About Shell

Shell is a global group of companies in energy and petrochemicals, employing 103,000 people and operating in over 70 countries. Headquartered in London UK, the oil behemoth is serving more than 1 million commercial and industrial customers, Shell also caters to around 33 million daily customers at its over 47,000 retail service stations worldwide.

Shell - Evolution of the Brand Name

The Shell name was first used in the late 19th century, inspired by seashells imported by Marcus Samuel senior. By 1897, the Shell name became synonymous with the Shell Transport and Trading Company. After merging with Royal Dutch in 1907, the company became known as Royal Dutch Shell, though "Shell" remained the commonly used brand name.

Shell History from Seashells to Oil and Beyond 

Shell's history began in 1833 when Marcus Samuel, initially dealing in antiques, expanded his London business to sell seashells from the Far East. This led to the creation of an import-export business that would evolve into a global energy giant. By the late 1800s, his sons, Marcus Jr. and Samuel ventured into the oil export business. In 1892, they revolutionised oil transport by commissioning the first oil tanker, Murex, which passed through the Suez Canal.

In 1907, Shell merged with Royal Dutch to form the Royal Dutch Shell Group, marking the company's birthday as April 23. The 20th century saw rapid expansion, with Shell becoming a major supplier during both World Wars, pioneering fuel innovations, and making significant oil discoveries worldwide. In the post-war years, Shell focused on exploration in Africa, South America, and the Gulf of Mexico, and began offshore drilling.

Through the late 20th century, Shell faced challenges like fluctuating oil prices and environmental concerns but continued to innovate with technologies such as gas-to-liquids and offshore drilling advancements. In 2005, Shell reorganised into Royal Dutch Shell PLC. The company expanded into renewable energy in the 2010s and invested in significant projects like the Prelude floating LNG (Liquified Natural Energy) facility.

Shell in India

Shell's journey in India began in 1928. Since then its operations are diversified across four key sectors: Upstream, Integrated Gas, Downstream, and Projects & Technology. Each of these sectors plays a significant role in supporting India’s energy needs and the country’s transition to a low-carbon future.

Upstream

Through its subsidiary, BG Exploration and Production India Limited, Shell holds a 30% interest and is the joint operator of the Panna-Mukta oil and gas fields. The company focuses on exploring and developing new reserves of oil and natural gas, leveraging advanced technology to maximize resource extraction while contributing to India's growing energy demand.

Integrated Gas

Shell is actively working to bridge supply chain gaps in India’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sector. With strategic investments, Shell is facilitating India’s transition to a lower-carbon energy mix by increasing the use of natural gas, which plays a critical role in reducing emissions and diversifying the country’s energy sources.

Downstream

Shell’s Downstream business in India encompasses lubricants and retail services. The company is a leader in the lubricants industry, involved in the full supply chain, from manufacturing base oils to distributing finished lubricants in over 100 countries. Shell’s retail network spans five Indian states—Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, where it provides high-quality fuels and lubricants to millions of customers, supporting the country's transportation and industrial sectors.

Projects & Technology

Shell is at the forefront of innovation in India, focusing on the digitalisation of core businesses. The company is pioneering the use of technologies like mobile apps, drone inspections, 3D printing for equipment prototyping, and blockchain platforms to enhance operational efficiency and create new business models. Shell's Projects & Technology division plays a key role in delivering development projects and research that drive low-cost, sustainable energy solutions.

Shell Business Operations

Shell’s business operations in India are expanding rapidly, contributing to the company’s global finance operations. This includes managing reporting and analysis, taxation, compliance, data management, and analytics. The Indian operations play a critical role in Shell’s broader global strategy to serve as one of the fastest-growing business locations.

Key Facts About Shell

• Workforce: 103,000 employees as of December 2023.

• Global Presence: Operations in more than 70 countries.

• Mobility Leadership: World's largest mobility retailer by number of sites, serving 33 million customers daily.

• EV Infrastructure: Over 54,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points available at Shell stations and other locations.

• Women in Leadership: 32% are women in senior leadership positions.

• R&D Investment: Shell spent $628 million on Research and Development (R&D) in 2023, contributing to decarbonisation.

• Biofuels Production: Shell used 9.7 billion litres of biofuels in its fuels in 2023.

• LNG Sales: Shell sold 67 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2023.

• Oil & Gas Production: Shell produced 2,791 kboe/d (thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day) in 2023.

• Power Sales: 279 TWh (terawatt hours) of power sold in 2023.

• Carbon Intensity Reduction: Achieved a 6.3% reduction in the net carbon intensity of the energy products sold by the end of 2023, compared with 2016.

• Low-Carbon Energy Investment: Shell invested $5.6 billion in low-carbon energy solutions in 2023.

• Non-Energy Products Investment: Shell invested $2.3 billion in non-energy products in 2023.

Shell is continuously working to meet current and future energy demand and supply with substantial investments in research and development aimed at decarbonisation. In 2023, Shell spent $628 million on R&D, helped reduce carbon intensity by 6.3%, and reduced emissions from operations by 31% compared to 2016 levels.

Shell Oils

​Shell's extensive range of oil products includes:

Engine Oils

Shell provides a variety of engine oils designed for different vehicle types. Their flagship products include:
Shell Helix: Synthetic motor oils that enhance engine performance and cleanliness.
Shell Rimula: Heavy-duty engine oils designed for commercial vehicles, offering superior protection under extreme conditions.

Lubricants

Compressor Oils
The Shell Corena range is designed for air compressors, providing enhanced wear protection and long oil life.

Gear Oils
The Shell Omala series offers industrial gear oils that ensure optimal performance and longevity.

Hydraulic Fluids
The Shell Tellus range is formulated to meet the demands of various hydraulic systems.

Specialty Oils
Shell also produces specialty oils for specific applications such as:

Transformer Oils
The Shell Diala range provides excellent heat transfer properties essential for electrical transformers.

Turbine Oils

The Shell Turbo series protects turbines from corrosion while minimising deposits in bearings.

Shell's Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) Technology

Shell is a pioneer in Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) technology, which converts natural gas into high-quality liquid products. This innovative process results in cleaner fuels and lubricants with minimal impurities compared to traditional crude oil-derived products. GTL offerings include:

• GTL Fuels
• GTL Base Oils
• GTL Process Oils

Shell in Motorsports

Shell’s involvement in motorsports dates back to 1905 when a Shell-powered car won the RAC Tourist Trophy. Over the years, Shell has supported numerous winning teams and drivers, including Ferrari, Porsche, and Ducati. Here are the notable achievements of the company:

1907: Prince Borghese won the Peking to Paris rally using Shell Spirit motor oil.
2004: Michael Schumacher secured his fifth consecutive F1 championship with Shell-powered Ferrari.
2016: Porsche won Le Mans (​24-hour automobile endurance racing event) using Shell V-Power LM24 fuel.

Shell's innovations in motorsports, like Shell V-Power fuel and Shell Helix Ultra oil, also contribute to advancements in products available at retail stations, improving fuel efficiency for everyday consumers. In 2017, Shell played a key role in improving Ferrari’s F1 engine performance, contributing to 23% of the efficiency gains.

World Records

Shell is known for breaking records, including Mercedes F1 setting an average speed record of 268mph in 1938 using Shell fuel, a record that still stands. Additionally, the Shell Eco-marathon record for the greatest distance traveled on 1 litre of fuel stands at 3771km, achieved by a French team in 2009.

With a rich legacy of innovation and a clear vision for a sustainable future, Shell continues to lead the way in providing the world with cleaner, more reliable energy solutions.