Shell begins lobbying for rights to sell jet fuel
Shell is believed to be lobbying hard to enter the market for the sale of Aviation Turbine Fuel (jet fuel) at Indias airports.
One hint of this was a lunch at the Taj Mansingh hotel in Delhi on 19th January after the MoU signing with ONGC where Shell had invited civil aviation minister Praful Patel. Contacted by PETROWATCH, Patels office confirms he was invited to the lunch with Shells Vikram Singh Mehta and visiting gas and power chief Linda Cook but couldnt attend due to a prior commitment.
Deputy chairman of the planning commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia was also invited but likewise unable to attend. One theory gaining ground is that Shell wants to buy ATF from ONGCs Mangalore refinery.
During his speech Mehta stressed Shell is the only multinational in India with a retail licence to sell fuel. India is upgrading its airports and has invited bids from private and public sector companies to set up jet fuel stations.