Shortage of raw water forces Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals to shut down phase II & III units

13-Apr-12

The management of Mangalore Refinery And Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) decided to shut down phase II and III units following shortage of raw water supply on directions from the District Administration to stop pumping water from Sarapady weir. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting at MRPL, after assessment of the water levels in the four reservoirs that together hold about 50 million gallons of water per day and are situated inside the MRPL premises. Currently, water level in two reservoirs is at about one meter, holding roughly 6 to 8 MGD and the other two it has dipped below 0.75 mts. Sources said the existing supply is enough to sustain Phase I for about two to three days, indicating that Phase I was also headed for a forced shut down within a week unless water situation improved. This will lead to a shortage of supply of petroleum products to MRPL fed locations. Also, the company may have to incur additional demurrage on account of delay in unloading crude because of ullage problem and loading of products.