BENGALURU: Chevron, the American energy giant, has announced a significant investment of $1 billion in establishing a cutting-edge engineering and technology center in Bengaluru. This new facility, named the Chevron Engineering and Innovation Excellence Centre, or “The Engine,” marks a historic milestone for the 145-year-old company as it seeks to spearhead the development of affordable, reliable, and cleaner energy solutions on a global scale.
A strategic commitment to innovation
Akshay Sahni, the incoming head of Chevron India, emphasized the importance of this initiative, noting that it represents a unique commitment in Chevron’s history. “This is a world-class technology hub that will drive the innovations needed for the global energy transition,” Sahni stated in an interview with The Times of India (TOI). He highlighted the significance of providing employees with meaningful work that contributes to the critical challenge of delivering affordable energy while advancing a lower carbon future.
Chevron’s move to establish “The Engine” in Bengaluru places it in the company of other global energy giants like Shell, BP, Saudi Aramco, and Sabic, all of which have already set up technology and digital centers in India. Shell, in particular, has made substantial investments in its Indian operations, further solidifying the country’s reputation as a hub for energy innovation.
Leadership and vision
Akshay Sahni, a mechanical engineer from Punjab Engineering College with a PhD from Stanford, brings a wealth of global experience to his new role. Having worked for Chevron in various countries, including the US, Kazakhstan, Venezuela, China, Thailand, and Bangladesh over the past 26 years, Sahni is well-equipped to lead this ambitious project. His return to India, nearly 24 years after initially leaving for graduate studies, marks a personal and professional milestone as he relocates to Bengaluru to oversee Chevron’s new venture.
The engine’s role in global operations
The billion-dollar investment will be rolled out over the next five to six years, with Chevron planning to hire 600 employees across various disciplines, including mechanical, civil, petroleum, and computer science, by the end of 2025. The company is finalizing a long-term lease for office space in Bellandur, Bengaluru’s IT corridor, while temporary facilities have already been secured.
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The Engine will function as a global solutions center, supporting Chevron’s operations through cutting-edge work in digital technologies. Sahni explained that the focus will be on establishing digital labs, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence (AI) and neural networks. These labs will engage in a wide range of activities, from utilizing AI and machine learning to gain insights into subsurface geology, crucial for identifying prime locations for carbon storage and safer, more efficient drilling sites, to constructing digital twins of complex industrial facilities.
Harnessing robotics and advanced technologies
One of the key focus areas for The Engine will be robotics. Sahni pointed out that Chevron is already employing robotics in various capacities, such as their collaboration with Boston Dynamics to develop “Spot,” a four-legged robot. Spot can navigate industrial sites equipped with sensors and thermal cameras to monitor equipment and identify potential issues before they escalate into critical problems.
“Everything we do will be deeply rooted in AI, machine learning, high-performance computing, and robotics,” Sahni emphasized, underscoring the advanced technological foundation of The Engine. These efforts are expected to play a crucial role in optimizing global operations and ensuring a more reliable and efficient energy supply chain.
A vision for the future
Chevron’s investment in Bengaluru reflects the company’s strategic vision for the future of energy. By establishing The Engine, Chevron aims to lead the way in developing the technologies and innovations necessary for the global energy transition. This initiative not only strengthens Chevron’s presence in India but also underscores the country’s growing importance as a hub for technological innovation in the energy sector.
