PM Modi hails HPCL’s residue upgradation facility at Visakh Refinery

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday lauded the successful commissioning of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (HPCL) Residue Upgradation Facility (RUF) at the Visakh Refinery in Andhra Pradesh , calling it a decisive step toward strengthening India’s energy security and self-reliance .

The state-of-the-art facility , which has an annual processing capacity of 3.55 million tonnes , is designed to convert heavy residues from crude refining into lighter, high-value fuels such as diesel, petrol, and LPG. By upgrading these previously low-value fractions, the facility significantly enhances the refinery’s output of usable fuels.

Prime Minister Modi emphasised that the facility contributes to India’s goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the energy sector and supports the nation’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products . In response to a social media post by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the Prime Minister said. "This state-of-the-art facility adds momentum to our efforts towards boosting energy security, thus becoming Aatmanirbhar in this sector."

The Residue Upgradation Facility incorporates advanced hydrocracking technology , high-efficiency reactors, and modern process control systems. These technological advancements allow the Visakh Refinery to process heavier crude fractions more efficiently, improve yields of cleaner distillates, and maximise economic value from every barrel of crude.

With the commissioning of the RUF, the refinery’s distillate output is expected to increase by up to 10 per cent compared with previous years, while also improving operational flexibility and the ability to handle a wider range of crude types. This makes the refinery more resilient to global supply fluctuations and strengthens India’s domestic fuel production capacity .

Industry analysts have noted that this facility positions Visakh Refinery as one of the most advanced deep-conversion refineries in the country , supporting India’s long-term energy security, economic efficiency, and environmental goals .