1. Plant
Proudly based in Bintulu, Malaysia, Shell MDS (M) Sdn Bhd uses Shell's proprietary Shell Middle Distillate Synthesis (MDS) process, built on 3500 patents, to convert natural gas into hydrocarbon liquids.
Shell MDS is Shell's first commercial scale Gas-To-Liquid (GTL) plant in the world and Shell's only GTL Wax producer. The plant began its commercial operations in 1993 producing 500,000 tonnes of liquid and solid hydrocarbon products per year.
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Shell GTL plant in Bintulu, Malaysia
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Shell's First Commercial GTL plant in the world
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Shell's only GTL Wax producer in the world
2. Shareholders
The very first proposal to the Government of Malaysia was presented in 1985 and a year later, Shell MDS (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd was incorporated.
In 1989, discussions between Shell and the Sarawak State Government, PETRONAS, and Mitsubishi Corporation took place which saw the Shareholders Agreement signed on 22 August 1989 - officially making Shell MDS a joint-venture with Shell as the operator.
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Joint venture Partners
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Shareholders Agreement Signing Ceremony
3. People
Shell MDS is home to an approximately 450-strong workforce, which has over the years formed a relatively stable core of experienced staff with the knowledge transferred from various roles in GTL community: from R&D in Amsterdam, Manufacturing in The Hague, and the Gas Organisation in London.
The staff, of which 98% are Malaysians, 15% are female and 90% of which come from Sarawak state, showcases the distinct talent and capabilities of Sarawakians and Malaysians.
While the majority of Shell MDS staff is based in Bintulu, around 20 are based in Kuala Lumpur overseeing the Sales, Marketing, Business Development, Product Innovation, Technical Services, Logistics and Customer Service.
4. GTL Technology
Gas-To-Liquid (GTL) is the umbrella term for the technology that is used to produce a suite of synthetic hydrocarbon liquids through the Fischer-Tropsch process. At the heart of Shell's GTL technology is the proprietary Shell Middle Distillate Synthesis process.
Stage 1
The GTL process consists of three stages: In the first stage, natural gas is partially oxidised to create a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which is then known as synthesis gas, or syngas. Impurities are removed from the syngas.
Stage 2
The second stage converts the synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbons using a catalyst. In this stage, a liquid is formed which looks and feels like wax at room temperature.
Stage 3
The final stage is cracking and isomerisation, which 'tailors' the molecule chains into products with desired properties. This yields GTL products that are colourless, odourless liquid hydrocarbons of very high quality that have very low levels of impurities like sulphur, aromatics and nitrogen.
5. Product Portfolio
Shell MDS produce a portfolio of high-quality finished products that are colourless, odourless, virtually free of sulphur, nitrogen and aromatics. These products are also readily biodegradable and environmentally-friendly. Its unique properties enables it to be used in more than 40 different applications ranging from hot melt adhesives, PVC plastics, food packaging, coatings, to road construction, cosmetics, metalworking, drilling base fluids and many more.
Shell GTL waxes, under the brand name Shell GTL Sarawax, are specialty waxes produced with high linearity and narrow carbon number distribution, resulting in products suitable for a range of applications ranging from hot melt adhesives, PVC lubricants, printing inks, rubber and tyre to candles, coating and packaging material.
World’s First Commercial Scale GTL Synthetic Microcrystalline Waxes with improved Flexibility Performance in a Wide Range of Applications with Good Environmental Properties.
Our asphalt additives, Shell GTL Saraphalt is a versatile additive polymerised from natural gas via Fischer–Tropsch synthesis, suitable for high quality warm mix asphalt applications on roads, highways, bridges and airport runways.
Shell GTL SaraCare is a premium wax derived from natural gas that is designed as ingredients in personal care and cosmetic . The purity and stability of Shell GTL SaraCare offer superior performance as Skin Feel Modifiers, Rheology Modifiers, Wear Resistance, Structuring and Binding Agents, as well as Waterproof.
Shell GTL Saraline Drilling Base Fluids are non-toxic, multi-application synthetic drilling base fluids derived from natural gas - custom-made to meet drilling demands and challenges of the future in the most environmentally-friendly and safe manner-from scorching desert to subarctic temperatures, from deep water to high-temperature wells.
Shell GTL Performance Fluids are a series of high-purity paraffinic fluids derived from natural gas via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis comprising only iso and normal paraffins. This unique synthetic composition is well positioned to meet a range of industrial needs and applications.
Shell GTL Chemicals & Specialties are high purity, low odour and virtually colourless hydrocarbons derived from natural gas, suitable in various applications.
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Shell GTL Sarawax granules
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Wax application: Printing ink
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Wax application: PVC lubricants
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Shell GTL Saraphalt used in road application
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Shell GTL Saraphalt used in high quality warm mix asphalt application
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Shell GTL Saracare is used in personal care and cosmetics
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Superior Performance as skin feel modifiers
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Shell GTL Saracare used as structuring agent
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Shell GTL Saraline is used in on-shore drilling
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Shell GTL Saraline is used in offshore drilling
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Shell GTL Performance Fluids used in metal working
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Shell GTL Performance Fluids used in agriculture
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Shell GTL Performance Fluids used in pesticides
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Shell GTL Naptha is used in steam cracking
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Shell GTL Normal Paraffin
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Shell GTL Normal Paraffin is used to make plasticizer
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Shell GTL Normal Paraffin is used in chemical enhanced recovery
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Shell GTL Normal Paraffin is used in detergent feedstock
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Microwax Application: Petroleum Jelly
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Microwax Application: Candle Blend
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Microwax Application: Hot Melt Adhesive
6. Global Market Reach
90% of Shell MDS products are exported from Bintulu via a world-class distribution network in partnership with distributors, benefitting more than 1,000 end customers in over 50 countries.
7. Product Innovation Technical Capability
Through culmination of 30 years of service, Shell MDS has played a pivotal role in GTL technology and product development and evolution. Its in-house R&D laboratory is equipped with lab scale Wiped Film Evaporator (WFE) distillation unit that able to tailor to separate specific properties in various application in high temperature and vacuum, to produce wide variety of thermal profile and heat sensitive products.
Among other development by its R&D team includes:
- Candle application testing by referring to ASTM F2417 Standard Specifications for Fire Safety for Candles, from the perspective of maximum allowable flame heigh, secondary ignition, end of useful life and stability.
- Elastomer compatibility test between GTL-based and Crude Oil-based drilling fluid which compares the performance against non-production time (NPT)
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R&D Laboratory testing
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Lab scale WFE distillation unit
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In house capability on pet gel evaluation
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Elastomer compatibility test
8. Responsible Corporate Citizen
At Shell MDS, we are fully committed to Goal Zero - no harm and no leaks across our operation.
All processing units and equipment in Shell MDS are designed, built and operated to rigorous safety standards, underpinned by Shell's Health, Security, Safety, Environment & Social Performance Commitment and Policy. We conduct regular preventive maintenance and comprehensive equipment inspection programmes to keep our people and the communities around us safe from harm.
In pursuit of Goal Zero, we work relentlessly to strengthen our safety culture, which is complemented by a competent workforce. Apart from ensuring that people responsible for tasks with a significant safety hazard have the necessary training and skills, Shell MDS draws from Shell's network of safety experts who share and implement best practices around the world.
Shell MDS has also been part of the Bintulu community for 30 years and is committed to ensuring that the local community shares in the benefits of our operations, whether through creating direct and indirect employment, building community capacity and skills, or fostering a strong road safety culture in Bintulu. Some of our flagship initiatives include:
In partnership with Kolej Vokasional Bintulu, Shell MDS provides welding training and certification for a selected number of students annually.
A Shell Malaysia road safety programme championed by Shell MDS in Bintulu, aiming to alter perceptions of road safety amongst the youth, as well as Taxi drivers.
In recent years, many areas in Bintulu have been badly affected by floods, and fires in long houses have become more frequent. As a direct member of the community in Bintulu, Shell MDS continues to extend help and support to the community through collaboration with Bintulu local authorities.
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Strengthening safety culture with competent workforce
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#ShellSelamatSampai Bintulu Taxi Driver Defensive Driving Training
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Engagement with Bintulu Taxi Driver for #ShellSelamatSampai
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Bintulu flood relief support initiative
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Bintulu flood relief support initiative
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Welding training for students from Kolej Vokasional Bintulu
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Welding training for students from Kolej Vokasional Bintulu
