New Delhi: The Union Cabinet Wednesday approved establishment of additional 6.5 million metric tonne (MMT) Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) facilities at two locations – Chandikhol in Odisha and Padur in Karnataka, including construction of dedicated SPMs (Single Point Mooring) for the two SPRs.
The construction phase of the SPRs at Chandikhol and Padur is likely to generate significant direct and indirect employment opportunities in Odisha and Karnataka. At the same time, the Cabinet’s approval for establishing additional 6.5 MMT Strategic Petroleum Reserve facilities will provide an additional supply of about 12 days and is expected to augment India’s energy security.
The SPR facilities at Chandikhol and Padur will be underground rock caverns with capacities of 4 MMT and 2.5 MMT respectively. The Centre had announced setting up of two additional SPRs during the Budget announcement for 2017-18.
The in principle approval is to take up the project under PPP model to reduce budgetary support of Government of India. The terms and conditions of such participation would be determined by M/o P&NG in consultation with Finance Ministry after conducting road shows to elicit requirements of market, including prospective investors.
ISPRL has already constructed underground rock caverns for storage of 5.33MMT of crude oil at three locations, viz. Vishakhapatnam (1.33 MMT), Mangalore (1.5 MMT) and Padur (2.5 MMT). The total 5.33 MMT capacity under Phase-I of the SPR programme is currently estimated to supply approximately 10 days of India’s crude requirement according to the consumption data for the financial year 2016-17.