Indian Oil becomes fourth refiner globally to make reference fuels

Team Blitz India

NEW DELHI: Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) began producing reference petrol and diesel, enabling India joina select league of nations that produce the highly specialised fuel which is used for testing automobiles. Launching the fuel, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the start of production of ‘reference’ fuel is another step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) as it will end imports.

Puri said there are only three suppliers of reference oil in the world including US giant Chevron. IOC’s Paradip refinery in Odisha will produce ‘reference’ grade petrol and its Panipat unit in Haryana will produce such quality diesel.

These fuels, which have higher specifications, are critical for calibrating and testing by automobile manufacturers and testing agencies like the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) and the Automotive Research Association of India. For decades, India has relied on imports to meet the demand for these specialised fuels.

IOC has indigenously developed products that will replace imports, ensuring a reliable supply at a much lower cost for vehicle manufacturers and testing agencies.