365telugu.com online news,Mumbai, January 6th, 2026: In a significant leap for India’s energy infrastructure, Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) Hydrocarbon Onshore division has successfully initiated the “Feed-in” for the world’s first LC-Max Residue Upgradation Facility (RUF). Located at Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd’s (HPCL) Visakh Refinery in Andhra Pradesh, the facility boasts a massive annual capacity of 3.55 million metric tonnes (MMTPA).
The project has transitioned into the operational phase, currently processing vacuum residue to yield high-value petroleum products. This milestone was celebrated in the presence of top officials from HPCL, project consultant EIL, and technology licensor CLG.
A Technical Marvel in Refining
The RUF is the centerpiece of the Visakh Refinery Modernisation Project. Executed on an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) turnkey basis, it plays a vital role in the National Energy Self-Reliance Programme by maximizing value extraction from heavy refinery residues.
Emission Standards: Production of fuels compliant with rigorous BS-VI norms.
Technological Firsts: Implementation of ebullating pumps, pitch solidification units, and specialized pressure let-down stations—technologies seen for the first time in Indian refineries.
Overcoming Extraordinary Challenges
The project execution was a feat of engineering resilience. L&T navigated several global and local hurdles, including:
Pandemic & Geopolitics: Critical phases were managed during COVID-19 and amidst global supply chain volatility.
Brownfield Constraints: The plant was built within a compact, operating refinery in the densely populated Vizag city.
Innovative Construction Strategy
To meet the deadline under tight constraints, L&T utilized advanced modular construction:
Modularization: Over 50% of piping and structural work was completed off-site. This involved 135 “plug-and-play” modules, with some weighing up to 700 metric tonnes.
Precast Civil Work: For the first time in an Indian refinery, over half of the civil construction, including substations, was done using precast methods.
Scale: The project required the installation of 750+ equipment items and 230 over-dimensional consignments.
Commenting on the milestone, Mr. Subramanian Sarma, L&T’s Deputy Managing Director and President, stated that the successful delivery of this world-first facility reaffirms L&T’s leadership in executing large-scale, technologically complex projects while maintaining global safety and quality benchmarks.
The project was completed with a stellar safety record of 58 million safe workhours, setting a new standard for industrial execution in India.