Ways to Generate Awareness Among the People About Oil Conservation

Oil Conservation Fortnight (OCF) - 4th – 19th January Petroleum or crude oil is a non-renewable energy source that means it is present in the limited amount. If the use of oil will continue with the careless nature it is going to exhaust definitely at one day. Hence conservation of this valuable resource is the need of the hour.

Therefore in order to generate awareness among the masses about the urgency of conserving petroleum products, the celebration of an Oil Conservation Week (OCW), with the participation of the Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) and the entire oil industry under the guidance of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MPNG), began in January, 1991. Considering the overwhelming response and enthusiasm generated by OCW in the country, and to further increase the reach as well as the effectiveness of the oil conservation campaign, the duration of the program was increased to a fortnight from the year 1997 onwards.

During this fortnight, the entire oil industry undertakes various kinds of activities to emphasize the need and importance of the conservation of petroleum products and environment protection. This is carried out through print and electronic media, training programs, kisan or farmer melas, technical meets and distribution of literature in national as well as vernacular languages all over the country.

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The activities are carried out by the State Level Coordinators (SLCs) of the oil industry in each State under the direction of the Regional Level Coordinators (RLCs). Awards are given to Large, Medium & Small industries, State & Regional Level Coordinators, State Transport Undertakings, Energy Auditors, Upstream & Refining oil. Companies for outstanding performance in oil conservation activities. The State/ National level Essay Competition Awards for students & teachers are also given. Oil & Gas Conservation:

Oil and gas conservation means their better and more efficient use with regard to economic, social or environmental costs and benefits, resulting in attainment of higher energy use efficiencies, minimization of wasteful practices and wastage and protection of the environment. Petroleum is the primary energy source in India and a preferred swing fuel. Its consumption has been increasing at a very steep rate from 3.5 MMT in 1950-51 to 84.3 MMT in 1997-98 and reached 130 MMT in 2001-02 and 175 MMT in 2006-07.

The current estimate of natural gas reserves is about 100 million metric tons in the world. At current usage levels, this supply will last an estimated 100 years. In India, the power and fertilizer sector are major users of natural gas. In India, production of Natural gas increased from 17998 Million Cubic Metres in 1990-91 to 32274 Million Cubic Metres in 2007-08. Accordingly Strategy of Promoting Oil Conservation: Government has initiated various steps to promote conservation of petroleum products in the transport, industrial, agricultural and domestic sectors.

These include adoption of measures and practices which are conducive to increase fuel efficiency and training programme in the transport sector; modernization of boilers, furnaces and other oil operated equipments with efficient ones and promotion of fuel efficient practices and equipment in the industrial sector; standardization of fuel efficient irrigator pump-sets and rectification of existing pump-sets to make them more energy efficient in the agricultural sector and development as well as promotion of the use of fuel efficient equipment and appliances like kerosene and LPG stoves in the household sector.

These activities are promoted and coordinated by the Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) and Oil Marketing Companies under the guidance and supervision of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. The following specific activities are taken up from time to time.

• Multi Media Mass Awareness Campaign Effective and result-oriented conservation methods adopted by the upstream undertakings in the oil sector like reduction of gas flaring by re-injection of gas to underground reservoir, installation of waste heat recovery systems, utilization of non-conventional energy sources and close monitoring of all conservation efforts by ONGC
• Energy audits, efficiency upgradation of equipment and appliances; substitution of diesel with Natural Gas, deployment of solar-powered illumination panel, battery operated vehicles, Bio-gas etc.
• Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is used as a fuel in transport sector in many countries. Its advantage is being safe and clean burning fuel, besides being environment friendly fuel.
• Blending ethanol (5%) / methanol (3%) with Petrol for using in vehicles without any modification of engine.

All these steps are certainly playing a major role in conserving Oil and Gas resources which are available to us in a limited amount. Let us be a part of this national activity by using natural resources wisely! What Organization Can Do? Whenever you save energy, you not only save money, you also reduce the demand for such fossil fuels as coal, oil, and natural gas.

Less burning of fossil fuels also means lower emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX), Carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter, Lead (Pb) etc. Lower emissions of CO2 which is a green house gas contributes to reduce the impact of global warming. Similarly, lower emission of particulate matter and other pollutant help to reduce their harmful impact on the environment.

What we Can Do in our day today life for Oil Conservation

• While cooking use wide bottom vessels with covers.
• Allow food articles taken out of the refrigerators to attain room temperature before cooking them
• Soak cereals and dals for sometime before cooking them to reduce the cooking time as well as the fuel consumption.
• Use just sufficient water for cooking.
• Pressure cookers used with separators lead to substantial fuel saving.
• Try to eat together to avoid repeated warming of food.
• This not only saves fuel but also preserves the nutritional value of food
• Light the flame only after all preparations have been made and the vessel is ready to be put on the stove
• Use hot water from solar water heaters for cooking if the facility is available
• Try to use a solar cookers, solar lanterns
• The first rule of fuel conservation would be to travel judiciously and curtail wasteful driving
• Wherever possible/ available and convenient, use public transport instead of using personal transport
• Matching the size of the vehicle to your need would also go a long way in conserving fuel. For instance if you have the option of a personal car and a scooter, then use the scooter when only two persons have to travel, and the car if more persons have to travel or heavy luggage needs to be transported.
• Emphasis should be given on reducing the use of petroleum products in our day to day life and act accordingly. This can be achieved by adopting car-pooling like practices. Car pooling will not only conserve fuel but will also improve social relations with your colleagues.
• Use of solar lanterns in rural areas instead of kerosene based lamps. As far as possible, avoid idling the vehicle between red and green signal, be it a car, scooter or any other mechanized transport.
• Try to buy fuel efficient vehicles.
• There is no substitute for timely attention, servicing and tuning of the vehicle in fuel conservation and emission control. This should include checking of injectors and spark plugs, correct tire pressure, re-greasing, topping up or renewal of lubricants for engine and gear boxes.
• Correct driving habits are important for fuel conservation. Try to avoid sudden Speeding, braking ; stopping, clutch riding, idling, over- speeding, and over-loading.

All these small deeds will lead to fuel conservation and pollution control, which is our moral duty as citizens of India. It is the time we inculcate these measures to become a part of our daily routines. Only by practicing and preaching these conservation tips we can think of future progress. Given the difficult times ahead, it becomes our responsibility to spread this awareness, particularly amongst the youth who will be citizens of tomorrow. Good habits taught early will salvage the oil shortage to a great extent. This awareness campaign should not end at the end of the fortnight, but should continue in the hearts of all of us.

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