IOC reiterates FSL view on refinery blast

Company report silent on reasons for entry of air into slurry settler

The primary report submitted by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to the police on the explosion at the company's Koyli-based Gujarat Refinery confirms the findings of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).

The FSL report had concluded that the blast in the slurry settler had caused the explosion in the fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) of Gujarat Refinery. The air bubble formed in the tank might have reacted with the hydrocarbons at high temperature, causing the explosion, the FSL team had stated in its primary report.

However, the 60-page report by three technical officials of IOC does not throw light on the reasons for the entry of air or water into the slurry settler.

The slurry settler has been transported to Larsen and Toubro, Hazira, for a detailed investigation.

"We have submitted our primary report made by the team consisting of local technical officials to the investigation officer. The meticulous investigation procedure has not been completed by the committee of senior production people of other refining facilities of IOC. We are eagerly waiting their conclusions," said an IOC spokesperson.

"IOC is also working in full throttle towards restoration of the FCCU. We have issued orders worth Rs 80 crore so far for restoration of the unit," the spokesperson added.

"The primary report submitted by IOC has the same thing to say as FSL's primary report. The report is focusing on the operational details of FCCU. It includes the reasons for blast that are known to us but it does not say anything on the causes for the air or water entering the slurry settler of the FCCU," said Y R Belim, police inspector of Jawaharnagar police station and investigation officer for FCCU blast.

The explosion at Gujarat Refinery on October 29,2004, had claimed two lives. Initially, IOC had claimed that there were no casualities owing to the explosion.

The company has not yet declared the amount of loss caused due to the explosion. At present, IOC is utilizing its Panipat and Mathura refineries to recover the loss of production.