industan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) has successfully commissioned the residue upgradation facility at its 15 MTPA Visakh Refinery, marking a major milestone in boosting refining efficiency.

With a capacity of 3.55 MTPA, the RUF uses advanced LC-Max based residue hydrocracking technology to convert low-value residues into high-value products, achieving nearly 93 percent coproducts. The facility will help raise the refinery’s distillate yield by up to 10 percent over pre-expansion levels, while significantly improving gross refining margins due to a superior and more flexible product slate. Higher middle-distillate output is expected to reduce HPCL’s dependence on external sourcing to meet HSD demand, strengthening the supply chain and supporting better margins.

Following the commissioning, the Nelson Complexity Index of the Visakh Refinery has increased to 11.6, placing it among India’s more complex refineries. “The project enhances yield control and sustained margin management,” the company said, highlighting the role of the LC-Max Digital suite in optimised operations.