Indian Oil Corporation Ltd’s Gujarat Refinery in Vadodara supplied high-performance STORM racing fuel to the Asia Road Racing Championship 2024 in Thailand, marking a significant milestone in the country’s energy sector. In a statement, Biplob Biswas, executive director and head of the Gujarat Refinery, explained the refinery’s role in producing racing fuel:
“We began manufacturing racing fuel about a year and a half ago in response to growing demand. Until then, this fuel had to be imported, as no one in India was producing it,” said Biswas. “Apart from Thailand, our STORM fuel has also been used at two other racing events in India.”
The refinery has also made significant strides in aviation energy, producing and exporting AVGAS 100 LL, a fuel previously imported. This fuel has been shipped to Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, and is also used by the Indian armed forces. Key Highlights:
- Indian Oil Corporation Ltd’s Gujarat Refinery supplied high-performance STORM racing fuel to the Asia Road Racing Championship 2024 in Thailand.
- The refinery has also made significant strides in aviation energy, producing and exporting AVGAS 100 LL.
- STORM fuel has been used at two other racing events in India apart from Thailand.
The refinery is now eyeing a broader role in the petrochemical sector through its Petrochemical and Lube Integration Project (LuPech), which will boost the refinery’s capacity from 13.7 MMTPA to 18 MMTPA. With a projected investment of Rs 17,825 crore, LuPech is expected to become a key petrochemical hub, and Biswas outlined the refinery’s ambitions:
“With a projected investment of Rs 17,825 crore, LuPech will boost the refinery’s capacity from 13.7 MMTPA to 18 MMTPA,” said Biswas. “We aim to become a key player in the petrochemical sector, and LuPech will be the catalyst for this growth.”
A table illustrating the refinery’s current and future capacities is shown below:
| Capacity (MMTPA) | Current Capacity | Future Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Current Capacity | 13.7 MMTPA | 18 MMTPA |
In conclusion, the Gujarat Refinery’s role in producing high-performance STORM racing fuel and aviation energy fuels, as well as its plans to expand into the petrochemical sector through LuPech, demonstrate the refinery’s commitment to meeting the growing demands of India’s energy sector. By supplying these fuels to international events and domestic markets, the refinery is playing a crucial role in driving the growth of India’s energy industry.