Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has successfully commissioned the Residue Upgradation Facility (RUF) at its 15 MMTPA Visakh Refinery. With a capacity of 3.55 MMTPA, RUF employs advanced LC-Max based residue hydrocracking technology to achieve about 93% conversion of bottom oils into high-value products.

Visakh Refinery will now have the capability of enhancing its distillate yield by up to 10% (from recent pre-capacity expansion levels). The Gross Refining Margins (GRMs) of the Visakh Refinery are set to increase substantially on account of superior product slate, flexibility to process many heavier or opportunity crudes, and higher value realisation per barrel.

This significant increase in middle-distillate output would help HPCL to reduce the gap between its HSD marketing and refining volumes, lowers dependence on external sourcing, strengthens the supply chain, and drives higher profitability through improved product realisation and margin capture.

With the commissioning of RUF, the Nelson Complexity Index of Visakh Refinery improves to 11.6, positioning it among India's most advanced deep-conversion Refineries. The RUF is embedded with the advanced LC-Max Digital suite which would enable efficient and optimised operation of the highly complex Unit, supporting improved yield control and sustained margin management.