Bagru (Jaipur), 3rd Feb 2009

Senior Leader and UPA Chairperson Smt Sonia Gandhi today dedicated HPCL’s Mundra-Delhi Pipeline (MDPL) to the Nation, at a function held at Bagru, Jaipur, in the presence of the Chief Minister of Rajasthan Shri Ashok Gehlot, the Minister of Petroleum Natural Gas Shri Murli Deora, Ministers from Centre and State, and other dignitaries.

In her speech Smt. Sonia Gandhi complemented HPCL and the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas for their extra-ordinary efforts to lay the pipeline which has been built with latest technology at an investment of over Rs 1757 crore. She also pointed out that the pipeline will be a life-line project of Rajasthan and will meet the demands for petroleum products in the State. Referring to recent reduction in prices of petrol, diesel and LPG, she emphasized that every effort is being made by the Government and the Ministry to protect common man and to ensure supply of these products at affordable prices despite highly volatile global prices in the last two years. Besides supplying of LPG to over 10 crore households, a large section of people who do not have access to electricity are being supplied kerosene at only Rs. 9/litre.

In his address on the occasion Petroleum Minister Shri Murli Deora also referred to endeavors of UPA Government to keep the prices of common man’s fuel at affordable levels. Shri Deora underlined the need for cooperation between the global oil producers and consumers for working together to ensure affordable availability of hydrocarbon resources. He informed that the State of Rajasthan will benefit from the production of crude oil from Barmer oil field in the form of substantial tax revenue. Referring to the demand for setting up of refinery in the State by the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Petroleum Minister pointed out that there have been difficulties as regards feasibility of the project. He said that the demand will be further discussed and examined. The Chief Minister of Rajasthan Shri Ashok Gehlot lauded the completion of MDPL. He recognized that a project like refinery needs to be viable for either private or public sector companies. He said that for a refinery in Rajasthan his Government would consider the proposals of support by the State Government.

Petroleum Secretary Shri R.S. Pandey described the MDPL pipeline of HPCL as a new milestone in energy security. He said that 60% of the pipeline falls in Rajasthan. Referring to oil sector’s large interface with citizens, he said that consumer friendly steps like efforts to wipe out LPG waiting list, introducing Toll-free number, etc have been taken. Shri Pandey also spoke about efforts to increase domestic exploration and production through largest number of 44 exploration blocks awarded in NELP-VII and 100 more to be offered for competitive global bidding soon in NELP-VIII.

The first product pipeline commissioned under the principle of common carrier as laid down in the Petroleum Product Pipeline policy, MDPL will ensure optimum capacity utilisation. The project has been commissioned within the scheduled time of 36 months and within approved cost of Rs. 1757 crore.

MDPL is one of the longest cross-country product pipelines in India. Traversing 1054 kilometers from Mundra to Delhi, this 18 inch dia pipeline pumps Petrol (MS grades Euro II & III), Diesel (HSD grades Euro II & III) and Kerosene (SKO). Along the way, MDPL connects the supply Centres in Gujarat in the west to the consumer areas in various States including,Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, UP, Punjab and further North.

Current pipeline capacity of 5 MMTPA is proposed to be expanded to 6 MMTPA in the Phase II of the Project. The total line-fill of the pipeline is nearly 160,000 KL. The main pumping station of the pipeline is at Mundra with two intermediate pumping stations in Gujarat at Santhalpur and Palanpur and three in Rajasthan at Awa, Ajmer and Jaipur. There are 33 cathodic protection and main line valve stations enroute. The pipeline system consists of storage terminal at Mundra and marketing terminals with truck loading facilities at Palanpur, Ajmer, Jaipur, Rewari and truck as well as rail loading facilities at Bahadurgarh. The system has 76 storage tanks with a combined capacity of 611,000 KL. The system also has a fire water tankage of 51000 KL (16 tanks). The truck loading facilities and tank gauging systems are fully automated as is fire fighting system. Energy saving devices have been provided for lighting, pumps and motors. All terminals have environment friendly silent DG sets and oil water separators.

With the completion of this pipeline, HPCL now operates a network of about 2000 kilometers of product pipelines. The pipeline would consolidate HP’s presence in Northern India by improving product availability, ensure smooth flow of products to various destinations. Further, it would do so in a cost-effective manner since movement of product by pipeline is economical as compared to rail or road.

Courtesy: Press Information Bureau,(PIB), Govt of India.