No Contamination Found In E20: Oil Companies Reject Safety Claims After Nationwide Tests

State-owned oil marketing companies Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) have rejected recent allegations of excessive chloride levels and moisture contamination in ethanol-blended E20 petrol, saying an intensive nationwide testing exercise found no evidence to substantiate the claims.

The three companies said scientifically designed random tests conducted across the entire E20 fuel supply chain confirmed that fuel quality remains within prescribed specifications and that there is “no cause for alarm.”

The clarification comes amid recent reports raising concerns over possible contamination in Ethanol Blended Motor Spirit (EBMS), commonly known as E20 petrol.

The oil marketing companies said the Government of India has prescribed stringent chloride limits for ethanol used in petrol blending and established a high-frequency monitoring system covering refineries, distilleries, depots, terminals and retail outlets.

As part of the strengthened surveillance, IOC, BPCL and HPCL said water-ingress and density tests are being conducted eight to 12 times a day at every retail outlet. Mobile fuel quality testing laboratories have also been deployed at various locations, while test results are being independently validated through accredited fuel laboratories.

The companies said more than 100 randomly selected petrol samples collected from refineries across the country recorded chloride levels of 1 ppm or below.

According to IOC, BPCL and HPCL, the results reaffirm the effectiveness of quality-control systems in India’s refining and dispatch processes and demonstrate that petrol leaving refineries consistently meets prescribed quality standards.

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

All samples recorded chloride levels below 3 ppm, the companies said, adding that the results indicate effective quality-control mechanisms at the ethanol production stage.

Testing conducted at depots and tank-truck terminals similarly found chloride levels below 3 ppm in ethanol and E20 petrol.

More than 80 samples collected from OMC terminals across the country met the prescribed chloride limits, the companies said. Regular monitoring is being carried out to ensure that fuel quality is maintained during storage and distribution.

Under an intensified monitoring programme, more than 1,000 samples have been collected from retail outlets nationwide.

Of these, 160 test reports analysed over the past few days showed chloride levels ranging from 0 to 3 ppm, according to the companies. They said the findings contradict allegations that E20 petrol contained chloride concentrations running into several hundred ppm.

The surveillance programme did identify four isolated cases of elevated chloride levels. Supplies at those locations were immediately suspended, followed by detailed root-cause analysis and corrective action before operations were restored.

No Evidence of Water Ingress

IOC, BPCL and HPCL also addressed concerns regarding moisture contamination.

The companies said around 90,000 retail outlets have begun mandatory inspections and monitoring of underground storage tanks. These tanks are being checked eight to 12 times a day.

So far, the inspections have found no evidence of water ingress, the companies said.

The three oil marketing companies reiterated that E20 petrol is being subjected to continuous quality monitoring across the supply chain and that available test results do not indicate any widespread contamination issue.