Shell responds to activists at its oil sands site

FORT MCMURRAY, AB, Sept. 15 /CNW/ - At approximately 8 a.m. this morning staff at Shell's Albian Sands Muskeg River Mine became aware of activists in the operations area at our site, without authorization. Operations at the Muskeg River Mine have been temporarily suspended to ensure safety of the activists and of Shell staff.

The activists are staging a protest against oil sands development. So far the activists have been respectful to Shell staff. Shell's number one concern is their safety and our preference is for a negotiated end to this demonstration. We have invited the group into our administrative building to sit down with management to discuss their concerns.

Greenpeace Canada has not contacted Shell Canada to discuss its oil sands business. Shell believes in stakeholder consultation - listening to, and acting on, the concerns of our local communities, customers, employees and shareholders - often including those who protest against us.

We look for opportunities to demonstrate leadership through positive actions and by proactively consulting with credible non-government organizations to understand concerns about our business with a view to finding common ground.

Shell has thorough, accredited environmental management systems. Shell's Muskeg River Mine was rated the best oil sands mining operation by the Pembina Institute in a 2007 environmental report. Shell is the most energy efficient mineable oil sands operator, and the proponent of a CCS project in Alberta. On the CO2 policy front, Shell advocates for robust cap and trade CO2 policies in Canada - and around the world.

We want to work with stakeholders on ways to strengthen CO2 and other environmental policies and welcome thoughtful debate on this critical issue.

More information on Shell's oil sands business is available at www.shell.ca/oilsands.

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