Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)
Mangaluru, Oct 12: A pooja was performed on the occasion of the arrival of first crude parcel for MRPL in Very large crude carrier VLCC for Indian strategic petroleum reserves limited (ISPRL), Mangaluru cavern at MRPL SPM Booster Pump Station, Tannirbhavi, Mangaluru on October 12.
Member of parliament, Naleen Kumar Kateel, along with MLC Ganesh Karnik and MLA Mohiuddin Bava symbolically received the first parcel of crude oil into the cavern.
To ensure energy security, the government of India had decided to set up 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of strategic crude oil storages at three locations namely, Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru and Padur near Udupi. These strategic storages would be in addition to the existing storages of crude oil and petroleum products with the oil companies and would serve as a cushion during any external supply disruptions. The construction of the strategic crude oil storage facilities is being managed by ISPRL, a special purpose vehicle, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB) under the ministry of petroleum and natural gas. Engineers India Limited (EIL) is taken as the project management consultant for all three projects.
Speaking at the media interaction, Naleen Kumar Kateel said, "The first ship with crude oil parcel for Mangaluru cavern has arrived today. I congratulate the ISPRL and MRPL officials. This cavern is commissioned to store reserves in the time of emergency."
Rajan Pillai, MD of ISPRL said, "The work on Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru and Padur has been complete 100, 99.5 and 98 percent respectively. The projects cost Rs 1178.35, 1227 and Rs 1693 crores respectively. The total cost of all three projects is Rs 4098.35 crores. By the end of November, all three parcels will arrive. We are expecting to complete the Padur pipeline from Mangaluru in the next two months. The crude oil stored can easily be supplied to Cochin, Mangaluru and Mumbai refineries easily. All three reserves can feed crude oil to the refineries for about 13 days."
Managing director of MRPL, H Kumar, and others were present.