mangalore today

MRPL cuts Diesel, petrol production, may close if no water is supplied


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 6, 2016: As a result of the Nethravati drying up and an acute water shortage, MRPL, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. on May 5, Thursday began the process of shutting down its Phase III operations, curtailing production of diesel and petrol by about 50 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.


MRPLIn the absence of rain in a day or two, the MRPL would completely shut down its production, thereby severely affecting supply of diesel and petrol in Karnataka.

“MRPL is doing it’s best to postpone the complete shutdown but the only way out is a few good showers from heaven. If this situation continues production cannot go beyond four or five days,” said M. Venkatesh, director (Refinery), MRPL.  Shutting down of Phase III had commenced, diesel production was reduced by about 12,000 kilo litres a day and that of petrol by about 1,000 kilo litres a day.

Dakshina Kannada’s lifeline Nethravati has dried up, the district administration had asked the MRPL to lift water  on alternative days in April first week, and on April 26, the administration ordered complete curtailment of water supply to all industries, including the MRPL, and Mangalore Special Economic Zone.

The MRPL has been running with about 3 million gallons per day (MGD) of recycled water that is coming from Kavoor sewage treatment plant and other local sources all these days.

Search for options :  Director MRPL, Venkatesh said the company was exploring many options to keep the refinery working in the present circumstances. Asked whether the MRPL would draw water stored in the crude oil cavern of Indian Strategic Petro Reserves Ltd., near Permude, off Mangaluru,  Venkatesh said this was also being discussed. About 20 million gallons of water, stored for testing purposes, is said to be available in the cavern.

The MRPL is also exploring options such as sourcing partially refined crude from other refineries and producing the final product matching to the local standards.