Reliance's refinery complexity index rises to 21.1 pc

The complexity of Reliance Industries' giant refinery complex at Jamnagar has risen by over 66 per cent to 21.1, giving it the ability to process a wide basket of crude oil and boosting its margins.

The company in its latest annual report said the Jamnagar supersite ranks first in the world in complexity barrels, aided by best-in-class refinery and petrochemicals integration.

Complexity index (CI) designates the capabilities of a refinery to upgrade the lowest quality crude to the highest quality refinery products, including fuels and petrochemicals.

"Complexity index of Jamnagar supersite, as per KBC, a global refinery consultant, has increased from earlier 12.7 to 21.1 or a 66.1 per cent boost with the start-up of Jamnagar expansion projects, including ROGC and downstream units, Paraxylene complex and Petcoke Gasification complex," it said. This gives the firm an "ability to run a wide basket of crudes".

The company has two refineries at Jamnagar -- a 33 million tonnes a year older unit that caters to the domestic market and a 35.2 million tonnes only-for-exports unit. Its total refining capacity of 68.2 million tonnes is just a shade lower than 69.2 million tonnes capacity with the country's biggest oil firm, Indian Oil Corp (IOC).

Commenting on the annual report, Morgan Stanley said the company has a vision of being one of the top five petrochemical companies in the world.

"RIL refinery processed about 170 different crudes, up from 150 during the past two years," it said. "RIL's refinery sales volume declined (to 54 per cent from 60 per cent), as domestic and captive sales increased."