India's second strategic reserve in Mangalore receives first crude parcel

The crude is being pumped into the underground Mangalore cavern for testing the facilities

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) on Wednesday received the first parcel of crude oil for delivery into the Mangalore cavern of Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd (ISPRL).  

The first parcel of 0.26 million tonne of Iran mix crude was received in very large crude carrier (VLCC), MT DINO and started pumping into the Mangalore cavern for testing the facilities. To ensure energy security, the government of India had decided to set up 5.33 million metric tonnes (MMT) of strategic crude oil storages at three locations namely, Vishakhapatnam, Mangalore and Padur (Near Udupi). 

These strategic storages would serve as a cushion during any external supply disruptions. 

 

Vishakhapatnam facility with 1.33 MMT capacity has been already commissioned in June 2015.  Mangalore facility with capacity of 1.5 MMT has started receiving crude today for testing the facility.  Padur facility with 2.5 MMT capacity is expected to be ready by the end of this year.

The strategic crude oil storage facilities are being managed by Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL), a Special Purpose Vehicle, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB) under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.