Programming & Planning

Focuses on margin maximization of BPCL group of Refineries (BPCR, KRL & NRL) by way of crude selection & value addition. Crude selection primarily is based on Netback Margins from the crude oils, Handling / processing capabilities with the given refinery configuration and market demand of various products. Crude oils are classified as sweet and sour depending on the sulphur content, while API gravity indicates the value of distillates produced. Sweet crude with high API yields more of light and middle distillates like LPG, Aviation fuel, gasoline and diesel. BPCL refinery has thus far processed 63 different crude oils successfully. Mumbai High, the only indigenous crude purchased from ONGC, is by far the most widely processed crude oil at Mumbai and Kochi refineries.

Crude Oil Imports

Crude oil is the sole feedstock for petroleum products. It is the most volatile commodity in world market, the price of which is dependent on the complex interaction of demand and supply, in which political dimension also plays an important role.

During the year 2004-05, the BPC Group imported 82.02 million barrels (11.12 MMT) of crude oil out of the total processed 19.10 MMT. After deregulation, when the imports were independently started, the group was importing about 7.7 MMT. The value of imports touched a record high – from US$1,512 million in 2002-03 to US$3,183 million in 2004-05. About two thirds of these imports are done on term contract basis – while the rest are purchased on a spot purchase basis.