Reliance Industries will be shutting down one of its refinery units in Gujarat with a capacity to refine 3.3 lakh barrels of crude a day, as part of its annual maintenance exercise, sources said, though no definite date has been specified.
The shutdown is expected to be some time in June, though sources aware of the matter said that it can take place later too.
Some other refining units may also be shut down for maintenance, but sources indicated that this could be a staggered exercise. “Shutdowns for maintenance have to be taken, but whether we do it one month from now, or three months … is a decision that is yet to be taken,” said a source.
Some units such as the continuous catalytic reformer and paraxylene units have already been shut down for maintenance, the sources said.
RIL did not respond to a request for comment.
Crucial time
This shutdown is coming at a crucial time when the country is struggling with scarcity in several crude derivatives including liquified petroleum gas, due to the West Asia crisis.
LPG is a byproduct of crude oil refining and refiners in India, including Reliance, have been directed to step up production of the gas that is vital for both commercial and residential use.
In its earnings call, the company had said that it had increased LPG supplies to the domestic market almost four-fold.
The government has formed a joint working group comprising the Ministry of Petroleum, Ministry of Department of Chemicals, Petrochemicals and couple of other ministries also such as food and public administration to ensure that end-consumer segments are able to get a regular supply of LPG.
Sources indicated that the shutdown will be undertaken keeping these dynamics in mind and that adequate precautions will be taken so that sufficient stocks of LPG is available and supply disruptions are minimal. “It will be ensured that sufficient products are available,” said a source.