Mangaluru: In a significant move towards achieving its Net Zero commitment and minimising its carbon footprint, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. (MRPL), a prominent petroleum refinery based in Coastal Karnataka, has embarked on a series of initiatives to adopt sustainable practices and greener fuels. The latest stride in this direction is the signing of a long-term gas supply agreement with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) for a duration of five years.

Under the agreement, BPCL will provide 0.43 Million Metric Standard Cubic Meters per Day (MMSCMD) of Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) to MRPL's refinery and petrochemical facility in Mangalore. The pact was officially signed at an event held in Mangalore on Thursday, in the presence of key representatives from both companies.

The signing ceremony witnessed the participation of Sathyanarayana H C, GGM-TS of MRPL, and Santhosh Sontakke, CGM-Sourcing, Sales & Logistics (Gas) of BPCL, who inked the pact. The occasion was graced by Vivek Tongaonkar, Director Finance MRPL, and Anil Kumar, ED-Gas of BPCL. Additionally, BHV Prasad, ED Projects, and Shyam Prasad Kamath, ED Refinery of MRPL, were also present, along with senior officers from both MRPL and BPCL.

Gas, particularly RLNG, plays a pivotal role in the refining process by reducing feed costs, optimising fuel consumption, and lowering overall emissions. MRPL intends to utilize RLNG as feedstock for hydrogen production and as fuel for gas turbines to generate power, steam, and heat for various processes within the facility. This strategic shift to natural gas aligns with MRPL's goal of reducing both emissions and the carbon footprint of the refinery.

One of the noteworthy aspects highlighted in the agreement is the economic viability of replacing traditional feedstocks such as naphtha, diesel, and fuel oil with RLNG. This transition will not only contribute to a more sustainable operation but will also generate surplus products in the market after the refinery's upgradation.

According to an official statement, MRPL, being the largest Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) refinery in India located at a single site, has been at the forefront of adopting international quality standards. Recently, it achieved the prestigious AS9100:D certification, becoming the first Indian refinery to be certified by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG). /BI/