a dedicated task force having members of the three OMCs and the Centre for High Technology (CHT) checked ethanol samples from 80 distilleries across India in the last 10 days
| Photo Credit:
Fahad Puthawala
The public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) said on Friday that more than 100 randomly selected petrol samples tested across refineries confirms that chloride content is consistently low, with all samples reported at or below 1 ppm (parts per million).Further, a dedicated task force having members of the three OMCs and the Centre for High Technology (CHT) checked ethanol samples from 80 distilleries across India in the last 10 days with all samples having a Chloride content of less than 3 ppm.The OMCs also tested ethanol and E20 samples at depots and terminals. More than 80 samples were collected from various OMC terminals, which showed chloride content below 3 ppm, said a consolidated statement on behalf of the three OMCs — Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL).Monitoring programmeUnder the intensified monitoring programme, more than 160 samples have been analysed for chloride content in the last few days and levels are in range of 0-3 ppm contrary to the claims of several hundred ppm, it added.The surveillance system identified only two isolated instances where elevated chloride levels were detected. These were suspended immediately, followed by detailed root-cause analysis and implementation of appropriate corrective measures before restoration of supplies, the statement pointed out.On water ingress testing, the statement said that about 90,000 retail outlets (ROs), or petrol pumps, have commenced mandatory inspection and monitoring of underground storage tanks. The underground tanks at ROs are being inspected 8–12 times every day and have not revealed any water ingress so far.The government has prescribed a stringent chloride specification for ethanol used in petrol blending and has instituted a high-frequency monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance across the entire supply chain.Chloride monitoring is being done at multiple point of supply chain including refineries, distilleries, depots/terminals and retail outlets nationwide, confirming that quality is being consistently maintained throughout the supply chain.SurveillanceBesides, OMCs have further strengthened surveillance by conducting water-ingress and density tests 8–12 times daily at every retail outlet. Mobile fuel quality testing laboratories have also been deployed across locations, while test results are being independently validated through fuel laboratories to ensure the highest standards of quality assurance, the statement said.Amid recent media reports on moisture and chloride in ethanol blended motor spirit, or E20 petrol, the OMCs carried out a nationwide additional intensive testing covering the entire EBMS supply chain, it added.“The findings reaffirm that fuel quality remains consistently well within prescribed limits. Contrary to certain assertions being made, there is no evidence of any alarm on account of fuel contamination validated by extensive and scientifically designed tests,” the statement emphasised.Published on August 7, 2026
