Oil refineries in India play a crucial role in the country’s energy security and economic growth. India is one of the world’s largest consumers of petroleum products, and oil refineries in India convert crude oil into usable fuels such as petrol, diesel, LPG, kerosene, aviation fuel, and petrochemical products.
At present, there are 23 major oil refineries in India, operated by both public sector and private sector companies. These oil refineries in India are strategically located across coastal and inland regions to ensure efficient transportation, supply, and distribution of petroleum products.
What Is an Oil Refinery?
An oil refinery (also known as a petroleum refinery) is an industrial processing plant where crude oil is refined and transformed into various useful products, such as:
- Petrol (Gasoline)
- Diesel
- Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF)
- Kerosene
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
- Bitumen
- Petrochemical feedstocks
Oil refineries in India operate using complex chemical and mechanical processes such as distillation, cracking, reforming, and blending. These processes help separate and upgrade crude oil into high-value products required for transportation, industry, and domestic use.
Importance of Oil Refineries in India
Oil refineries in India are extremely important because:
- They ensure energy security for a growing population
- They support industrial development and transportation
- They reduce dependence on imported refined products
- They generate employment and revenue
- They support India’s role as a major exporter of petroleum products
Types of Oil Refineries in India
Oil refineries in India are mainly classified into two categories:
1. Public Sector Oil Refineries in India
These refineries are owned and operated by government-controlled companies such as:
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
- Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
2. Private Sector Oil Refineries in India
These refineries are operated by private companies such as:
- Reliance Industries Limited
- Nayara Energy Limited
Total Number of Oil Refineries in India
Currently, India has 23 operational oil refineries, with a total refining capacity of over 250 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA). This makes India one of the largest refining hubs in Asia.
List of Oil Refineries in India
Below is the complete and updated list of oil refineries in India, including their location, year of establishment, ownership, and capacity.
| Sl. No. | Refinery Name | State | Location | Established | Owned By | Capacity (MMTPA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Digboi Refinery | Assam | Digboi | 1901 | Indian Oil Corporation Limited | 0.65 |
| 2 | Mumbai Refinery | Maharashtra | Mumbai | 1954 | Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited | 7.5 |
| 3 | Mumbai Refinery | Maharashtra | Mumbai | 1955 | Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited | 12 |
| 4 | Visakhapatnam Refinery | Andhra Pradesh | Visakhapatnam | 1957 | Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited | 8.3 |
| 5 | Guwahati Refinery | Assam | Guwahati | 1962 | Indian Oil Corporation Limited | 1 |
| 6 | Barauni Refinery | Bihar | Barauni | 1964 | Indian Oil Corporation Limited | 6 |
| 7 | Gujarat Refinery | Gujarat | Koyali | 1965 | Indian Oil Corporation Limited | 13.7 |
| 8 | Kochi Refinery | Kerala | Kochi | 1966 | Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited | 15.5 |
| 9 | Manali Refinery | Tamil Nadu | Chennai | 1969 | Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited | 10.5 |
| 10 | Haldia Refinery | West Bengal | Haldia | 1975 | Indian Oil Corporation Limited | 7.5 |
| 11 | Bongaigaon Refinery | Assam | Bongaigaon | 1979 | Indian Oil Corporation Limited | 2.735 |
| 12 | Mathura Refinery | Uttar Pradesh | Mathura | 1982 | Indian Oil Corporation Limited | 8 |
| 13 | Panipat Refinery | Haryana | Panipat | 1987 | Indian Oil Corporation Limited | 15 |
| 14 | Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd | Karnataka | Mangalore | 1988 | Oil and Natural Gas Corporation | 15 |
| 15 | Numaligarh Refinery Limited | Assam | Numaligarh | 1993 | Oil India & Govt. of Assam | 9 |
| 16 | Nagapattinam Refinery | Tamil Nadu | Nagapattinam | 1993 | Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited | 1 |
| 17 | Jamnagar Refinery (SEZ) | Gujarat | Jamnagar | 1998 | Reliance Industries Limited | 33 |
| 18 | Jamnagar Refinery (DTA) | Gujarat | Jamnagar | 1999 | Reliance Industries Limited | 27 |
| 19 | Tatipaka Refinery | Andhra Pradesh | Tatipaka | 2001 | Oil and Natural Gas Corporation | 0.07 |
| 20 | Vadinar Refinery | Gujarat | Vadinar | 2006 | Nayara Energy Limited | 20 |
| 21 | Bina Refinery | Madhya Pradesh | Bina | 2011 | Bharat Oman Refineries Limited | 6 |
| 22 | Guru Gobind Singh Refinery | Punjab | Bathinda | 2012 | HPCL & HMEL | 11.3 |
| 23 | Paradip Refinery | Odisha | Paradip | 2016 | Indian Oil Corporation Limited | 15 |
Largest Oil Refinery in India
The Jamnagar Refinery in Gujarat is the largest oil refinery in India and also the largest refining complex in the world, with a combined capacity of 60 MMTPA.
Future of Oil Refineries in India
Oil refineries in India are increasingly focusing on:
- Cleaner fuels (BS-VI norms)
- Petrochemical integration
- Green hydrogen and biofuels
- Export-oriented refining
India aims to become a global refining hub in the coming decades.
FAQs
Q. How many oil refineries are there in India?
A. There are 23 oil refineries in India currently in operation.
Q. Which is the largest oil refinery in India?
A. The Jamnagar Refinery in Gujarat is the largest oil refinery in India.
Q. Which company owns the maximum oil refineries?
A. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) owns the highest number of oil refineries.
Q. Which is the oldest oil refinery in India?
A. The Digboi Refinery in Assam, established in 1901, is the oldest oil refinery in India.
Q. Are oil refineries in India government-owned?
A. Most oil refineries are public sector-owned, but several major refineries are operated by private companies.
Q. Why are many oil refineries located near the coast?
A. Coastal locations reduce transportation costs and make crude oil imports easier.
