Oil Giants Slam Karnataka's Ethanol Claims, Cite 'Testing Flaws'
Indian oil companies deny Karnataka's claim of 26-31% ethanol in petrol, citing major testing irregularities and protocol breaches.
Public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) have hit back at the Karnataka government's assertions that petrol sold at various retail outlets in the state contains an alarmingly high ethanol blend of 26 to 31 per cent. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) have collectively rejected these ethanol in petrol claims, insisting that their fuel meets all national standards.
Compliance with National Standards
In an official release, the three OMCs asserted that the E20 petrol they supply across India, including Karnataka, is in full compliance with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specification IS 17021. They clarified that the reports suggesting ethanol levels as high as 31 per cent are not supported by tests conducted according to statutory and technical procedures.
Allegations of Procedural Lapses
The oil companies have raised serious concerns regarding the sampling and testing methodology used during an exercise conducted in October 2026. According to the OMCs, the process deviated significantly from the norms laid down in the Marketing Discipline Guidelines (MDG) 2024 and the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel Control Order, 2005.
The standard operating procedure for such tests requires a specific protocol:
- Six one-litre samples must be collected.
- Two samples are provided to the dealer.
- Two samples are retained by the oil company or the relevant department.
- Two samples are sent to a designated laboratory for analysis.
While the OMCs noted that samples from September 2026 were handled correctly at designated laboratories, they claimed the October exercise was carried out without any OMC representatives present. Furthermore, the companies stated that despite their requests, they have not been provided with retention samples, outlet-wise details, or the actual laboratory reports.
Questioning the Lab Results
A major point of contention is the reliance on a third-party laboratory rather than a facility specified under the Control Order. The OMCs argued that the certificates provided by the Karnataka government lack the technical depth required for independent verification.
The Technical Dispute
Under the IS 17021:2018 (Amendment No. 3, August 2025) guidelines, ethanol content must be verified using specific methods such as water extraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), or Gas Chromatography.
The OMCs pointed out that Gas Chromatography testing (under ASTM D4815/D6839) requires samples to be diluted with oxygenate-free petrol in a 1:1 ratio and corrected against E10 certified reference material. However, the certificates cited by the state government merely mention "Ethanol % by Gas Chromatography" without detailing:
- The testing standard used.
- The dilution procedure followed.
- The reference material employed.
"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 OMCs stated.
Demand for Transparency
The oil marketing companies have now called upon the Government of Karnataka to be transparent with its findings. They have requested the state to share the complete sampling documentation, detailed outlet-wise laboratory reports, and the exact test methodology adopted to reach these conclusions.