Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOC), India’s largest refiner, aims to double its crude refining installed capacity from 65.7 to 123 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in the next 10 years, through expansion and new greenfield units. This was disclosed by Rajkumar Ghosh, director (Refineries), IOC, at Vadodara.

Besides the commissioning of 15 MMT per year Paradip Refinery in Orissa, another Refinery of 15 MMT per year is in perspective planning to be set-up in Western part of the country. Gujarat Refinery plant operating at the level of 13.7 MMT per year is also planned to be raised to 18 MMT per year by 2016-17 and 23 MMT per year by 2020-21, said Shri Rajkumar Ghosh.

IndianOil Refineries collectively are processing crude oil in excess of their design capacity for past five years and there has been sustained improved in the energy conservation management at refineries in spite of meeting stringent quality parameters, said Shri Ghosh.

Gujarat Refinery which commissioned IndianOil'''s first Petrochemical Plant of Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) successfully is also considering setting up of PX-PTA plant to add value to its hydrocarbon chain, Shri Ghosh added.

Talking about Gujarat refinery'''s committed efforts towards sustainable development, Prithwiraj Sur, Executive Director (I/c) of Gujarat Refinery said that IndianOil has given its best to ensure that development does not harm the environment and quality of life. The refinery, has also drawn up action plan to maximize reuse of treated effluent and reduce fresh water consumption by installing a Reverse Osmosis (RO) unit. The Rs160crore unit will maximize reuse of treated effluent, reduce Fresh Water consumption and achieve Zero discharge.