FROM CHAIRMAN’S DESK

In view of the depletion and scarcity of the natural resources available to the mankind there is a

need to ponder about these and chalk out a plan for conservation and optimum use of these

resources. Everyone of us should spare

some time and implement the same in our

daily use with a noble cause for the

conservation of energy. This message

should be read and discussed with a right

perspective and implemented in our daily life

as a small saving of oil and gas may help the

human kind a long way. This article may be

forwarded to others for educating and

creating awareness among people for the

betterment of the society at large.

CONSERVATION OF OIL, NATURAL GASES AND OTHER RESOURCES

There are many unconventional resources of energy available to the human beings. These
natural resources include Water, air, sun, Oil and Natural Gases, other hydrocarbons such as
coal, Plant kingdom etc. All of these play an important role in the life of the mankind. The
replenishment of these is not possible. Increasing consumption and demand of these resources
has embarked a danger of depletion of the reserves of such natural resources. Also, to maintain
the ecological balance and avoid the earth from global threat of the reserves being exhausted,
the need of this hour is to think and strive for the conservation of these natural resources.
Further, it is the known fact that energy cannot be destroyed but transformed from one to
another type. Electricity, another form of energy which is generated by burning coal, gas etc. or
by converting the kinetic energy of water into electric energy. In other words, it can be said that
the natural resources are of utmost necessity and without these life is miserable.

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Despite discovery of new sources of unconventional energy and due to existing inadequacies in
supply of other forms of commercial energy relative to demand, petroleum remains the primary
energy source and a preferred swing fuel. 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.

The need of the hour is to conserve petroleum by its judicious use, substituting it by other
resources wherever feasible and restricting its use only to the essential needs.

The movement of the prices for petrol products over the last several weeks has caused a lot of
concern in many parts of the world. Many countries like India, who are mainly the importers of
petroleum, have been affected by the global price increases. In the scheme of the petrol
industry, we may be classified as 'price takers'. This literally means we have no control over
the price for a barrel of oil so we have to “take it” or “leave it”.

Petroleum Conservation, then becomes our joint responsibility be it the industries, individual
citizens, organizations, Oil Companies or the Government. Each one of us has a specific and
significant role to play.

Every one of us needs to begin to conserve on the use of petrol products. We need to develop
an energy conservation plan for ourselves beginning at the household level. Start by
identifying all the things we use that require petroleum products, monitor the way we use them
and begin to reduce our wastage of these products.

Even if you do not consider yourself an environmentalist, a little fuel conservation can really help
not just the environment, but also your wallet! The price of petrol seems to always be on the
rise. The best defense against rising prices is fuel conservation.

Map out a good plan of fuel conservation by following these helpful ways to conserve fuel:

A. CONSERVATION ON ROADS

Great fuel conservation starts before you even hit the road:

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 Keep your vehicle properly tuned, and it can get from 6 to 20 percent better
mileage.
 Keep your tires aligned and inflated properly. You should check your tire
pressure once a month. Having tire pressures that are too low can increase your use
of fuel by 3%
 Replace your air filter.
 If you are not using your roof-racks, take them off! They add to drag.
Unnecessary weight in your car can also take away from good mileage.
 Another way to start good fuel conservation is to plan ahead. Combine your
errands into one trip. Think about riding your bike, walking, riding the bus, or
carpooling when possible and reasonable.

Fuel conservation can greatly be improved while you are driving or at the pump:

 Drive smoothly at an optimum speed. Your fuel usage will greatly decrease when
you are driving at speeds above 55 kmph. Besides, you will have a safer drive.
 Avoid rapid accelerating. In fact, you ought to let up on the accelerator (by driving
slower), and when you use the accelerator, use it gently. There is a reason why it is
called “stepping on the fuel.” Relax your driving style. Do not drive aggressively.
Accelerate slowly. Driving aggressively can lessen your fuel conservation by 30-40
percent.
 Do not tailgate because it will lead to unnecessary braking and then acceleration.
 Do not idle. Modern cars no longer need to warm up to run.
 Turn off your car when you are waiting for someone.
 Your cruise control will add to your fuel conservation (of course, it is
unreasonable to use it while just driving around town.)
 Your use of the air conditioner lessens your fuel economy, as well, especially if
you use it at 40 kmph or more. Why not just open the window to cool off? Park your
vehicle in the shade.
 Using overdrive will lessen your fuel consumption while on the highway.
 Drive at the highest appropriate gear.

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 While at the petrol pump, use the lowest octane petrol suitable for your car –
check your owner’s manual.
 Fill up your car with petrol early in the morning and on cooler days. The colder
the petrol is, the more compact it is… you will therefore end up getting more bang for
your buck.
 Use public transport instead of using personal transport, if possible and
convenient.

This may seem like a long road to fuel conservation, but even just doing a few of these
things can really help improve your fuel mileage. You could possible improve your fuel
conservation by following some of these tips.

If all of these suggestions seem overwhelming, just take a few at a time. The road to
great fuel conservation can be a long one. Most all of the tips that we have given as of
yet can be found in greater detail at the U.S. Department of Energy.

All of the tips on fuel conservation that have been given you so far have to do with the
vehicle that you already have. If you are planning on going out and buying a new
vehicle, consider a vehicle that conserves fuel by design.

Check out the hybrids or smaller cars. A hybrid vehicle may cost more at the onset, but
you will surely save money in the end, especially if gas prices continue to rise. If you do
not need a ton of horsepower, abandon it – you will get better gas mileage.

 PETROL SUBSTITUTES

a. COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG)

The CNG converted vehicles can be operated on petrol as well as on CNG. It is a

safe, clean burning and environment friendly fuel. By the use of CNG, the
exhaust toxic emissions like hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide are significantly
reduced as compared to other fuels. Toxic emissions such as lead and sulphur
are completely eliminated. Nowadays, CNG is the best substitute as it costs
lesser in terms of mileage and is helpful in checking the pollution. The vehicle in

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use for public transport at New Delhi and other Metro cities in India are being run
on CNG and this has helped in controlling the pollution besides the same being
cost effective.

b. LPG AS AUTOMOTIVE FUEL

LPG is recognized as superior fuel to petrol and diesel in terms of the vehicular
emissions. To abate pollution caused by vehicles, a number of countries in the
World have been using LPG as auto fuel. Vehicles with company fitted LPG kits
have been permitted in India also.

B. CONSERVATION AT HOME/ OFFICE/ INDUSTRY

 While cooking use wide bottom vessels with covers

 Share a common kitchen in a joint family and eat together to avoid repeated
warming of food.
 Light the flame when ready for cooking.
 Use vessels with proper size and shape which should be made of good
conductor metal.
 Pour sufficient water in the vessel for cooking.
 Pressure cookers should be used with separators to cook items
simultaneously.
 Adjust the flame as per the requirement.
 To reduce the cooking time and fuel, the cereals and dals, first soak cereals
and dals.
 Frozen or cold items should not be put directly on the stove. The same should
be kept out of refrigerators to settle at the normal temperature.
 Use solar appliances like cooker, solar water heater.
 For illumination, use electric lamps or solar lanterns in place of kerosene.
 The machinery such as generators and boilers etc being used at offices or in
industry should be fuel efficient. The equipment should be as per the load
requirement so that optimum use of the fuel is derived there from. These
should be regularly serviced and overhauled. Similarly, the furnaces and kilns
wherein oil or gas is fired should have a approved design or structure for the
better performance and optimum use.

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FROM CHAIRMAN’S DESK
CA RAMESH AHUJA