MRPL phase 3 refinery expansion near completion.

MRPL's much delayed Phase III refinery expansion programme seems to be nearing the finishing line.

Speaking on the sidelines of Petrotech 2014, P.P. Upadhya, Managing Director of MRPL, said that BHEL is expected to complete the power plant by the end of January or by the first fortnight of February.

This, Upadhya said, will enable MRPL to proceed with its other activities in the project commissioning. Except the power plant, most of the work pertaining to the expansion has been completed.

On completion, along with growth in MRPL's refining capacity from 12 mtpa to 15 mtpa, the refinery's Nelson complexity factor (a measure of efficiency) is expected to increase from the current 6 to around 10. This will enable it to process cheaper, heavier crude oil into higher-value end-products.

HBL