The I0C experience
INDIAN Oil Corporation (IOC), a leading petroleum refining and marketing company, is a "low-profile, high-performance company" with a proactive approach to environment manage- ment. All its refineries meet the minimum national standards (MINAS) for effluent treatment. Additionally, it has an in-house system of environmental audit by multidisciplinary teams. Each refinery has a full-fledged safety and environment protection cell for constant monitoring of ambient air and effluent quality, and occupational health centres with latest equipment and qualified personnel.
Its Mathura refinery is the first in Asia and the third in the world to earn the highest accreditation in environment management - the British Standard (Bs 7750) and iso 14001 certificates. ioc's R&D centre at Faridabad, which; celebrates its silver jubilee this year, has developed eco-fri@idly-and biodegradable lubricants.
The company's bulk storage installations and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) bottling plants have green belts which act as pollution sinks. The protective cover of trees has also been steadily augmented at retail outlets and residential complexes. To arrest deforestation, particularly in the hills, ioc has launched special schemes to promote use Of LPG and kerosene so that use of firewood is minimised, if not eliminated.
ioc's commitment to environment protection is reflected in its attempts at continuous improvement by adopting cleaner technology. The Mathura refinery has switched over to using natural gas, reducing sulphur dioxide (s02) emissions. A state-of-the-art hydrocracker unit is also being set up to enhance the quality and yield of value-added products like petrol, diesel and kerosene and further reduce S02 emissions.
The Mathura refinery's success in environment management is reflected in the beautifully landscaped ecological park and a mini bird sanctuary developed around its treated effluent polishing ponds. Treated effluent water from several refineries is used by local farmers for irrigation. There are ecological parks in the vicinity of several other refineries also.
As part of the petroleum ministry's 10-point action plan for the preservation of the eco-sensitive Taj Trapezium area in Agra, ioc has started supplying low-lead and low-sulphur diesel in the area. LPG connections for households are also being made available across the counter. Preferential allocation Of LPG to industrial and commercial establishments has led to its increased use as a replacement for firewood and coal. To create a green belt, the Mathura refinery planted 50,000 saplings in 1996-97 in association with the state forest department. Another 50,000 saplings are to be planted in 1997-98.
ioc has taken a lead in the introduction of green fuels. Unleaded petrol was introduced in the four metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Chermai and Calcutta and on select radial routes from April 1995. Its supply will be further extended to the state capitals by 1998 and throughout the country by the year 2000. Low-sulphur diesel was introduced in the metros in April 1996 and in other parts of the country in April 1997. To meet the increasing demand for low-lead and unleaded petrol, ioc has commissioned a catalytic reformer unit at its Barauni refinery recently. Similar units are being set up at Mathura and Digboi. For production of low-sulphur diesel, hydrodesulphurisation plants are planned at Haldia, Gujarat, Mathura and Panipat.
Attaining higher levels of performance in environment management is both a requirement and a challenge. Sincere efforts by organisations in this direction need to be objectively looked into, appreciated and encouraged.
The author is Deputy General Manager, Corporate Communication, IOC
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