(a) whether the Government propose to modernise the oldest Digboi Refinery;
(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this direction and the amount earmarked for the purpose;
(c) whether production from Digboi Refinery has declined considerably; and
(d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to increase its production for its economic viability?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SH. SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(A) YES, Sir,
(b) Indian Oil Corporation Limited(IOCL) has already invested Rs. 618 crore in the modernisation of Digboi refinery. Further, in addition to above IOCL is investing Rs. 762 crore for replacement/upgradation of the facilities.
(c) &(d): Crude throughput at Digboi refinery has increased from 502 thousand metric tonnes(TMT) in 1997-98 to 603 TMT in 1999-2000.