Visakh Refinery to produce Euro-IV-compliant diesel by year-end

<[>INDUSTRY DOSSIER "We are in a position to supply to Vizag market earlier than the deadline if the authorities permit us to do so," HPCL Executive Director and in-charge of Visakh Refinery P.A.B. Raju told The Hindu.

The Visakh Refinery of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) will supply Euro-IV-compliant high-speed diesel (HSD) on a regular basis from April 1, 2013 with the mechanical completion of facilities by the year-end.

The Diesel Hydro-Treating (DHT) Project being implemented by the refinery at a cost of Rs.2,730 crore is in an advanced stage of completion with officials of the HPCL working on a war-footing to commission various facilities.

The DHT project is part of the HPCL’s endeavour to supply Euro-IV-compliant diesel. At present, it is being supplied to 13 metros. It will be available in Visakhapatnam in 2015. The city at present is getting Euro-III-compliant diesel. Euro-IV diesel contains less sulphur compared to Euro-III diesel.

“We are in a position to supply to Vizag market earlier than the deadline if the authorities permit us to do so,” HPCL Executive Director and in-charge of Visakh Refinery P.A.B. Raju told

The Hindu.

At present by getting Euro-IV diesel from other organisations, the refinery is supplying it to Hyderabad region. The Euro-IV diesel would be produced with suitable technological upgradation and prudent environment management, Mr. Raju said.

Visakh Refinery had already commissioned MS (motor spirit) block units (petrol) at a cost of Rs.2,205 crore meeting Euro-III and IV specifications. The cleaner and greener fuels will certainly improve the ambient air quality in line with international standards.

The refinery as a safety measure for storage of LPG and propylene, commissioned seven mounded storage bullets with an investment of Rs.125 crore disbanding the old spheres.

Mr. Raju said they would be in a position to undertake trial run of Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) each with 2,00,000 to 3,00,000 DWT capacity.

The Single Point Mooring facility was commissioned last year.

The facility is created to save freight cost and improve refinery economics.

As part of clean fuel project, Rs.100 crore is being invested on the Fuel Gas Desulphurisation facility. It is expected to be completed by December.

Mr. Raju hoped that the refinery, which has a capacity of 8.3 million tonnes, could meet energy demand better by expanding the capacity to 15 million tonne subject to environmental and other clearances.