NRL Achieves Navratna Status: Assam’s Fastest-Growing Refinery Begins Massive 9 MMTPA Expansion

Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) A Navratna CPSE is one of India’s leading public sector undertakings, located in the heart of Assam. Established on 22nd April 1993, NRL was born out of the historic Assam Accord of 1985 and has since become a symbol of industrial growth and socio-economic development in Assam and the North-East region.

NRL’s journey began with the creation of a 3 MMTPA refinery, which was dedicated to the nation by former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee on 9th July 1999. Commercial production commenced in October 2000, marking the start of a new era in refining and petrochemical operations in the region. Since then, NRL has earned a reputation for credible performance, high-quality products, and a commitment to community welfare.

The company’s product portfolio includes a wide range of petroleum products: LPG, Motor Spirit (MS), Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO), High-Speed Diesel (HSD), Raw and Calcined Petroleum Coke, Sulphur, Wax, Nitrogen, Mineral Turpentine Oil, Special Boiling Point Spirits, and Liquid Sulphur. NRL has also made its mark in international markets, particularly through the export of Paraffin Wax.

NRL has ambitious plans for the future. It is implementing a major refinery expansion project to treble its capacity from 3 MMTPA to 9 MMTPA, with an investment of over Rs. 28,000 crore. This expansion includes a crude oil import terminal at Paradip Port, Odisha, and a 1,640 km crude pipeline connecting Paradip to Numaligarh. Additionally, the company is constructing a 360 KTPA polypropylene plant at an estimated cost of Rs. 7,231 crore.

In line with India’s vision for sustainability, NRL has announced its net zero goal by 2038, ahead of the national target of 2070. As part of this initiative, the company is setting up a Green Hydrogen Plant with a capacity of 300 kg/hr (18 MW) within the refinery premises, supporting the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

NRL’s growth and performance were recently recognized when the company was conferred the prestigious Navratna status by the Government of India. This status elevates NRL from a Miniratna Category-I CPSE to a Navratna CPSE, granting it greater financial and operational autonomy. With this recognition, NRL can now undertake larger projects, form joint ventures, and make quicker strategic investments, strengthening its role in India’s energy security.

The company’s shareholding structure reflects strong institutional backing: Oil India Limited (69.63%), Government of Assam (26%), and Engineers India Limited (4.37%). This mix ensures strategic guidance alongside robust financial support.

NRL is more than just a refinery. Its commitment to the community is evident through initiatives in skill development, education, and local welfare programs. The company continues to balance industrial excellence with social responsibility, embodying a vision where economic progress goes hand in hand with human well-being.

With Navratna status, strategic expansion, and a focus on sustainability, NRL is poised to be a flagbearer of industrial and energy growth in Assam and the North-East, contributing to India’s long-term energy security and regional development.