounding community. Some of these steps include increasing safety focus and minimizing traffic by staggering shifts, and contracting with the Sheriff's Department for traffic control.

Turnarounds have important benefits for the community. Most of the workers employed on this project are local residents. The local employment, combined with workers from outside the area, have a significant positive impact on the local economy. Such maintenance activities also help ensure the safe and reliable operation of the refinery and help to maintain its position as a solid producer of needed fuel products and a significant contributor to the community's economic health.

Community members who would like to know more about the turnaround or have any questions about Shell Puget Sound Refinery may visit the website at http://www.shellpsr.com or call the refinery main gate at 360-293-1701.

ANACORTES, WA --Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011

Many of you see our facility in the distance when you travel on Highway 20, but have never been "inside the fence" at the Shell Puget Sound Refinery.  Here is your opportunity to get an "inside look" at what we do!  Come join us for a tour of our facility on Saturday, August 27, at 10:00am.  We have limited seats available, so make your reservation today!  To reserve your seat, call Jody Barnett at 360-293-0845.  All adults 18 and over must show valid US Government Issued ID for security check-in.  Please leave your cameras at home, as no photos will be allowed.

Anacortes, WA ---- August 1, 2011

Sue Krienen has served as our General Manager since 2006. She has been a great leader for our refinery and in the local community, serving on several boards and committees.  In August, Sue will be moving to Houston to take on an important assignment for Shell, but intends to keep roots in the Skagit County community. 

Tom Rizzo will be joining us as our new General Manager. Tom earned both a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an M.B.A. in Finance from Washington University, St. Louis MO.  He joined Shell in 1981.

“I am really looking forward to being a part of the Shell Puget Sound Refinery team and the Skagit Valley community. Under Sue’s leadership, the employees of Puget Sound have been very active in our community, and I intend to carry on that tradition with both my personal involvement and supporting our employees in their efforts.” – Tom Rizzo

During this leadership transition, our focus will continue to be on our priorities of safety, environmental protection and reliable performance.

ANACORTES, WA -- May 17, 2011

Shell Puget Sound Refinery Oil Spill Team and MSRC will be conducting an "on-water" drill in the waters of the Shell Puget Sound refinery dock area.  This exercise will occur between approximately 7:00am and 1:00pm on Tuesday, May 17, 2011. 

Shell Puget Sound Refinery views these drills as crucial to ensuring timely response and maximum effectiveness in the event that an actual event of this nature should occur. 

All media inquiries relating to this incident should be directed to Shell Puget Sound Refinery public information officer Jody Barnett, who can be reached at (office) 360-293-0845 or (cell) 360-672-7690.

Shell Refinery Emergency Response Team rallied their members, rolled their fire engines and “wowed” parade onlookers by handing out candy and mardi gras beads at the 3^rd Annual Kiwanis “Not So Impromptu Tulip Parade” in the beautiful waterfront town of La Conner.  “This is just one of the several local parades the Shell employees participate in each year”, said Refinery Spokesperson and Tulip Festival Board Member, Jody Barnett.  “Our employees have a lot of fun doing this, and it’s a great way to bring attention to both the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival and the town of La Conner.” 

ANACORTES, WA --- Puget Sound Refiney will be testing the emergency evacuation horn on it's new Benzene Reduction Unit at 2:00pm on Thursday, February 3rd. 

ANACORTES, WA – August 25, 2010 – The surrounding community may have noticed smoke rising from the Puget Sound Refinery this morning.  At approximately 10:00am today a piece of equipment experienced a seal leak.  All non-essential personel were evacuated from the afected unit, and the on-site emergency response teams were activated as a precaution.

All refinery personnel were accounted for, and there was no impact to the surrounding community.  We anticipate minimal impact to refinery production.

All media inquiries relating to this incident should be directed to Shell Puget Sound Refinery public information officer Jody Barnett, who can be reached at (360) 293-0845.