Vizag to boost production by 2015

Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd expects to expand the Vizag refinery plant to 15 million tonnes by 2015-16. According to HPCL Director (refineries) K Murali, Engineers India has been appointed as consultants for the project and they are expected to submit report on that.

Mr Murali said that "They (Engineers India) are expected to complete the feasibility report in few months time. Then we will have to take it to board for approvals. By 2015-16 we can expect the expansion in place provided we overcome all hurdles such as environmental clearances." HPCL operates two major refineries producing a wide variety of petroleum fuels and specialties, one in Mumbai (West Coast) of 6.5 Million metric tonne per annum capacity and the other in Vishakhapatnam, (East Coast) with a capacity of 8.3 million metric tonne per annum.

The project, which was scheduled to take off in 2013, could not be taken forward for variety of reasons, such as environmental issues and partnership with others.

Refusing to reveal cost of the expansion, Murali said it depends on the project report being prepared by EI. A senior official of HPCL earlier had said the capacity expansion will require investment of INR 10,000 crore . HPCL will be completing the shifting of its two terminals for black oil and white oil, to newer location which will free 70 acres of space in the existing complex.

On the frequent interventions of Pollution Control Board on environmental issues, Murali said they will chose the technology in such a way that the emission levels remain under prescribed norms even if the capacity goes up.