Mumbai, Maharashtra Jun 26, 2023 (Issuewire.com) - Abhai Raj Singh Bhandari ascends to the leadership role as the Executive Director of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) Kochi Refinery, marking a significant turn in his illustrious career. He succeeds Ajith Kumar K, who retired on May 31.
Bhandari, a BITS Pilani alumnus, started his voyage with the Mumbai Refinery of BPCL in 1987. His experience spans various domestic and international refineries, including MRPL Mangalore, NRL Assam, BORL, and a stint at the Oman Oil Company. He now commands the largest Public Sector Undertaking refinery in India, known for its pioneering production of propylene-derivative petrochemicals.
Bhandari brings to this role a record of remarkable achievements, having directed the successful initiation of several high-profile projects. He led the launch of the hydrocracker unit of MRPL, along with the crude and vacuum distillation unit, and the hydrocracker unit of Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) and Bina Refinery. As the head of operations and technical services of NRL, he spearheaded strategic projects like the Motor Spirit Block and Wax Project, underscoring his aptitude for conceptualising value-added undertakings.
The Kochi Refinery, established in 1966, is a unit of the Fortune 500 Oil and Gas Maharatna BPCL and is one of three BPCL refineries. It boasts an impressive refining capacity of 15.5 Million Metric Tonnes per Annum (MMTPA). Over the years, the refinery has expanded its product portfolio beyond quality fuels to include petrochemical feedstocks and speciality products, reflecting its adaptive and progressive nature.
The refinery in Ambalamugal near Kochi, Kerala, features state-of-the-art facilities that have gained international recognition. The facility earned the Integrated Management System (IMS) certification by M/s Bureau Veritas Certification for meeting the best practices and standards in Quality Management, Environment Management, and Occupational Safety and Health Management.
The Kochi Refinery's significant features also include its strategic crude oil receipt facilities, enabling it to receive crude oil in Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), resulting in substantial savings in freight charges and increased flexibility in crude oil selection.
Post the Integrated Refinery Expansion Project, the refinery's refining capacity has surged to 15.5 MMTPA, and it now offers Euro-IV/VI compliant auto-fuels. The refinery has also diversified into value-added petroleum products and commenced commercial production of niche petrochemicals in April 2021.
A testament to its safety commitment, Kochi Refinery recently recorded over 76 million accident-free man-hours. The refinery maintains its commitment to the community, focusing on uplifting society's weaker sections in key sectors like health, education, and women empowerment.
As Bhandari assumes this pivotal role, BPCL Kochi Refinery remains committed to its vision of energising lives, maintaining operational excellence, and continually contributing to the social, cultural, organisational, and natural environment.
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