Goa: State-run Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) on the sidelines of India Energy Week (IEW) 2026 highlighted the commissioning of its LC-Max-based residue upgradation unit at the Visakhapatnam refinery as a major step toward strengthening India’s energy security and refining resilience.
The deep conversion facility, announced earlier this month, enables the Vizag refinery to convert low-value residue, often referred to as the ‘bottom of the barrel’, into high-value distillates, significantly expanding India’s ability to process heavier and more complex crude oils.
“This showcases the technical strength of our organisation,” said HPCL chairman and managing director Vikas Kaushal, adding that the project allows the refinery to handle a much wider crude slate, thereby reducing vulnerability to global supply disruptions.
Over the last few years, HPCL has transformed the Vizag refinery from an eight million tonnes per annum (mtpa) facility into a complex refinery with capacity exceeding 15 mtpa, fully compliant with Euro-VI fuel standards. Kaushal also underscored the project’s alignment with the ‘Make in India’ initiative, noting that several critical and complex reactors used in the LC-Max unit were manufactured domestically.
Speaking on the broader relevance of India Energy Week, Kaushal said the event has emerged as one of the leading global energy platforms. “It is a great opportunity to showcase our focus on innovation, R&D and technology deployment,” he said, adding that IEW also serves as a key forum for engaging young professionals and forging new partnerships.
On the clean energy front, HPCL announced multiple collaborations during the event. The company signed a memorandum of understanding with Thermax to jointly accelerate developments in the new energies space, including cleaner fuel solutions. In another internal industry partnership, HPCL entered into an MoU with Oil India, under which HPCL will act as a technology provider for a compressed biogas plant.
Kaushal said these partnerships, along with HPCL’s engagement with startups, reflect the company’s strategy of leveraging advanced technology and collaboration to support India’s energy transition, while ensuring reliable and affordable fuel supply.
