IOC plans new refinery in Ennore

State-run Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) plans to invest about Rs25,000 crore (US$5.67 billion) to build a new 15 million ton refinery and petrochemicals complex at Ennore in Tamil Nadu, to maintain its position as India’s largest refiner. Plans call for building the export-oriented Ennore refinery four years after it commissions its east coast Paradip refinery in Orissa, a senior official said. Petroleum Minister Murli Deora in March met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in Chennai to seek 3,500-4,000 acres of land for the refinery-cum-petrochemical complex. IOC has a total refining capacity of 60 million tons, which it plans to increase to 80 million tons by 2012. (March 8, 2007)