India
Oil Marketing Companies Mandate Frequent Water Checks at Petrol Pumps to Safeguard Ethanol‑Blended Fuel
State‑run oil marketing companies (OMCs) have ordered that more than 93,000 petrol pumps across India must test their storage tanks and dispensing nozzles for water every two to eight hours, depending on shift patterns and weather, to protect the quality of 20% ethanol‑blended petrol (E20). The first directive was issued in July, and a second in late October, with the possibility that the remaining OMCs may follow suit. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) are carrying out mandatory checks every two to four hours, while Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) has reduced the frequency to every eight hours, as per a company letter dated 23 October. The letter revised the standard operating procedure for ethanol‑blended motor spirit (EBMS), advising a minimum of three checks for 24‑hour outlets and two checks for outlets operating less than 24 hours. Dealers report that the OMCs require the use of an alcohol‑resistant water‑finding paste to detect water ingress, as ethanol readily absorbs water and can cause phase separation. The companies have not specified a particular paste. IOC, BPCL, HPCL and the petroleum ministry have not responded to inquiries. On 7 August, IOC announced that about 90,000 retail outlets had begun mandatory inspection of underground storage tanks, with 8–12 inspections per day and no water ingress detected so far. The Marketing Discipline Guidelines issued by the three OMCs hold both the companies and dealers responsible for selling contaminated fuel. As of 1 April 2026, the three OMCs operated 93,239 petrol pumps: IOC 42,818, BPCL 25,323 and HPCL 25,098. Private firms ran 9,784 pumps. Ethanol blending in petrol increased from 14.6% in the ethanol supply year (ESY) 2023‑24 to 19.2% in ESY 2024‑25, and reached 20% in the first five months of ESY 2025‑26.