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.

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:
§ 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.
§ 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 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.