The Petroleum Act, 1934

The Petroleum Act, 1934

This Act consolidates and amends the law relating to the import, transport, storage, production, refining, and blending of petroleum. It was enacted to regulate the activities related to petroleum in India.

Key Provisions:

1. Import, Transport, and Storage of Petroleum: The Act regulates the import, transport, and storage of petroleum, including the rules for its import, transport, and storage.


2. Production, Refining, and Blending of Petroleum: The Act provides for the production, refining, and blending of petroleum, including the conditions subject to which it can be produced, refined, or blended.


3. Testing of Petroleum: The Act provides for the testing of petroleum, including the standard test apparatus and certification of other test apparatus.


4. Penalties and Procedure: The Act prescribes penalties for offences under this Act, including simple imprisonment and fines.

Key Definitions:

1. Petroleum: Any liquid hydrocarbon or mixture of hydrocarbons, and any inflammable mixture (liquid, viscous or solid) containing any liquid hydrocarbon.


2. Petroleum Class A: Petroleum having a flash-point below 23 degrees Centigrade.


3. Petroleum Class B: Petroleum having a flash-point of 23-65 degrees Centigrade.


4. Petroleum Class C: Petroleum having a flash-point of 65 degrees Centigrade and above but below 93 degrees Centigrade.

Exemptions and Powers:

1. Exemptions for Motor Conveyances and Stationary Engines: The owner of a motor conveyance or stationary internal combustion engine is exempt from obtaining a licence.


2. No Licence Needed for Transport or Storage of Limited Quantities of Petroleum Class B or C: Notwithstanding anything contained in this Chapter, a person need not obtain a licence for the transport or storage of petroleum Class B if the total quantity in his possession at any one place does not exceed 2500 litres and none of it is contained in a receptacle exceeding 1000 litres in capacity. Similarly, for petroleum Class C.


3. No Licence Needed for Import, Transport or Storage of Small Quantities of Petroleum Class A: Notwithstanding anything contained in this Chapter, a person need not obtain a licence for the import, transport or storage of petroleum Class A not intended for sale if the total quantity in his possession does not exceed 30 litres.

Consequences of Offences:

1. General Penalty for Offences under this Act: Whoever commits an offence under this Act shall be punishable with simple imprisonment which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.


2. Confiscation of Petroleum and Receptacles: In any case in which an offence has been committed, the convicting Magistrate may direct that the petroleum in respect of which the offence has been committed shall be confiscated.

Jurisdiction and Procedure:

1. Offences punishable under this Act shall be triable in the Presidency-towns by a Presidency Magistrate, and elsewhere by a Magistrate of the first class, or by a Magistrate of the second class who has been specially empowered by the Central Government.


2. Power of entry and search: The Central Government may authorise any officer to enter and search any place where he has reason to believe that any petroleum is being imported, transported, stored, produced, refined or blended otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder.

Note: This summary is based on the provided document and is not intended to be a comprehensive analysis of the Petroleum Act, 1934.