96 percent of BPCL-Kochi refinery expansion work over

KOCHI: The pre-commissioning activities of the new crude distillation and diesel hydro-treater unit connected with Integrated Refinery Expansion Project (IREP) of the BPCL-Kochi Refinery have commenced. The senior officials of BPCL-Kochi Refinery informed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that the nee cooling towers, gas turbine and Row Water Treatment Plant have been commissioned. The company officials led by Kochi Refinery Executive Director Prasad Panikkar explained to the Chief Minister about progress of the IREP project.

The officials said 96 per cent of the physical target of work connected with the project has been completed. The IREP project aims to increase the refining capacity of Kochi refinery by 6 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA) from the present 9.5 MMTPA to 15.5 MMTPA and modernization of refinery to produce auto-fuels complying with Bharat Stage-IV and V stage specifications.

The Chief Minister assured the complete support of the state government for facilitating the growth of the refinery. Addressing a public function at the refinery complex on Saturday he said refinery is all set to make a giant leap. The Chief Minister has also inaugurated the new fire station at the refinery with all modern facilities.    

Pinarayi was accompanied by MLAs V.P. Sajeendran, P.T. Thomas, Hibi Eden and M. Swaraj during the visit to the refinery and the project area. He also flagged off three ambulances provided by BPCL to Kerala Police for the Highway Safety project as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.