Shell plans large technology centre

Shell on Tuesday announced that it will open in the latter half of the year the Shell Technology India (STI), its latest technology centre in Bangalore.

Presently, Shell has major research and development facilities in Houston (USA) and at Rijswijk and in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Bangalore will be the third key location for Royal Dutch Shell technology.

The centre is due to open in the second half of 2006 and will move to a purpose-built campus in 2009. The company aims to grow to over 1,000 people as quickly as the business will allow, making it one of the largest such establishments in the city.

Recruitment has already started on the initial phase, says Greg Lewin, president of Shell Global Solutions.

The attraction and retention of top Indian technical talent has been a major driver in establishing centre. Bangalore has been chosen as the base since the city has become a centre of Indian science and technology's development and offers an inspiring environment for top talent to work and live.

The Bangalore centre will deliver high-end technical studies, projects and services for Shell across the globe apart from supporting interests in India.

The services will span upstream exploration and production activities as well as downstream refinery and chemical operations.

The Shell centre will provide the firm access to cutting-edge Indian talent. "The centre will commence as an equal player in Shell global technical networks, fully integrated in their work programs and under the guidance of its new president, Bob Frith, the centre aims to be world class," according to Vikram Singh Mehta, chairman, Shell Companies in India.

The new technology centre will contribute to the oil industry knowledge infrastructure in India. It will open the doors for Indian graduates to work on assignments in India and around the world. Staff that join STI will in have an opportunity to become part of a truly global network.

The technology centre will look to establish close links with industry and academia. As part of the programme, Shell will start a joint project with the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, in the area of seismic processing as well as discussing different projects with other IITs.