IndianOil remains committed to ensuring availability of fuel given the constraints imposed by COVID-19
Nagpur, 26 March: following the outbreak of COVID-19 in the region, demand for petroleum products such as petrol, diesel, fuel oil, bitumen, etc. has decreased significantly. The demand for ATF (Aviation Turbine Fuel) also decreased dramatically due to the suspension of flights.
Keeping this in mind, IndianOil limited crude oil throughput at most of its refineries by between 25 and 30 per cent. Uplifting finished goods from them over the last week has enabled upland bulk storage locations of the Company to build up their stocks for the future-ready once the country-wide lockout has been lifted and demand has recovered. The Company keeps a close eye on global developments and the changing business environment and initiates actions accordingly.
Rising demand for LPG In the midst of a decline in demand for major petro products, there has been a rise in demand for LPG cooking gas. In order to meet the increasing demand for LPG, IndianOil is taking measures to increase LPG production in its major refineries by optimizing operations, enhancing LPG yield in LPG generating units such as FCC / Index, etc. The operation of the bottling plant and the distribution of LPG refills are being streamlined accordingly. The Emergency Service Cell number 1906 for LPG customers is working as normal. Adequate stocks are available and there is no need for LPG customers to make panic reservations.
Maintenance of the supply line In these tough times, IndianOil is committed to ensuring emergency fuelling in all permitted modes. The Corporation’s bulk storage facilities, LPG bottling plants, fuel stations and LPG distributors have been ordered to operate under the control of their respective national governments / local authorities to preserve critical services in their geography. Gas stations work with skeletal staff to ensure personal hygiene and social distance requirements.
The Corporation has taken a range of precautionary steps with a special focus on the health and safety of its employees, service providers, contract workers, petrol pump dealers & customers, LPG distributors & delivery people, etc. A high-level committee has been set up to deal with all matters related to Covad-19, which has streamlined the work of the Company’s non-critical staff. Nonetheless, sufficient workforce is deployed at essential manufacturing, procurement and distribution sites, with all sanitation, hygiene and safety measures in place. Manning has also been simplified in round-the-clock shift operations, Fire & Safety, Medical and other critical services. Deployment of contract labour shall be carried out only in necessary and vital facilities at the bare minimum, with sufficient preventive and protective measures such as hand sanitizers and masks in place. Adequate precaution is often taken with respect to tank-drivers delivering petroleum products to fuel pumps. Video-conferencing is commonly used for meetings of both internal and external stakeholders.
The Company regularly shares health alerts on prevention ofCovid-19 with all its employees across the Organization via internal communication channels. Channel partners have also been active in raising awareness among consumers visiting the touch-points of the various precautionary steps and social distancing standards.
In the aftermath of the country-wide lockout, the Company is addressing a range of issues related to the movement and turnaround time of POL tank trucks; restricted mobility and work-force attendance at LPG distributors and fuel stations; and shortened operating hours at fuel stations at a few locations.
Notwithstanding many constraints, IndianOil remains committed to ensuring fuel availability for its valued customers and emergency services while taking all appropriate precautions.
Anjali Bhave, Managing Director of Corporate Communications Western Zone, Indian Oil Corporation Limited
