Shell India Environmental Innovations at Fuel Retail Stations
With commitments to invest over $750 million (U.S.) in India, the Shell Group has interests in natural gas (LNG), lubricants, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), petrochemicals and solar energy in India.
In August 2004, Shell gained a license from the Indian Government to set up a network of 2,000 retail stations across the country, with 5.5% being in remote areas. Since the beginning, eco-friendly technology and practices have been incorporated as an integral part of the designs of those retail stations, which have begun operations in Bangalore since November of the same year.
A team comprised of TERI staff visited a number of sites and reported back on how Shell addressed some of the environmental and societal concerns with innovative sustainable practices embedded in their business operations. These include:
- A glass fiber reinforced plastic system of fuel storage tanks incorporating double walls equipped with electronic leakage sensors, which is a new feature in India
- High-density polyethylene flexible pipelines (assuring the continuity of the pipelines)
- Staff training on safe handling of petroleum products
- Reinforced concrete forecourts creating an impervious surface, thus protecting soil
- Drainage systems on forecourts that capture spills and canalize it to an oil-water separator thus preventing oil discharge to sewerage systems; the separated oil is mixed with saw dust for incineration, while water is treated for re-use
- Diversity in the workplace by creating favorable conditions for people with disabilities and women to work at the outlets
- Technology transfer to Indian manufacturers
- Local sourcing wherever possible
As Vikram Singh Mehta, chairman of Shell Group of Companies in India, says: “The common thread linking all of Shell’s activities is a commitment to further not simply the interest of its shareholders, but that of society at large.”
