NEW DELHI — Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has issued a recovery roadmap for the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL) following a fire incident earlier this month. The company confirmed that the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) is expected to be back online in the second half of May 2026.
The fire, which occurred on April 20, was localized to a heat exchanger stack. Detailed investigations suggest the blaze was likely caused by a leakage from a pressure gauge tapping point.
Restoration and Impact Assessment
Despite the setback, HPCL reported that the damage was contained:
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Localized Damage: The fire affected six heat exchangers and their supporting structures.
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Timeline: Restoration work is already underway and is projected to wrap up within three to four weeks.
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Commissioning Progress: While the CDU underwent repairs, other secondary units at the complex remained on track and are currently in advanced stages of commissioning.
Trial Production Targets
The refinery is a cornerstone of India’s energy infrastructure, and HPCL is moving swiftly to hit its production milestones.
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May 2026 Goals: Trial production for essential petroleum products—including LPG, Petrol (Motor Spirit), High-Speed Diesel (HSD), and Naphtha—is slated to begin by the end of next month.
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Stabilization Phase: Once trial production commences, the refinery will move into a stabilization phase to ensure long-term operational safety and efficiency.
The update provides a clear signal to stakeholders that the ₹79,459 crore project remains resilient, with the recovery process unlikely to cause a significant long-term delay to the refinery’s overall integration into the national grid.
