Chevron is making its largest investment outside the US by establishing the $1 billion Engineering and Innovation Excellence Center (ENGINE) in Bengaluru, India. The initiative aims to leverage India’s engineering and technological expertise to support Chevron’s global operations and drive advancements in sustainable energy.
Akshay Sahni, SPE, the incoming country head for Chevron India and a Stanford PhD graduate, sees this as a transformational step in integrating India’s talent into the company’s worldwide energy projects.
“It’s India’s time,” Sahni said. “Bengaluru has massive scientific talent, and I am thrilled that we will be building a team here which will be at the very nexus of solving today’s energy challenges and delivering tomorrow’s lower carbon energy solutions.”
ENGINE will go beyond traditional back-office functions, focusing on cutting-edge engineering and digital services. The center will specialize in geotechnical analysis, predictive maintenance using machine learning, digital twin technology for refineries, artificial intelligence-driven subsurface analysis, and live data streaming for real-time decision-making. These efforts will enhance efficiency in oil and gas production, carbon capture, and refinery operations.
The center will play a crucial role in Chevron’s deepwater projects, such as the Anchor Project, where drilling occurs at depths exceeding 34,000 ft below sea level. It will also support global carbon sequestration initiatives, helping identify the best geological reservoirs for CO₂ storage.
Chevron has started hiring key leadership personnel and aims to recruit 600 employees by the end of 2025, with further expansion planned. The company is seeking top-tier talent in engineering fields such as mechanical, chemical, petroleum, civil, structural, electrical, and computer science, as well as specialists in geology and environmental sciences.
ENGINE’s establishment aligns with India Energy Week 2025, an industry conference hosted by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry. This event will bring together industry leaders to discuss emerging technologies, safety standards, and the role of human factors in energy sector advancements.
With this initiative, Chevron joins a growing list of global corporations investing in India’s technological and engineering capabilities, reinforcing the country’s role as a major player in energy innovation and sustainability.