HPCL updates on fire incident: An unfortunate fire incident occurred on 20 April 2026 in the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) section of the refinery of HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL), a Joint Venture company of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited.
The Prime Minister’s event to dedicate to the nation the 9 million tonnes a year oil refinery-cum-petrochemical complex at Pachpadra in Balotra district of Rajasthan, which was scheduled for Tuesday, was postponed after this incident.
HPCL updates on fire incident at Rajasthan’s Balotra refinery
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, today, April 21, provided an update on the fire incident in the CDU units of JV HPCL Rajasthan Refinery. Here’s what the company said:
The company informed that a fire occurred in the CDU (Crude Distillation Unit) due to leakage of hydrocarbons through a valve or flange in the heat exchanger circuit.
Prima facie, it appears that leakage of hydrocarbons through one of the valves/flanges in the heat exchanger circuit caused the fire.
The fire was localised in the heat exchangers’ stack. Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), Vacuum Distillation Unit (VDU) and all other Units of the CDU section were quickly isolated. All are structurally safe and unaffected. No other section of the refinery has suffered any impact.
The fire was promptly brought under control by the emergency response team of HRRL. There is no loss of life or injury to any personnel.
An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the cause of the incident and to undertake necessary remedial measures. The financial and operational impact, if any, is being assessed, and Prima facie is not expected to be material.
As a precautionary measure, the scheduled dedication of the refinery by the Prime Minister on 21 April 2026 has been postponed. A revised date will be announced in due course.
