Digboi has a rosy future
New Delhi 11-Aug-2010
Subrata Ghosh,
Executive Director,
Assam Oil Division (AOD)
The Digboi Refinery, commissioned in 1901, is India's oldest operating refinery and one of the oldest operating refineries in the world. Can you please tell us about the modernisation plans for the refinery?
Digboi Refinery, initially a private entity of the Assam Oil Company Limited, was nationalised on 14.10.1981 and became a Division of IndianOil when the Refinery and Marketing assets of the erstwhile Assam Oil Company were vested with IndianOil. After nationalisation the Refinery has been fully modernised under the "Digboi Refinery Modernisation Project"(DRMP) which was completed in 1996, wherein a new Vacuum Distillation Unit as well as a Captive Power Plant were commissioned. A Catalytic Reformer Unit and Delayed Coker Unit with LPG recovery facilities were installed in 1997 and 1999, respectively.
With the commissioning of these secondary processing units, the capacity of the refinery has been enhanced from the earlier 0.5 to 0.65 MMTPA. Subsequently, a Vacuum Residue Shortpath Distillation (VRSD) Unit, a Solvent Dewaxing Unit, a Wax Hydrofinishing Unit and a Hydrotreater Unit were added to replace the old units (of 1930s and 1950s vintage) and also to meet the Govt. of India’s environment and pollution norms. At present work is in full swing for the MS Quality Upgradation Project with a total investment of Rs. 365 crs which, when commissioned, will produce Euro-III compliant Motor Spirit (Petrol).
Digboi refinery is said to be the highest producer of wax material in the country. What is the secret behind this distinction?
Digboi Refinery processes only Assam Crude, which has a high percentage of wax content. The refinery produces three types of wax and also has the capacity to produce micro-crystalline wax. The best quality wax in the world (Type - I in technical parlance) also known as Food Grade wax, used in the pharmaceutical and food packaging industry, is the USP of this refinery.
All refineries in the country have to maintain some no pollution norms for industrial activities. In this aspect, what is the success of Digboi refinery?
The fact that Digboi Refinery is ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001 and ISO14001 certified speaks volumes for our commitment to Quality, Safety and Environment Protection in all our operations. Digboi Refinery is also the proud recipient of the second prize in the Refinery sector of the prestigious National Energy Conservation Awards, 2009. IndianOil is committed to meeting all environmental norms in its operations. The ecological parks built around our refineries, the green belts around our locations and our investments in globally benchmarked BS IV auto fuels and marketing of environment-friendly LPG and high efficiency lubricants besides efforts in alternative fuels have had a great impact on reducing environmental degradation. Digboi Refinery and it's township is surrounded by the Upper Dehing reserve forest except for the north. We have planted almost 30,000 trees in and around the refinery till date. Digboi Refinery generates mainly two types of pollution - water effluents and air emissions. The effluent discharge from the refinery is treated at our Effluent Treatment plant and is well within MINAS standard. Further, we are in the process of implementing a Reverse Osmosis project which will make Digboi refinery a zero discharge refinery. The ambient air quality is constantly being monitored and is well within limits and is being regularly reviewed by the Pollution Control Board, Assam.
The environment protection and pollution control measures adopted by Digboi Refinery have been acknowledged in an environmental assessment of industrial clusters across the country carried out by Central Pollution Control Board along with IIT, New Delhi, and are based on the Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI), Digboi Refinery has been placed at the lowest level amongst 88 industry clusters.
Marketing is one of the most important aspects of Refinery to expand business. What are the new marketing moves adopted by Digboi refinery?
Since January 1902, when the first batch of kerosene was sent out to the market by the erstwhile Assam Oil Company, the brand "Assam Oil" has been bringing energy to the lives of the people. It has provided more than a century of service to the people of the North East (NE).
The Assam Oil brand of IndianOil is now also visible outside the North East, in the states of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Rajasthan Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Integration of the marketing activities of the two divisions of IndianOil in the entire NE, undertaken in 2008, has resulted in improvement of the market share of Indian Oil. Better synergy of operations, improved efficiency and improved product availability have enhanced customer satisfaction.
Assam Oil Division has a rich tradition of serving its customers. To what extent has AOD in recent times been able to maintain its reputation of good customer service?
To improve customer satisfaction, a number of grassroots projects as well as upgradation of facilities in our installations have been undertaken with huge investments. A new Marketing Terminal has been proposed at Digboi for evacuation of Digboi Refinery Products, which will replace the existing terminal at Tinsukia, which is situated in a densely populated area of the town. This will ease the supply and distribution of products to the markets. LPG being a shortage product in the North East, we are in the process of installing electronic carousals in most Bottling Plants, to enhance capacity. Quality Assurance is another area of focus, to ensure that the customer gets quality and quantity (Q&Q) for his money. e- transactions, VTS (vehicle tracking system), SMS indenting system for proper scheduling of supplies at terminals and depots and LPG Booking over SMS are some of the initiatives taken to enhance customer satisfaction.
In all our activities, Safety is our top priority. Our commitment to our customers and to the nation was amply demonstrated during the recent blockade of the state of Manipur. IndianOil was the only Petroleum company that took the bold step of airlifting Petroleum products to Imphal, with the help of the Indian Army.
