Human Resources and Technology in Shell Oil Company Essay Example
Human Resources and Technology in Shell Oil Company Essay Example

Human Resources and Technology in Shell Oil Company Essay Example

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The Shell Company is a well-known manufacturer of oil, gas, and petrochemicals in North America. It has gained recognition for its efforts to modernize the industry. The company operates both domestically within the United States and internationally as an independent entity. Additionally, it forms joint ventures with subsidiary companies under its parent unit. In terms of Human Resources, Shell currently has operations in 110 countries and employs around 104,000 individuals.

Shell's commitment to responsibly meeting global energy demand is guided by core values such as honesty, integrity, and respect. They provide abundant resources and opportunities for career growth, along with appealing benefits and rewards for high-performing employees. This enables individuals to achieve their desired quality of life.

Shell's Human Resources team consists of creative, innovative, and ambitious professionals who play a crucial role in implementing company strategies while soliciting

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input from employees to plan and direct their work effectively. To ensure effective communication within the organization, various channels are available through which employees can express concerns to management including staff councils and recognized trade unions.Moreover, a communication mechanism exists to facilitate interaction between workers of different hierarchical levels. Workers have the choice to report any violations of the company's code of conduct to their managers or Human Resources staff while ensuring that confidentiality is maintained. The protection of whistle blowers is prioritized in order to uphold the integrity of the company. Regular training opportunities are provided to employees, fostering the development of new ideas and enhancing existing ones. Shell places great value on Quality Assurance Programs, which encompass standards delivery and customized training, as well as assessment and competency planning (such as Lean/Six Sigma and Process Improvement

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training), all of which significantly contribute to creating value. Furthermore, professional and soft skills training programs, including leadership programs, enable employees to engage in international projects and enhance their competitiveness. Performance-based rewards such as pay increases, bonuses, and additional perks are granted. Additionally, employees have access to pension plans and health insurance coverage. Annual leaves and sabbaticals are made available for employees to rejuvenate themselves before returning to work with renewed energy. The company actively encourages employee participation in community programs, social responsibility projects, and involvement groups while maintaining a focus on employee benefits.Shell has successfully maintained high employee satisfaction and strong commitment to the company. In the 1990s, Shell downsized its workforce from 29,437 employees to 22,212 through layoffs as part of their financial management measures. This demonstrated their willingness to make necessary cuts when needed. The company's dedication to technology is evident through its technical centers that focus on product development, marketing support, and providing technical assistance for regional operations. These centers play a crucial role in ensuring efficient resource utilization during oil transition processes.

Shell has also emerged as a significant investor in research and development within the oil industry. In 2009 alone, they invested over $1.9 billion in R&D with the goal of creating cleaner fuels that are more energy-efficient. To further enhance efficiency, Shell implements initiatives like Smart Field implementations that optimize production in oil and gas fields. They also utilize manufacturing accelerators and advanced seismic study technologies for geographical expeditions to explore new opportunities.

Expanding into new markets is another strategy employed by Shell, exemplified by their high-mileage Shell FuelSave gasoline product. Despite these accomplishments, Shell remains committed to growth and

maintaining their leading position within the industry through technological advancements.Shell engineers designed and built the Auger Platform during the 1990s, showcasing their commitment to innovation. This $1.2 billion project in the Gulf of Mexico made Shell a leader in Deep Sea Drilling and significantly boosted their revenues with a daily oil production of 55,000 barrels. By effectively utilizing technology, Shell has been able to extract oil and gas from challenging locations such as deep oceans and frozen Arctic regions, aligning with the world's transition towards low-carbon energy systems.

Moreover, Shell is investing in technologies that allow for increased extraction of fossil fuels while also exploring alternative transport fuels derived from unconventional sources like agricultural waste. This research has paved the way for new engineering advancements in alternative fuels and carbon capture, which can be integrated into the global energy system in the long run.

In 2009, scientists at Shell were already working on developing a cellulose-to-ethanol plant for future biofuels, recognizing the significance of biofuels and innovative fuel creation techniques. Additionally, Shell leverages technology to maximize natural gas reserves – acknowledged as one of the cleanest-burning fossil fuels. They employ innovative methods to extract natural gas from impermeable rock formations before transporting it via sea-going tankers to markets around the world.In addition, Shell is dedicated to converting natural gas into high-performance lubricants and liquid transportation fuels. The company's goal is to increase its natural gas production to over 50% by 2012 through the use of technology. This transition aligns with their commitment to more cost-effective and environmentally friendly energy sources, like natural gas.

Shell's expertise in implementing large-scale technology projects is evident in their successful establishment of offshore

fields in Brazil and Russia. In 2009, scientists were even developing floating LNG plants for offshore fields, taking a project-engineering approach to capture and store CO2 underground. This showcases Shell's comfort with cutting-edge technology for significant projects.

Moreover, Shell is investing resources into maximizing the value derived from each unit of energy used in their operations. They have a research program that focuses on adopting technologies aimed at reducing energy requirements, minimizing environmental impacts, and lowering operating costs. Additionally, they are introducing new products and services to assist customers in optimizing their energy consumption efficiency.

Overall, Shell emphasizes technological advancements not only in extracting energy but also in efficient energy utilization practices.

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