Are Shell Gas Stations Privately Owned?
2 Answers
Shell gas stations are privately owned, operating their retail business through more than 10 joint ventures and wholly-owned enterprises. In China, Shell has established cooperative relationships with CNPC, Sinopec, CNOOC, and Yanchang Petroleum. Currently, Shell owns over 1,500 gas stations in 21 provinces and municipalities across China, as well as in the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions. Gas station precautions: 1. No smoking: Prohibiting open flames is a common warning seen everywhere at gas stations. For those who have the habit of smoking a cigarette while parked, this habit must not be brought to gas stations. This is because the concentration of gasoline in the unit space increases during refueling, and open flames could potentially ignite the gasoline. 2. Turn off the engine while refueling: Most car owners are aware that the engine should be turned off during refueling, and gas station staff will remind drivers to do so when they arrive. However, at some self-service or smaller gas stations, instances of refueling without turning off the engine have been observed.
The question about Shell gas stations is quite interesting. As someone who frequently drives long distances, based on my experience, Shell, being a global brand, doesn't necessarily operate all its gas stations directly. Many are actually run by private owners who lease Shell's brand and supply system, somewhat like a franchise model. For example, last year during a road trip to a small town in the south, the owner of the Shell station there was a local. He chatted warmly with me, explaining that it was his privately invested small business but he had to comply with Shell's fuel standards and branding. So, when you say a Shell station is privately owned, you're probably right, especially in remote areas. Consumers don't need to worry too much about ownership; what matters is that the fuel quality and service are safe and reliable.