St. Fergus Gas Plant – Leading the way on breaking down barriers
With over 50 years of activity, our North Sea business provides the UK with reliable, secure energy and operates assets that currently provide around 10% of the UK’s oil and gas supply as well as a range of fuels, chemicals and services. Shell in the UK also operates pipeline systems that are responsible for delivering more than 20% of the UK’s gas supply.
St Fergus Gas Plant – which is near Peterhead in North East Scotland – processes gas from our North Sea operations. Oil and gas was for a long time seen as a traditionally male dominated domain. Shell in the UK has been helping to break down the gender gap and associated barriers by promoting careers within the energy industry and initiatives such as “Girls in Energy” which was launched in 2010 in partnership with the North East Scotland College. The one-year course is designed to show female students the energy industry’s wealth of career opportunities. More than 100 students from around North East Scotland and Fife participate every year.
Shell has also provided broader support to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives including engineering schemes, Techfest (Aberdeen and the North-East of Scotland’s annual festival of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and Aberdeen Science Centre.
In the last ten years, there has been a 50% increase in the number of women working at St Fergus – currently, there are 26 females at the plant representing 12% of the workforce, the majority in technical roles.
I had no idea what I wanted to do for a job, but through the “Girls in Energy” programme I really had my eyes opened to a career in the energy industry. Following that, I did my highers and went to North East Scotland College to undertake the two-year Shell engineering scheme where you study measurement and control and electrical engineering. I would never have thought to come here, but now I’m here I wouldn’t leave!
Modernising working patterns and family care policies
In March 2019, Shell in the UK announced the rebranding of First Utility to Shell Energy Retail Limited. Shell Energy Retail Limited provides British homes with 100% renewable electricity, as well as gas, broadband and smart home technology.
Diversity key to innovation and digital transformation
The Digitalisation and Computational Science Centre of Excellence was created in 2018 to bring together expertise that supports the delivery of digital projects and incubates emerging technologies.
Case studies
These describe the specific and differing challenges in some of our business areas, and the actions being taken to improve representation and build a more balanced and inclusive workplace at Shell in the UK.