Country's refining capacity up 14.9% in May

New Delhi, June 28 (UNI) The processing capacity of the country's oil refineries went up 14.9 per cent in May, in comparison to the same period last year.

The refineries processed 3.15 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude in May, up from 2.74 million bpd in the corresponding period last year, according to the official figures released here today.

Many refineries increased their processing capacity, such as IndianOil Corporation (IOC) doubled its Panipat refinery's capacity to 2,40,000 bpd and is running above capacity.

The 6,60,000 bpd refinery of Reliance Industries Ltd in western part of the country operated at 112.3 per cent capacity in May, against 93.8 per cent a year ago.

With a view to become a global refining hub, the country has set a target to add 2.14 million bpd to its existing 2.98 million bpd capacity by 2012.

The country's fuel exports surged 58 per cent in April from the same period a year ago.

UNI