Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) signed an MoU with Paradip Port Trust and Indian Oil Corporation for import of crude oil at Paradip Port, paving way for its proposed refinery expansion. NRL in Assam has proposed expansion from existing 3 MMTPA to 9 MMTPA.
Under NRL’s proposed refinery expansion project, a 28 inch diameter 1400 Km long crude oil pipeline of one MMTPA capacity will be laid for transporting 6.0 MMTPA of imported crude oil from Paradip Port to Numaligarh. Union minister for road transport, highways and shipping Nitin Gadkari said it will be a boon for Assam and North Eastern states. “With the pipelines, the cost of petroleum products will be reduced as it would decrease transportation cost drastically. Besides, we can supply petroleum products to Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar.”
Capital investment of Rs 1,000 crore will be made at the Paradip Port for this project. As per the MoU, IOCL’s spare capacity of existing Single Point Mooring at Paradip will be utilised for the project. Paradip Port Trust will extend land space for installation of crude storage tanks, pump house and township at Paradip.[/vc_column_text]
