Pachpadra Refinery Fire: HPCL Reveals Damage Details and New Restart Timeline

Following the fire at Rajasthan's Pachpadra Refinery, HPCL has released a damage assessment and restoration timeline. The April 21 inauguration is postponed, with trial production of LPG and other products now expected to commence by May 2026.

Four days after a fire broke out at the Pachpadra Refinery in Rajasthan's Balotra district, political tensions remain high, while the incident led to the postponement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled inauguration on April 21. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has now provided a comprehensive update regarding the extent of the damage and the timeline for restarting the affected unit. A detailed investigation into the fire is currently underway.

Assessment of Damage and Affected Equipment

In a post on the social media platform X, HPCL confirmed that the fire on April 20 was confined to the heat exchanger stack. The preliminary assessment indicates that only six exchangers and their associated auxiliary equipment were impacted. The company stated that the restoration work is already in progress to bring the unit back to operational status as soon as possible.

Cause of Leak and Restoration Timeline

The fire is suspected to have been caused by a leak from the pressure gauge tapping point on the inlet line of the vacuum residue exchanger. HPCL expects the restoration work to be completed within the next 3-4 weeks. The Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) is anticipated to restart in the second fortnight of May 2026. Other auxiliary units are reportedly in the advanced stages of commissioning as per the original schedule.

Project Investment and Production Goals

The refinery aims to begin trial production of key products, including LPG, MS, HSD, and Naphtha, by May 2026, followed by the stabilization and full commissioning of the units. This refinery is considered a major turning point for Rajasthan's economy, with a total estimated project cost of approximately 79,459 crore. The equity structure is divided between HPCL (74%) and the Rajasthan Government (26%).

The project, which is one of the largest industrial ventures in the region, saw its foundation stone laid in 2013 by then Congress President Sonia Gandhi with an initial cost of 37,000 crore. The project cost has since escalated to the current estimate of 79,459 crore.