Getting the lead out

For many years, lead was added to petrol to improve engine performance. It has been phased out in most countries because of health concerns and because lead blocks catalytic converters in modern engines. However, lead phase-out has been a challenge in parts of the developing world. Government-owned refineries sometimes lack the necessary funds to upgrade their facilities. Governments in those countries often have more urgent development priorities. The phase-out of lead at refineries we have a stake in was completed in 2005, when joint venture facilities in South Africa and Kenya ended lead use. We actively support a complete phase-out of lead in fuels through the UN Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles and the World Bank Clean Air Initiative in Africa.

Gast-to-Liquids Fuel:
Performance up. Air pollution down.

GTL fuel is colourless, odourless and virtually sulphur-free. Made from natural gas using pioneering Shell technology, it can be blended with diesel and used in existing modern engines.

It produces far fewer local pollutants like particulates, nitrous oxides, sulphur and carbon monoxide, than conventional diesel. This fuel is now used in taxis and buses in some of the world’s most congested cities, including Bangkok and Shanghai, where the environmental and health benefits are greatest. GTL fuel can also help improve fuel efficiency.