A fire incident at the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Ltd (HRRL) in Pachpadra, Balotra district, has been attributed to a localized issue within the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU). Preliminary investigations indicate a technical fault as the likely cause.
The refinery, a major project for the state, is currently undergoing restoration work expected to be completed within the next few weeks. According to an official update from Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), detailed post-incident investigations revealed that the fire was confined to the heat exchanger stack of the CDU, affecting six exchangers and related equipment. Circumstantial evidence points to a possible leak from a pressure gauge tapping point as the trigger.
The fire, which occurred on April 20, raised concerns about the refinery's readiness and safety protocols as it neared commissioning. HPCL, however, stated that the damage was contained and did not spread to other critical sections.
Restoration and Timeline
Restoration activities are currently in progress, with an estimated completion time of three to four weeks. The CDU unit is expected to restart in the second half of May, while other secondary processing units are in advanced stages of commissioning. This suggests that the broader project timeline may not face significant disruption.
HPCL further stated that trial production of key petroleum products, including LPG, motor spirit (petrol), high-speed diesel, and naphtha, is likely to commence within May. Stabilization and full commissioning of the refinery units are expected to follow.
Safety and Regulatory Scrutiny
While HPCL has reiterated its commitment to operational safety and adherence to industry standards, the incident may prompt closer scrutiny from regulators and stakeholders. This is particularly significant given the scale and strategic importance of the HRRL project in boosting domestic refining capacity.
The development comes at a time when Rajasthan is positioning itself as an emerging energy hub.
Damage Control Summary
- Fire confined to the heat exchanger section of the CDU
- Likely cause: leakage from a pressure gauge tapping point
- Damage localized, no impact on other major refinery units
- Restoration work underway, expected to take 3–4 weeks
- CDU restart expected in the second half of May
- Trial production of LPG, petrol, diesel, and naphtha likely in May
