HPCL Commissions Residue Upgradation Facility with World`s First LC-Max Unit at Visakh Refinery
5th January 2026
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has successfully commissioned the Residue Upgradation Facility (RUF) at its Visakh Refinery, marking a major milestone in India`s deep-conversion refining capability
With a capacity of 3.55 MMTPA, the RUF employs advanced LC-Max based residue hydrocracking technology to achieve about 93% conversion of bottom oils into high-value products. The Visakh Refinery will now have the capability to enhance its distillate yield by up to 10% from pre-VRMP (Visakh Refinery Modernization Project) levels
The Gross Refining Margins (GRMs) of the Visakh Refinery are set to increase substantially owing to a superior product slate, flexibility to process heavier and opportunity crudes, and higher value realisation per barrel. The increase in middle-distillate output reduces the gap between HPCL’s HSD marketing and refining volumes, lowers dependence on external sourcing, strengthens the supply chain, and enhances profitability
Improved heat integration and process efficiency have reduced the Refinery’s Energy Intensity Index (EII), lowering operating costs while advancing sustainability objectives. The Nelson Complexity Index of the Visakh Refinery now stands at 11.6, positioning it among India’s most advanced deep-conversion refineries
Complementing the physical commissioning, HPCL has deployed the RUF (LC-Max) Digital Suite — an industry-first in Indian refineries. The suite integrates real-time monitoring, predictive analytics using proprietary thermodynamic models, and AI-driven optimisation to ensure stable, efficient, and optimised operations