Current Affairs-Indian Economic Survey-2012-13:Spurt in Refining Capacity and Pipeline Network

Spurt in Refining Capacity and Pipeline Network

The total refining capacity in the country increased from 187.4 MMT (as on 1.4.2011) to 215.1 MMT (as on 1.1.2013) and is projected to reach 218.4 MMT by the end of 2012-13 and 239.6 MMT in 2013-14 with capacity augmentation of existing refineries and commissioning of the Paradip Refinery. Refinery production (crude throughput) during 2011-12 was 211.14 MMT (including the Kamnagar Refinery under special economic Zone (SEZ) by Reliance Industry Ltd) showing an increase of 2.6 % compared to a production of 206.15 MMT in 2010-11. The refinery production (crude throughput) during April-November 2012-13 is 141.45 MMT. The Economic Survey notes that the country is not only self-sufficient but also substantially exports petroleum products. During 2011-12, India exported 60.84 MMT of petroleum products worth Rs. 2, 66,486 crore. 

There has been substantial increase in the pipeline network in the country. At present there are 32 product pipelines spread over a length of 11,274 km with capacity of 70.688 MMT. In addition to this, there are 16 crude pipelines over 8,558 km with capacity of 106.45 MMT, LPG pipelines of 2,313 km with 3.94 MMT capacity and gas pipelines of 13,428 km with 355 MMSCMD capacity. The Economic Survey mentions that the pipeline infrastructure is being strengthened with 14,889 km of new pipeline network with an additional capacity to transport 264 MMSCMD of gas by 2015-16. In addition to this, around 4,300 km of pipeline network has been authorized by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) which will transport 184 MMSCMD of gas.