News and Media Releases
Harvick Visits “Brutus”
26/04/2008
2007 Daytona 500 Champ, Kevin Harvick, Takes Detour on the Way to Talladega NASCAR Race. Harvick Visits Shell Oil Company Offshore Platform “Brutus.”
Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet, made a unique stop in route to this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Talladega Superspeedway. Harvick visited the Shell offshore oil and gas production platform, Brutus, on Thursday.
Brutus, the largest of five Shell signature deepwater tension leg platforms, is located 160 miles off the shore of New Orleans, Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico. The 35,000-ton platform is home to as many as 150 Shell staff members who spend two weeks at a time at the facility. Located in over 3,000 feet of water, the platform is used for the initial processing and transportation of oil and gas to shore.
"After today's visit, I have a whole new appreciation for the Gulf of Mexico and 'America's Energy Coast' (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama) and the importance this Region plays to our U.S. Energy Supply," commented Harvick.
During his visit, Harvick had the opportunity to meet and greet the staff of Brutus and joined them for lunch in the galley. A comprehensive tour of the facility followed before heading back to New Orleans.
"I was impressed with the focus and attention to safety that is part of the Shell culture," continued Harvick. "The staff has great pride in their facility and what they do. These are very focused employees that use extremely advanced technology to get energy out of the ground and deliver it to people across the country every day."
Harvick was joined by Shell executives along with local radio sports talk show host, Bobby Hebert, former NFL/Saints QB.
Vice President, Region Support Directorate for Shell Exploration and Production, Libby Cheney commented on the visit, "Shell employees are high-energy, and high performing people and to see them interact with one of the top drivers in a sport like NASCAR was inspiring," stated Cheney.
"Kevin has a better appreciation of what Shell does around the world each day and we have a better appreciation for what it takes for someone like Kevin to compete at the top of their sport. We all wear the Shell pecten proudly."
Shell Oil Company, including its consolidated companies and its share in equity companies, is one of America's leading oil and natural gas producers, natural gas marketers, gasoline marketers and petrochemical manufacturers.
Shell, a leading oil and gas producer in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, is a recognized pioneer in oil and gas exploration and production technology. Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Shell Group, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies, employing approximately 104,000 people and operating in more than 110 countries and territories.
INQUIRIES:
Shell Oil Company, Shell Media Line, (713) 241-4544
Shell NASCAR Communications, Sam Brown, (910) 724-1148