(EnergyAsia, August 19, Tuesday) — India’s Centre for High Technology (CHT) has engaged Shell Global Solutions to carry out the second phase of its improvement programme covering four coastal refineries, BPCL and HPCL in Mumbai, MRPL in Mangalore and IOCL in Haldia.

The Integrated Refinery Business Improvement Programme will focus on improving the refineries’ gross margins, operational and asset management practices, and reducing energy and product losses.

“This extended contract is a clear demonstration of our collective commitment in assisting Indian refineries in not only extracting maximum value from their assets and natural resources but to conduct our business with sustainability in mind,” said K.S.Balaraman, CHT’s executive director.

“It is crucial that as we progress through technology and innovation, our business has minimum impact to the environment and our people. Shell Global Solutions has proved that it is able to help us to achieve these objectives and we certainly look forward to a continued, fruitful exchange of expertise.”

Bart Van de Ven, a Shell Global Solutions leader in India, said: “The improvements at the refineries are underpinned by more efficient and effective ways of working. By working closely with CHT and through the focused IRBIP initiatives, we hope to maximise the performance of the refineries.”

The earlier agreement signed between CHT and Shell Global Solutions in 2006 involved IOC’s Mathura refinery, Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd’s Manali refinery, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd’s Visakh refinery, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd’s Kochi refinery.

The four refineries currently supply about one quarter of refined petroleum products like diesel, LPG, kerosene, avaition fuels and gasoline to the local Indian market.

The targeted margin of improvement through the implementation of the 2006 agreement was US$0.50 per barrel of crude processed with benefits likely to be realised of just under US$100 million across the four sites on an annual basis.

“We are pleased that CHT has chosen to continue working with Shell Global Solutions o extend the IRBIP to other coastal refineries. This programme is in line with our “Grow East” strategy, which focuses on meeting rapidly growing energy demands in Asia through technology and innovation of which knowledge exchange play a pivotal role,” said vice president of business development Wayne Hutchinson.