Powering Progress Together: News & Events
Read more about Puget Sound refinery partnerships, its people and past events in the features below.
A cool new look to save energy
May 26, 2021
From a yellow glow to a cooler LED look. Click in to read about the process to change more than 3,000 lightbulbs.
Puget Sound Refinery Maintenance Profile – Rob Holliman
May 20, 2021
Meet PSR Turnaround Instrumentation and Electrical Coordinator Rob Holliman as we celebrate our maintenance team.
Maintaining Equipment to Avoid Emergency Situations
May 19, 2021
Maintenance equals preparedness. That’s what colleagues share repeatedly as they talk about how Shell Puget Sound Refinery staff keeps the site prepared for emergencies.
Puget Sound Refinery Maintenance Profile – Nick Clement
May 17, 2021
Meet PSR Instrumentation Tech Nick Clement as we celebrate our maintenance team.
May – and every month – is for maintenance at Puget Sound Refinery
May 05, 2021
For most people, tulips have been topped, preparations for the garden are underway and many are making home maintenance and improvement to-do lists. Meanwhile, at Puget Sound Refinery, May maintenance is in full swing, just like it is the 11-other months of the year.
Puget Sound Refinery Maintenance Profile – James Kent
May 03, 2021
Meet PSR Metal Trades Fitter/Welder James Kent as we celebrate our maintenance team.
Orca recovery: 1,488 trees and one pocket estuary at a time
Apr 30, 2021
Learn how volunteer efforts and a pocket estuary are helping with Orca recovery efforts.
Proudly Fueling the Pacific Northwest through a pandemic
Apr 15, 2021
Just like any business, Shell PSR works to meet the need of our customers. Now, more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, our purpose remains the same. We are powering progress together.
Shell Puget Sound Refinery (PSR) – Engineer profile
Feb 22, 2021
Meet engineer Tracey Anderson in this Puget Sound Refinery engineer profile.
Shell Puget Sound Refinery (PSR) – Engineer profile
Feb 22, 2021
Meet engineer Taylor Green in this Puget Sound Refinery engineer profile.
Shell Puget Sound Refinery (PSR) – Engineer profile
Feb 22, 2021
Meet engineer Patty Blakeway in this Puget Sound Refinery engineer profile.
Shell Puget Sound Refinery (PSR) – Engineer profile
Feb 22, 2021
Meet engineer Matthew LeCren in this Puget Sound Refinery engineer profile.
Shell Puget Sound Refinery (PSR) – Engineer profile
Feb 22, 2021
Meet engineer Anubha Goyal in this Puget Sound Refinery engineer profile.
Fidalgo Bay spill response - Update 1
Nov 16, 2019
The source of the crude oil spill that occurred overnight was identified to be a pressure relief valve on a barge and the source of the leak from the barge is confirmed to be secure.
Fidalgo Bay spill response
Nov 16, 2019
At approximately 11:30pm on Friday November 15, Shell Puget Sound Refinery dock personnel identified a crude oil spill coming from a barge at the refinery’s dock on Fidalgo Bay.
Making Waves: Nonprofit Turns Plastic Waste into Prosthetic Limbs
Aug 02, 2019
With the help of partners like Shell’s Puget Sound Refinery, the Million Waves Project takes discarded plastic waste in the ocean and turns it into prosthetic limbs for kids around the globe.
Shell & Bellingham Technical College Create Living Wage Careers
Jun 11, 2019
Have you ever seen a job change the trajectory of someone’s life? In partnership with Bellingham Technical College, we see this happen every day at Shell’s Puget Sound Refinery.
Family First, Mission Second
Mar 05, 2019
For Shell Puget Sound Refinery operator Ed Castleberry, family always comes first – at work and at home.
Shell Puget Sound Refinery Announces Planned Maintenance
Feb 25, 2019
Shell’s Puget Sound Refinery has planned maintenance – also known as a turnaround – on several processing units starting early next month. The turnaround will last roughly 1.5 months.
Shell Operators Save a Life
Dec 28, 2018
This past fall, three operators at Shell’s Puget Sound Refinery saved the life of a contractor who was working at the refinery’s dock.
Southern Resident Killer Whales to Benefit from More than $700,000 in New Grants
Nov 14, 2018
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced $742,000 in grants to help stabilize and recover the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale population through projects on the Skagit and Snohomish rivers, around the San Juan Islands, and throughout the Salish Sea.
B&G Club Partners with Shell on Workforce Development
Nov 07, 2018
Watch a brief video about how Shell's Puget Sound Refinery partners with the Boys & Girls Club of Skagit County.
Helping Hands Feed the Community
Oct 08, 2018
Shell Puget Sound Refinery employees recently volunteered with the refinery’s contract partner Anvil at the Helping Hands Food Bank to pack more than 3,500 bags of food for hungry children across Skagit County, WA.
Refinery Employee Celebrates 44 Years of Shell Service
Jun 05, 2018
Shell Puget Sound Refinery’s longest-serving employee Boyd Wells never imagined that he’d work at the company for over 44 years. But after nearly 10 roles and hundreds of teammates later, he’s happier than ever. Why? For Boyd, it’s all about the people.
Shell Proudly Fuels Life in the Pacific Northwest
May 22, 2018
Shell’s Puget Sound Refinery is proud to fuel life in the Pacific Northwest – now and in the years to come! Hear from our employees and community partners about our history, vision, and our impact on the community we are privileged to call home.
Passion Never Rests: Leadership Skagit Develops Community Champions
Apr 09, 2018
The vision of Leadership Skagit is to develop leaders at all levels across Skagit County, and Shell’s Puget Sound Refinery has partnered with the program since 2008.
Love at First Flight
Mar 12, 2018
For Shell contractor Nicole O’Neill, kites are much more than a toy – they changed her life. Now, she’s passionate about changing others’ lives for the better through the power of kite flying.
Refinery Employees Share Passion for Giving Back
Jan 23, 2018
While employees at Shell’s Puget Sound Refinery have volunteered in their communities for decades, the refinery launched a new program in 2016 called the Community Cup – it aimed to take community volunteering to the next level, and it did. Over the last two years, employees have volunteered over 10,000 hours.
It’s Shredding Time
Jan 03, 2018
For Shell Puget Sound Refinery Operator Dan Donnelly, snowboarding is a way of life. While he no longer ‘shreds’ every day as a professional snowboarder, his experiences in the backcountry gave him a deep appreciation for safety and what it truly means to have someone’s back.
Shell Engineers Share Mini Refinery with Students
Dec 18, 2017
Two engineers from Shell’s Puget Sound Refinery recently presented a mini refinery demonstration to undergraduates taking an ‘Energy from the Earth’ course at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA.
Puget Sound Refinery Signs Statement of Support for Vets
Nov 25, 2017
Shell Puget Sound Refinery’s GM Shirley Yap and HR Manager Robin Yates recently signed a ‘statement of support’ to demonstrate the site’s continued support for veterans and reservists.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Announces Grants to Aid Puget Sound’s Killer Whales
Nov 16, 2017
Conservation partners including SeaWorld and Shell work to provide a feast of Chinook salmon for killer whales this Thanksgiving.
Shell Gives Operator ‘Life-Changing Opportunity’
Oct 30, 2017
Alyssa Willis says receiving a job offer from Shell’s Puget Sound Refinery was a dream come true. When she was 16 years old, she took her first steps toward entering the oil and gas industry – fast forward two years and thousands of hours of training later, and she’s learning the ropes as the only female operator on Shell’s Alky/Poly unit.
Shell Operator Fosters Hope
Oct 26, 2017
For Shell Puget Sound Refinery Operator Josh Wedin, fostering a passion for LEGO design and opening his home – and his heart – to numerous foster children go hand in hand.
Shell Fuels Education in Anacortes
Oct 09, 2017
Shell Puget Sound Refinery’s 3rd annual Fueling Education Fun Run raised $40,000 for Anacortes schools.
Update #2: Odor Issue
Sep 29, 2017
Yesterday, the Shell Puget Sound Refinery detected an odor, which we later identified as coming from hydrocarbon material on the roof of a storage tank. The material on the roof has been removed.
Update: Odor Issue
Sep 28, 2017
This morning, the Shell Puget Sound Refinery detected an odor. We have since identified an on-site odor source coming from one of our tanks. We are actively collaborating with numerous businesses and agencies to determine if this odor is associated with other odor complaints in the community. We apologize to our neighbors for any concerns the odor may have caused.
Odor Issue
Sep 28, 2017
On the morning of Sept. 28, the Shell Puget Sound Refinery detected an odor.
National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Launches Killer Whale Conservation Program with Shell and Partners
Sep 06, 2017
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, SeaWorld, Shell, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration partnered to create the Killer Whale Research and Conservation Program to aid in the recovery of this incredible species.
Shell Puget Sound Refinery Announces Planned Maintenance
Sep 06, 2017
Shell’s Puget Sound Refinery has planned maintenance on several pieces of processing equipment starting in late September.
Dream Big: Early Learning in Skagit County, WA
Aug 28, 2017
Did you know that 60% of Skagit County, WA kids aren’t ready for kindergarten? That has serious implications for their futures. Learn how Shell’s Puget Sound Refinery, United Way, the Children’s Museum and many other community partners are working together to reverse the trend and ensure our kids have the chance to realize their full potential.
HR Manager Looks for Life’s Positives
Aug 23, 2017
If anyone understands the true meaning of resilience, it’s Shell Puget Sound Refinery’s HR Manager Robin Yates. Despite major life obstacles that included his parents’ alcoholism, foster care, a cancer diagnosis and the tragic loss of his son, Yates refused to give up.
Ready to Fuel Education?
Aug 14, 2017
The 3rd annual Fueling Education Fun Run 5K takes place on Sunday, Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. Anacortes. All proceeds go to the Anacortes Schools Foundation.
Shell’s Puget Sound Refinery Conducts Oil Spill Response Training Near Cap Sante Marina
Aug 14, 2017
Shell’s Puget Sound Refinery plans to conduct an on water-based oil spill response training with the Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) and Washington State Department of Ecology (ECY) near the Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes on Tuesday, Aug. 15 from roughly 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
Shell Puget Sound Refinery Conducts Evacuation Drill
Aug 14, 2017
Today at 11:30 a.m., Shell’s Puget Sound Refinery will conduct a refinery evacuation drill. There will be 10 consecutive blasts of the site’s emergency horn, signaling a site-wide evacuation. This is different than the site’s usual “noon sirens” that occur every Wednesday. There is no need for concern. This is only a drill – not an emergency.
Shell Partners with B&G Club to Spark STEM Interest
Aug 09, 2017
Two engineers from Shell’s Puget Sound Refinery demonstrated how a mini refinery works to children in 1st-6th grade who attended the Boys & Girls Club of Skagit County’s STEM summer camp – sponsored by Shell.
On the Run: Reliability Manager Circumnavigates Whidbey Island
Aug 09, 2017
Shell Puget Sound Refinery’s Reliability Manager James Steller never backs down from a good challenge – especially if it benefits his community. That’s why he set a goal to run 160 miles around Whidbey Island, WA over Labor Day weekend to raise money for the Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools.
Tied Up in Knots: ERT to the Rescue
Aug 07, 2017
Meet Shell Puget Sound Refinery’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) and learn more about the importance of the ERT to the site – and the surrounding community.
Shell partners on National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Killer Whale Research and Conservation Program
Jun 09, 2017
Shell Oil Company enters as new partner with $250,000 contribution
Shell grant supports local invasive species monitoring and eradication
Feb 24, 2017
Northwest Straits Foundation awarded $10,000 grant from Shell Puget Sound Refinery
New program fuels friendly community service competition at Puget Sound Refinery
Jan 23, 2017
Puget Sound Refinery employees give over 6,000 hours of volunteer service to the community
A father’s long career at Shell PSR draws in his adult daughter
Nov 30, 2016
The refinery is very much a family affair for the two of them.
Shell fills the NEED to energize local classrooms
Nov 16, 2016
First National Energy Education Development (NEED) workshop ever held in Skagit County
From Antarctica’s ice to the shores of Puget Sound, Nate Biletnikoff works to protect the environment
Nov 11, 2016
Nate was attracted by the high-stakes challenges that oil companies face in protecting the environment, and by Shell’s approach to meeting those challenges.
Shell’s Fueling Education Fun Run Grows in Year Two
Oct 21, 2016
Second Year Event exceeds expectations by raising $52,000
Shell Puget Sound Refinery suspends permitting for crude-by-rail project
Oct 06, 2016
Economic conditions no longer support permitting of rail unloading facility
Two refinery colleagues look back on donating their kidneys to save others
Sep 27, 2016
Sheri Baker and Tod Johnson spend their days at Shell's Puget Sound Refinery designing and engineering systems to make the refinery and its neighbors safer. But they've got another thing in common: They both donated a kidney to help save the life of another person.
Refinery Issue Stabilized
Sep 07, 2016
The Shell Emergency Response Team has successfully concluded responding to the incident.
Operational Disruption at Puget Sound Refinery
Sep 07, 2016
Around 10:30am on Wednesday September 7th, the Shell Puget Sound Refinery experienced an operational disruption.
Shell and Boys & Girls Club partner to bring STEM education to area youth
Aug 26, 2016
Supporting STEM education is one of the Shell Puget Sound Refinery’s core social investment focus areas, and the refinery jumped at the opportunity this summer to partner with the Boys & Girls Club of Skagit County to launch their first ever STEM Summer Camp.
Refinery operator’s passion for photography takes to the skies
Aug 26, 2016
Eddie Murdock spends his work shifts as an operator at the Shell Puget Sound Refinery, but he’s best known for capturing the Anacortes area’s spectacular scenery in arresting photographs.
Shell retiree John Tursi’s legacy and legend will live on in the Tursi Trail
Jul 28, 2016
Few men leave behind a bigger legacy or a better life story than Anacortes icon and 23-year Shell employee John Tursi, who passed away earlier this year at 98.
Bellingham Technical College Process Technology students tour Shell Puget Sound Refinery
Jun 27, 2016
Process Technology students from Bellingham Technical College (BTC) recently visited the Shell Puget Sound Refinery (PSR) to get a closer look at process technology at work Process Technology students from Bellingham Technical College (BTC) recently visited the Shell Puget Sound Refinery (PSR) to get a closer look at process technology at work.
One of Shell's many coaches teaches the basics: "The team that plays the best catch wins."
Jun 21, 2016
When James Walker tackles the task of turning a bunch of 9-year-olds into a baseball team, he makes them play catch until they're really good at it.
From remote Africa, to round-the-world sailing, to teaching at the Puget Sound Refinery
May 12, 2016
From Shell facilities in Africa and The Netherlands, to sailing small boats across vast oceans, Teri Mandemaker has literally been around the world to get to her current role as Organizational Effectiveness and Learning manager for the Puget Sound Refinery.
Shell PSR Helps Make ‘Earth Day’ a Success at Bowman Bay
May 12, 2016
This year marks the 46th anniversary of Earth Day and Shell PSR was there to help make a difference.
Civil engineer Monick Estrada leaves no structure unclimbed to keep Shell Puget Sound Refinery workers safe
Apr 12, 2016
When Monick Estrada began her job hunt as a soon-to-graduate engineering student at the University of Alaska with an interest in the petroleum industry, she set high standards.
Shell Puget Sound Refinery hosts chemistry class from San Juan Center of Skagit Valley College
Mar 04, 2016
Demonstration on the “Mini-PSR distillation unit,” helps bring to life the chemical concepts being learned in the classroom.
Project Department gets down and dirty to help local Head Start
Feb 16, 2016
Shell Puget Sound Refinery Projects Department builds garden beds for Head Start in Mount Vernon so local children can grow their own flowers and vegetables.
PSR Donates $5,000 to support La Conner Waterfront Park
Oct 26, 2015
Shell supports students who demonstrate leadership attributes and personal ownership in the natural environment
Fun Run raises over $35,000 for Anacortes Schools Foundation
Oct 08, 2015
Inaugural event supports teacher grant application program in Anacortes Schools
Operational issue at Puget Sound Refinery
Jul 24, 2015
Friday morning around 11:00am the Shell Puget Sound Refinery experienced an operational disruption on-site. No injuries reported
Refinery issue stabilized
Jul 24, 2015
No injuries reported, work will continue throughout the weekend
Insulation Containing Asbestos Contained On-Site
May 16, 2015
Insulation Containing Asbestos Contained On-Site
Further update on Friday’s odor issue
Feb 23, 2015
Shell Puget Sound Refinery resolved to make sure an odor issue like this does not happen again.
Update on Friday’s Odor Issue
Feb 21, 2015
On Friday afternoon, we received some odor complaints at the Puget Sound Refinery as the result of planned maintenance on one of our facility’s flare systems. Refinery personnel responded to find and correct the source of the odor, and this maintenance activity was suspended.
Friday’s Odor
Feb 20, 2015
To Our Neighbors: Earlier today, we received some odor complaints as the result of planned maintenance on one of our facility’s flare systems. Refinery personnel responded to find and correct the source of the odor, and this maintenance activity was suspended.
PSR Supports Anacortes High School "Green Club" with Rain Garden Project
Shell supports Anacortes High School students in “Green Club” as they incorporated the latest environmental design methods to treat polluted water.
Early Learning highlighted at United Way Campaign Kickoff
Shell and Puget Sound Refinery employees pledged to raise $130,000 this campaign year to support the United Way’s efforts
PSR leads discussion at Anacortes Senior College
Shell Puget Sound Refinery leads discussion on the refining process at Anacortes Senior College