{
  "id": 272206,
  "title": "OMCs refute chloride contamination, excess moisture in E20 fuel",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/omcs-refute-chloride-contamination-excess-moisture-in-e20-fuel",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-07T16:28:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/omcs-refute-chloride-contamination-excess-moisture-in-e20-fuel/article71318865.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "State-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) have dismissed allegations of chloride contamination and excess moisture in E20 fuel, asserting that intensive testing across various points has confirmed compliance with prescribed limits. IndianOil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum, represented jointly, stated that their tests found chloride levels at or below 1 parts per million (ppm) in 100 random samples from refineries, and below 3 ppm in 80 ethanol and E20 samples. The ethanol component, sourced from distilleries, also exhibited \"chloride levels significantly below the prescribed specification.\" The assurance follows concerns raised by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) about potential vehicle part wear due to chloride presence in E20 fuel since its introduction. SIAM later withdrew its letter, citing a need for further authentication of the cited data. The OMCs emphasized that their tests were conducted at multiple points, including refineries, distilleries, depots, and retail outlets, affirming consistent quality maintenance throughout the supply chain. Additionally, about 90,000 retail outlets have begun mandatory inspection and monitoring of underground storage tanks, with no evidence of water ingress detected so far.",
  "summary": "The OMCs based their assurance on E20’s reliability based on checks across retail outlets, refineries and at the point of ethanol procurement, that is, distilleries",
  "key_points": [
    "OMCs deny chloride contamination and excess moisture in E20 fuel",
    "Intensive testing confirms compliance with prescribed limits",
    "Chloride levels below 1 ppm in 100 random refinery samples"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}