Synopsis courtesy of Shell
(2015) Shell’s Sarnia Manufacturing Centre is located on the St. Clair Parkway, about ten kilometres south of Sarnia between Froomfield and Corunna.
The plant employees 350 full-time employees and has a capacity of 75,000 barrels of crude oil daily. Its products include gasoline, distillates, liquid petroleum gas, heavy oil, pure chemicals and solvents.
Originally built in 1952 by Canadian Oil Companies Limited, the refinery became part of Shell’s operations in 1963 when Shell purchased Canadian Oil.
Since then, Shell has completed numerous upgrades, modernized the equipment and added new facilities and technology to meet current product regulations and environmental legislation.
In order to meet new federal regulations for ultra low sulphur diesel that came into effect on June 1, 2006, Shell’s Sarnia Manufacturing Centre signed a 20-year agreement with Suncor Energy Products Inc. The agreement saw Suncor designing, constructing and operating a hydrotreater which is used by both Shell and Suncor to reduce the amount of sulphur in diesel from both refineries. Operating one hydrotreater results in environmental benefits for the Sarnia area.
In 2002, Shell became the first nationwide refiner capable of producing low sulphur gasoline when it started up its gasoline hydrotreater. The company continues to upgrade refinery components in order to meet or exceed government regulations. In addition to following their own rigorous health, safety and environmental management systems, the plant has received the ISO 14001 environmental management accreditation from the International Standards Organization.
As part of Shell’s ongoing commitment to sustainable development, the company continues to support Lambton County community groups including United Way, Lambton College, the St. Clair Township, Bluewater Health, First Nations initiatives, and a number of grassroots environmental projects. The company also recognizes employees and retirees who regularly volunteer with community organizations through the Shell Community Service Fund.