Shell Advises Departure Of Chairman

29 August 2005

Shell Advises Departure Of Chairman

Shell's Executive Vice President for Production in New Zealand and Australia, Tim Warren, today advised the resignation of Shell New Zealand Country Chairman Paul Zealand. Dr Ajit Bansal has been appointed Country Chairman in the interim.

New Plymouth-based Mr Zealand is leaving the Chairman's role for family and personal reasons. He has also resigned as General Manager of Shell Todd Oil Services (STOS), and will leave both positions at the end of September. Mr Warren, who is also Chairman of STOS, confirmed New Zealander Rob Jager would be returning to take over the GM role at STOS.

"We are deeply sorry to be losing someone of Paul's calibre, however we wish him and his family well in their future pursuits. Paul has enjoyed significant success during his 24 years with Shell. He has led Shell's operations in New Zealand for almost two years, and has made a major contribution to the effective management of STOS," said Mr Warren.

Mr Zealand started his career in Shell in 1981 and has held a number of senior Shell positions in the Oil Refining, Supply Operations, Strategy, LNG and Exploration & Production parts of the business. He worked in various locations in Europe and Australia before coming to New Zealand in 2003. He was appointed Country Chairman of Shell in New Zealand in November 2003.

"Leaving Shell and New Zealand was a difficult decision to make, but as a family we have decided to pursue a new direction. During my time in New Zealand, I have been lucky enough to be part of an amazing team, who through their efforts, are committed to constantly improving performance," said Mr Zealand.

"In particular, we have made major progress in the area of safety, both for our staff and for our customers. In our exploration and production activities, we have successfully negotiated the best way forward to commercialise remaining gas from the depleting Maui field, and we have commenced development of the Pohokura gas field. Both activities will enhance the security of New Zealand gas supplies."

"In a volatile and challenging market, our downstream oil products business has remained the premier provider of oil products, and market leader in retail and commercial fuels sales. We have also worked effectively with the Government on issues such as the International Energy Agency obligations."

Dr Bansal is Commercial Manager for Shell's Exploration and Production activity in New Zealand. He has 20 years industry experience, and has worked on various Shell projects based in Thailand, The Hague, China, Singapore and New Zealand. A key role for Dr Bansal as interim Chair will be to steer Shell to the successful conclusion of direct operatorship of the oil and gas assets in New Zealand which Shell has an equity interest. The current steps that Shell has proposed to fulfil its aspirations are the subject of continuing court proceedings.

Mr Jager is Shell Exploration and Production's Regional Manager for Maintenance Engineering, currently based in Malaysia. He joined STOS as an engineering cadet in 1978 and has since amassed 28 years experience across most facets of the exploration and production business both in New Zealand and in Shell's international operations.

ENDS

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