Spotlight

ISFL-2008 Highlights - Day 1
ISFL-2008 Highlights - Day 2

International Symposium on Fuels & Lubricants-2008 inaugurated

Mr Dinsha Patel, Minister of State, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas inaugurated the International Symposium on Fuels and Lubricants-2008 (ISFL-2008), the popular biennial international event in downstream hydrocarbon industry on March 10, 2008. The Research & Development Centre of Indian Oil Corporation Limited is hosting the 6th International Symposium on Fuels & with the theme 'Fuels and Lubricants: Evolving Trends for Sustainable Development' during 10th-12th March 2008 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

Mr. Sarthak Behuria, Chairman, IndianOil, Mr. B M Bansal, Director (Planning & Business Development), Mr. S V Narasimhan, Director (Finance), Mr. V C Agrawal, Director (HR), Mr. Anand Kumar, Director (R&D), and senior functionaries of MoP&NG and IndianOil's R&D Centre were present at the inaugural function.

Delivering the inaugural address, Mr. Patel said, "In today's dynamic business environment, innovation through a sustained process of R&D is the only cutting edge tool for organisations to thrive and sustain their competitive edge. I hope this three-day Symposium will play an important role in addressing the immediate concerns of the downstream petroleum industry," he added.

While appreciating the context and theme of ISFL-2008, the Hon'ble Minister of State outlined the present level of petroleum product consumption in India and the world. According to the current estimate, the world energy consumption will increase from the current level of 200 million barrels per day to about 400 million barrels by 2050. Mr Dinsha outlined the various measures undertaken by Government of India in increasing the indigenous crude oil capacity from 0.25 MMT in 1947-48 to 33.97 MMT in 2006-'07. He mentioned about the various initiatives taken under National Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) to increase crude oil and Natural Gas Production in the country. He also highlighted the need for adopting appropriate strategies for controlling harmful emission and reducing the pressure on environment. He hoped that the deliberations during the symposium would help in better understanding of various dimensions of Lubricants and Fuel usage in the industry.

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi who said that we must be the change (that) we wish to see in the world, Mr Sarthak Behuria, IndianOil, observed, "Energy security and sustainable development have quickly risen to the top of the global development agenda. If we don't act today, the growing energy demand will change everything about how we live." "The interdependent nature of the challenge of climate change necessitates an interdependent energy supply strategy. We need a stable and predictable domestic & international policy framework that can facilitate investment in energy sources with a strong R&D backup to ensure blossoming of low-carbon technologies", he remarked.

Mr Behuria added that innovation through sustained research & development is the only way for organizations to thrive in today's competitive environment. Dependency on foreign oil supply and the way we use hydrocarbons is a major strategic vulnerability. As the world's fastest growing region and the home for second largest population, India faces the challenge in securing the energy it needs to support growth and poverty reduction in responsible and sustainable manner. He expressed that it would take firm commitment by industries and support of political leadership to achieve this daunting task.

Mr Anand Kumar, Director (R&D), IndianOil, apprised the delegates about the origin and evolution of ISFL. The objective of ISFl, he said, was to share, expand, and enhance knowledge in area of fuels and lubricants. He highlighted the importance of aligning R&D initiatives to alter the direction of climate change and hoped that the impact of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere can be controlled with appropriate technological interventions. He expressed confidence that the impact of CO2 emissions can be successfully mitigated by global participation in developing breakthrough technologies for cheaper & cleaner production of hydrogen as fuel and continuous improvement of fossil fuel quality.

The event also coincides with the 37th Foundation Day of IndianOil's R&D Centre. On the occasion, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, former President of India, delivered the Foundation Day address. "Collaborate and jointly invest to accelerate R&D efforts in Bio-fuels', urged Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. In an inspiring address, he reiterated his vision of energy independence and status of a developed nation for India. Quoting from his diverse and vast experience in the technology development area, he highlighted various thrust areas for research to achieve energy independence. While solar energy, nuclear energy and bio-fuels are the main areas to be focused on, he exhorted oil companies to collaborate and jointly invest in these venture. Dr. Kalam also urged IndianOil to aim for a position within top 50 companies of the world by the year 2015! He advised the Team IndianOil-R&D to realign research in alternative fuel areas by increasing investments in R&D projects.

The symposium has eminent speakers from India and abroad addressing a gathering of 500 scientists and technologists representing 12 countries. The deliberations are being held on developments in the downstream hydrocarbon sector with special emphasis on latest technology options for alternative fuels, including biomass and biofuels; value additions to refinery processes; superior lubricants for compact, high-speed engines/machines and new norms for emissions being adopted in India and overseas. Besides technical sessions on various areas of lubricants technology, sessions are also being held on use of gaseous fuels like LPG & natural gas (CNG & LNG), Hydrogen (production, storage, transportation and applications, including fuel cells, etc.) More than 140 authors from India and abroad have submitted their recent research findings for presentation in the symposium. Nine plenary talks on lubricant and refinery process technologies are going on with full house. Salient features of the symposium are two panel discussions by renowned experts with delegates. Several distinguished experts, equipment manufacturers and officials of regulatory agencies are on the panel. A trade exhibition has also been organised where exhibitors are showcasing latest developments in diverse areas such as fuels, lubricants and refining.

Conceived and launched in 1997 by IndianOil's R&D Centre to commemorate its Silver Jubilee, the ISFL series of symposia has evolved to become the biggest biennial international event to showcase advancements in fuels and lubricants, and a major platform for technocrats of the downstream hydrocarbon and allied industries, scientists, engineers, researchers, academicians and policy-makers to exchange ideas and forge partnerships.

About IndianOil's R&D Centre

IndianOil's R&D Centre at Faridabad had its inception in the year 1972 with the basic objective of meeting the strategic needs of the Defense Services, especially in lubricants technology, since then, the Centre has more than met these objectives, indigenising about 98% of the lubricant needs of the Defence Services. Overall, the Centre has developed more than 3,000 product formulations so far, accounting for over 600 SERVO brand lubricants and greases being marketed currently for every conceivable automotive and industrial application. IndianOil-R&D introduced many novel products like multigrade railroad, marine and aviation lubricants. IndianOil is also among the select league of six marine oil technology holders in the world.

Another major activity is research into refining processes and catalysis aimed at upgradation and optimisation of existing process technologies like fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), distillation, hydroprocessing, lube processing, reforming, coking, visbreaking, merox etc. and development of new process technologies for value addition and fuel quality up-gradation. IndianOil R&D had also played a stellar role in developing IndianOil's branded fuels - Xtra Premium petrol and Xtramile diesel that have emerged as market leaders in respective segments.

Besides spearheading commercialisation of ethanol-blended petrol in the country, IndianOil's R&D Centre has been at the forefront of technology development for Bio-diesel production from various edible and non-edible oils. It has perfected the entire value chain of Bio-diesel, starting from Jatropha plantation to field trials on passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and railway locos in collaboration with leading vehicle manufacturers, railways and state transport undertakings.

IndianOil's R&D Centre is the nodal agency within the Indian oil & gas sector for implementation of the Hydrogen energy programme. Subsequent to commissioning India's first experimental H-CNG dispensing unit, demonstration projects are underway on use of H-CNG blends in heavy and light vehicles. IndianOil is also setting up India's first commercial H-CNG dispensing station at one of its petrol/diesel stations in Delhi this year. IndianOil Technologies Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IndianOil, is commercialising the innovations and technologies of IndianOil R&D, which currently has over 195 national and international patents in its portfolio.

Updated on February 28, 2008