GUWAHATI:
Union minister of state for petroleum and natural gas Rameswar Teli, on April 30, rolled out Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL)’s new brand M15 Petrol (15% blend of methanol with petrol) at Assam Agencies in Tinsukia.
It was informed that the new variety of fuel, besides reducing pollution, will also strengthen India’s energy Aatmanirbharta and reduce pollution.
In its effort to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels, the Union government has envisaged an ambitious roadmap for the energy sector with a greater focus on Methanol Economy.
Accordingly, as envisaged by Niti Aayog and in line with the philosophy of making India self-sufficient in energy requirements, the rollout of M15 Petrol (a 15% blend of methanol with petrol) has been taken up by Indian Oil on a pilot basis.
The pilot rollout is being done in Tinsukia due to the ready availability of methanol which is being manufactured by the state-run Assam Petrochemical Ltd, Namrup in the vicinity of Digboi.
The concept of the Methanol Economy is currently being actively pursued by countries like China, Japan, Italy, Sweden, the US, Australia, Israel, and many other European countries. Methanol has become the choice of fuel in the marine sector worldwide, and countries like Sweden are at the forefront of usage.
During the inauguration, Teli underlined that the “petroleum ministry is working towards reducing imports” and also said that blending of fuel with methanol will provide respite from price hikes.
Teli also highlighted the future expansion plans of Digboi Refinery. “The use of M15 fuel is expected to have a positive impact on import substitution and is expected to save billions of dollars in fuel import bills,” Teli said.
Speaking on the occasion, IOCL chairman SM Vaidya said, “Pilot roll-out of M15 is a stepping stone towards achieving fuel independence and reducing import burden” and further underlined the steps being undertaken by Indian Oil to make India energy self-sufficient.
Niti Ayog member Dr VK Saraswat, IOCL chairman SM Vaidya, Assam Petrochemicals Ltd chairman Bikul Deka and other senior officials of the oil industry were also present at the programme.