BPCL’s Kochi Refinery marked a significant milestone by hosting India’s first National Analytical Conference by Oil Refineries. The event brought together around 60 delegates from across the refining industry and academia, providing a dedicated platform for technical experts and laboratory professionals to exchange insights, share best practices and explore emerging technologies in analytical science.
Quality as the Foundation of Trust
The conference was inaugurated by Shri Chacko M Jose, Executive Director (Kochi Refinery) and Director (Refineries), Designate. In his address, he underlined that quality remains the foundation of trust in the petroleum sector. He noted that every product must consistently meet rigorous standards of safety, performance and environmental compliance.
He further stressed the growing role of digitalisation, automation, advanced analytics and Artificial Intelligence in transforming Quality Control Laboratories. According to him, these technologies will be critical in shaping the future of analytical operations and ensuring greater reliability across the value chain.
Industry Collaboration and Recognition
The event also featured felicitations by Shri Vishwas Khobragade, Chief General Manager (Technology), and Shri Ravindra K. Kubade, Chief General Manager (Operations). Their presence highlighted the organisation’s commitment to fostering technical excellence and recognising contributions within the refining community.
Expert presentations by leading oil companies, including IOCL, HPCL, BPCL, HMEL and MRPL, formed the core of the technical sessions. These contributions reinforced the importance of collaboration, innovation and analytical excellence in advancing the petroleum and petrochemical sector.
Advancing Analytical Capabilities
By bringing together professionals from multiple refining organisations and academic institutions, the conference provided an opportunity to discuss practical challenges, share proven methodologies and identify pathways for adopting next-generation analytical tools. The focus on digital transformation and AI-driven quality systems reflects the industry’s broader shift towards smarter and more efficient laboratory operations.
The successful organisation of India’s first National Analytical Conference by Oil Refineries positions BPCL Kochi Refinery as a key facilitator of knowledge exchange and technical progress within the domestic refining landscape. The event is expected to encourage continued dialogue and collaborative initiatives aimed at raising analytical standards across the sector.
