OMCs refute Karnataka’s E20 report, seeks additional details about procedure

Refuting observations about ethanol blend in petrol being as high as 31% in Karnataka, the three state-owned oil-marketing companies (OMCs) stated the tests were not conducted in accordance with prescribed statutory and technical procedure.

Citing discrepancies with findings from their own quality monitoring, they urged the State government to share the complete counterpart sampling documentation, outlet-wise laboratory reports, and details about the adopted testing methodology, and samples for retesting.

“The OMCs remain committed to cooperating with the state government and other competent authorities in conducting joint sampling and testing in accordance with the Control Order and the Marketing Discipline Guidelines, 2024,” it stated, adding, “Any deviation established through the prescribed procedure will be dealt with in accordance with applicable guidelines.”

‘Density reported warrant further examination’

The OMCs raised concerns about the Karnataka Dept of Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology’s use of the gas chromatography for evaluating ethanol concentration.

The process broadly entails separating compounds via vaporisation.

According to the OMCs, the certificates cited for the State government’s observations do not specify the applicable standard test method, the procedure for diluting the compounds or the reference material used for correction after vaporisation.

“In the absence of these essential details, the reported ethanol figures of 26-31% cannot be independently validated against the methodology prescribed under IS 17021,” the statement read.

Further, pointing to the Karnataka government’s reported observations, it observed, “Given that ethanol has a higher density than petrol, a higher ethanol proportion would ordinarily be expected to increase the density of the blend. This discrepancy [in Karnataka’s reported samples] further underscores the need for testing through the prescribed methodology and verification against appropriate reference samples.”

Self-monitoring reported average 19.3% ethanol content

The three OMCs put forth that 56 samples from across the State tested by them conformed to the prescribed specifications, reporting ethanol content between at an average 19.3%.

Thus, arguing that the “substantially higher ethanol levels” reported by the State Dept. warrant a “transparent, technically sound and jointly verifiable testing exercise.”

On similar lines, putting forth concerns about the Karnataka State Dept’s observations on 10% mileage loss and the ensuing ₹62,000 crore loss to consumers, it called for a transparent assessment of actual vehicle performance data, material compatibility studies and documented repair costs.