Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), which has a current capacity of 3 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA), is in the midst of a significant expansion, as revealed by Mintu Handique, General Manager of CSR at NRL.
"We are expanding our capacity by 6 MMTPA, which will bring us to a total of 9 MMTPA," said Handique, who spoke about the journey of the company, plans for expansion, economic impact, and its deeply embedded association with the Assamese people's sentiments during an exclusive interview with Business North East (BNE).
"NRL is a sentiment of Assam. It belongs to the people. Every employee and officer of NRL works with the mission to uphold that sentiment and contribute to the state's economic transformation," said Handique, who added that this expansion is no small feat.
He shared approximately 15,000 contract workers are presently engaged on-site. "It’s a massive industrial activity. We have successfully transported and installed large-scale equipment known as ODCs (Over Dimensional Cargo), and the majority of the infrastructure is nearing completion," said the NRL official.
According to Handique, the refinery has a target of mechanical completion towards the end of this year, starting with the commissioning of some of the critical battery units. The expansion doesn't stop with capacity augmentation alone. "NRL is also building an important pipeline connecting Paradip for carrying crude oil and distributing finished products to Indian locations," revealed Handique, who said the pipeline will further boost logistical efficiency and support the growing demand for petroleum products throughout India.
Near the main refinery, NRL is also progressing well on its bioethanol complex, which is almost complete, as per Handique. In the next three to four months, NRL plans to commission it and start production. Handique revealed that though the actual revenue for the financial year is kept under wraps as it is still being reviewed internally, NRL has surpassed its production target.
"Earlier, constraints in crude availability had restricted production. But this year, we have overcome that barrier. We have crossed the 3 MMTPA mark," said Handique, who further announced that the NRL's capital expenditure during the year has crossed Rs 9,000 crore, pointing to the scale of continuous development.
NRL is also doing well in all product segments — petrol (MS), wax, and other petroleum products — with targets surpassing across the board. The company is not actively involved in the retail sale of petroleum but retains a strong marketing presence through its terminal in Siliguri and other distribution centres. With domestic consumption accounting for most products, NRL has an expanding export reach in wax, with exports shipped to many foreign countries.
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