Doing Business with Shell
Webinar Notes
August 7, 2012
This webinar will provide the Appalachia supplier community with an overview of Shell, its project scope and activity in the Marcellus and Utica Shale Plays. Representatives from Shell will discuss their Local Content and Supplier Diversity strategy, as well as provide details on vendor requirements, including How To Do Business with Shell.
We attended the Doing Business with Shell webinar on Aug 7, 2012. This webinar was not made available after the event, so here are our notes.
| Name | Organization | Role | Location |
| Joy Ruff | Marcellus Shale Coalition | Community Relations Mgr | Southpointe, PA |
| J. R. Justus | Shell Appalachia | Gen Manager, Upstream Activities | Cranberry Twp, PA |
| Asha Luthra | Shell Appalachia | Social Performance Advisor | Cranberry Twp, PA |
| Brian Hall | Shell | Supplier Diversity Specialist | Houston, TX |
| Kristin Fye | Shell | Contract and Procurement,Local Content Coordinator, Appalachian Region | Houston, TX |
General Comments:
- Have 624 signed up for today’s webinar
- Shell now spends $700 million to minority and small businesses, would like to go to $1 billion.
- Shell Procurement website www.uacontractor.com
- Do your research then network with Shell and its subcontractors
- What is special about your organization – knowledge, location, culture?
- Always ask how to get more contacts and more contracts
- Sometimes money is more important than time, sometimes time is more important than money
- Under promise and over deliver
- Exceed their standards – especially on safety
- Shell doesn’t want to be 90% of your business
- SQS – Supplier Qualification System
Level 1 – office work, deliveries to work site – no fee to register
Level 2 – doing work at site – they need more info and tighter controls – subscription fee
Q & A
How do we know Shell will deliver on their commitment to work with local businesses?
Event last week at Horsehead site, quarterly internal review
When will the final decision be made on building the Ethane Cracker at the Horsehead site?
Check on project status at www.shell.com/chemicals/appalachia
Must we be a member of the business associations you mentioned?
No, but it helps us find you and helps you understand the industry.
We are not a woman-owned or minority business, can we compete?
Shell works to encourage woman-owned and minority businesses as well as vet-owned. We also work with the SBA to identify small businesses that we can work with. However, the deciding factors are your culture and can you meet our needs.
Is Shell’s SQS registration required?
Yes.
What are upcoming opportunities to meet Shell folks and learn more?
Check with business groups, network, no central posting site.
Could you explain more about the 2 types of SQS registration?
Low risk group is office workers, those delivering supplies to job sites, etc. High risk jobs are those doing work at job sites where there are the usual industrial and construction hazards plus natural gas hazards.
Other opportunities?
Shell will be hiring a major construction management firm if we elect to build this facility. They will then subcontract much of the actual work and will try to find and use local partners whenever possible.
What HSSE procedures will we need to have in place to work with Shell?
Strict procedures for those working at well sites, etc. Less strict for others. Shell can provide some details and coaching for those who already have the right culture in place.
What are some upcoming trade shows that we should attend?
On Aug 1, Shell partnered with EQT and Halliburton for a trade show / job fair sponsored by the Western PA Minority Supplier Development Council. We plant to be at an upcoming meeting of the National Minority Supplier Development Council’s Conference and Business Opportunity Fair in Denver Oct 28-31, 2012 and the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting in Los Angeles on Sept16-18, 2012. Shell is working with the SBA to set up other meetings. Don’t overlook working with Shell’s subcontractors too.
Timing?
Shell is a very large company with many internal policies and procedures – sort of like turning large ocean liner. It will take us lots of time to investigate and decide if / when / where to build this plant. When possible, we will give you advice if / how you can work with us. Please take this advice seriously while being patient with us.
About EKT Interactive
EKT Interactive, Inc is a leading provider of customized, large-scale, interactive safety and operations training programs for the oil & gas industry. Our web-based e-learning program, accessible at your convenience, saves time away from the job and travel costs. Online learning modules are developed by field-experienced oil and gas instruction experts using proven web learning applications that closely match classroom effectiveness.
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