New Delhi, India: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has issued a detailed operational update following the fire incident at HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL), signaling steady progress toward restoring normal operations. The incident, which occurred on April 20, 2026, impacted the refinery’s critical Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), a core component in petroleum processing.
According to the company, internal investigations have determined that the fire was confined to a specific section of the CDU—namely the heat exchanger stack. The blaze affected six heat exchangers along with associated support equipment. Preliminary findings indicate that the likely cause was a leakage from a pressure gauge tapping point located on the inlet line of a vacuum residue exchanger. The situation was contained without escalation to other major units, limiting broader operational damage.
HPCL confirmed that restoration and repair activities are currently underway and progressing on schedule. The company expects these efforts to be completed within the next three to four weeks. Based on the current timeline, the restart of the CDU is anticipated in the second half of May 2026.
Despite the disruption, progress at the refinery has not come to a complete halt. HPCL noted that several secondary processing units are already in advanced stages of commissioning and continue to move forward as planned. This includes downstream units essential for refining and product output.
The company further stated that trial production of key petroleum products is expected to begin within May 2026. These include liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), motor spirit (commonly known as gasoline or petrol), high-speed diesel (HSD), and naphtha. Following initial trial runs, the refinery will enter a stabilization phase, during which operational parameters will be fine-tuned before full-scale commercial production resumes.
The update offers reassurance to stakeholders and markets that the refinery project—one of India’s major energy infrastructure developments—is on track for recovery. HPCL emphasized its commitment to safety, operational integrity, and timely execution as it works toward bringing the facility back online.
Further updates are expected as the restart process advances and trial production begins.
