BHARAT PETROLEUM CORPORATION LIMITED (BPCL), AN OIL MARKETING COMPANY (OMC), A ‘MAHARATNA’ AND A FORTUNE GLOBAL 500 COMPANY ANNOUNCED THE LAUNCH OF LOW SMOKE SUPERIOR KEROSENE OIL (SKO) FOR THE INDIAN ARMY IN JAMMU ON JANUARY 9, 2023.

BPCL SKO SUPPLIES TO THE INDIAN ARMY
BPCL is the first OMC in the country that is going to supply the new LSLA grade Superior kerosene Oil (SKO) to the Indian Army. SKO will address the issues related to thick smoke and smell for the Army men. It is also going to reduce the carbon foot print.
Normal use kerosene emits thick black smoke, which is very hazardous to health and can result in various pulmonary diseases. Usually, army personnel are posted at higher altitudes where oxygen level is very low. The low smoke superior kerosene oil (SKO) will provide a cleaner fuel to soldiers operating in higher terrains.

WHAT THE BPCL MANAGEMENT SAID
Vetsa Ramakrishna Gupta, Director (Finance) and C&MD and Director (HR) said “BPCL’s association with the Indian Army and strengthening of their ties over the years. He expressed confidence that the ties will grow over the coming years.”
K S Yadav, appreciated and said “BPCL’s special efforts in commencing winter grade supplies for the Eastern Command. He also complimented the launching of LSLA grade SKO which will improve the conditions for Army men posted at forward locations.”
Sukhmal Jain, Director Marketing at Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited said “The courage, valor, and dedication of our army, to protect Mother India’s honor is incomparable. For the difficult conditions and the height at which they work as a shield to protect and serve our motherland and their selfless dedication, we can only salute them! Supplying Low Smoke Superior Kerosene Oil to the army at a high altitude is our way to thank them for their service to the nation and a small gesture to make their life a bit easy.”
S. Jena, Executive Director, BPCL said “Currently BPCL has a share of about 16% with the Indian Army, supplying close to 70 TKL of petroleum products annually and BPCL has partnered with Indian Army in provision of over 100 consumer pumps and ‘Scattered Storage Locations’ at strategic locations besides actively pursuing key initiatives.”

VITALITY OF SKO SUPPLY FOR INDIAN ARMY
SKO supply is very vital for Indian Army because SKO is required as a fuel in the room heaters at high altitude camps.
Indian Army consumes about 70 TKL/A of SKO for their Northern & Eastern commands. Northern Command consumes about 45 TKL/A and eastern command consumes remaining 25 TKL/A.
The SKO supplies for Indian Army helps soldiers keep warm in winters without inhaling any black smoke.

EVOLUTION OF SKO AS A Petroleum Product
During the product development BPCL’s Industrial and Commercial (I & C) SBU collaborated with the Corporate Research & Development Center (CR&D). Mumbai Refinery offered the upgraded SKO and field trials were conducted at Leh-Ladakh region.
The trials were successful and BPCL’s Industrial & Commercial unit embarked on a tailored logistics arrangement and a batch was transported to the Jammu depot.
Soon the regular supply of SKO to Indian Army will commence.
BPCL has also installed ‘Eternal Flame’ at Leh, where continuous supply of LPG is provided.