Reliance’s First Refinery at Jamnagar Marks 25 Years of Operations.

On December 28, 1999, Reliance Industries Ltd launched its first-ever refinery at Jamnagar, Gujarat, marking a pivotal moment in India's energy history. The refinery transformed India from a fuel-deficit nation to one that was self-sufficient and later a net exporter of gasoline and gasoil to Europe and the United States. Today, Jamnagar stands as the world’s refining hub, an engineering marvel and a symbol of India’s industrial prowess.

When Reliance first proposed building a refinery capable of processing crude oil into essential fuels like petrol and diesel, experts doubted the feasibility of such an ambitious project for an Indian company. They predicted it would be impossible to set up the world's largest grassroots refinery in just three years. However, Reliance defied these expectations, completing the project in just 33 months, even in the face of infrastructure challenges and a severe cyclone that hit Jamnagar during construction.

The refinery, initially designed with a capacity of 27 million tonnes per year (560,000 barrels per day), was completed at nearly 40% lower cost per tonne compared to other refineries in Asia. It was later expanded to 33 million tonnes.

The refinery’s creation was the realization of a long-cherished dream of Reliance founder Dhirubhai Ambani. Despite advice against building it in the barren region of Jamnagar, near the sleepy village of Motikhavdi, Dhirubhai saw it as an opportunity to build more than just an industrial plant—he envisioned a thriving industrial ecosystem.

Between 1996 and 1999, Dhirubhai and his dedicated team turned the desolate land into a bustling industrial hub, creating not only a refinery but a transformation for the entire region. The project added 25% to India’s total refining capacity, making the country self-sufficient in transport fuels. The refinery’s environmental efforts also created a green zone in the arid region, lowering temperatures and improving rainfall.

Over time, the Jamnagar complex has grown into a significant ecological area, now home to Asia’s largest mango orchard with over 150,000 mango trees. The area’s extensive mangrove belt has become a sanctuary for migratory birds, while the nearby Vantara rehabilitation home cares for rescued wild species.

A decade later, Reliance expanded its operations with a second refinery, adjacent to the original one, capable of processing 580,000 barrels per day (29 million tonnes). This expansion made Jamnagar the largest single-site refining complex in the world.

The refinery’s most notable feature is its complexity, allowing it to process cheaper heavy crude oils into high-quality products that meet stringent western fuel market standards. As a result, it competes with the world’s best refineries while serving both domestic and export markets, making Jamnagar a true ‘super’ refinery.

BS