The Hindu : Business : Kochi Refinery's single point mooring facility to be ready by May

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006
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Kochi Refinery's single point mooring facility to be ready by May

Staff Reporter

Work on the project is on schedule

KOCHI: More than 50 per cent of the overall work of the single point mooring (SPM) facility for the Bharat Petroleum Corporation's (BPCL) Kochi Refinery is complete. Work on the project is on schedule and the facility is expected to be commissioned by May 2007, said a BPCL spokesman here. He said the new crude reception facility would cut cost by Rs.165 crore a year and that it was in keeping with the BPCL's plans for further expansion in Kochi.

The current oil tanker berth operated by the BPCL had a draft of just 12.5 metres while very large crude carriers (VLCC) needed a depth of 22.4 metres.

The BPCL would set up a shore tank form in 70 hectares leased on long-term from the Cochin Port Trust. The project management consultants for the work are the Malaysian company Intec and FACT Engineering and Design Organisation (FEDO).

Earlier this year, the BPCL board approved phase II of capacity expansion at Kochi Refinery envisaging an investment to the tune of Rs.2,000 crore. The project was meant to upgrade auto fuels MS and HSD from the present BS II specification to Euro III specification and increase refining capacity from the current level of 7.5 million tonnes a year to 9.5 million tonnes. The project was expected to be completed by September 2009.

The BPCL was carrying out social development activities spending Rs.18 crore in Kochi city and neighbouring areas. The infrastructure development activities would have its focus on areas neighbouring the SPM facility.

While part of the money was used for acquisition of land for Sahodaran Ayappan Road, money was also being spent on health infrastructure and sanitation.

Improving of the primary health centre at the Elamkunnappuzha panchayat and Government Hospital at Malippuram, building 20 houses hit by tsunami were also part of the programme.

Strengthening work of water supply lines in the area would be taken by the KRL in consultation with the Kerala Water Authority.

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