The Hindu Business Line : MRPL to produce Euro IV grade petrol

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) will achieve another distinction of being the first refinery in the country to produce Euro IV grade petrol in India, according to the MRPL Managing Director, Mr R. Rajamani.

Addressing presspersons here on Saturday, Mr Rajamani said that the isomerisation unit, which has been set up as a part of clean fuel project, is likely to be commissioned by December. The cost of the project is Rs 234 crore, excluding taxes.

Growing demand

There is a great demand for this grade of fuel in Europe and the US. He said that MRPL was the first refinery to produce Euro III grades of petrol and diesel in India.

The Mixed Xylene unit, costing Rs 51.86 crore, is due for commissioning. The high-value Mixed Xylene product will be available from October, he said.

With a view to ensuring long-term economic viability of the refinery, MRPL has embarked upon a large refinery upgradation-cum-capacity expansion project (from 9.69 MTPA to 15 MTPA), involving a capital expenditure of Rs 7,943 crore.

The project, when implemented, will increase the distillate yield by 10 per cent in lieu of low-value black oil pool. It will also lead to increased capabilities to process high sulphur and high TAN crude oils, even while producing the transportation fuels of Euro III and Euro IV standards.

It will also enable MRPL's entry into Lube Oil Base Stock (LOBS) market with 2.5 lakh tonnes per annum capacity. The project is scheduled to be completed by June 2010.

An aromatic complex is also being set up by a separate SPV of ONGC and MRPL at Mangalore SEZ with an estimated project cost of Rs 4,852 crore to bring value addition to surplus naphtha produced at the refinery, by producing paraxylene.

Alternative energy

Mr Rajamani said that MRPL is also focusing attention on alternative sources of energy and alternative fuel as well. Certain experiments are being conducted to produce cheaper bio-diesel, he said, adding that a bio gas plant is proposed to process domestic waste. Three electric cars have been procured to replace the diesel-driven cars for the movement within the refinery, he added.

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