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Tom Purves

Motiva Mess, Tom Purves and Cronyism

Cronyism is partiality to long-standing friends, especially by appointing them to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications.

Posting on our Shell Blog by a regular contributor: Golden Triangle Watchman”

Re the Motiva article, so true…..How prophetic that the picture of Voser and the senior execs are sitting there opening a valve at the ceremony…. and ultimately, a valve just like it allowed caustic to get into the unit. This project was terrible from the start…bad idea started by Tom Purves….. Bad project team, led by Tom’s buddy Forrest Lauher, who had no idea how to run a project of this size, bad leadership throughout the project….. Tom decides to come save the project when in fact he has never worked on a major project and has no skills to actually deliver what he promised…. his cronies were dropped onto the project in various jobs…..Hartsock, Funkhouser, all with promises of making a difference…. meanwhile no one would speak up for fear of losing their job. The project finally falls on its face, only after Tom gets shipped out to Siberia. Everyone thought he would get paid a nice severance and retire but after this embarrassment, the senior Shell execs couldn’t pay Tom a nice payday. Tom then had to move on to Canada where he is now head of mining….. laughable. And his buddy Funkhouser is working on the next mega project…laughable…. he will somehow work his way up to Canada to be with his daddy Tom…. I’m sure he will wait until it warms up…. and old Forrest is now off in El Paso working for a small refinery company after being run off from Shell….. This is Shell’s finest. Tom, you are a joke. I hope you enjoy your stroll to the bank. Everyone else will when you leave. read more

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Shell buys naming rights for MacIsland expansion

By Vincent McDermott:

The expanded portion of the MacDonald Island Park project now has a name.

During Saturday’s State of the Island gala, Shell Albian Sands announced it was entering a $2.5 million partnership with the facility, renaming the expansion as Shell Place.

The facility, already the largest recreational centre in Canada, will include an outdoor performance stadium, a conference centre and several other features.

“Our commitment to the community is very strong and we think this is the way to show it,” said Tom Purves, vice-president of Shell Albian Sands. “A lot of people who work here are trying to make Fort McMurray a very great place to live, an even better place to live and this expansion will be a very big part of that.” read more

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Giant Port Arthur refinery unit seen shut for months

COMMENT POSTED ON OUR SHELL BLOG 12 JUNE 2012

Texvette: Is anyone surprised with the current issues with the new crude unit at Port Arthur. Word has it that: 1) the problems are much more severe than being reported, and 2) this is just “the tip of the iceberg”. Some wonder if the new $13 billion worth of units will ever start-up

Giant Port Arthur refinery unit seen shut for months

Published: Monday, 11 Jun 2012 | 4:15 PM ET HOUSTON (Reuters) – Output at the biggest U.S. refinery could be cut by more than half for up to five months after Motiva Enterprise’s <MOTIV.UL> failed to restart a major new crude unit at the Port Arthur, Texas, plant over the weekend, sources familiar with operations said on Monday.Just two weeks after partners Saudi Arabia and Royal Dutch Shell <RDSa.L> cut the ribbon on the new 325,000 barrel per day crude distillation unit that pushed the plant’s capacity to 600,000 bpd, jointly owned Motiva shut the unit to fix what was thought to be a leaking valve impairing production.After the CDU twice failed to restart over the weekend, the refinery found major issues that will take at least two months and potentially up to five months to repair, the two sources who have knowledge of the refinery’s operations said.The news pushed up cash fuel prices and lent support to gasoline futures, traders said. It weighed on oil prices in expectations that other buyers in the United States — which saw a spike in imports from Saudi Arabia this year — would have to absorb additional supplies the kingdom had already booked into the market.”The Saudi loadings to the U.S. had risen massively a few months ago, as they wanted to show they could put barrels in the market when requested — and they were very vocal about it — as well as starting to supply Motiva,” said Katherine Spector, commodity strategist at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) in New York.

“The question now will be how much storage space at Motiva was already filled, and will they need to divert barrels to other customers.”

The entire refinery has not been shut by the outage because the pre-expansion 285,000 bpd crude distillation unit, continues to operate. CDU units perform the initial refining of crude oil coming into the refinery and provide feedstock for all other production units.

While it is not unusual for new refinery units to experience operational teething pains when they are first commissioned, a shut-down lasting months would be a major embarrassment for Motiva and its owners after a landmark $10 billion upgrade. read more

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Tom Purves…GOOD RIDDANCE

From an insider…

Relieved in Port Arthur

Well, finally…. not the announcement that we all wanted to see, but good enough for us.

Tom Purves…GOOD RIDDANCE.

He is going to Upstream as an Operations Excellence VP. What a fall for this guy!!! We had hoped it would be a retirement notice. He now can slither off down I-10 and go ACT like he is adding value to Shell’s Upstream. This gets him finally out of Motiva and out of Port Arthur.

Tom, your legacy is a joke. You leave us nothing. This project ended up being overspent ( $12B, not $10B as Shell says in the media) and 2 years past due. read more

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Farewell message to Shell/Motiva VP Tom Purves

Posting on Shell Blog by Golden Triangle Watchman 2012/03/08 at 12:01 pm

As you can see, another power outage at Motiva Port Arthur. Going to really be interesting to watch this new albatross come up on rates and then have this 100 year old power supply keep shutting it down. Tom, why didn’t you fix the electrical system when you had the opportunity? Too busy counting your stock options I guess. Let Jeff do that for you and try to make a difference in your final days.

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

The reality is Shell can’t build a refinery anywhere

The article re Brinded and Nigeria on “why Shell can’t build a refinery in Nigeria” is comical… the reality is Shell can’t build a refinery anywhere…


Posting on our Shell Blog by a Shell/Motiva insider “Golden Triangle Watchman” on Mar 3rd, 2012 at 2:14 pm

The article re Brinded and Nigeria on “why Shell can’t build a refinery in Nigeria” is comical. Though the justification is correct, the reality is Shell can’t build a refinery anywhere. Just look at our own Port Arthur project. Under Tom Purves’s leadership, this ill fated concept got hatched. Everyone was happy in the early days, taking Port Arthur back to the glory days. Alas, the cit leaders didn’t plan on Tom and the project team bringing global help in here via Bechtel to do the work and therefore not impact the locals nearly as much as what had been advertised. Now, some 2 years late on the commitment for start-up and a price tag that will ultimately grow to $14B, Shell might just as well say ” Forget Nigeria…we can’t build a refinery anywhere. ” Tom’s legacy goes down the toilet with this project. He would do well to retire and at least give our team half a chance to run it well. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell Motiva VP Tom Purves falls victim to his own Game

By Joe Blow

It was with some elation that I heard of Mr. Purves’ fall from grace with his superiors. In fact I popped the cork on a fine bottle of wine that I have been saving for just such an occasion.  As I sipped my wine and imagined what must have happened, many theories ran through my mind, “Did Botts suddenly grow a brain”, “Did Williams realize what an idiot Purves was”, “Did Voser finally listen to the people”.  Unfortunately for so many, this is a measure of justice, not the absolute Justice we deserve. read more

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Todd Monette departure: “William T. Purves Swings his Heavy Axe Once More”

It is apparent Mr. Purves… feels that his most valued contribution is to spend his time getting rid of people who are both smarter and more capable then him.

As most of you have seen the insider posting regarding the un-timely departure of Todd Monette from his Technology Manager role at Deer Park Refinery, the word “Perseverance” comes to mind.  It is amazing to this writer that a VP in the Down Stream Manufacturing sector of a large integrated oil company has had nothing better to do for the last year and a half then to sit on high and grind his petty axes.  Seriously, you would think he might be concerned with managing cost structures in refining, constructing a blue goose of a ill thought out refinery expansion that has no market value, or other things consistent with what these blow hards do to earn their colossal salaries.  It is apparent Mr. Purves is not concerned with these things, he feels that his most valued contribution is to spend his time getting rid of people who are both smarter and more capable then him.  As has been previously mentioned here, Mr. Purves does not value others opinions when they differ from his.  The sad thing in this latest revelation is that it begs to question where will Mr. Purves stop?  He has already disposed of most of the more notable people that Mr. Monette has sponsored in his time as a senior leader with Shell/Motiva, I wonder how many others will get caught in his cross hairs.  When you look at the additional departures of James Rhame, and **** ******* at Port Arthur that were carried out the same day it becomes even more surprising.  So lets talk about Mr. Rhame, James was believed by many to be heir apparent to Monette at Port Arthur, Apparently not even his flipping over to Purves’ side could save him.  **** ******* is even more of a shocker as he was reportedly very close to Mr. Purves, I guess Mr. Purves must have questioned his allegiance since by the end of the Monette reign at Port Arthur Mr. ******* was perceived as being tight with Monette.  If I was Forrest Lauher, Steve Sanders, or Jeff “the Funk” Funkouser, I would be concerned. Only so many people can pile into that king sized bed at the lake, and you never know who will be next when it comes to Mr. William T Purves! read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell Motiva VP Tom Purves rewarding his loyal subjects

Greetings Folks,

Interesting developments regarding Thornal and Royer, Thanks for bringing them forward Golden Triangle Watchman, I had intended to but got rather busy of late.  Thornal was clearly an example of Purves rewarding his loyal subjects, Royer is a bit surprising.  You see folks Mr. Royer had intended or desired to work a few more years.  Of course, maybe the thought of being underling to the grossly incompetent and flagrantly arrogant Funk might have been to much for Leroy.  Or maybe Funk realized that Leroy was smarter than him and hence a threat.  Ordinarily I would feel sorry for Mr. Royer if it was not his desire to fade off in the sunset, however I don’t and I will tell you why.  Mr Royer is basically a pretty good guy with no guts, he didn’t have the stomach to stand up for his people in early 09 when 1.1 performers mysteriously from mid year review to end of year review became worthless pieces of crap.  As a leader you are duty bound to those below and above you, I dont fault Leroy for the way some people were treated in regards to their IPF, that was clearly above his head.  He did not however have to compromise his integrity and participate in slanderously fabricating untrue performance appraisals for these people.  I hope the shame I know you feel haunts you Leroy! read more

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Leaked Shell Email Announces Senior Staff Changes at Motiva US Refineries

By John Donovan

Rumors posted earlier today confirmed

A leaked email dated 25 September 2009 sent on behalf of Tom Purves (Royal Dutch Shell Vice President Manufacturing US Gulf Coast and Motiva Vice President of Manufacturing), announces senior staff changes involving the Motiva Norco Refinery, the Shell Norco Chemicals Plant and the Motiva Convent Refinery.

Certain information has been removed to protect our insider source.

THE LEAKED SHELL/MOTIVA INTERNAL EMAIL

From: Deroche, Liz O MOTIVA-DMM/60
Sent: Friday, September 25, 2009 8:33 AM
Subject: Senior staff changes involving the Motiva Norco Refinery, the Shell Norco Chemicals Plant and the Motiva Convent Refinery read more

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A long overdue response to “Uncle Tom’s” Shell Blog Post

For whatever reason inside me, something compels me to continue revisiting the post made by Uncle Tom

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Shell/Motiva CEO Bob Pease dragged into Tom Purves controversy

By John Donovan

The following is a self-explanatory email I sent earlier today to Robert (Bob) Pease, President & Chief Executive Officer of Motiva Enterprises LLC, which is jointly owned by a subsidiary of Saudi Aramco and Shell.

From the Motiva Website:

Formed in 1998, Motiva Enterprises LLC operates primarily in the eastern and southern United States. Its operations include nearly 7,700 Shell-branded gasoline stations, three refineries with a combined capacity of 740,000 barrels per day, and ownership interest in 41 refined product storage terminals with an aggregate storage capacity of approximately 19.8 million barrels. read more

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Right of reply extended to Jeff Funkhouser, Production Manager, Shell/Motiva

Dear Mr Funkhouser

You may have seen the email I sent yesterday to Tom Purves inviting him to provide for unedited publication on our website, his response to the serious allegations leveled against him by contributors to our Shell Blog facility.

As you are probably aware, you have also been a target for some equally serious allegations.

Leaving to one side abusive comments and rumors, here is a list of some of the main allegations: –

1. You have helped to create a climate of fear by bullying Motivia employees, brandishing a knife on one occasion when allegedly threatening to gut employees like a fish. read more

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A posting by Shell/Motiva Regional VP for Downstream Manufacturing on The Gulf Coast, Tom Purves?

It has been suggested by a knowledgeable source, that the Shell Blog posting below may have been made by Tom Purves, the Shell/Motiva Regional Vice President for Downstream Manufacturing on The Gulf Coast, sometimes referred to as "Uncle Tom" by a few contributors?

This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.