New Delhi: State-owned oil marketing companies Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) have rejected recent claims of widespread contamination in ethanol-blended E20 petrol, saying an intensive nationwide testing exercise found fuel quality to be consistently within prescribed specifications.

The three companies said scientifically designed random tests conducted across the E20 fuel supply chain did not substantiate allegations of excessive chloride content or widespread moisture contamination. They maintained that there is “no cause for alarm” regarding the quality of E20 petrol being supplied to consumers.

The clarification comes amid concerns over the quality of Ethanol Blended Motor Spirit (EBMS), commonly known as E20 petrol, following reports alleging high chloride levels and possible water contamination.

Oil companies intensify E20 fuel monitoring

IOC, BPCL and HPCL said the Government of India has established stringent quality specifications for ethanol used in petrol blending, including limits on chloride content.

The companies said monitoring is carried out across the entire supply chain, covering refineries, ethanol distilleries, storage depots, terminals, tank trucks and retail outlets.

As part of the intensified surveillance programme, the oil companies have increased testing at fuel stations and deployed mobile fuel quality testing laboratories at various locations. Samples are also being independently validated through accredited fuel laboratories.

At retail outlets, the companies said water-ingress and density checks are being conducted eight to 12 times a day to identify potential contamination at the storage stage.

The companies said these measures are designed to ensure that fuel quality is maintained not only when petrol leaves a refinery but throughout transportation, storage and distribution.

Refinery samples record chloride below 1 ppm

The oil marketing companies said more than 100 randomly selected petrol samples collected from refineries across the country were tested for chloride content.

According to the results shared by the companies, all the samples recorded chloride levels of 1 ppm or below.

The companies said the findings demonstrate that the refining and dispatch systems are operating within prescribed quality parameters.

The results are significant because concerns over elevated chloride levels had raised questions about whether contamination was occurring before E20 petrol reached retail outlets.

However, the refinery-level testing did not indicate any widespread problem, according to IOC, BPCL and HPCL.

Ethanol samples from 80 distilleries tested

Testing was also extended to ethanol production facilities.

A dedicated task force consisting of officials from the three oil marketing companies and the Centre for High Technology (CHT) examined ethanol samples from 80 distilleries across the country over a period of 10 days.

The companies said every sample recorded chloride levels below 3 ppm, which was within the prescribed specification.

The findings, according to IOC, BPCL and HPCL, indicate that ethanol supplied for blending is also being subjected to robust quality-control procedures at the production stage.

Since ethanol is a key component of E20 petrol, testing the fuel at distilleries provides another checkpoint for identifying potential quality issues before the product enters the fuel distribution network.

Depot and terminal samples also meet standards

The companies said testing continued after ethanol and petrol left production facilities.

More than 80 samples collected from oil marketing company depots and terminals were tested, with chloride levels remaining below 3 ppm.

IOC, BPCL and HPCL said the results showed that the fuel continued to meet prescribed quality standards during storage and distribution.

The companies have highlighted this stage of testing because contamination can potentially occur during transportation or storage if fuel handling infrastructure is not properly maintained.

Regular testing at terminals and depots is therefore intended to provide another layer of protection before fuel reaches consumers.

Retail outlet testing finds only four isolated cases

The most extensive testing has taken place at petrol pumps.

The oil marketing companies said more than 1,000 samples have been collected as part of their intensified retail outlet surveillance programme. Of the samples analysed so far, 160 test reports showed chloride levels between 0 and 3 ppm.

The companies said these findings do not support claims that E20 petrol is routinely carrying chloride concentrations running into several hundred ppm.

However, the testing programme did identify four isolated instances of elevated chloride levels.

IOC, BPCL and HPCL said supplies at those locations were immediately suspended. The companies subsequently carried out root-cause investigations and implemented corrective measures before allowing operations to resume.

The companies said the isolated cases demonstrate the importance of continuous monitoring while also stressing that they do not indicate widespread contamination across the E20 supply chain.

Companies find no evidence of water ingress

The oil marketing companies have also addressed concerns about moisture or water contamination in underground fuel storage tanks.

According to IOC, BPCL and HPCL, around 90,000 retail outlets have started mandatory inspections and monitoring of underground storage tanks.

The tanks are reportedly being checked eight to 12 times daily for possible water ingress. The companies said inspections conducted so far have not found evidence of widespread water entering the storage systems.

Water contamination can affect fuel quality and potentially create operational problems, making regular checks particularly important as E20 becomes increasingly prevalent across India’s fuel network.

What the nationwide testing means for consumers

The latest findings from IOC, BPCL and HPCL suggest that the allegations of widespread E20 contamination are not supported by the testing conducted so far.

The companies have emphasised that quality checks are being carried out at multiple stages, from ethanol production and petroleum refining to storage, transportation and retail distribution.

The discovery of four isolated cases also shows why continuous surveillance remains necessary. Rather than indicating a nationwide contamination problem, the companies say these cases were identified through monitoring systems and corrective action was taken promptly.

For motorists, the companies’ message is that there is currently no reason for widespread concern over the quality of E20 petrol being supplied through the regulated fuel network.

Conclusion

IOC, BPCL and HPCL have rejected claims of widespread contamination in E20 petrol after conducting extensive tests across India’s fuel supply chain. More than 100 refinery samples, ethanol samples from 80 distilleries, over 80 terminal samples and more than 1,000 retail samples were examined as part of the intensified surveillance.

While four isolated cases of elevated chloride were detected, the affected supplies were suspended and corrective measures were taken. The companies also said inspections at around 90,000 retail outlets have found no evidence of water ingress so far.

The nationwide testing therefore provides reassurance about E20 fuel quality, while continued monitoring will remain important as ethanol blending becomes an increasingly significant part of India’s petrol supply