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Andhra's Mega Refinery Upgrade Fuels India's Energy Security Vision

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced the commissioning of a major Residue Upgradation Facility at the Visakhapatnam Refinery, marking a significant step for India's energy security. The facility, part of a modernisation project, features three of the world's heaviest reactors and uses advanced technology to convert 93% of residual oils into high-value products. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri hailed the project as a decisive leap towards an Aatmanirbhar Bharat under the leadership of PM Modi and CM Naidu. The upgrade aims to meet regional fuel demands and establish the East Coast as a world-class refining hub.

Key Points: AP's Visakh Refinery Upgrade: A Milestone for Energy Security

  • World's heaviest reactors installed
  • Converts 93% of barrel waste to fuel
  • Part of Visakh Refinery Modernisation Project
  • Boosts regional fuel supply & growth
2 min read

Andhra Pradesh achieves another major milestone, says CM Naidu

CM Naidu announces HPCL's Residue Upgradation Facility commissioning in Vizag, boosting India's refining capacity and Aatmanirbhar Bharat goals.

"Bharat's journey toward achieving energy security has reached a milestone - Hardeep Singh Puri"

Amaravati, Jan 5

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said on Monday that the state achieved another major milestone for Atmanirbhar Bharat with the successful commissioning of state-owned Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited's Residue Upgradation Facility at Visakhapatnam Refinery.

"Andhra Pradesh anchors another major milestone for Aatmanirbhar Bharat. As part of the three-stage Visakh Refinery Modernisation Project (VRMP), the refinery now hosts a new Residue Upgradation Facility featuring three of the heaviest reactors in the world," the Chief Minister posted on 'X'.

He said that this upgrade will help meet regional fuel needs and boost socio-economic growth.

Chief Minister Naidu thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his vision in strengthening Visakh Refinery to support the nation's energy security. With this, the East Coast also emerges as a world-class refining hub, he added.

The Chief Minister was reacting to Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri's post.

"Bharat's journey toward achieving energy security has reached a milestone with the successful commissioning of HPCL's Residue Upgradation Facility (RUF) at the Visakh Refinery," the Union Minister posted.

Hardeep Singh Puri wrote that this critical infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh is a decisive leap toward Atmanirbhar Bharat under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Naidu.

"The facility is a masterpiece of indigenous engineering, housing three LC-Max reactors of ~2,200 MT each-ranking among the world's heaviest engineering blocks-all fabricated and assembled within Bharat. With a capacity of 3.55 MMTPA, the RUF utilizes advanced residue hydrocracking technology to achieve a 93 per cent conversion of bottom of the barrel oils into high-value products, maximising the utility of every barrel to fuel the nation's rapid ascent!," he said.

Originally commissioned by Caltex Oil Refining India (CORIL) with 0.675 million tonnes per annum installed capacity in 1956, Visakh Refinery is the oldest oil refinery site on the eastern coast.

It has been owned and operated by Hindustan Petroleum since 1978.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Great achievement, but I hope this development also translates into more local jobs for the youth of Andhra and doesn't just remain a statistic. The focus should be on sustainable growth for the people living there.
R
Rohit P
"World's heaviest reactors" fabricated in India! This is what Aatmanirbhar Bharat is all about. Kudos to the engineers and workers. Hope this reduces our fuel import bill significantly.
S
Sarah B
As someone who follows energy sector developments, this is a significant technological leap. A 93% conversion rate is impressive. It shows how modernisation of old industrial assets is key to progress.
V
Vikram M
Good step forward. However, while we celebrate such projects, we must also ensure stringent environmental safeguards are in place for Vizag. The balance between development and ecology is crucial.
K
Karthik V
From a small refinery in 1956 to a world-class hub! This is the growth story of modern India. Hope the benefits percolate down and boost the entire coastal economy of AP and Odisha.

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