Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has received regulatory approval to establish a joint venture with Coal India Limited for developing a coal gasification project in Maharashtra. This strategic partnership marks a significant step in BPCL's diversification into alternative energy technologies and sustainable fuel production.

Strategic Partnership Details

The joint venture between BPCL and Coal India Limited combines the expertise of India's leading petroleum refiner with the country's largest coal mining company. This collaboration is designed to develop advanced coal gasification infrastructure that can convert coal into synthetic gas and other valuable chemical products.

Coal Gasification Technology

Coal gasification represents an advanced technology that converts coal into synthesis gas (syngas), which can be further processed into various products including chemicals, fertilizers, and cleaner fuels. This technology offers several advantages over traditional coal combustion methods, including reduced environmental impact and higher efficiency in resource utilization.

The Maharashtra project will leverage Coal India's extensive coal reserves and mining expertise alongside BPCL's refining and petrochemical capabilities. This combination creates a vertically integrated approach to coal-to-chemicals conversion.

Strategic Implications

This joint venture aligns with India's broader energy security objectives and the government's push toward cleaner coal technologies. The partnership enables both companies to:

• Diversify their energy portfolios beyond traditional operations
• Develop indigenous coal gasification capabilities
• Create value-added products from domestic coal resources
• Strengthen India's position in alternative energy technologies

The approval for this joint venture represents a milestone in BPCL's strategic expansion beyond conventional petroleum refining into emerging energy technologies, while providing Coal India with opportunities to move up the value chain in coal utilization.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a state-owned oil company, has announced a change in its board composition. Asheesh Joshi, who served as a director on BPCL's board, has concluded his tenure effective December 1, 2025. This change comes as a result of the completion of Joshi's central deputation at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Key Details of the Directorship Change

Background and Implications

Asheesh Joshi's appointment to the BPCL board was initially communicated on June 20, 2025, following his nomination by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on June 19, 2025. His directorship was set for a three-year term on a co-terminus basis, contingent on his tenure at the ministry.

The co-terminus nature of Joshi's appointment meant that his directorship at BPCL was directly linked to his position at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. As his central deputation concluded, so did his role on BPCL's board.

This change in directorship highlights the close relationship between government ministries and state-owned enterprises in India, particularly in strategic sectors like oil and gas. It also underscores the dynamic nature of board compositions in public sector undertakings, where changes often align with government postings and tenures.

BPCL, as a responsible corporate entity, has promptly disclosed this change in directorship to comply with Regulation 30 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. This transparency ensures that shareholders and the market are kept informed of significant changes in the company's governance structure.

As BPCL navigates this transition, stakeholders will be keen to observe any potential impacts on the company's strategic direction and decision-making processes. The oil and gas sector remains crucial to India's energy security and economic growth, making governance changes in major players like BPCL noteworthy events in the industry landscape.