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Shell’s Floating Money Machine Back in Action Just in Time for Winter Profits

…let’s take a stroll down memory lane. The Prelude, a name that surely suggests a grand beginning, has had a few… let’s call them hiccups, since its 2019 debut. A fire here, a full power loss there – just the usual teething problems for the world’s largest floating LNG facility. The Prelude’s track record reads a bit like a soap opera plot – halted production, union strikes for higher wages, and let’s not forget the cozy little fire…

Posted by John Donovan:  18 Dec 2023

Ah, the wonders of modern technology and impeccable timing! Shell, ever the paragon of environmental stewardship and operational smoothness, has graced the world with the news that its Prelude LNG facility is back up and running. This floating marvel, which stretches longer than four soccer fields (because size matters in the world of fossil fuels), is conveniently revving up just as the northern hemisphere enters its peak gas-guzzling season. Talk about timing! read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell’s Floating Marvel, Prelude LNG, Set to Make a Splashy Comeback Amidst Winter Demand Surge

There was talk of shutting down Prelude for a year to fix issues, but Shell opted for a shorter maintenance stint. There was a fire, a trade union dispute, a shutdown, a cyclone season – it’s like Mother Nature herself was questioning the wisdom of this floating giant.

Posted by John Donovan: 27 November 2023

Ah, the ever-so-grandiose Shell is at it again with their floating behemoth, the Prelude LNG facility. After what feels like an eternity of tinkering, adjusting, and possibly duct-taping, Shell is almost ready to flaunt this colossal floaty once more. Set adrift 300 miles off the West Coast of Australia (probably to keep it away from any prying eyes), Prelude is more than just a giant on the waves; it’s a floating testament to Shell’s love for big, expensive toys. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell’s Prelude Extended Vacation

Floating off the coast of Western Australia like a lost whale, the UK-based behemoth initially planned a few months of spa time for the FLNG starting in August. But, as with all things Shell, it’s not that simple.

Posted by John Donovan: 14 November 2023

Shell, the ever-so-efficient energy giant, has extended the maintenance of its colossal Prelude floating LNG producer. Why, you ask? Because they’ve just now noticed some extra work that needs doing. Talk about being late to the party.

A Shell spokesperson, likely spinning a globe to find where the Prelude is, commented, “Prelude is a complex facility in a remote offshore location.” Ah, the old ‘it’s complex and far away’ line – a classic! They added, “We continue to work through the process methodically taking as much time as required to ensure safe execution of all activities.” Translation: We’re taking our sweet time. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell’s Never-Ending Maintenance Adventure Down Under: Prelude LNG Facility to Restart in Mid-November!

Posted 18 October 2023 by John Donovan.

Oh, the suspense! Shell’s Prelude liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility off the picturesque Australian coast is set for yet another grand reopening – it’s like a never-ending carnival of maintenance and mishaps!

Our dear friends at Shell decided to kick off maintenance work at this 3.6-million metric ton a year floating LNG plant back in August. A top Shell executive, probably with a straight face, mentioned in September that it was merely a “major turnaround” work that would last roughly two months. Oh, how naïve they were! read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Prelude FLNG: a potential disaster waiting to happen? 

Is Prelude FLNG a Ship or an Upstream Production Facility? Or Both? And how such a definition may affect people and the environment.

Insider information from an anonymous expert who sees Shell International Trading and Shipping Co Ltd as an organisation run by managers who like to portray themselves as ‘simple sailors’, but who actually operate like a cult with scant respect for the health and safety of employees and their own policies.

In May 2015 Mr I.C. Blayney, MLA (a Western Australia lawmaker) laid his Report No. 5 on the Table of the Parliament of Western Australia Legislative Assembly relating to ‘FLNG Safety Matters’ 1. For those who do not know FLNG stands for ‘Floating Liquified Natural Gas’ which is normally defined as an ‘upstream production facility’ and/or a ‘ship’. Mr Blayney issued his report as part of the enquiry by the Economics and Industry Standing Committee ‘into the economic impact of projects such as Prelude’ during which ‘considerable concern was raised in relation to the safety of FLNG facilities1. These concerns have been taken very seriously by the Australian Government as the oil and gas industry is inherently dangerous, and accidents do happen at the non-reimbursable expense to life and/or damage to the environment. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

SHELL PRELUDE TOXIC HEADLINES OVER THE LAST DECADE TELL AN OMINOUS STORY 

SHELL PRELUDE FLNG OFTEN TOXIC HEADLINES OVER THE LAST DECADE TELL AN OMINOUS STORY 

Posted by John Donovan 9 Sept 2023

The links below are to a series of articles stretching back a decade, some triggered by a well-placed whistleblower directly involved in the  Prelude project. Includes articles by Mr Bill Campbell, the former distinguished HSE Group Auditor of Shell International (now sadly deceased). A good loyal friend, and regular long-term contributor to this website, who I never actually met.

ARTICLE: Voser wisely abandons an unstable ship: 28 December 2013

ARTICLE: Royal Dutch Shell Prelude to disaster?: 10 Jan 2014 read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell’s Ingenious Shortcut: Prioritizing Profits Over Prelude’s Persistent Problems

SHELL CANNOT SAY IT WAS NOT WARNED TIME AND AGAIN ABOUT PRELUDE SAFETY ISSUES

Posted by John Donovan

7 Sept 2023

In an act that can only be described as a masterclass in cutting corners, Shell decided against shutting down its prodigious Prelude liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility off Australia for a whole year to rectify the myriad issues plaguing its operations. Why bother with such trivial matters as design flaws and safety when there’s money to be made, am I right?

Instead, Shell opted for a shorter, two-month maintenance plan because apparently “strong gas demand” is a suitable reason to ignore the ever-persistent problems. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell’s Prelude Facility: Where Safety Takes a Backseat to Explosive Ambitions

Repeated Safety Violations: Because One Breach Just Isn’t Enough

Posted By John Donovan 18 August 2023

In an awe-inspiring display of audacity, Shell’s Prelude FLNG facility has recently unveiled its unconventional approach to workplace safety – one that is sure to set new standards in the realm of fiery entertainment. The facility, nestled off the picturesque coast of Western Australia, doubles as a thrilling unintended firework extravaganza, exposing workers to risks of explosions and flames.

With a stature that demands attention and an attitude that scoffs at safety regulations, the facility extracts, liquefies, and stores natural gas with an added element of surprise. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Prelude workers exposed to “hydrocarbon gas fire or explosion”

Posted by JOHN DONOVAN August 1, 2023

In a groundbreaking occupational health and safety experiment, Shell’s Prelude FLNG facility in Australia has managed to expose workers to delightful levels of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) along with a tantalizing risk of fire and explosion. Who needs aromatherapy when you can work for Shell?

Australia’s offshore regulator, Nopsema, couldn’t help but appreciate Shell’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of safety regulations. According to an inspector, Shell “satisfied on reasonable grounds” the contravention of an OHS law, but fear not, it seems they are likely to contravene it again! It’s all about consistency, right? read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell exposes its Prelude workers to the exhilarating risk of fire and explosion

POSTED BY JOHN DONOVAN: July 24, 2023

Bravo, Shell! Your daredevil attitude towards safety is truly awe-inspiring.

Summary: Oh, isn’t it delightful to hear about Shell’s latest adventures in offshore safety? The audacious oil and gas giant, Shell, has yet again dazzled us with its impressive handling of workplace risk at the Prelude offshore LNG platform in Australia. Who needs safety standards, right? It’s much more thrilling to expose workers to the exhilarating possibility of fire or explosion! 

Article: Prepare to be amazed by Shell’s thrilling antics at the Prelude offshore LNG platform in Australia! In a daring display of audacity, Shell has managed to expose its workers to the exhilarating risk of fire and explosion. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell Prelude Floating FLNG Barge: A Potentially Catastrophic Failure of Safety Standards

Shell Prelude Floating FLNG Barge: A Potentially Catastrophic Failure of Safety Standards

Posted by John Donovan: 12 May 2023

In yet another display of negligence and incompetence, Shell has shamefully suspended production at its Prelude floating LNG facility off Western Australia. The reason? A “trip.” How convenient that Shell conveniently brushes off this serious incident with such a casual technical term, downplaying the gravity of the situation.

Shell’s spokesperson, undoubtedly well-trained in corporate spin, reassures the public that they are working “methodically” to restart production, with safety apparently being their primary concern. But let’s not forget that this is the same company that has repeatedly demonstrated a reckless disregard for safety, as evidenced by the litany of incidents that have plagued the Prelude FLNG facility. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell Prelude Fires

RIGZONE

Prelude FLNG Loads Out First Cargo Since Fire

by Bojan Lepic| Rigzone Staff| Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Even though Shell has not confirmed any restart on its massive Prelude FLNG, Reuters reported that the Methane Becki Anne LNG tanker has begun loading.

The Methane Becki Anne was the first LNG tanker to berth at Shell’s Prelude floating LNG site off Western Australia since it was shut down after a fire.

According to Reuters, the LNG carrier vessel berthed at the Prelude plant on January 17, Refinitiv ship-tracking data showed. Refinitiv’s data also showed that LNG has already begun loading. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell’s Prelude FLNG in Australia Still Offline After December Fire

naturalgasintel.com

Shell’s Prelude FLNG in Australia Still Offline After December Fire

BY : January 12, 2023 Royal Dutch Shell plc’s Prelude floating LNG (FLNG) vessel offshore Western Australia remains offline more than three weeks after another fire broke out on board. 

Shell said a small fire was detected on Dec. 21 in a turbine enclosure and quickly extinguished. However, liquefied natural gas production was suspended pending an investigation, the company said. 

“We are working methodically through the stages in the process to recommence production with safety and stability foremost in mind,” a Shell spokesperson told NGI. 

The company also is working with regulators to restart operations, but there is no timeline.  read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Hellish working conditions on board world’s biggest offshore gas site, Prelude

Hellish working conditions on board the world’s biggest offshore gas site, Prelude

The Sydney Morning Herald

‘Forensic, fair and fascinating’: WAtoday wins at media awards

By Daile Cross

Using information gathered through his unrivalled industry contact list, WAtoday business journalist Peter Milne exposed the hellish working conditions on board the world’s biggest offshore gas site, Prelude.

On Saturday night his exclusive reporting saw him win best Business, Economics or Finance report at the annual WA Media Awards, the state’s pre-eminent journalism awards. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell, unions reach agreement in Prelude gas facility industrial dispute

abc.net.au

Shell, unions reach agreement in Prelude gas facility industrial dispute

ABC Kimberley / By Taylor Thompson-Fuller

Key points:

The industrial action began in early June

It resulted in Shell stopping shipments and suspending activity aboard

Shell and unions say they are happy to have finally reached an agreement

Industrial action aboard Shell’s floating LNG facility Prelude is set to come to an end after unions and the company reached an in-principle enterprise agreement for workers. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell Prelude “White Elephant”

THE TIMES

Shell strike extension to compound energy crisis

Emily Gosden: Energy Editor

The Times

Shell’s giant floating gas production plant off Australia is to remain shut until at least early September after strike action was extended, compounding the global supply crunch. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.
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