CORPORATE

CAREER

A corporate life spanning 30+ years, in India and Africa, is difficult to summarise in short space. Kumar embarked on his corporate journey as a young Chemical Engineer at the age of 23 years. Over the course of more than three decades, he built a remarkable career in the dynamic petroleum industry, spanning both India and Africa. His professional trajectory can be divided into three distinct phases:

1. Early Career: 1983-1992

2. Mid Career: 1992-2007

3. Later Career: 2007-2014

Further details, near the end. 

The Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon Shri B. K. Chaturvedi during a vibrant gala night on June 27, 2024, at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi. For me, this moment was both joyous and nostalgic. I recalled my days at the Oil Coordination Committee of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas when Shri Chaturvedi as Secretary (Petroleum) would chair several review meetings at Shastri Bhavan. During that period, the Indian oil industry faced numerous challenges, including limited refining capacity, congested ports, imported cargoes languishing at sea incurring high demurrage costs, inadequate inland storage facilities, poor road infrastructure, and a complex railway system combining broad and meter gauges.

Despite these constraints, Shri Chaturvedi's exceptional leadership steered the industry like a seasoned captain navigating troubled waters. His guidance was invaluable during those challenging times.

We also reminisced about the late Shri Subir Raha, then the Executive Director of the Oil Coordination Committee, and other influential figures who made significant contributions to the industry.

Dr. Kirit S. Parikh is a distinguished Indian economist and policy advisor known for his significant contributions to India's energy sector and economic policy. 

His work as a Member of the Planning Commission in charge of Energy and Water led to the development of India’s Integrated Energy Policy, which laid a comprehensive framework for the country’s energy needs. He headed the committee set up by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to finalize the natural gas pricing formula.

His role as a Member of the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) saw him serve under five Prime Ministers of India: Atal Behari Vajpayee, P.V. Narasimha Rao, Chandra Shekhar, V.P. Singh, and Rajiv Gandhi.

He was honored as the Most Distinguished and Illustrious Alumni of the Decade from India by MIT and as Distinguished Alumnus by IIT-Kharagpur.

Timeline: Early Career: 1983-1992

1983-1987

Acquired in-depth industry knowledge and practical expertise of petroleum sector at an Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. refinery in Bihar. Specialized in the supply chain management of finished petroleum products, efficiently catering to the regions of Bihar, parts of Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal.  

1987-1990 

Moved from Bihar to the Regional Office of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. in Kolkata. Directed the supply chain operations for petroleum products across Eastern India, encompassing Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, and the entire North-East. Supervised complex multi-modal logistics, including road, rail, pipelines, riverine barges, and coastal/ocean-going tankers. 

1990-1992 

Appointed as the Head of a strategically located an oil terminal in West Bengal near the Bhutan border (Jaigaon, India – Phuntsholing, Bhutan). Managed the critical oil supply chains for defense forces (army, air force, BSF etc.) and the tea gardens of North Bengal, while ensuring seamless support for Bhutan Oil Corporation’s operations.  

Timeline: Mid Career: 1992-2007

1992-1997  

Promoted to the Head Office of the Marketing Division at Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Mumbai. Spearheaded the nationwide supply chain of petroleum products, spanning crude oil to finished products. Played a key role in optimizing operations through the CRIS (Computer Rolled Industry Supply) Plan, an in-house developed program. Successfully transitioned the program from a mainframe system at IIT Mumbai to a desktop-based application at the Head Office.  

1997-2000

Deputed to the Oil Coordination Committee (OCC) under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas as Joint Director (Operations). Orchestrated the nationwide supply chain of petroleum products during a period of unprecedented challenges, including soaring demand, limited refining and storage capacities, inadequate port infrastructure, and logistical bottlenecks in the railway system. Delivered consistent supply across the country by navigating these constraints with innovative solutions.  

2000-2007 

Following the dissolution of the OCC, joined the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas as Joint Director (Operations). Upon completion of the assignment, returned to Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., and subsequently transitioned to the private sector, embracing new opportunities in the evolving oil industry.  

Timeline: Later Career: 2007-2014

2007-2014 

Successfully adapted to the dynamic environment of the private sector after extensive experience in public-sector organizations. Contributed to several companies within the oil industry, engaging in service provision and project management, including managing segments of an upcoming refinery projects valued at USD 200 million. Enhanced credentials with an MBA in International Business from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi. Later, assumed significant roles within Africa’s petroleum industry.  

2014-Present: From Coporate to Academia  

Following a distinguished tenure as Head of Operations and Projects at a leading oil marketing company in Tanzania, returned to India. Accepted invitation and transitioned into academia, channeling extensive industry expertise to mentor and shape the next generation of leaders in the petroleum and energy sectors.

In the initial phase of his career, Kumar immersed himself in the foundational aspects of the oil industry. His first role was at the Indian Oil Corporation’s refinery in Barauni, Bihar, where he gained invaluable insights into the supply chain management of various petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, kerosene, etc., as well as byproducts like pet coke, phenol extract etc. This position allowed him to manage a vast supply chain network that extended across Bihar, parts of Uttar Pradesh, and even into Nepal.

Kumar's experience in Barauni equipped him with a solid understanding of surface logistics—both road and rail transport—as well as underground cross-country pipelines. His talents were soon recognized, leading to a promotion to Kolkata, the headquarters of the Eastern Region of the company. This new role introduced him to marine transportation, encompassing everything from riverine barges to coastal tankers and ocean-going vessels. Within his first week in Kolkata, his boss, the late Supriyo Basu, tasked him with gaining hands-on experience of tanker operations at Haldia port. There, he successfully oversaw two oil tanker discharge operations from start to finish.