New Delhi: The domestic consumption of the country stood at 211.6 Million Metric Tonne (MMT) in 2018-19, while the overall refining capacity was at 249.366 Million Metric Tonne Per Annum (MMTPA). "The present refining capacity is adequate to meet the demand of petroleum products in the country," Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Wednesday.
In a written response submitted in the Lok Sabha, Pradhan said that there is a plan to expand the capacities of five refineries of state-run Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). These refineries are located at Haldia, Barauni, Gujarat, Mathura and Panipat. The expansion projects are expected to cost Rs 61,133 crores.
Two refineries of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) — Visakh Refinery in Visakhapatnam and Mumbai refinery — are also on the list, Pradhan informed. While Visakh will see its capacity rising from the current 8.3 MMTPA to 15 MMTPA, Mumbai refinery will see its capacity expanding from 7.5 MMTPA to 9.5 MMTPA. The projects are expected to cost Rs 25,988 crores. Oil Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are executing/evaluating brownfield and green-field refinery projects including Rajasthan Refinery project at Barmer, Rajasthan.
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