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HPCL's Visakh Refinery Launches World's First LC-Max Unit in Major Upgrade

HPCL has successfully commissioned a new Residue Upgradation Facility at its Visakh Refinery, featuring the world's first and largest LC-Max technology unit. The facility achieves a remarkable 93% conversion of heavy residues into valuable distillates, significantly improving refinery efficiency and margins. Managed by Engineers India Limited and built by Larsen & Toubro, the project is hailed as a complex global benchmark in refining technology. It is positioned as a showcase for India's domestic engineering capabilities and aligns with national goals for energy self-reliance.

Key Points: HPCL Visakh Refinery Commissions World-First LC-Max Facility

  • World's first & largest LC-Max unit
  • 93% residue conversion rate
  • Part of Visakh Refinery Modernization Project
  • Enhances refinery margins & complexity
  • Aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat vision
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HPCL's Visakh Refinery residue upgradation facility commissioned with world's first LC-Max unit

HPCL's Visakh Refinery commissions a landmark Residue Upgradation Facility with the world's first LC-Max unit, boosting India's refining capacity and energy security.

"enabling an exceptional 93% conversion of bottom-of-the-barrel residues into high-value distillates - Engineers India Limited release"

New Delhi, January 5

The Residue Upgradation Facility at HPCL's Visakh Refinery was successfully commissioned on Sunday, establishing a new global benchmark as it features the world's first and largest LC-Max unit. Engineers India Limited, acting as the Project Management Consultant, oversaw the implementation of this landmark facility, which marks another first for the company in its six-decade history of managing mission-critical energy infrastructure.

The 3.55 MMTPA facility was developed as a core component of the Visakh Refinery Modernization Project (VRMP). According to a press release by the Engineers India Limited, the project ranks among the most complex residue processing facilities commissioned globally. While EIL provided end-to-end engineering and project management services throughout the project lifecycle, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) served as the EPC contractor for the installation.

"The facility deploys LC-Max technology, a world-first at this scale, enabling an exceptional 93% conversion of bottom-of-the-barrel residues into high-value distillates. This significantly enhances refinery margins, improves refining complexity, and maximizes value extraction from every barrel of crude--aligned with India's growing energy demand," the release said.

The EIL release also noted that the successful commissioning of the facility reflects "seamless collaboration among HPCL, EIL, L&T, licensors, vendors, and project teams" who managed "unprecedented technological, logistical, and execution challenges". The project is positioned to serve as a global showcase for technology integration and domestic engineering capabilities.

The release said that the achievement strongly aligns with the Hon'ble Prime Minister's vision of "Atmanirbhar Bharat", demonstrating India's ability to conceptualize, engineer, and execute cutting-edge refining technologies domestically, while strengthening national energy security.

"The Residue Upgradation Facility at Visakh Refinery is poised to serve as a global showcase project, setting new benchmarks in technology integration, execution excellence, and indigenous capability in the refining sector," the release noted.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As someone from Visakhapatnam, it's heartening to see such a landmark project come up here. It should bring more skilled jobs and development to the region. Hope the environmental safeguards are as robust as the technology claims. Great achievement for Indian engineering!
R
Rohit P
World's first LC-Max unit! This is the kind of innovation we need. It directly impacts refinery margins, which should hopefully translate to more stable fuel prices for us consumers in the long run. Shows what our engineers are capable of when given the chance.
S
Sarah B
While the technological achievement is impressive, I hope the press release's focus on "seamless collaboration" reflects the actual ground reality for all workers involved. Major projects often face labor issues. A respectful suggestion: celebrating success is good, but ensuring fair practices throughout is what truly builds capability.
V
Vikram M
Maximizing value from every barrel is crucial for a growing economy like ours. This reduces our import dependency bit by bit. Hope this technology can be replicated in other refineries too. EIL and L&T have made the country proud. 👏
K
Karthik V
Excellent! This is real nation-building work. When we master such complex core technologies in-house, it strengthens the entire industrial ecosystem. More power to our scientists and engineers. Now, let's see the impact on the ground and the balance sheets.

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