James Autin Powers Progress with Project Zero
Shell CEO Ben van Beuren created the Shell CEO Powering Progress Award, a global award in which Shell nominated over 1,000 projects. Danos employee James Autin, who serves as tank cleaning focal point at Shell’s Fourchon Shorebase, was a team member for Project Zero. Over 1,000 projects were nominated globally, and Project Zero was selected by Shell leadership as one of the top three projects in the Respecting Nature category. The top three projects will be voted on by all Shell employees to determine the winner. Here is an overview of Project Zero:
Award Category: Respecting Nature
Short Summary:
Wash water is one of the largest sources of waste generated by Shell. A proactive effort was started to solve this problem by a grassroots team in Gulf of Mexico. The result is the successful commercialization of a technology to recycle nearly 100% of this waste stream. This is leading a new industry to recycle waste. The initiative is one of many successful examples in Project Zero that have delivered towards respecting nature and one that can and will be replicated across the globe.
The Solution/Action:
Project Zero - A multi discipline/cross-business team found, developed and commercialized a technology to recycle this water. The Project Zero team tested and developed a technology called electrocatalytic oxidation. It was proven to recycle wash water at a fraction of the cost of disposal, using no fuel or chemicals.
The team created test plans, coordinated sample collection, organized bench trials, oversaw water quality testing, performed commercial and technical analyses, cleared regulatory roadblocks, and performed HSSE risk assessments. This created a new product service line for our tank cleaning providers where none previously existed. Supply chain experts developed a strategy to incentivize our provider to invest with zero capital cost to Shell by redirecting funds allocated for waste to this project. A full-scale field trial was completed mid-2021.
This disruptive technology is shifting the landscape for the waste industry. Wash water disposal is a $10-20MM/year industry in Port Fourchon. To expand the impact and value, this technology has been shared with our competitors. Shell will benefit from this due to economy of scale. This has the potential to reduce waste generated by ALL operators by 30% or more, all led by Shell and Project Zero.
Project Zero Team:
- James Autin
- Warren Moity
- Przemyslaw Gluszko
- Stuart Lindeman