HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Fire Update: CDU Restart Expected by May 2026
New Delhi: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited has provided an operational update following the fire incident at HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited that occurred on April 20, 2026, in the refinery’s Crude Distillation Unit (CDU).
According to the company, detailed investigations have confirmed that the fire was localized to the heat exchanger stack, affecting six exchangers and their supporting equipment. Based on circumstantial evidence, the incident is suspected to have been caused by a leakage from the pressure gauge tapping point on the vacuum residue exchanger inlet line.
Restoration work is currently in progress and is expected to be completed within the next three to four weeks. The restart of the Crude Distillation Unit is anticipated in the second fortnight of May 2026. Meanwhile, other secondary units at the refinery are already in an advanced stage of commissioning and progressing as planned.
HPCL also indicated that trial production of key petroleum products, including LPG, motor spirit (petrol), high-speed diesel (HSD), and naphtha, is expected to commence within May 2026. Following this phase, the refinery units will undergo stabilization and commissioning.
The update provides reassurance regarding the recovery timeline and signals that operations at the refinery are moving steadily toward resumption.