Shell to put up P6-B facility in Mindanao

Shell Companies in the Philippines is investing P12 billion to put up its first import terminal facility in Northern Mindanao and finally upgrade its refinery in Batangas, as it continues to position itself as a “major participant in the country’s growth and development.”

On the sidelines of the Management Association of the Philippines meeting Tuesday, Shell country manager Edgar O. Chua revealed that the company would spend P6 billion for an import terminal in Cagayan de Oro. Shell recently broke ground for this facility, which will hold main fuels like MoGas, diesel and jet fuel.

“The country is growing and we need to spur the economy in Mindanao. It is a good place actually to put an investment,” said Chua, who was conferred the MAP Management Man of the Year award Tuesday.

Also, we will expand retail station network there, Chua added. Shell would like to grow in step with the economy.

At present, Shell has around 200 retail stations in Mindanao.

Another P6 billion will, meanwhile, be invested for the upgrade of its 110,000-per-barrel a day refinery in Batangas to “ensure that we can meet the more stringent quality specifications” for the Euro IV fuels in the future, Chua said.

The planned investment, however, has yet to be approved by Shell’s parent firm, Royal Dutch Shell Plc.

“While waiting for the final results of the feasibility studies, we have sent to our principals the justification [for the refinery upgrade]. I think we’re just waiting for one signature to get this finalized,” Chua disclosed.

Other than the two projects, Shell and its partners have invested $1 billion for the Malampaya Phases 2 and 3 project. The company is also eyeing to build the first regasification terminal for liquefied natural gas, estimated to be worth some $1 billion and to further expand its Shared Service center by another 1,000 employees to bring Shell’s total staff complement to over 5,000 next year.

Despite these planned investments however, Shell continues to hold off plans to conduct its much awaited initial public offering. Chua pointed out that they will still have to wait for the approval on the planned P6-billion investment for the refinery upgrade before it pursues its maiden offer.