Shell to open 75 more fuel stations in India

Shell, the only global petroleum major to have a retail presence in India, announced that it plans to open 75 more fuel stations in the country by year-end, taking the total number to 100. “We have 26 stations now and we want to make it 100 by the end of the year,” a company spokesperson said. The company has a license to operate 2,000 fuel stations in India, but would like to move cautiously, he added. Asked whether the company would go it alone or adopt the franchise model, the spokesman said, “We will adopt that model when franchise partners are willing to adopt best practices in environment and safety management.” (February 19, 2007)