A workshop on ‘Auto Fuels Quality: Towards a Clean Environment’ was organized in December 2002 in New Delhi by the Indian School of Petroleum (ISP). Inaugurated by Dr DK Biswas, Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board, it was an invaluable forum for the Indian hydrocarbon industry to understand the future automobile fuel quality requirements and to assess the impacts on the environment.
The timing of this workshop coincided with the submission of the report of the Expert Committee on Auto Fuel Policy submitted to the Government. Post-administered pricing mechanisms coupled with dimensions in disinvestment of public sector oil companies, threw up challenges relating to investments required for implementing the road-map suggested by the Committee for meeting future product quality standards of automotive fuels.
The workshop intended to focus attention on the strategies that need to considered by addressing the environmental concerns, alternative fuel options, suitable refining technology routes and other challenges associated with changes in future fuel quality.
From L to R: Dr Bhatnagar, Director (R&D), Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Dr Parag Diwan, Chief Operating Officer, Indian School of Petroleum, Mr AP Chaudhri, former Director (Pipelines & Refineries), IOC. and Dr DK Biswas, Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board
The workshop provided an opportunity not only to the hydrocarbon industry, but also to research institutes, automobile manufacturers, environmental and health experts to share their views. Speakers included industry stalwarts like Mr AK Bhatnagar, Director (R&D), Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Mr S Singhal, Director, Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun, Mr M Rohtagi, Director (Refineries), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, Mr CN Trivedi, Executive Director, GAIL (India) Ltd, among others.
The workshop was very enthusiastically attended by more than forty delegates from the oil and automobile companies, and thus enabled cross-fertilization of ideas.
Courtesy: Mr Vikas Narula, Manager - Business Operations, Indian Institute of Petroleum, New Delhi
Tel: 91-11-26405411; Fax: 91-11-26405423 Email: mpower_india@vsnl.net