THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020

IndianOil: Commitments Made, Promises Delivered

“IndianOil is exploring multi-energy options for a Sustainable Future” : Director (R&D) atEnergy Security Conference 2020/ Mary Joseph, CM (Corp Comm), R&D Centre

In his address on the theme “Energy Future for All” during the Energy Security Conference 2020, Dr SSV Ramakumar, Director(R&D) delineated the changing contours of the energy paradigm and inscribed IndianOil’s efforts towards exploring multi-energy options to achieve a sustainable future.

Dr Ramakumar, reinforced the need to recalibrate the energy strategies, emphasizing the use of alternative and renewable energysources while exploring the development of clean fossil fuel solutions. Introducing the R&D initiatives of IndianOil, in the areasof Biofuels and Hydrogen, Director R&D, emphasized the increasing role of Compressed Biogas (CBG) for automotiveapplications. He indicated IndianOil’s patented process on production of bio-methane and highlighted its merits to the audience.

Stressing on the emergence of e-mobility paradigm, Dr Ramakumar focused on the role of advanced energy storage solutionsincluding metal air batteries, which don’t need electric charging and unlike lithium batteries, can be operated using metals likealuminium which is abundantly available in the country. He further apprised the audience about the latest developments indemonstration of Hydrogen spiked CNG blends for 50 DTC buses in Delhi in line with the directions of the Hon’ble SupremeCourt and informed IndianOil’s plan for deploying its single step patented compact reformer technology for these trials. HCNGis acknowledged as an interim solution for mobility before a full-fledged transition to a hydrogen based economy. Hydrogen fuelcells are the ultimate green mobility solutions, especially for heavy duty applications, he added. The two day virtual eventconducted under the aegis of Ministry of External Affairs witnessed a wide participation from key sectors of power, automotiveand oil & gas industry along with leading consulting organizations and academic institutes.

Director (Finance) releases ‘Handbook for Setting-up and Monitoring Joint Venture &Subsidiary Companies’

/ Bibhash Choudhary, SFM (Corp Affairs), CO

A Corporate Affairs Manual captioned ‘Handbook for Setting-up and Monitoring Joint Venture & Subsidiary Companies’ wasreleased by Mr Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Director (Finance) on 30.09.2020 in the presence of Ms. Amita Singh, ED I/c (CA&P),Mr Sanjay Kaushal, ED (CA&T), Mr GDS Kohli CGM(CA) and other officials of the Corporate Affairs department.

As an innovative initiative, the Corporate Affairs department has designed and prepared this manual wherein detailed informationon formation of Joint Ventures or Subsidiary Companies has been provided. It covers the entire spectrum of related activities in asequential and lucid format, ranging from identification of a business opportunity, considerations governing structure for JointVenture/ Subsidiary, selection of suitable partner(s), execution of necessary documents, obtaining regulatory and Boardapprovals, incorporation and monitoring performance. It also addresses aspects related to exit from closure of a Joint Venture or Subsidiary Company; and also contains recommended best practices in select critical areas relevant to Nominee Directors onBoard of Joint Venture/ Subsidiary Companies. The manual will prove to be a very handy and useful reference book for allFunctional Groups, providing a comprehensive understanding and insight into the process of setting up and monitoring JointVentures and Subsidiaries and related matters, in a professional and lucid manner. The soft copy of the Manual has been hostedon Corporate Affairs Intranet site.

RHQ organizes webinar on O&M of Digital Automatic Voltage Regulator

L&D Dept, RHQ continues to emphasise functional excellence through programmes focused on upgradation of its human asset. In this context, a two-day online training on Operation and Maintenance of Digital Automatic Voltage Regulator (DAVR) was inaugurated by Mr V K Raizada, ED (M&I) in presence of Mr R C Upadhyay, ED (HR) and other senior IOCians. This edition of DAVR training was extended to 25 engineers from various IndianOil refineries on 29-30th September 2020 with faculty support from BHEL. Mr Raizada explained the importance of DAVR in the Refinery Electrical system and advised participants to use this opportunity to improve basic skill and knowledge. He stressed upon the importance of reliability in Refineries and need for elimination of emergency shutdown which not only results in financial losses but also poses seriousthreat to plant & human safety.

Mr Upadhyay welcomed the participants and stated that enhancing the skills of young Engineers would contribute in improving the Operation & Maintenance of systems and plant performance and reliability. With L&D and M&I Depts., a series of 11 functional training programmes with a target to engage nearly 400 fresh engineers of Mechanical, Electrical & Instrumentation background virtually, facilitating interaction with major OEMs of equipment installed in the Refineries. The objective of these is to impart the knowledge on operation and maintenance of the equipment. (Sabeena Chowdhary, CM (Corp Comm), RHQ)

International Trade Department organizes programme on Oil Trading in Global Markets

A four-day virtual training program on “Oil Trading” ininternational oil markets was organised by International TradeDepartment for officers of Business Development, Optimisation,CO-Pricing & RHQ-Shipping & International Trade. Thetraining was conducted by International Business House whichis one of the trusted global provider for intensive industryfocused training tailored to In-house Learning Solutions in Oil& Gas sector. IBH is associated with many reputed trainingcourses in the oil industry including ICE Traders Academy. Thefaculty for the said program was Mr Christopher Helipern whohas extensive experience of almost two decades in the oil andenergy business in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia. Thecourse was designed to provide insights to the participants intothe physical oil trade process into the dynamics involved.

The program provided an excellent opportunity to IndianOil officers, who are closely involved in exporting petroleum products toneighbouring countries and are competing with international traders. The interactive sessions with a veteran international tradergave a better understanding of the structure of the oil markets, mechanisms and tools for both physical and financial oil trading andtheir role within the oil industry. (Meenakshi Agrawal, DGM (IT), CO)

Marketing HO organizes online training for COCO Business Managers

Retail Academy with Retail Sales and Reseller Lubes Salesdepartment organised an online training programme for 84COCO Business Managers from 28th to 30th October 2020. Theprogramme was inaugurated by Mr MR Das, CGM (HRD &RA), HO, Mr Partha Bora, CGM (RS), HO and Mr R. UdayaKumar, CGM (LS), HO. In his address, by Mr K Arunan, GM(Retail Academy), HO briefed the participants on Lube salesperformance of COCOs during last Financial Year and duringApril to August 2020. The participants were briefed on theobjectives of the programme and other initiatives like ProjectNamaste and Sampark. Mr Bora, CGM (RS) thanked RetailAcademy and Lube Sales for taking this initiative andemphasised that COCOs are the role models for our entire dealernetwork, all Business Managers need to have correct productknowledge about various grades and their pricing structure.

He urged COCO Business Manager to focus on Lubricant sales through COCO as it increases profitability of COCO and earnsrevenue for our corporation. Mr Das requested to utilise this programme for upskilling themselves and train the customer attendantsabout the features and benefits of each grade, merchandising activities, promotional activities and campaigns etc. He also advisedreinforcing the habit of greeting every customer at our COCO with a smile and “Namaste” which will be a major servicedifferentiator at IndianOil ROs. Mr Kumar briefed the participants about the focus of the company on lube sales through RO. Hefurther added that COCOs are the flagship ROs of the company and success of COCOs will convince our dealers. He encouragedthem to utilise the various schemes for the promotion of lubes and target bulk customers like fleet and commercial vehicle owners.Mr BB Patra, GM (RLS) exhorted to effectively utilise the Quick Lube Oil Change Machine positioned at COCOs. This is a value-added service for the customer during the current pandemic due to safety and hygiene. The faculty for the programme Mr PrasantMallick, DGM (Lubes - Marketing & Promotion), HO covered topics like Basics of Lubricants, Product Knowledge, Profitabilityfor Service provider, Benefits of QLOC Machine and Merchandising activity at RO. In the end, Mr SP Akhauri, DGM (RA)proposed the vote of thanks. (Niket Agrawal, AM (Retail Academy), HO)

role in development of various products, processes,technologies, catalysts etc., not only in oil and gas industry butalso in alternative and renewable energy, pharmaceuticals,natural products, nano materials, environmental products andforensic sciences & petrochemicals and polymers. None of theareas/ fields is untouched by the benefits of the analyticalsciences, he added. Dr J Christopher, CGM (AnalyticalDepartment), who was also present during the occasion,welcomed the participants and highlighted that R&D, with astrong Analytical lab, played a very pivotal role in realizingcommercialization of a large number of R&D activities/technologies.

He extended an invitation to participants from other divisions to visit the R&D labs for hands on training on analytical equipmentsonce the normalcy returns post the COVID-19 pandemic. (Adima Mishra, SO (Corp Comm), R&D Center)

Eastern Region conducts “Aviation Refresher Course for Quality Control Signatories”

Quality Control Department of Eastern Region (ER) conducted“Aviation Refresher Course for Quality Control Signatories(QCS)” over Virtual Platform on 30th September 2020 forOfficers of Depots, Terminals & Refineries of ER handlingAviation Products. The programme was inaugurated by Mr A. C.Ghosh, CGM I/C (RS), ER and welcome address was given byMr Subhrangsu Das, GM (QC), ER. Specification of AviationFuels, Defence Requirements, AQCAM Procedures, CAR, Roleof QCS and Digitisation of QCS Certification were covered inthe programme. In total, 50 participants attended the programmewhich was highly successful and fruitful. (Tapan KumarPradhan, Mgr (Corp Comm), ERO)

R&D Centre organises webinar on “Analytical Techniques in Petroleum Analysis”

Dr G S Kapur, ED (Chemical Technology) inaugurated a two-day webinar on “Analytical Techniques in Petroleum Analysis”organized for R&D Scientists as well as QC Officers ofMarketing and Refinery division recently. Dr Kapur remarkedthat analytical techniques had been playing a very significant

(Vigilance), CO, Mr A. K. Patra, GM, NRPL, Bijwasan, MrSanjay Goyal, GM, Vigilance, CO, Mr Prem Ranjan Kumar, GM(T/ML), Mr Ajay Mittal, GM (F), NRPL, Panipat, and otherIOCians from NRPL. It was organised primarily to give thebusiness partners a view about the corporation’s present andfuture operational requirements and their expectations fromthem. Mr Surchowdhury thanked all the business partners forbeing an integral part of the extended IndianOil family andplaying an instrumental role in making the Corporation as theEnergy of the Nation.

He gave a brief insight into present functioning of Pipelines Division and the challenges faced. He said that the purpose oforganising such meets is to bring in efficiency, increasing quality, and timeline in the jobs. He emphasised that with the on-goingbusiness developments and near future endeavours, immense support from all business partners is very much needed. (AmitKumar, CTSM, NRPL, Bijwasan)

Successful roll out of e-Invoicing and Tax Collection Source (TCS) at UPSO-1

From 1st October 2020, the all-important GST Act and theIncome Tax Act, 1961 incorporating the important changesregarding E-Invoicing and Tax Collection Source (TCS),respectively, was successfully rolled out at UPSO-1 by MrUttiya Bhattacharyya, ED & SH, UPSO-1 through VC, whichwas attended by HODs and location in charges. MrBhattacharyya appraised the various functions regarding theimportant changes in both the tax systems and advised forensuring compliance. ED&SH, UPSO-1 also appreciated theefforts put in by the Finance team of UPSO-1 and relateddepartments for their active role and support during the pre-implementation phase. A detailed presentation on E-Invoicingand TCS was made by Mr C K Jain, GM (F), UPSO1 to theparticipants.

E-invoicing was made applicable on supply of GST goods and services by the dealers having annual turnover exceeding Rs 500crores. Whereas under the Income Tax Act, a seller having an annual turnover exceeding Rs 10 crores is required to collect TCS ata specified percentage from the buyers of goods exceeding Rs 50 Lakh during the year. IndianOil’s turnover exceeded the thresholdlimit and is therefore required to comply with the new norms. (Md Javed Siddiqui, DGM (F), UPSO-1)

.Coordination meet held between WBSO and ASC Eastern Command

A Coordination meeting was held between ASC Eastern Command and IndianOil at WBSO recently. The meeting was headed by ED, WBSO along with his team - CGM (IB), WBSO, GM I/c (Avn), ERO and senior officials from WBSO. From Eastern Command – Maj. Gen. Narinder Singh MGASC and Col Kapil Sharma, Col T attended the meet. IOAOD team lead by GM (IB), IOAOD, Divisional Managers of Kolkata, Durgapur, Siliguri and Guwahati attended the meeting through VC along with his team. Various discussion points on repair and maintenance of Kerbside pumps, supply logistic issues, progress and completion of Deposit works, ATF supply etc were deliberated. IndianOil assured MGASC that all out efforts would be made to redress the issues in time bound manner. MGASC expressed his satisfaction towards the services rendered by IOC and requested to continue extending their efforts and co-operation to Indian Army. MGASC appreciated the efforts of IndianOil to supply 4 TTS of ATF to Army Aviation Units recently in the Sikkim theatre in short notice for the Emergency preparedness. The meeting ended on a positive note with bothsides looking forward to sustained efforts and continued co-operation in future. (Dipankar Ghosh, GM (IB), WBSO)

NRPL, Bijwasan organises Business Partners’ Meet

On 30th September 2020, NRPL, Bijwasan virtually organised“Business Partners’ Meet” with great zeal and enthusiasm. Mr S.K. Surchowdhury, ED, NRPL inaugurated the meet in presenceof Mr T. K. Bera CGM (O), NRPL, Mr Ramesh Kumar, CGM

1st EV Charging Station under Ahmedabad DO inaugurated at ROin Bodakdev

NRPL, Panipat organised webinar on ‘Substation Equipment,Switchgear and Protective Relay Systems’

Offsite Mock Drill being carried out at NRPL, Sangrur

Offsite Mock Drill being carried out at NRPL, Ambala

Udaipur AFS organised seminar on QC and Safety aspects ofAviation

Digboi Refinery conducted Online Vendor Meet Guwahati Refinery organised webinar on Vendors DevelopmentProgramme