INTERVIEW: Shell India taps AI to optimize energy output, productivity

Shell is rapidly integrating artificial intelligence for predictive analytics, process optimization and cost reduction across its energy assets in India to optimize supply chains and expedite the delivery of lower-carbon energy in the country, Mansi Madan Tripathy, chairperson of Shell Group of Companies India, said in an exclusive interview with Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, on April 9.

Tripathy, who is also senior vice president, Shell Lubricants, Asia Pacific, said AI is increasingly becoming a critical enabler across energy systems -- driving advancements from smarter exploration and efficient manufacturing to agile trading and personalized customer solutions.

"In India, this shift is particularly transformative. AI and advanced digital technologies are becoming powerful drivers of productivity and competitiveness, accelerating electrification and energy use even as the world advances through the energy transition," she said. "The opportunity is to ensure that digital growth and the energy transition strengthen each other."

According to Shell's 2026 India-focused scenario report, the country's energy demand is expected to surpass that of the US in the 2040s and China in the 2060s, positioning India as a prominent global energy consumer. Over the past decade, India's energy demand has risen by nearly 40%, driven by rapid economic and population growth, the report said.

Digital expansion

In December 2025, Shell and energy technology company SLB formed a strategic collaboration to develop digital and AI solutions that drive measurable performance and efficiency gains across upstream operations for the company and the wider industry. The partnership focuses on agentic AI tools that enhance expert decision-making and on building a secure, open data and AI infrastructure to unify subsurface, well construction and production workflows.

"Real-time production optimization is improving efficiency across our assets. In subsurface, our partnership with SLB is delivering AI-enabled seismic interpretation workflows that reduce cycle times and accelerate decision-making," Tripathy said.

Shell is already applying AI at scale across energy operations.

"For example, in LNG operations, real-time sensor data and AI models are optimizing equipment settings for higher efficiency," Tripathy said. "For retail fuel customers, our smart charging algorithm reduces electric vehicle charging costs and supports lower-carbon mobility. We are moving from experimentation to enterprise deployment, with AI now shaping how we operate and maintain assets."

She said that Shell in India is positioning itself as an integrated energy company by building a portfolio that aligns with India's energy transition journey while also meeting its energy security requirements. While renewables are expected to drive a significant share of future expansion in energy demand and supply, gas is anticipated to remain a critical transition fuel, according to Tripathy.

Shell operates the Hazira LNG terminal, which is a key import and regasification facility in India. The terminal supports both industrial and city gas distribution.

Shell maintains a substantial presence in fuel retail, operating more than 325 stations across India. The company also provides customers with an integrated mobility experience through high-quality fuels, premium lubricants, EV charging facilities and convenience retail services.

"This balanced pathway allows us to responsibly meet today's energy needs while investing in and enabling cleaner energy systems for tomorrow," Tripathy said. "By focusing on our strengths across LNG, renewables, traditional fuels, lubricants, digital solutions and EV mobility, we aim to deliver more value with lower emissions to support India's long-term energy ambitions."

Acquisitions aid growth

Lubricants remain a strong growth pillar for Shell in India, according to Tripathy. "The recent acquisition of Raj Petro Specialities has strengthened our position in specialty fluids and further broadened our industrial and original equipment manufacturer offering, creating new synergies across the lubricants value chain," she said. Shell said in July 2025 that it had completed the acquisition of Raj Petro Specialities.

Together with its joint venture partners, Reliance and ONGC, Shell completed India's first offshore decommissioning project in May 2025, safely removing facilities from the mid and south Tapti fields. "Delivering a project of this scale in complex offshore conditions highlights Shell's technical capability, safety culture and execution excellence," Tripathy said.

Shell finalized a deal in 2022 with Actis Solenergi Ltd. to acquire 100% of Solenergi Power Pvt. Ltd. for $1.55 billion and, with it, Sprng Energy group of companies.

Estimates from multiple industry platforms suggest that data centers' power capacity could rise from about 1 GW today to 5-6 GW by 2030, driving about 33% of compound annual growth in power demand from the sector and creating a bankable load for new solar and wind projects, according to Tripathy.

"This momentum is further strengthened by the government's IndiaAI Mission, which expands shared compute capacity, data access, skills development and innovation across priority sectors, including energy," Tripathy said.

The convergence of digital initiatives and investments in energy infrastructure is anticipated to support India's economic growth while reinforcing the commercial and policy foundations essential for the country's broader energy transition, she said.