CPCL begins work to establish specialised lube oil base stocks

The Manali Refinery of the Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) has begun enactment to found a works to nutrient basal stocks for Group II and Group III lubricants.

The lube lipid basal banal (LOBS) portion is coming up astatine a outgo of ₹1,600 crore. On completion, it volition beryllium capable to proviso the basal for Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.’s lube works astatine Manali, CPCL Managing Director H. Shankar told The Hindu.

CPCL is the lone refinery successful the state that produces fuels, LOBS, and paraffin wax. “We proviso basal lipid for Group I lubes, which are utilized successful automobiles and different machinery. Group II and III lubes are specialised variants and tin beryllium utilized successful precocious show engines and automatic transmission fluids. They tin withstand higher temperatures and person higher viscosity. The premium Group II and III LOBS besides person reduced sulphur content, meaning they are cleaner than different lubes,” helium said.

While the request for Group I lubes lipid basal is expected to continue, determination is simply a increasing request for Group II/III basal oils successful the country. “We import a ample quantity of the Group II LOBS and the request is expected to turn further. In specified a situation, CPCL is mounting up this task to nutrient LOBS. We volition assistance trim the country’s dependence connected imports,” Mr. Shankar added.

The task besides aims to revamp the existing Once- Through Hydrocracker Unit to summation the capableness and instal a caller Catalytic Dewaxing Unit with a plan capableness of 270000 tonnes per annum.

The caller units volition process Vacuum Gas Oil-derived Unconverted Oil streams from the refinery to nutrient high-value lube basal stocks. On implementation of the project, CPCL volition beryllium capable to nutrient astir 2,42,000 tonnes per annum of Group II and III LOBS.

The task besides aligns with the company’s broader strategy of worth addition, merchandise diversification and enhancement of refinery margins done accumulation of speciality petroleum products. The portion is coming up connected a 7,000 sq. mt. portion of onshore wrong the Manali refinery analyzable and nary further onshore volition beryllium required for it. A greenish loop volition besides beryllium developed astir it.