Shell Oil to expand in India

Global energy giant Shell Oil has "clear aspirations" to expand its operations in India as the country's energy sector expands, the company's President Bruce Culpepper has said.

"By 2050 world energy demand is projected to double, most of that growth will come from developing countries like India as its per person energy use is expected to increase more than 550 during that time frame," Culpepper said.

"About two-thirds of the India's electricity generation is currently coal based. One of the best ways to provide more energy with fewer emissions is to move from coal fired to gas fired power plants," he said in his keynote address at an event hosted by Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) here on Friday.

"This is one area where Shell can be part of the solution as we are now world's largest integrated gas player, with unmatched capabilities to produce or acquire natural gas, liquify it, load it to a specialised tanker and ship it where needed", the Shell president said.

"The environment in which we work is changing rapidly, thus creating considerable opportunity.

These opportunities exist for the people and economies of Houston and India, fostered by the efforts of the (IACCGH) that has been building bridges between the two countries for last over two decades',he said.

Due to its technical talent and growth, Shell wants to continue to be a trusted partner with the Indian government and the people of India by providing energy solutions.

"Shell is the only global oil company with a license to build a network of up to 2000 retail fuel stations", he said.

Shell and JSW Steel were the two companies that participated in the IACCGH programme.

Sharing statistics that showcased the tremendous growth in bilateral trade IACCGH President Joya Shuklaspoke of the Chamber'sinitiative to send business students from Houston to India to intern at companies there to provide a dual perspective on how business is conducted in the two countries.