Category Archives: Shell

1994 Shell Briefing Service “Renewable Energy”

This 1994 briefing document, intended for inter-company distribution, covers Royal Dutch/Shell Group’s “Shell” renewable energy projects. While optimistic about the futures of renewables, Shell is sure to point out that they, too, are not “free from environmental problems.” Overall, it marks the breadth of Shell’s research and exposure to renewable sources of energy. This document […]

1993 Shell special project briefing “Brazilian Biomass Power Demonstration Project”

This 1993 document details Shell’s Brazilian biomass project. Highlighting that “[s]ustainably-grown biomass used for power generation is essentially ‘carbon neutral’ to the atmosphere,” Shell hoped this technology could address issues surrounding climate change. This document is a part of a larger collection discovered by Jelmer Mommers of De Correspondent in a trove of internal Shell […]

1992 Shell Speech “Three Cornered Challenge – energy, environment and population”

On September 14, 1992, Lodewijk van Wachem, chairman of the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company (“Shell”), gave a speech titled, “The three-cornered challenge – energy, environment, and population.” Unearthed by Jelmer Mommers from journalism platform De Correspondent in a trove of internal Shell documents, this speech was given by van Wachem as he […]

1992 Shell Briefing Service “Managing Energy Efficiently”

This 1992 briefing document, intended for inter-company distribution, covers Shell’s attempts to “Managing Energy Efficiently.” Acknowledging an “increasing concern at the environmental consequences of burning fossil fuels,” the company discusses its “energy efficiency plan.” This document is a part of a larger collection discovered by Jelmer Mommers of De Correspondent in a trove of internal […]

1990 Shell Selected Papers “The environmental challenge and the oil industry’s response”

This 1990 collection of papers, titled “The environmental challenge and the oil industry’s response,” outlines Royal Dutch/Shell Group’s (“Shell”) issues surrounding the environment, energy efficiency, inter-fuel substitution, and “Shell policy.” This document, a part of a larger collection discovered by Jelmer Mommers of De Correspondent in a trove of internal Shell documents, reckons with climate […]

1990 Shell “Statement of General Business Principles”

1990 Royal Dutch/Shell Group (“Shell”) “Statement of General Business Principles” as they apply to “corporate decision-making [and] the individual behaviour expected of employees.” This document is a part of a larger collection discovered by Jelmer Mommers of De Correspondent in a trove of internal Shell documents. 1990 Shell “Statement of General Business Principles” (PDF) Interested […]

1988 Shell Confidential Report “The Greenhouse Effect”

This 1988 Shell report, discovered by Jelmer Mommers of De Correspondent, shines light on what the company knew about climate science, its own role in driving global CO2 emissions, the range of potential political and social responses to a warming world. The confidential report, “The Greenhouse Effect,” was authored by members of Shell’s Greenhouse Effect […]

1988 Shell Western Research Proposal and Contract

This 1988 research proposal and purchase order from Shell Western outlines Shell’s work in using sea level and sea temperature to determine the longevity of their operations in Alaska. The proposal, “An Analog System for Prediction of Sea Ice Severity,” was sent by E.G. Ward, then Manager of Shell’s Offshore Engineering Research Department, to J. […]

1987 Shell Briefing Service “Synthetic fuels and renewable energy”

This 1987 briefing document, intended for inter-company distribution, covers “Synthetic fuels and renewable energy.” Flagging future trends of increased energy efficiency, renewables overtaking fossil fuels, and an internal interest in being a part of that market shift, this document is helpful in understanding Shell’s relationship with lower carbon-content energy sources. This document is a part […]

1986 Shell “Coal Gasification Process” Series

This 1986 collection of papers and articles cover Shell’s research regarding its “Coal Gasification Process.” This document is a part of a larger collection discovered by Jelmer Mommers of De Correspondent in a trove of internal Shell documents. 1986 Shell “Coal Gasification Process” Series (PDF) 1986 Shell “Coal Gasification Process” Series (Text) Interested in more […]