CHENNAI
The environment study for Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (CPCL) proposed 9 million tonnes per annum Cauvery Basin Refinery (CBR) at Nagapattinam, estimated to be constructed at a cost of ₹37,540 crore, has been completed.
More recently, the consultant appointed to conduct the environment impact assessment (EIA) study for the project, which is likely to be completed in 42 months from the time the work begins, has also submitted its report to the company.
Company sources said the first stage approval for the project was received from CPCL/IOCL Boards in September 2017. Subsequently, selection of technology and preparation of Process Packages were completed. The detailed feasibility report (DFR) for the project had also been completed, and it was presently under investment approval from CPCL and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. boards.
The sources said the work included dismantling of CPCL’s existing one million tonnes per annum refinery located in Panangudi, Uthamacholapuram and Narimanam villages in Nagapattinam. This new refinery, which would produce Bharat Stage VI fuels, would improve availability of petroleum products in the region and meeting the future energy requirements of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
As part of the refinery, a dedicated single point mooring and subsea pipelines that could be connected to the new crude oil terminal at Nagapattinam. The proposed mooring facility would be installed at approximately 19.5 km off Nagapattinam coast and would be connected near the existing CPCL jetty. A desalination plant with a capacity of 79.2 million litres per day had also been envisaged as part of the project.
The sources said it was planned to despatch refined products through cross country pipeline to Tiruchi and also through coastal evacuation using nearby port facilities. Apart from the EIA, a marine impact assessment study had also been carried out as the project envisaged a mooring point in the sea among other facilities, they added.
