The Hindu : Business : ‘Pollution begins when conservation fails’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 17, 2008
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‘Pollution begins when conservation fails’

K. Venkiteswaran

Oil and gas conservation fortnight being observed

Oil companies upgrading technology
to produce cleaner fuels
Oil import bill for 2006-07 stood at
Rs. 2,60,380 crore

KOCHI: Ever increasing dependence on fossil fuels and the resulting environmental impact have reached alarming levels. The country imports more than 71 per cent of its crude oil. Oil import bill for 2006-07 stood at Rs. 260,380 crore, an increase of more than 32 per cent over the previous year.

This unprecedented increase and over dependence on other countries for our energy needs make conservation efforts more important for sustaining the country’s economy.

It is against this background that the public sector oil companies have joined the Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) to observe the second half of January as the Oil and Gas Conservation Fortnight. A note prepared by the oil companies pointed out that the transport sector consumed the major share of petro-fuels in the country — more than fifty-one per cent.

Awareness programmes

Studies have proved that by following simple tips, we can save up to ten per cent spending on fuel. ‘Pollution begins when conservation fails,’ is the new buzz in the oil sector, the note pointed out.

During the fortnight, there will be awareness programmes for those in the organised and unorganised sectors. Clinics for housewives to ‘make the cylinder last longer’ are being organised in the domestic sector.

The industrial sector comes next to the transport sector in the consumption of petro-fuels.

Training programmes on efficient utilisation of fuels and lubricants in various types of industries will be organised. Industries with higher consumption of fossil fuels will be targeted.

Oil companies, on their part, are continuously upgrading their technology and manufacturing facilities to produce better and cleaner fuels and lubricants. The fuels produced now meet the stringent Euro specifications, claimed the note.

Blending ethanol

Oil companies have already started blending ethanol (a bio-fuel) with petrol and technology for blending bio-diesel with HSD is also in place. Production of Jatropha and Karanjia is also being pursued in association with various agencies.

World crude oil reserves are estimated to be around 1,64,500 million tonnes. Out of this, 1,23,600 million tonnes is with OPEC (75 per cent). Reserves in our country are estimated to be at 756 million tonnes (only 0.46 per cent of the world reserves).

During the last year, the total global production of crude oil was 3,914 million tonnes with OPEC contributing 1,633 million tonnes (42 per cent) and 33.99 million tonnes being drilled out from Indian territory.

The country’s dependence on import is increasing each year. This increase in demand coupled with increasing crude prices is putting pressure on India’s balance of trade. Oil import bill is spiralling over the years.

Hence, there is more reason to conserve scare resources and it is in this spirit that the oil companies are observing the conservation fortnight.

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