HPCL plans three new labs at Bengaluru R&D center

HPCL plans three new labs at Bengaluru R&D centre

State-run Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) is developing three new labs at its R&D Centrein Bengaluru for research on petrochemicals, biofuels, batteries, hydrogen and solar energy, is Chairman and Managing Director, Mr. M.K. Surana, Informed shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting recently. Expansion of business portfolio with greater presence in the clean energy verticals of natural gas remains a focus area of the company, Mr. Surana said. HPCL, along with its joint ventures, has the authorisation for city gas distribution in 20 geographical areas covering nine states. To promote the usage of cleaner fuels and for giving wider choices to customers, CNG facilities were provided at 166 retail outlets taking the total number of CNG retail outlets to 471. 
 Mr. Surana reiterated previously announced plans that HPCL will invest over Rs. 60,000-crore in the next fi ve years for building infrastructure to support growth and expansion. This includes refi nery expansion and augmentation projects to increase capacity of Mumbai Refinery to 9.5-mtpa and Visakh Refi nery to 15-mtpa along with residue upgradation facilities. The project for setting up of 9-mtpa capacity greenfi eld refi nery-cum  etrochemical complex at Barmer in Rajasthan has made signifi cant progress with the award of EPC contracts for fi ve of the major process units out of total 13 process units.
HPCL is also looking to increase its presence in biofuels segment by building production facilities for second-generation (2G) ethanol and compressed biogas.

The Visakh refinery has commenced production of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), with sulphur content less than .5%, to meet the global regulatory requirement for ocean-going vessels. HPCL said it is continuing to expand its footprint in overseas markets and plans to widen its presence to 20 countries. Pipeline network length and capacities are being augmented with three cross-country pipelines entailing an investment of about Rs. 5,600-crore, Mr.Surana added