Overview
Shell Scotford opened in 1984 with the Shell Scotford Refinery and Chemicals Plant. The Shell-operated Scotford Upgrader was expanded in 2011 and the Shell-operated Quest CCS facility was added in 2015.
Shell Scotford employs about 1,300 people. Additionally, contractors provide support for both routine operations and major maintenance activities. The number of contractors on site at any given time varies according to the type of work underway.
If you have questions about our operations, please call (780) 992-3600.
Upgrader
Overview
Shell Scotford uses a hydrogen-addition process at Scotford to upgrade bitumen from oil sands mines north of Fort McMurray. The resulting product is a light synthetic crude oil as well as other medium- to heavy-crude products. Much of the crude produced at the upgrader is used by the adjacent Shell Scotford Refinery. The Upgrader also features a cogeneration plant to support its operations.
Capacity
- 300,000 barrels of oil equivalent daily of diluted bitumen
Products
- Synthetic Crude Oil
Upgrading Technology
- The upgrading process used at the Scotford Upgrader is called hydrogen-addition or hydro-conversion. This process adds hydrogen to the bitumen, breaking up the large hydrocarbon molecules to create synthetic crude oil. Adding hydrogen rather than removing “coke” (through a process called coking) means there is no carbon byproduct. It also yields a slight volume gain.
Certifications
- ISO 14001
Refinery
Overview
The Shell Scotford Refinery processes synthetic crude oil from the Shell Scotford Upgrader into products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, propane and butane. These products are then shipped by pipeline and rail cars to distribution terminals, where they are marketed across Western Canada. The Shell Scotford Refinery also produces benzene that is used by the Shell Scotford Chemical Plant.
Capacity
- 100,000 barrels of synthetic crude oil daily.
Products
- Gasoline - Shell Canada refines only low sulphur gasoline, which contains approximately five parts-per-million sulphur content. To ensure that only Shell stations and customers receive Shell Gasoline, Shell injects its additive packages at the truck loading facility, instead of at the refinery.
- Diesel - Shell Scotford refines only ultra low sulphur diesel, which contains less than 10 parts-per-million sulphur content. Shell supplies different grades and types of diesel fuel to Shell-branded as well as other retail, cardlock and bulk agents across Canada. Diesel fuel is commonly used for commercial road transportation, public transportation, industrial applications, and farming.
- Jet Fuel - More information on Shell Aviation products or aviation site locations.
- Propane - Propane is used for residential and commercial heating, automotive propane and industrial fuel applications. Shell markets propane to retail, wholesale and industrial consumers.
- Butane - Butane is primarily used for seasonal gasoline blending and is stored under pressure at the refinery. A portion is sold as industrial feedstock for other industries.
- Benzene - Benzene is a clear liquid formed by natural processes and human activities. Benzene is a natural part of crude oil and most benzene is extracted during the refining process. The benzene is then sent to Scotford Chemicals where it is used to produce Styrene Monomer.
Energy Efficiency
Scotford is the leading refinery in Canada in energy efficiency, using 25% less energy than the average Canadian refinery according to the Solomon Energy Efficiency Index (EII)TM of participants in Solomon’s Biennial Worldwide Fuels Refinery Performance Analysis.
Certifications
- ISO 14001
Chemicals
Overview
The Shell Scotford Chemicals Plant use byproducts from the adjacent Shell Scotford Refinery to help manufacture styrene monomer and ethylene glycol. The plant has two units – the styrene plant and the glycol plant. The Shell Scotford Chemical Plant products are shipped by pipeline, rail cars and truck to be marketed and sold across North America.
Capacity
- Glycol: 450Kt/year
- Styrene: 450Kt/year
Products
- Styrene Monomer - Styrene monomer is sold to customers in North America for the manufacture of a variety of commercial and consumer products such as food containers, home insulation, safety helmets and car interiors.
- Ethylene Glycol - Ethylene glycol is primarily sold to customers in North America for use in making products such as plastic drinking bottles and antifreeze.
Certifications
- ISO 14001
- ISO 9001: 2015 certification achieved for Scotford Chemicals Management System.
- Chemicals is accredited by the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA) to ISO/IEC 17025 for specific tests listed in the scope of accreditation approved by CALA.
Responsible Care
Shell Scotford Chemicals Plant is Responsible Care verified.
Responsible Care is a global, chemical industry performance initiative that helps member companies continuously improve in the critical areas of health, safety, security, product stewardship, environmental protection and social responsibility.
It is an ethics and principle-based approach to the safe and environmentally sound management of chemicals. The approach started in Canada and has spread to 50 countries around the world. For Canadian member companies, Responsible Care is administered by the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada.
All members of Responsible Care are required to successfully complete re-verification every three years. The Responsible Care verification is conducted under strict protocols. These protocols ensure that the principles and codes of practices are not only in place, but are practiced and continuously improved.
Safety & Environment
Overview
Emergency response, safety and the environment are important parts of operations at Shell Scotford. Our goals are no harm to people and to protect the environment.
Shell Scotford process units and equipment are designed, built, operated and maintained to be clean, safe and acceptable to the community. Shell continues to invest in new technology; implement better operating procedures; and strengthen its training programs to improve environmental performance.
The upgrader, refinery, chemicals plant and carbon capture and storage facility work diligently to ensure that the environmental footprint of Shell Scotford is minimized.
View our HSSE & SP Commitment and Policy at this link.
Mutual Aid
Scotford is an active member of Northeast Regional Community Awareness and Emergency Response (NR CAER). This organization brings together local and municipal response groups to assist each other in situations that are beyond the capabilities of an individual member company or municipality.
If neighbors notice any unusual activity around our operations, such as loud noises or alarms, prolonged or increased flaring, smoke or fire, smells, or increased traffic levels, they can call the NR CAER UPDATEline (1-866-653-9959) to hear updates about Shell Scotford and other operations in the region.
Community
Overview
Shell Scotford has operated in northern Strathcona County near Fort Saskatchewan for more than 30 years and is recognized as one of the area’s largest employers and a valued neighbour to the local communities. Shell Scotford creates regular opportunities – both formal and informal – for community members to learn more about our operations, ask questions and share any concerns they may have.
Shell also contributes to the general well-being of the communities near our operations through community investment as well as volunteerism.
Scotford Community Grants
Shell Scotford supports community non-profit organizations in many ways, including our Scotford Community Grants Program. For more information about this program, visit this webpage.
Community Service Fund
Shell Scotford also recognizes the thousands of volunteer hours our employees donate to the community each year through our Community Service Fund program. Hundreds of not-for-profit organizations and associations benefit from this program, receiving a grant of up to $1,000 where Shell employees regularly volunteer.
For more information about our Community Service Fund, visit this webpage.
Our Support
Shell Scotford is proud of its efforts to maximizing positive benefits in our community. Some of the community initiatives we have supported include the following organizations:
- Tree Canada
- United Way
- Josephburg Agricultural Society
- International Women’s Day
- Habitat For Humanity
- Fort Saskatchewan Families First Society
- Strathcona County Library Bookmobile
- Fort Saskatchewan Public Library
- Bruderheim Fire Department
- Fort Saskatchewan Fire Department
- Shell Theatre in Fort Saskatchewan
- Boys & Girls of Club of Fort Saskatchewan
- Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital
- Various Elementary Schools (STEM)
Our Volunteering
We listen to our community and they tell us that volunteers are their greatest need. To help, Shell Scotford encourages employee volunteer participation by providing paid time off for employees to volunteer as part of our Community Crew with various non-profit groups throughout Strathcona County, Fort Saskatchewan and Bruderheim.
Our Recognition
Shell Scotford is a proud member of our community. We are grateful for your support. As such, we are always excited when our efforts are recognized. Awards, such as the following, have been proudly accepted by our team in the recent past:
- Industry Excellence (Fort Sask. Chamber of Commerce) – 2017
- Community Service & Involvement (Sherwood Park Chamber of Commerce) – 2017
- Business of the Year (Sherwood Park Chamber of Commerce) – 2016
- Industry Excellence (Fort Sask. Chamber of Commerce) – 2015
- Quantum Leap Award (United Way Alberta Capital Region) – 2014
- Mayor’s Award – Best Overall Entry (K-Days Parade) – 2014
- Environmental Protection & Occupational Safety (Sherwood Park Chamber of Commerce) – 2013
Our Community Newsletter
Twice each year Shell Scotford publishes and distributes our newsletter, Community Connections, to all homes in Fort Saskatchewan, Bruderheim and northern Strathcona County. To read the most-recent edition, visit the following link:
