BPCL is aiming at 100% mechanical completion of Kochi refinery expansion by March 2016 and the integrated commissioning of the plant by May 2016. BPCL is expected to award mechanical contracts for five major units, namely, Fludized Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU), VGO Hydro De-Sulphurisation Treater, Diesel Hydro De-Sulphurisation Treater, Delayed Coker and Sulphur Recovery Unit, by the end of this month. As of February 2014, the physical progress of the project stood at 31.67%.
The expansion and upgradation project will see the Kochi refinery processing capacity at 3,10,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude. With the completion of the expansion project, the capacity of the refinery will go up from 9.5 million tonnes per annum (MMTPA) to 15.5 MMTPA. The project also envisages modernization of the refinery to produce motor fuels meeting Euro-IV and Euro-V quality specifications. The refinery will also be able to process cheaper high sulphur crude oils once the project is implemented. The project is estimated is estimated to cost Rs 14,225 crore.
The ugly trade unionism will not allow the contractors to execute the job in time.