The Hindu Business Line : HPCL's Visakha refinery is one of the safest, says ED

The Visakha refinery of HPCL is adopting the most advanced safety systems, on a par with the best in the world, and it is one of the safest in the world, according to Mr A.S. Rao, the Executive Director in charge of the refinery.

At a press meet here on Tuesday evening, he said that ever since "the unfortunate accident" nine years ago in the refinery (a blast which claimed several lives) the management was taking all steps to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

"We are going in for the most advanced systems, such as mounded bullet storage for LPG/propylene, at a cost of Rs 125 crore. The LPG will be stored underground in bullets. At present, the feasibility study is in progress and the draft implementation plan is prepared. All approvals are in place. The consultant has been appointed," he explained. It may be completed in two years or so.

Mr Rao said that as on September 11 the refinery had completed 3.47 million manhours and 1,080 fire-free days and it had been certified as ISRS level eight (on a par with the Mumbai refinery). Gas detection equipment and fire detection equipment of the most advanced kind had been installed in the refinery and the employees were being given intensive training in handling the equipment. Mock drills were being conducted on a regular basis.

He said the refinery was also setting up a small desalination plant at a cost of Rs 15-18 crore and it may be ready by March 2007. He said the refinery was also adopting the best environment management practices.

The emissions were being minimised and low-sulphur fuels were being used.

He said the refinery had achieved 7,574 TMT of crude throughput during 2005-06 against the target of 7,500 TMT. He said the refinery was processing more than eight million tonnes per annum against the capacity of 7.5 million tonnes.

Future projects

He said the capacity of the refinery was being doubled at a cost of Rs 9,000 crore and a single point mooring (SPM) facility and crude oil terminal were also being put up at a cost of Rs 600 crore. Discussions were on with the Visakhapatnam Port Trust for the additional land required for these projects.

HPCL was also planning to set up a petrochemical complex in the special economic zone in Visakhapatnam district at a cost of Rs 9,000 crore. Roughly, 3,500 acres would be needed for the project and the State Government had allocated 1,500 acres till now. "We have no problems with the State Government. They have been very co-operative," he added.

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